The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that global mean surface temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This is due to the fact that such instruments do not recognize environmental degradation or climate change as grounds for refugee status . Cultural Memory as the Anchor of IdentityThe impacts of climate change on vulnerable nations cannot be understood solely through the lens of material loss. Reparations are a fundamental feature of international law, and historically have been used to provide compensation that is proportionate to the harm suffered by survivors in international human rights law. Reimagining Self-Determination Beyond TerritoryIf the foundations of international law continue to rest on land as the anchor of identity, climate-displaced people will be left legally invisible.

Source: The Guardian January 06, 2026 14:59 UTC