30 April 2021 – by Evelyn Workman
The U.S. government is considering a plan to offer protection to people coming to the U.S. who have been displaced by drought, rising seas, or other consequences of climate change. Currently, no country offers any legal protections to people who have specifically been displaced due to the effects of climate change.
President Biden’s administration is studying this idea – the president issued an executive order in February ordering national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, to discuss with federal agencies how such protection could be created. A report on these discussions is due to be released in August. If the U.S. did define a climate refugee, it could mark a major shift in global refugee policies.
Last week, mayors across the U.S. signed a letter to President Biden requesting that the study “actively engage U.S. mayors and municipalities” throughout its progression. The letter was signed by mayors of major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, San Diego, and Chicago. They argue they should be consulted on potential new climate migrant legislation as cities are due to receive most of the people who have been displaced. The letter’s organiser, Vittoria Zanuso, said cities want a role in helping Biden to protect climate migrants, and that any plan should address the relocation of Americans who have been fleeing climate change related disasters, such as forest fires.
