What (and Who) Are Climate Refugees?

Climate change is currently causing many issues around the world—from rising temperatures to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and increasing severe weather events and natural disasters. These changes have resulted in billions of dollars of damage to property, countless injuries, and many deaths.

Climate change is affecting vulnerable populations at a disproportionate rate, leading to a new group of people: climate refugees. But what—and more accurately, who—are climate refugees?

Climate Change Refugees

Climate refugees—also referred to as climate change refugees and climate migrants—are individuals who have been displaced from their homes due to natural disasters and climate change. This includes floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, desertification, droughts, rising sea levels, and more. These events not only affect the immediate safety of individuals but can also cause food, water, and other long-term resource shortages that push people from their homes.

The term “climate migrant” is more accurate because, much like internally displaced persons, climate migrants are not recognized as refugees under international refugee law—the 1951 Refugee Convention. This means they don’t have the same protections and rights when seeking asylum as people who have fled their home country to escape persecution based on religion, race, nationality, or political opinion.

How Many Climate Migrants Are There?

It is difficult to count the number of climate migrants since they are not technically recognized as refugees. However, current climate migrant statistics indicate that, on average, 24 million people are displaced each year due to climate change and catastrophic weather events. 

But the problem could get even worse. Three major regions drastically affected by climate change that has led to climate migration are Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Without any tangible developmental or climate action, it is estimated that over 143 million people in these areas will be forced to migrate due to climate change by 2050.

The increase in the number of climate migrants will not only negatively impact the individual migrants who are searching for food, water, shelter, and safety, but will also affect entire regions and countries as individuals struggle for resources. That’s why it’s so critical to determine concrete actions to both limit our role in climate change and develop strategies for helping migrants displaced by it.

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) advocates for the rights of all uprooted people, including climate migrants. We believe it’s especially important to raise awareness for these groups since they are not protected under international refugee law and are often discriminated against in many ways.

Along with our partner agencies, we are advocating for these individuals and working with governments to create protection mechanisms for the climate-displaced. We rely on donations to fund our critical work and continue changing lives. Find out how you can make a difference and help climate refugees, internally displaced persons, and other migrants in need today!

About the International Catholic Migration Commission

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.

With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises.

Find out more by visiting our website.