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Climate Change as a Driver of Human Migration

10/14/2022 10:27:48 AM

Oct14

by Lynn Silverman

Have you ever heard the term “climate change refugees” and wondered what this means? TBE was honored to welcome environmental scientist Dr. Angie Dickens on June 29 to discuss climate change and its effects on global migration. This was a joint presentation to the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Action Team and the Environment and Climate Change Action Team, followed by a lively discussion among the participants. 

Dr. Dickens has worked at the interface of environmental science and policy at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and a six-state regional planning organization. She also leads a social justice group at Christ Presbyterian Church and is a frequent speaker on the effects of climate change.

Climate change has had devastating effects throughout the world in the form of extreme heat, river and rain flooding, fire weather, droughts, frequent severe storms and hurricanes, rising sea levels, coastal flooding, erosion, and loss of water in snow, glaciers, and ice sheets. These all lead to what are called “push factors” in migration. When climate changes results in agricultural degradation and the disappearance of land, people don’t have enough to eat. They lose their sources of income and there is widespread unemployment. People who are already poor suffer increased poverty and deteriorated living conditions. Unstable political situations and violent conflicts are exacerbated. 

Ironically, the people who suffer the most from these changes, those in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia, are the people who have contributed the least to climate change. For example, the wave of immigrants from Honduras in 2021 was caused by the devastating hurricanes there in November 2020. The US reacted negatively to this wave of migration, but we contributed to the forces leading to these severe weather events.

Although the US, as a more affluent county, is better able to adapt, we too are beginning to see devastating effects and have seen people migrating within the US to different parts of the country to escape droughts, fires, and severe weather.

Dr. Dickens said that it is imperative to cut greenhouse emissions. She emphasized that while we cannot stop climate change, we can make a significant difference. She noted that there is a huge range for action, on the individual as well as the systemic level, including reducing home energy use, transportation emissions, and the waste we generate, as well as making dietary changes. She provided this website with additional resources. She also enumerated efforts we can make to facilitate systemic change, including lobbying Congress for legislative action on climate change, supporting executive actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting state and local action, and getting involved in an environmental justice group.

Some people may be able to adapt and stay in their homes. However, there will be many others for whom adaptation is not possible, and we can choose to make pathways to immigration more humane. In fact, shouldn’t people forced to leave their homes due to climate change be considered refugees—climate change refugees—and be given the same considerations as people needing to flee their homeland due to violence? Aren’t the devastating effects of climate change just another form of violence?

Dr. Dickens ended her presentation explaining why this issue is the responsibility of people of faith and commented that all religious traditions emphasize a call to care for the earth and the vulnerable. As Jews, we would add the focus on welcoming the stranger. Here is a recording of her presentation if you would like to listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcEDZe5z39Q
 

April 25, 2024 17 Nisan 5784