By Allie Vanden Heuvel, Alliance Intern from University of Alabama at Birmingham MPH ‘25
Last month, we all saw unprecedented hurricanes slam the southeastern US, causing devastating impacts for millions of people. These severe natural disasters are not alone in their devastation.
In 2024, the US has seen 24 climate disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion each. Globally, natural disasters take 40,000 to 50,000 lives every year, with millions of people displaced on top of this.
Climate refugees are the forgotten victims of climate change. They are individuals, families, and communities that have been forced to leave their homes due to environmental disruption or devastation. Even though their need for asylum is no different from political refugees, they typically cannot find a country willing to help them.
Many of you may be picturing climate refugees from countries in Africa or coastal regions, but this phenomenon occurs right here in the US, too. Climate change is already causing displacement and population shifts in the US due to natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, with two to three million individuals forced from their homes each year.
On both a national and global level, we need to recognize and address the public health needs of climate refugees. Not only is climate change real, it’s already impacting where we can live and thrive.
The Rise in Climate Migration
Displacement and migration from natural disasters is not a new phenomenon. Since 2008, disasters around the globe have caused about 21 million displacements every year.
The scale of this problem is growing exponentially, with a record high of over 100 million displaced people in 2022 alone. Frighteningly, it is predicted that 1.2 billion people will be displaced due to climate change by 2050. That is roughly 15% of the world’s population!
Although we typically think of natural disasters as the main reason for displacement and migration, it is also driven by rising sea levels, extreme temperatures, resource scarcity and ecosystem degradation. These environmental conditions have significant impacts on daily life, health care, food systems and individual and population health.
Health Challenges of Climate-Induced Displacement
Climate migration and displacement produce a wide range of negative outcomes in physical and mental health of refugees.
Climate change and migration can cause numerous diseases and illnesses in refugees. Changing habitats can cause increased risk of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. In areas experiencing flooding and compromised sanitation systems, waterborne diseases like cholera increase dramatically. Drought and food shortages driven by climate change can cause malnutrition in many local individuals.
Refugees and displaced people’s mental health also suffers. Loss of livelihood and displacement cause significant stress and trauma, which may lead to anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Barriers to care are only exacerbated by legal and systemic issues due to refugee status. On top of this, many health systems are experiencing strain due to climate change’s impact. Primary care and continuity of care is disrupted from migration and displacement, and many countries have limited capacity to support this change.
Vulnerable Communities on the Frontlines of Climate Displacement
Climate migration disproportionately impacts communities along geographic boundaries and demographic characteristics. These disparities place the burden of climate change on communities that are already vulnerable and experience excessive burden.
For those living in small island states and coastal areas, the impact of climate change is disproportionately higher, of course. Indigenous and rural communities that are dependent upon thriving local ecosystems are also at risk.
Individuals with lower socioeconomic status, compromised health, and historically disenfranchised groups are especially vulnerable to climate change’s impact. Social and economic conditions determine where individuals and families can live, leaving them in locations that regularly experience climate disasters. On top of this, they are constrained in their ability to flee and find safe places to land.
Building Resilience through Health Infrastructure and Support for Climate Refugees
Climate migration is already here, happening every day. It is imperative that we all recognize its existence and impact, then call for action to protect climate refugees.
According to the CDC, there are many avenues for effective change in the public health sphere to improve physical and mental health of refugees, prepare and respond to disasters, and support health systems’ capacity.
- Mental Health Support for Climate Migrants: Disasters and displacement cause mental health symptoms such as stress and trauma to increase, therefore emergency services and primary health care should integrate mental health services to better serve climate refugees’ needs.
- Improving Health Infrastructure in Vulnerable Regions: Investment in resilient health systems to support displaced populations will allow refugees to receive the care they need. Additionally, increased surveillance for disease outbreaks in climate migrant populations will allow for early detection and treatment of diseases.
- Early Warning Systems and Disaster Preparedness: Communities can increase their resilience through climate-responsive planning and preparedness strategies, as well as investing in early warning systems for natural disasters.
- Supporting Migration as Adaptation: Voluntary migration from climate change is a natural adaptation strategy, yet legal barriers prevent many individuals from doing so. Advocating for policies that allow safe, legal pathways for migration will allow more people to safely relocate and receive the care they need.
A Call to Compassion: Addressing the Health and Human Rights of Climate Refugees
The accelerating crisis of climate migration demands urgent attention from us all. With climate disasters already reshaping communities across the globe and displacing million every year, we must recognize that climate refugees are not simply a distant issue affecting other countries – they are our neighbors, fellow citizens and vulnerable communities.
The physical and mental health toll of climate displacement is severe, often compounded by limited access to care, heightened exposure to disease and the emotional trauma of losing one’s home and livelihood.
To protect the health and human rights of climate refugees, robust action is essential. I encourage you to advocate for emergency preparedness and resilient health systems to support climate migration. Furthermore, we must advocate for climate refugees to be viewed as legal asylum seekers by both the law and the community.
Climate migration is a pressing reality, and by addressing it with compassion and urgency, we can create a more resilient and equitable future for all.