Climate Refugees and Displacement
David Shim ’26
Christine Wu ’25
Climate change is a devastating issue that has ruined and continues to wreck the lives of many. From continuous rising sea levels to the hottest years in human history, first-world countries have catalyzed climate change (Zhong, 2024).
Climate change has especially impacted Central and South America and Middle Eastern countries. For instance, Honduras is a country that produces 1.03 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per capita. However, with countries like the US (producing 14.67 metric tons of CO2 emissions per capita) and China (producing 7.61 metric tons of CO2 emissions per capita), climate change continues to increase exponentially– impacting countries that cause it the least (Place Explorer). For example, in third-world African countries, a single drought can lower the country’s already minimal medium-term economic growth potential by a whole percent (Georgieva, 2022). Thus, the global issue shifts from an emission problem that third-world countries can barely manage on their own to a constant situation endangered by the consequences of first-world emissions.
To make matters worse, many other low-income countries besides Honduras often need more governmental leadership, economic stability, and climate education to combat droughts and hurricanes. Without such support, innocent civilians suffer. From health issues to environmental damage affecting humans and other organisms, people in such situations struggle in climate discourse every year or decide to move, in hopes of a better situation.
Although the latter option sounds more feasible, its success rate is incredibly low. Other than logistical challenges through borders, in which “it is nearly impossible to determine who precisely would qualify” (Huang, 2023), factors such as border corruption, success rate, and, most importantly, pricing all play detrimental roles in climate migration (ASJ; CFR).
Corruption within third-world governments and borders has made it increasingly difficult for other countries, such as the US, to provide aid. Not only does this fact prohibit proper humanitarian supplies from being sent, but it primarily makes migration extremely difficult– especially since severe penalties could be placed (Huang).
More notably, the price of such migration plans is challenging to obtain. Many migrant caravans, which take climate refugees to borders, request a large sum of money for their illegal voyage (Baker’s Institute). Because of this steep price, many people who wish to escape the harsh conditions in their home countries cannot do so. Such a lack of economic stability also contributes to climate change. In countries such as Honduras, where around 25% of the population works in the agricultural sector, storms and hurricanes ruin many crop yields, effectively reducing wages for a quarter of the population (Honduras, 2024).
Thus, a continuous cycle of emissions, followed by climate-ravaging discourse, and finalized by a wish to leave yet inability to do so represents the experiences of many struggling climate refugees. Although many climate refugees have begun to raise their voices, a call to action to highlight the circumstances of those less fortunate is essential and should be vitally supported.
References
Corruption in honduras: Association for a more just society. Corruption in Honduras | Association for a More Just Society. (n.d.).
Council on Foreign Relations. (n.d.). Central America’s turbulent Northern Triangle. Council on Foreign Relations.
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/central-americas-turbulent-northern-triangle
Georgieva, K., Gaspar, V., & Pazarbasioglu, C. (2022, March 23). Poor and vulnerable countries need support to adapt to climate
Honduras - employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2024 data 2025 forecast 1970-2022 historical. Honduras - Employment
In Agriculture (% Of Total Employment) - 2024 Data 2025 Forecast 1970-2022 Historical. (n.d.). https://tradingeconomics.com/honduras/employment-in-agriculture-percent-of-total-employment-wb-data.html#:~:text=Employment%20in%20agriculture%20(%25%20of%20total%20employment)%20
Honduras. Honduras - Place Explorer - Data Commons. (n.d.). https://datacommons.org/place/country/HND?u
tm_medium=explore&mprop=amount&popt=Emissions&cpv=emittedThing%2CCarbonDioxide&hl=en
Huang, L. H. L. (2023, November 16). Climate migration 101: An Explainer. migrationpolicy.org.
Migrant caravans: A deep dive into mass migration through Mexico and the effects of immigration policy. Baker Institute. (n.d.).
Overview. World Bank. (n.d.).
People’s Republic of China. People’s Republic of China - Place Explorer - Data Commons. (n.d.-a).
United States of America. United States of America - Place Explorer - Data Commons. (n.d.).
Zhong, R., & Collins, K. (2024, January 9). See how 2023 shattered records to become the hottest year. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/climate/2023-warmest-year-record.html
