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CLIMATE CHANGE REFUGEES OBJECTIVES Understand and explain what a climate change refugee is. Explain the reasons why people are climate change refugees. HOW ARE PEOPLE AFFECTED? Climate change in itself does not directly displace people. However, climate change may have environmental effects that make it difficult for people to survive where they are. Today, millions of people are forced to leave their homes as a result of climate change. As they do not meet the definition of a refugee, they receive no legal protection. "Amid the diverse social and political causes, the Darfur conflict began as an ecological crisis, arising at least in part from climate change." Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretar y General THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM Climate change disasters cause more population displacement than war and persecution. It is estimated that at least 25 million people are currently displaced by climate change. This could increase to 150 million by 2050. WHY PEOPLE MAY BE DISPLACED BY CLIMATE CHANGE 1) Sudden natural disasters, e.g. floods, volcanic eruptions, cyclones or earthquakes. 2) Long-term environmental ef fects occurring over time, e.g. desertification, rising sea levels, soil erosion, land degradation, changing water table or seasonal river flow changes. IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Decreased ability to generate an income from agriculture. Increased food prices. More people at risk of hunger. Food and water insecurity. Resurgence and spread of many diseases including malaria, cholera and respiratory tract infections. MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE People move to: Grow their crops Find food, water and shelter Find employment But these areas are often already overcrowded or unsafe due to conflict. INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE Are people forced to leave home, but who remain in their own country. Find themselves in situations similar to those faced by refugees. Rarely have the same levels of protection and assistance as refugees. CLIMATE REFUGEES • Are people forced to leave their own country due to the impacts of climate change • Are not recognised as refugees under international law and so are often denied protection and assistance. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Who should be responsible for providing homes for people displaced by climate change? Should people forced to flee their home due to environmental effects be recognised under international law as refugees? Why/ why not? KIRIBATI QUESTIONS What ef fects has climate change had on Kiribati? What are the people of Kiribati doing in response to climate change? If you lived on Kiribati would you stay or leave? How would you feel about doing so? What can be done to help the people Kiribati? What can you do personally?