Populations Displaced by Climate Crisis

Since 2008, on average climate change has been displacing 21.7 million people per year. 95% of this population displacement occurred in developing countries (according to reports by The Environmental Justice Foundation).

After 2010 flooding, in outskirts of Thata, Pakistan, displaced women line up to collect water.

Throughout the last couple centuries the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil has caused a significant increase of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Modifying the natural greenhouse gasses has resulted in an increasingly warmer planet, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and more, all causing detrimental impact. Large populations of people are internally displaced and forced to leave their homes to seek a safer place to live.

Those displaced by climate change, extreme weather events, environmental degradation, and natural disasters are often left to find a solution to a problem they did not create. Generally, climate refugees either end up in detention camps or are refused shelter in safer places. Internally displaced individuals and families are trying to adapt to the changing environment, but many large populations are being displaced from their homes in an uncontrollable manner. This forces abrupt relocation in order to live. In the event that these internally displaced populations are able to find a safe area, there are likely others present. There have been reports of tension between these host and displaced communities. To aid these groups displaced by climate change, preventative measures must be taken. As Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees states, “We need to invest now in preparedness to mitigate future protection needs and prevent further climate caused displacement. Waiting for disaster to strike is not an option.”

Businesses are large contributors to environmental pollution. Subsequently, these companies can also play an important role in driving green growth in developing countries. Recognizing the role that the private sector plays in the degradation of the planet will aid in slowing climate change. The two largest contributors to carbon dioxide emission, as of 2018, are the United States and China. The resulting effects of this emission should be primarily assessed and funded by parties contributing to furthering climate change. Companies in the private sector play a role in creating frameworks to diminish the effects of disaster-related displacement by producing products that are environmentally friendly and emphasizing their impact to consumers. The greater percentage of the population that is able to hear about climate change, the greater percentage of people who will actively change their habits for the greater good.

Sources:

• “5 Facts about Climate Migrants.” Earth.Org, 16 Mar. 2021, https://earth.org/facts-about-climate-migrants/.

• UNHCR. https://www.unhcr.org/climate-change-and-disasters.html.

• “Environmental Refugee.” National Geographic Society, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/environmental-refugee.