Environmental Disasters Raise Refugee Numbers

At least 25 million people became environmental refugees or were displaced by natural disasters and large-scale development projects, such as dam construction, in 1995. This number is projected to double by 2010, growing by almost 8,500 a day.

According to the World Commission on Dams, some 40-80 million people were displaced from their homes by dams over the last half-century. Additionally, climate change is said to be a major contributing factor to this rising displacement. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that a large share of Bangladesh's landmass could be submerged due to rising sea levels, turning millions of people into refugees. And small island nations around the world are bracing themselves for land loss due to rising sea levels. In the South Pacific nation of Tuvalu, many residents are preparing to seek shelter in New Zealand, as rising seas threaten to wash away their homes.

Source:

Number of Refugees Drops, Vital Signs 2003, pp. 102-103

Worldwatch Links:

Vital Signs 2003 press release
More research from Worldwatch

Additional Resources:

World Refugee Day 2003