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Climate Change And International Law: A Case For Expanding The Definition Of "Refugees" To Accommodate Climate Migrants, Jenny Han, Amanda Kuras

Fordham Undergraduate Law Review

The United Nations’ strict definition of “refugee” prevents individuals who are forced to migrate — often due to effects caused by climate change — from claiming the legal protections afforded to those lawfully classified as refugees. This restrictive definition represents a failure of current international law in responding to one of the world’s most pressing existential threats. The effects of climate change, including global warming, extreme weather and rising sea levels, displace millions of individuals worldwide. However, because climate change has only recently become recognized as a serious global and existential issue, international law has not yet responded to the …