Climate Migrants
Provided by: The Climate Reality Project|Published on: October 26, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Social Studies, English Language Arts
Authors: The Climate Reality Project
Location: Asia, Earth, North America, North America > United States
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article introduces students to the concept of climate migrants and refugees as an indirect effect of climate change.
- The article defines climate migration, explains how it is caused, and provides solutions.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This is an excellent introduction to climate migration, an impact of climate change that is often perceived as distant in time and place.
- The article is broken down into four easy-to-understand sections explaining what climate migration is, the difference between migrants and refugees, why displacement occurs, and what solutions would have the most significant impact.
Additional Prerequisites
- Although explained briefly in the text, students should have a general understanding of the effects of climate change before reading the article.
- For those without access to the Internet, this resource can be printed.
Differentiation
- Students can research real case studies of climate refugees and climate migrants.
- For older or more advanced students, have them consider the implications of climate migration for peace, conflict, and economic or political stability.
- Have students consider why some people are more likely to experience climate migration and the inequalities that have led to this.
- For further information on climate migration, watch this video on human displacement.
The resource highlights the level of human migration as a result of climate change impact. As disasters and extreme weather conditions occur, people tend to migrate to safe places. However, Article 1 of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention does not identify these persons as refugees. Therefore, this resource attempts to debunk this and provide clear evidence of the need to revise the provisions contained in the article to incorporate climate refugees. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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