Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

In recent years, the world has seen drastic changes in its climate and a rapid growth in the number of international migrants. The seawaters and the oceans have risen, the lands have been covered by floods, crops for subsistence have been destroyed by the increased amount of salts dissolved in water, destroyed ecosystems, and people have been forced to move forced displacement of human populations. In the last decade, the nexus of climate change migration has gained notable popularity, but the facts about this area of inquiry have been excessive and disorderly. In many countries, subsequent displaced persons otherwise known as climate-induced migrants have either converted into internally displaced persons (IDPs) inside their nations or for survival, have crossed international borders. In examining the legal framework regarding these immigrants, it is unfortunate to note that they do not fall within the configuration of the International Legal Authority for the Protection of Refugees. Additionally, the predicament of these displaced persons is not affiliated with the definition and the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees (1951) and Status of Refugees related Protocol (1967). There are many dilemmas that emerge in attempting to make sense of this field. The issue of state actors using political propaganda to block any progress especially in confronting the subject of climate change migration has become an issue of many nations. This study offers a human rights and international law approach to climate-instigated displacement.