Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration

Transcription

1 Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Migration Gordon Shepherd Director, Global and Regional Policy WWF International With Thanks to proact

2 More than 160 wars since the end of World War II: 40 million people have been uprooted by war alone Nearly every country in the world hosts refugees. 11 million refugees today - 25% in Africa 6,400 natural and technological disasters affected >2.5 billion people from Poorest and least developed countries suffer worst consequences many have high levels of biodiversity Cost of disasters estimated at ca $60 billion/annum Some Facts...

3 ...and Issues Natural resources are increasingly becoming a cause of population displacement - diamonds, timber, water, grazing land Ecosystem services and functions collapse under pressure of sudden, concentrated human displacements Wilderness and protected areas serve as a magnet for displaced persons: Significant environmental damage can result, but preventive and/or mitigation measures can be taken The rate of disasters shows a continuing upwards trend

4 Environment and Disasters

5 But some are more vulnerable than others 98% of casualties in developing countries 130 million in high earthquake risk area 120 million affected yearly by hurricanes and cyclones 200 million experience frequent severe floods

6 We are all affected Refugees - conflict generated; outside of country of origin; unable to return under prevailing circumstances Internally displaced people disaster or conflict generated; sudden and often concentrated impact; duration uncertain Environmentally displaced persons - environmental degradation is a major (but not the only) cause of displacement Voluntary migrants - voluntary movement for economic, social, cultural or personal gain Returnees - refugees (mainly) who are able to return home following political changes

7 Some Issues of Concern SECURITY FUELWOOD, BUILDING MATERIALS AND CHARCOAL: USE & COMMERCE OVERGRAZING POOR AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES EROSION WATER POLLUTION WASTE MANAGEMENT POACHING (BUSHMEAT) INTRODUCED INVASIVE SPECIES SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DISRUPTION HEALTH AND SANITATION

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11 Wake up!

12 LESSONS LEARNED

13 Poor Site Management, Planning and Rehabilitation

14 Uncontrolled environmental response and recovery Heavy reliance on natural resources wood, poles, food, water, grazing Poor waste management (dumping in paddy fields, rivers, little or no recycling) Asbestos (uncontrolled clean-up, procurement) Burial sites (burial just above or below groundwater) Over-pumping (salination in coastal areas) and cross-contamination Inappropriate response (desalination plants, septic tanks) Uncontrolled quarrying/mining and timber harvesting operations Little or no environmental controls (environmental screening and EIAs) Lack of post-disaster environmental risk maps (flood, sea level rise, landslide, nature reserves, wells, contaminated groundwater) Soft engineering options available but not routinely applied

15 Where environmental and humanitarian concerns meet Two worlds, often apart - Agencies have different priorities and work in different ways Saving human life is the primary concern Ecoregions and ecosystem services at (unecessary) risk Risks associated with environmental impacts

16 Actors and Agencies Government UN Agencies Resident Co-ordinator, individual agencies, Clusters Affected communities Humanitarian and relief NGOs Oxfam, CARE, national agencies Environmental NGOs Donors Media

17 Thanks for your attention! The future

18 AT A GLANCE Non-profit-making NGO Registered and headquartered in Switzerland Global network of technical assistance (Expert Advisors, Associates and Partner Organisations) Technical assistance and support to a growing international network of partners ProAct is a service provider from practical support to policy development Community focused support Institutional capacity building Learning and information dissemination network