Environmental Displacement

Environmental Displacement

Overview

  • Discussion on environmental displacement as part of the larger theme of climate change and humanitarian crises.

  • The session aims to engage students through interactive learning, specifically through a game focused on disaster risk reduction related to climate events.

Importance of Environmental Displacement

  • The climate crisis is fundamentally a humanitarian crisis.

  • Climate change significantly exacerbates displacement, especially for those already fleeing from conflict.

  • Climate change as a root cause of displacement must be addressed appropriately.

Key Statistics

  • In 2022, approximately 70% of refugees and asylum seekers originated from highly climate-vulnerable countries.

    • This percentage shows a significant increase from 56% in 2012, indicating a growing trend over a decade.

Complexity of Displacement Situations

  • Many refugees live in extremely vulnerable climate conditions, increasing the complexity of their displacement situation.

  • Humanitarian organizations are facing challenges in addressing the needs of displaced populations effectively due to the evolving nature of climate-related displacement.

  • Implementation of anticipatory action activities is difficult but necessary.

Increased Needs Related to Climate Displacement

  • Displaced individuals possess unique needs, including:

    • Health concerns

    • Nutritional requirements

    • Child protection issues

    • Educational access and concerns

    • Participation in societal activities or reintegration

Activity: Disaster Prevention Game

  • Students are encouraged to participate in a game designed by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction that simulates disaster prevention strategies.

  • Scenario Options:

    • Tsunami

    • Earthquake

    • Flood

    • Wildfire

    • Hurricane

Game Instructions

  • Players have a time limit of 20 minutes to navigate through chosen scenarios,

    • The game is designed to emphasize planning and decision-making in disaster preparedness.

Example Scenario: Hurricane

  • Players will be introduced to a fictional town preparing for a hurricane.

  • Key components of the game include:

    • Risk Mapping: A risk map indicates areas most affected by the hurricane; understanding this is critical to formulating effective responses.

    • Goals: Players must manage resources to meet goals:

    • Housing for 330 people, with a current deficit of 150 homeless individuals.

    • Build 1 school, 1 hospital, and ensure the protection of the local seaport.

Budget Management

  • Players must make financial decisions while under a budget constraint for each scenario.

    • Example: Securing the seaport costs $200, affecting budgeting decisions on other infrastructure.

Completing the Scenario

  • Before triggering the disaster event, all tasks must be completed to mitigate the risks to the population effectively.

  • Strategies such as building in safer areas and securing critical infrastructure (like the seaport) minimize potential disaster impacts.

Discussion and Reflection

  • Students are asked to reflect on their gaming experience and share insights regarding:

    • Their learning experiences related to anticipatory action and community implications of climate crises.

    • Awareness of post-disaster impacts, such as the number of people affected and reconstruction costs.

Technical Access and Support

  • Game access is browser-based and does not require any downloads.

  • Instructors are available for questions or technical issues related to accessing the game.

Conclusion

  • The activity emphasizes practical applications of anticipatory actions in environmental crises, fostering students' understanding of real-world implications in communities facing climate challenges.