Climate Migration: Disasters, displacement and disappearing countries

Human activity is the major cause of global warming. The environment is rapidly changing, and one of today’s biggest challenges is the great number of individuals who will be forced to move due to unbearable situations related to climate change. This will happen both within nations and across borders.

Migration runs along a continuum, from voluntary movement to forced displacement. Currently there is no international legal framework that addresses and secures the rights and needs of people who are forced to move or migrate as a result of environmental causes. With an increased skepticism towards refugees, what will the future of acceptance be if the 1951 Refugee Convention were to be amended, and all of those fleeing due to the environment were granted status as refugees?

In this plenary session Atle Solberg, Tore Furevik, Kees Van Der Geest and Amali Tower, are joining us to discuss the issues in the field of migration due to climate change, with Inger Marit Kolstadbråten as moderator.