Environmental Refugees

Investigate the globally shared responsibility of living under the threat of climate change. After a brief introduction from our speakers you’ll have the opportunity for in-depth discussion in small groups with those currently working on the issue of environmental refugees, before we wrap up with a question-and-answer session.

Future scenarios show low-lying regions being swallowed gradually by rising sea levels, expanding deserts and more frequent severe storms. What are the human costs of these scenarios? The worst-affected areas will be in the developing world. This raises the question of social justice: climate change is deepening poverty and affecting those who are contributing least to the phenomenon.

Will giving refugee status to people displaced by climate change address the root cause of the problem? The current situation of economic and political refugees suggests perhaps not. Some say those arguing the case for environmental refugees use the issue to put pressure on governments to reduce emissions by playing on fears of mass immigration.

So what’s the answer? As in all climate-change-related questions, the real answer would be to reduce emissions. But should we be guaranteeing safe refuge? Should the principle that the ‘polluter pays’ apply? What can affected people who can’t afford to migrate do to adapt to their changing environment? Talk about the issues with those working in the field.

Event organised by:
The Science Museum

Speakers

Iftikhar Ayaz, Honorary Consul for Tuvalu
Rachel Baird, Christian Aid
Don Nelson, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia
Dominic Kniveton, University of Sussex
Koko Warner, Institute for Environment and Human Security, United Nations University