Lieu: Village de la COP22, Zone verte, Salle 1
Heure: 13h – 14h30

Climate change is causing an increasing frequency and severity of adverse weather events, some of which, such as flood and heatwaves, have a direct impact on health and cause sudden displacements of people. Over time, the changes of climate that cause phenomena such as droughts and rises in sea level also result in people being forced to move. Climate change also acts as an impact multiplier and accelerator to other drivers of human mobility.

While the precise scale, location and timing of population movements that are caused, at least in part, by climate change are uncertain, there is growing evidence that they will be substantial and will increase in the years to come. Much of the displacement is likely to be internal, but there will also be external displacement.

Climate change is already having a major impact on health globaly and the world health organization (WHO) predicts that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250000 additional deaths per years, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress. In addition to these effects, the health of people displaced internally or externally can be seriously impaired bu their conditions, treatement, experiences of physical and mental trauma, stress and lack of access to services. The 2009 Lancet and University College London Commission on managing the health effects of climate change declared that ‘’climate change is the biggest global health threats of 21^st century.

A variety of international agencies including WHO, the international Organization For Migration (IOM) and other UN bodies, as well as national agencies including those of France and Germany, are providing important assistance to countries experiencing the impacts of climate change. However, to date there has been little action at the level of European Union to address climate, migration and health.