CHAPTER IV - AN ANALYSIS ON THE REPRESENTATION OF CLIMATE MIGRATION AND CLIMATE REFUGEES ISSUES IN YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Lale Şeyda GÜLSOY
Cite this chapter
APA
Gülsoy, L. Ş. (2024). Chapter IV An Analysis on the Representation of Climate Migration and Climate Refugees Issues in Youtube Videos. In P. Özgökbel Bilis, A. E. Bilis, and K. C. Baykal (Eds.), Rethinking Media in Light of Current Discussions and Trends (pp. 91–116). Ankara, Türkiye: Global Academy Publishing House. https://dx.doi.org/10.59740/academy.71
Introduction
Almost every day human beings face challenges posed by natural and environmental disasters, which are increasingly linked to the consequences of global climate change. These processes, now referred to as the global climate crisis, compel us to examine a critical aspect of the issue that must not be overlooked. As the frequency and severity of natural and environmental disasters rise, those affected are often forced to migrate, both within their countries and across borders, becoming what are known as climate refugees. Climate refugees can be categorized into three distinct groups. The first category includes temporarily displaced climate refugees. These individuals are often forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters but can return once the affected areas undergo a recovery process. The second category comprises permanently displaced refugees, whose displacements typically result from human-induced environmental disasters. In these cases, individuals leave their homes without the prospect of returning.
The third category consists of individuals who migrate due to environmental factors, whether temporary or permanent, in search of better living conditions outside their home country. When natural disasters or human-induced environmental crises drive people to leave their countries, this leads to cross-border displacement. In contrast, internal displacement occurs when individuals relocate within their own countries due to similar environmental pressures (Williams, 2008: 506-507). The term "climate refugee" refers to individuals who are significantly impacted by natural disasters exacerbated by climate change and are compelled to leave their homes due to environmental crises. This concept is relatively new in the field of refugee law, and its parameters remain ambiguous. Specifically, the status, protection, and resettlement of climate refugees have not been adequately defined within international law. Consequently, the question of whether states are obligated to protect climate refugees under international law, human rights law, and environmental law—and, if such an obligation exists, what it entails—is highly contentious.
Currently, there is no international regulation that specifically provides for the protection of climate refugees or environmentally displaced persons. This legal uncertainty can only be addressed through regulations that have clear definitions and comprehensive content. Some climate refugees migrate to other countries (Internationally Displaced Persons), while others relocate within their own countries (Internally Displaced Persons). Given the differing circumstances of each situation, it is essential to clearly delineate the framework of protection for climate refugees at both national and international levels.
Furthermore, individuals forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters such as rising temperatures, droughts, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires fall under Article 1/A-2 of the 1951 Geneva Convention. However, since they do not meet the conditions outlined in this article, they are not classified as refugees under the convention. According to the convention, a person's refugee status is contingent upon their being outside their country. In some cases, climate refugees may only relocate within their own country. Moreover, the 1951 Geneva Convention stipulates that a refugee must have a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The core dilemma is that, although natural and environmental disasters caused by climate change inflict significant harm, they do not fit within the narrow definition of persecution established by the convention. Additionally, the UNHCR only extends protection to refugees who meet the criteria outlined in the 1951 Geneva Convention. While there were proposals in 2006 to amend the convention to include climate refugees, the prevailing perspective, influenced by the views of Biermann and Boas, reflected the attitudes of industrialized nations, making the inclusion of climate refugees in the convention unlikely as long as these views persist (Ekşi, 2016:13-17).