Climate refugees – the human cost of climate change
Climate refugees – the human cost of climate change
Since 2001, Friends of the Earth Australia has been campaigning for Australia to recognise climate refugees as a seperate group of refugees. The cornerstone of our work has been the 'citizens guide to climate refugees' which is now endorsed by well over 20 organisations.
With the change in government in December 2007, we now have the opportunity to move the debate forward. The federal ALP accepts the reality of displacement due to global warming. We now need to create the required political groundswell to encourage them to convert this awareness into action.
We would welcome your involvement in this campaign.
The Citizens Guide to Climate Refugees
The guide gives all the basic facts you need on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions; why people could become climate refugees, how many and where are they likely to come from, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.
It is now widely accepted in the scientific community that climate change will lead to both incremental and rapid ecological change and disruption. The impacts of climate change, which include increased droughts, desertification, and sea level rise, along with the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events such as tropical storms and flash flooding, will lead to an increased number of climate refugees around the world.
However, the phenomena of displacement of human populations through global warming is still poorly understood. In order to help raise awareness of this potentially enormous problem, Friends of the Earth Australia launched its “Citizens Guide to Climate Refugees” on World Refugee Day in 2005.
This publication gives all the basic facts you need on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions; why people could become climate refugees, how many and where are they likely to come from, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.
'By recognising environmental refugees you recognise the problem. By recognising the problem you start on the road to accepting responsibility and implementing solutions' – Jean Lambert, Greens Member of the European Parliament, London (Lambert, 2002)
Climate change is already having disastrous effects on humans around the world, as seen in the tiny island nation of Tuvalu, which is only 5 metres above sea-level. As Tuvaluan’s have noted, disastrous consequences of climate change will only be avoided if world leaders accept their global responsibility for implementing policies that will restrict greenhouse gas emissions.
FoE is delighted that the following organisations have chosen to endorse the guide:
Oxfam Australia,
WWF South Pacific,
Tear Australia,
Uniting Justice,
Catholic Earthcare Australia,
Greenpeace Australia Pacific,
Total Environment Centre,
Conservation Council of South Australia,
Western Australia Conservation Council,
Conservation Council of South East Region and Canberra,
Project Safe Com,
Nature Conservation Council New South Wales,
Social Action Office (Brisbane),
Sisters of Mercy Brisbane,
Climate Action Network Australia,
Rising Tide,
Australian Student Environment Network,
Moreland Energy Foundation Limited,
FairShare International,
Environment Victoria,
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre,
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
the City of Yarra
This guide is specifically written for an Australian audience, however many of the issues discussed and actions we can all take are applicable for concerned organisations and individuals across the world. Get proactive, download the guide and do your bit towards climate justice!
If your group would like to endorse the guide, please contact Damien Lawson: damien.lawson [at] foe.org.au
We are currently looking into translating the guide into other languages. If you would like to be involved in this project, please contact Damien.
You can access the guide here.
Other resources
In August 2008, FoE co-ordinated a sign on letter which was supported by more than 100 representatives of non-government organisations from across the Asia-Pacific - including the main Pacific peak bodies and NGOs - which made an urgent call for Australian PM Kevin Rudd and NZ PM Helen Clark to do more to help the Pacific with climate change, in particular increased immigration and resettlement. It is available here.
Click here for our introductory leaflet on environmental refugees
Opinion piece by Emma Brindal, Climate change refugees the forgotten people, available here.
Since 2001, Friends of the Earth Australia has been campaigning for Australia to recognise climate refugees as a seperate group of refugees. The cornerstone of our work has been the 'citizens guide to climate refugees' which is now endorsed by well over 20 organisations.
With the change in government in December 2007, we now have the opportunity to move the debate forward. The federal ALP accepts the reality of displacement due to global warming. We now need to create the required political groundswell to encourage them to convert this awareness into action.
We would welcome your involvement in this campaign.
The Citizens Guide to Climate Refugees
The guide gives all the basic facts you need on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions; why people could become climate refugees, how many and where are they likely to come from, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.
It is now widely accepted in the scientific community that climate change will lead to both incremental and rapid ecological change and disruption. The impacts of climate change, which include increased droughts, desertification, and sea level rise, along with the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events such as tropical storms and flash flooding, will lead to an increased number of climate refugees around the world.
However, the phenomena of displacement of human populations through global warming is still poorly understood. In order to help raise awareness of this potentially enormous problem, Friends of the Earth Australia launched its “Citizens Guide to Climate Refugees” on World Refugee Day in 2005.
This publication gives all the basic facts you need on climate change, greenhouse gas emissions; why people could become climate refugees, how many and where are they likely to come from, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.
'By recognising environmental refugees you recognise the problem. By recognising the problem you start on the road to accepting responsibility and implementing solutions' – Jean Lambert, Greens Member of the European Parliament, London (Lambert, 2002)
Climate change is already having disastrous effects on humans around the world, as seen in the tiny island nation of Tuvalu, which is only 5 metres above sea-level. As Tuvaluan’s have noted, disastrous consequences of climate change will only be avoided if world leaders accept their global responsibility for implementing policies that will restrict greenhouse gas emissions.
FoE is delighted that the following organisations have chosen to endorse the guide:
Oxfam Australia,
WWF South Pacific,
Tear Australia,
Uniting Justice,
Catholic Earthcare Australia,
Greenpeace Australia Pacific,
Total Environment Centre,
Conservation Council of South Australia,
Western Australia Conservation Council,
Conservation Council of South East Region and Canberra,
Project Safe Com,
Nature Conservation Council New South Wales,
Social Action Office (Brisbane),
Sisters of Mercy Brisbane,
Climate Action Network Australia,
Rising Tide,
Australian Student Environment Network,
Moreland Energy Foundation Limited,
FairShare International,
Environment Victoria,
Cairns and Far North Environment Centre,
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission
the City of Yarra
This guide is specifically written for an Australian audience, however many of the issues discussed and actions we can all take are applicable for concerned organisations and individuals across the world. Get proactive, download the guide and do your bit towards climate justice!
If your group would like to endorse the guide, please contact Damien Lawson: damien.lawson [at] foe.org.au
We are currently looking into translating the guide into other languages. If you would like to be involved in this project, please contact Damien.
You can access the guide here.
Other resources
In August 2008, FoE co-ordinated a sign on letter which was supported by more than 100 representatives of non-government organisations from across the Asia-Pacific - including the main Pacific peak bodies and NGOs - which made an urgent call for Australian PM Kevin Rudd and NZ PM Helen Clark to do more to help the Pacific with climate change, in particular increased immigration and resettlement. It is available here.
Click here for our introductory leaflet on environmental refugees
Opinion piece by Emma Brindal, Climate change refugees the forgotten people, available here.
