Working group advises the U.S. on climate and global migration issues
In the coming decades, climate-related disasters and environmental changes may cause the displacement of tens or hundreds of millions of people. This is a canal in the low-lying area of southern Bangladesh, which is one of the most vulnerable countries. (Kevin Krajic/Earth Institute)
A working group composed of prominent former federal government and UN officials, leaders of non-profit organizations, and climate experts today called on the United States to adopt strong policy measures to deal with the global climate crisis and its impact on human migration. Among other things, the report urges increased assistance to other countries to help people adapt; provide assistance for planned resettlement work abroad and at home; and remove some immigration barriers so that more immigrants can enter the United States.
This Working group report In response to February 4 Executive Order of the President of the United States Instructed National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan to provide the President with the option of “protecting and relocating individuals directly or indirectly displaced by climate change” by August, as well as policy measures for a series of related goals. The report will be submitted to a working group of the State Council.
Researchers say that tens of millions to hundreds of millions of people May be displaced in the next few decades Due to climate-related disasters and environmental changes. In countries such as Honduras, Bangladesh and Burkina Faso, climate-related disasters have caused long-term displacement.
Eric Schwartz, the co-chair of the working group and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Immigration, said: “The scale and scope of the climate crisis require major policy measures, including the historic increase in U.S. support for disaster risk reduction and Climate adaptation and new protections for refugees and other people who will be on the move.”
One member of the working group is Alex Decherbinen, Senior Scientist at Columbia University International Earth Science Information Network Center Who studies Climate-related migration“Climate will increase the tendency of people to leave their country. These policy recommendations are definitely a step in the right direction,” DeSherbinin said. He added: “The basic issues surrounding immigration are currently one of the most worrying issues in our country’s politics.” He predicts that although these suggestions will receive strong attention from the Biden administration, there may be more people willing to help. Other countries guide people to stay at home instead of facilitating immigration to the United States.
The working group’s recommendations include:
- Commit to provide 1 billion U.S. dollars in support for global disaster risk reduction — existing US support increases by more than 500 million U.S. dollars each year — and support a new global risk reduction and recovery fund.
- Funding for international climate change planning increased by 60%, up to US$4 billion, with a focus on adaptation and targeted development assistance and financing for local communities in affected countries.
- New measures to protect and resettle refugees from climate-affected areas.
- Provide resettlement and asylum for forced immigrants who do not meet the definition of refugees but cannot safely return to their home countries due to the impact of climate change.
- Use temporary protection status to protect victims of disasters exacerbated by the effects of climate change, while legislation authorizes the government to provide access to permanent residency and citizenship for groups with this status for more than five years.
- Expansion of traditional labor, education, and family reunion immigration channels to cope with immigration pressure brought about by climate change.
- Encourage the United Nations to adopt the principle of recognizing internally displaced persons within a country, and encourage the World Bank to make efforts to direct funds to support internally displaced persons.
- Provide international financial support for planned relocation and strengthen support for planned relocation in the United States.
The 14-person task force has members from various organizations, including International Refugee Organization, World Church Service, and six universities and think tanks. Prior to this, some of them had served in the U.S. State Department and the Department of Justice and the United States Agency for International Development.
Adapted from a press release by Refugee International.
