Climate Change and Displacement: Defining Rights in Rising Tides and Stormy Seas

Mary Esler, Oberlin College

Location

Science Center, A254

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-24-2015 1:30 PM

End Date

4-24-2015 2:30 PM

Abstract

Climate change is already a reality, and with it comes the urgent human rights challenge of determining the fate of people who are displaced as a result. This study seeks to flesh out the concept of “climate refugees” and explore their political options by examining three case studies that demonstrate different dimensions of the problem: refugees of “disappearing” small island states, internal displacement in Bangladesh, and the gray area of “forced migration” in Mexico. This is presented in the context of responsibility and justice for climate change, as those most vulnerable to it are usually those least responsible and from states least capable of adapting.

Notes

Session 1, Panel 3 - Agency and Taxonomy: Case Studies in Ethics, Politics, and Science
Moderator: Dorit Ganson, Associate Professor of Philosophy

Major

Politics

Advisor(s)

Marc Blecher, Politics

Project Mentor(s)

Steve Crowley, Politics

April 2015

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Apr 24th, 1:30 PM Apr 24th, 2:30 PM

Climate Change and Displacement: Defining Rights in Rising Tides and Stormy Seas

Science Center, A254

Climate change is already a reality, and with it comes the urgent human rights challenge of determining the fate of people who are displaced as a result. This study seeks to flesh out the concept of “climate refugees” and explore their political options by examining three case studies that demonstrate different dimensions of the problem: refugees of “disappearing” small island states, internal displacement in Bangladesh, and the gray area of “forced migration” in Mexico. This is presented in the context of responsibility and justice for climate change, as those most vulnerable to it are usually those least responsible and from states least capable of adapting.