The United Nations is warning that countries should prepare to house millions of climate change refugees.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi announced a ruling passed by the body last week that declares climate change a legitimate reason to seek refugee status in another country. Grandi described the rule and its impetus in a Tuesday interview at the World Economic Forum with Reuters.
“The ruling says if you have an immediate threat to your life due to climate change, due to the climate emergency, and if you cross the border and go to another country, you should not be sent back because you would be at risk of your life, just like in a war or in a situation of persecution,” Grandi said.
“We must be prepared for a large surge of people moving against their will,” Grandi continued. “I wouldn’t venture to talk about specific numbers. It’s too speculative, but certainly, we’re talking about millions here.”
President Trump was also in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum but pushed a different message. He warned the assembly of taking part in hysteria surrounding the idea of catastrophic climate change.
“We must reject the perennial prophets of doom: They are the heirs of yesterday’s foolish fortune tellers,” the president told the crowd in a speech.
Trump said climate change alarmists are “radical socialists” who “want to see us do badly” and “eradicate our liberty.”
Grandi’s warning comes as massive fires have wiped out millions of acres in Australia. Australian authorities have arrested dozens on charges of arson and manslaughter for allegedly setting fires that burned large swaths of the country and caused several deaths.
