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.

The Citizens Guide to Climate Refugees

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 and 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 Emma Brindal: emma.brindal@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 Emma.

See the link below to access the guide.