From risk to risk: environmental refugee dilemma

Abstract EN

limate change is a phenomenon that cannot be overlooked; it has become an exorbitant burden borne by man as a result of the technology that one enjoys nowadays.

Climate change has several effects on several aspects in our lives, environmentally, socially, economically, and politically.

It has impacted people intensively to the extent of affecting their movement, which in turn pushed them to migrate.

Yet, the international refugee law does not recognize people who flee climate change’s impacts as refugees.

The 1951 Refugee Convention, a key legal document, stipulates that a refugee has a very specific definition which does not include the environmental migrant.

Climate changes, which could lead to harm or death, are not included in the Convention's grounds.

Therefore, no one would ever be recognized as a refugee for fleeing drought, floods, etc.

This paper tackles real stories from refugees who sought asylum in Egypt after fleeing their countries due to the environmental effects of climate change.