Scientists estimate that there could be 1.2 billion “climate refugees” by 2050—a term that refers to the increasing number of migrants who are forced to flee their homes because of floods, drought, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters. Extreme weather, rising seas, and damaged ecosystems are threatening the lives of millions around the world. This panel will discuss various aspects of the climate refugee crisis, including current patterns, opportunities, and challenges to humanitarian aid—and how the future can be impacted by what we know today.
SPEAKERS
Jonathan Colmer
Assistant Professor of Economics
University of Virginia
Kirsten Gelsdorf
Professor of Practice of Public Policy
University of Virginia
David Leblang
Professor of Politics
University of Virginia
Kayly Ober
Senior Program Officer: Climate, Environment, and Conflict
United States Institute of Peace
Hosted and produced by the Environmental Institute and the Humanitarian Collaborative at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.
Democracy360 is hosted by the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy. The Atlantic is the official media partner of Democracy360.
