Refugees

Climate Change Loss and Damage: A Lake Chad Basin Case Study

Climate Change Loss and Damage: A Lake Chad Basin Case Study

Regardless of the possible cessation of conflict, populations have already sustained lifelong losses and damages. Millions of lives have been upended by both climate change and conflict. Lake Chad has receded to an extent where livelihood loss is almost permanent. Lake renewal is only possible if seasonal rains and optimal temperatures arrive when expected and are sustained over a long period. This has not happened in decades and we now know that global warming and climate change are unlikely to allow that to return.

At the same time, the significant underdevelopment of the population in this region renders them unable to adapt to new vocations. Cultural loss is significant and violates Indigenous, economic, social and cultural rights, while food insecurity is endemic.

Climate Refugees Policy Recommendations to US Government Agencies on Climate Displacement

This expert contribution to PRM and USAID is based on Climate Refugees report: “Climate Change, Forced Displacement, Peace and Security: Biden Administration Actions That Ensure Rights released in March 2021 in response to President Biden’s February 4 executive orders on Planning for the Impacts of Climate Change on Migration. And this 2020 joint NGO report addressing the adverse impacts of climate change in Central America countries due to the strategic policy and operational response needs of forced migration arising from Central America to the United States, where evidence suggests climate change impacts and climate variability have impacted agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of farmers.

Serve Your People: A Roadmap for Transforming Relations between the United States & the Northern Countries of Central America

Austin Park via UNSPLASH

Austin Park via UNSPLASH

Under the leadership of the Latin America Working Group (LAWG), Climate Refugees contributed expertise to this joint-NGO report with LAWG, Kinds in Need of Defense (KIND), Oxfam America, Church World Service (CWS Global) and Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), which maps out the “ways the United States can restore and advance protections for migrants and refugees and use principled diplomacy to stand with civil society forces for change. It provides U.S. policy recommendations for protecting human rights, providing opportunities for youth at risk, addressing gender-based violence, tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting equitable development strategies, and helping countries address the impact of climate change.” (LAWG)