The impact of climate change on global migration patterns is increasingly evident. As the Earth’s climate undergoes significant shifts, extreme weather events are playing a significant role in human mobility. Those countries most impacted by climate changes are often lower income and do not contribute as much to human fueled climate damage as higher income countries – further highlighting disparities that push individuals to move for climate related reasons. The future of climate-induced migration will undoubtedly be a defining issue of our time. 

Climate disruption is contributing to rising sea levels, severe storms, droughts, and desertification. These forms of environmental displacement  can render areas uninhabitable, forcing communities to relocate to safer regions. Climate change-induced migration can be internal or cross-border. Internally, people may move from rural to urban areas within their own country to escape environmental degradation. Cross-border migration may involve individuals or communities seeking refuge in neighboring countries that are less affected by climate-related problems. 

Vulnerable communities with limited resources and infrastructure are disproportionately affected by climate change. Rising sea levels, for example, threaten coastal communities and island nations. Droughts and changing rainfall patterns can impact farming communities, pushing people to migrate in search of sustenance. 

Climate change can exacerbate existing conflicts or create new ones, further fueling migration. Competition for dwindling resources, such as water and arable land, can lead to conflicts that displace entire communities. The Syrian conflict is a palpable example in which a severe drought exacerbated pre-existing political instability. 

As we adapt to the reality, and inevitability, of climate-induced migration, we call for the recognition of climate refugees as a legal category, and for the development of more nuanced, international instruments that guarantee their fair claim to our shared world.