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19 February 2008
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Climate Change Will Lead to More Migration: UN Agencies
19/02/2008
Leading United Nations agencies on climate change and migration are warning that the growing intensity of severe weather conditions such as droughts and floods is putting pressure on affected populations to migrate. The agencies say populations in the least developed countries are at greatest risk. Patrick Maigua reports from Geneva.
At a meeting in Geneva called to discuss the co relation between migration, climate change and environmental degradation, director general of the international organisation for migration, Brunson McKinley said there was need to put in place policy measures which address the environmental impact of unplanned mass migration.
"Unforeseen and inadequately managed migration can hinder development in several ways by increasing pressure on urban infrastructure and services, increasing the risk of conflict and degrading health, educational and social conditions amongst migrants and receiving communities."
World Meteorological Organisation Secretary General Michel Jarraud said although climate change was increasingly influencing the drivers of migration, its impact can be lessened through effective warning systems.
"We need to strengthen the effort on improving even further this early warning in improving the quality, the lead time and the integration of these early warnings."
Climate change experts are predicting that by the year 2050 up to a billion people worldwide will be displaced or forced to migrate due to climate change and environmental degradation. Patrick Maigua, UN Radio, Geneva.
At a meeting in Geneva called to discuss the co relation between migration, climate change and environmental degradation, director general of the international organisation for migration, Brunson McKinley said there was need to put in place policy measures which address the environmental impact of unplanned mass migration.
"Unforeseen and inadequately managed migration can hinder development in several ways by increasing pressure on urban infrastructure and services, increasing the risk of conflict and degrading health, educational and social conditions amongst migrants and receiving communities."
World Meteorological Organisation Secretary General Michel Jarraud said although climate change was increasingly influencing the drivers of migration, its impact can be lessened through effective warning systems.
"We need to strengthen the effort on improving even further this early warning in improving the quality, the lead time and the integration of these early warnings."
Climate change experts are predicting that by the year 2050 up to a billion people worldwide will be displaced or forced to migrate due to climate change and environmental degradation. Patrick Maigua, UN Radio, Geneva.