Roots & Routes is a podcast about climate justice and human rights. In a 5-episode miniseries, I have asked first-hand witnesses and experts to talk to me about climate-induced migration. This is a complex topic, but one of the pressing issues of our age: therefore it needs airtime. In our first episode, with Carbon Brief's science journalist, Ayesha Tandon, we lay down some basics. Who are climate migrants? Or should we call them climate refugees? How and why do people move, where do they go and what kind of rights do they have?

I invited Ayesha to Roots & Routes after reading her incredible Deep Dive Q&A on the topic. In the past few years, she talked to many experts and scientists on how the climate drives human migration, so she’s the perfect person to kick off this series.

Read more from Ayesha:

Deep Dive Q&A on migration and climate change

Inside HABITABLE: Investigating climate-driven migration in rural Thailand

Global South Climate Database

You can find Ayesha on LinkedIn and X.

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Intro sound credits:

CBS News: Climate Refugees: Nations under threat

ABC News: Central American drought creates climate change refugees

ABC News: Climate-induced famine leaves children on the brink of starvation: Part 1

ABC News: Millions in East Africa face famine triggered by drought

CBS News: Canada wildfires prompt U.S. air quality warnings

Stories: The World's First Climate Refugees

Al Jazeera English: Guatemala migrants: Climate change driving exodus

DW News: German Chancellor promises help to residents affected by worst flooding in decades | DW News

Guardian News: World on 'fast track to climate disaster', say UN secretary general

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Fawad Durrani is an expert on climate change, migration and displacement at Greenpeace Germany. He previously worked for various international NGOs in Afghanistan. He has been living in Germany for the past 9 years and earlier this year, he finally received German citizenship. At Greenpeace, his work focuses on raising awareness of the link between climate change, conflict and displacement.

Listen to this episode when we talk about the impact of climate change on global majority countries. In recent years, Europe has experienced a significant influx of refugees from conflict-affected regions. As we've discussed in previous episodes, climate change is a major driver of migration. Today, we'll explore how it also influences conflict, creating a complex interplay that's often overlooked in public discussions. We'll also delve into a crucial aspect: responsibility. We'll examine the emission and financial responsibilities of industrialised countries in addressing these challenges.

Learn more:

UNFCCC

Adelphi

Berghof Foundation

Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre

Fawad’s blog on the Greenpeace website (in German)

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Intro sound credits:

Afghanistan hit by second earthquake in less than a week / Today / YouTube

Pakistan floods: At least 69 dead following week of heavy rainfall / Global News / YouTube

Associated Press / COP27 / YouTube shorts

Shehbaz Shariz, Pakistan’s prime minister speaks at COP27 (from Climate Change: What is loss and damage? / Sky News - YouTube)

CBS News / COP28 kicks off with creation of climate loss and damage fund / YouTube

ENGLISH SPEECH | JASON MOMOA: Powerful Climate Speech (English Subtitles) / English Speeches, YouTube

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Eugenia Seleznova is an author, editor and artist from Ukraine. In the third episode of Roots & Routes, we’re examining a broader context of climate-driven migration with her: the context of war.

There is a war happening in Ukraine right now, which harms not only people but also natural resources and wildlife. In this episode, I speak with Eugenia about recent environmental catastrophes, growing up in post-Chornobyl Ukraine and the ongoing nuclear threats that further darken the days in war-torn Ukraine.

Consider supporting Ukraine:

Come Back Alive

Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation

UAnimals

Kyiv Animal Rescue Group

Find Eugenia on Instagram and the CEU Gender Studies website.

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Sound Credits:

HBO Chernobyl

ABC News: World Report, 1986 April 28

Gorbachev Announces Chernobyl Tragedy To The Public / RBMK5000 / YouTube

Chernobyl Disaster Effects: Revisiting the Nuclear Accident Site 20 Years Later /April 26, 2006 ABC New

Chernobyl Recovery - A Blueprint for International Co-operation. A short film from 1991

Recordings of the first phone calls of the Militarized Fire Department of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant right after the explision (source: NewsFromUkraine Youtube)

Ukraine war: devastating aftermath of dam collapse revealed / Channel 4 news / YouTube

Ukraine war: Rescue efforts underway after Nova Kakhovka dam disaster & flood / Al Jazeera English / YouTube

Ukraine war: Village opposite plant fears nuclear attack following dam explosion / Sky News / YouTube

Ukraine: Destruction of Kakhovka dam prompts ‘ecocide’ investigation / Yahoo news / YouTube

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In our fourth episode, we’re talking intersectionality.

Climate change isn't an equaliser; people who are part of marginalised communities experience its effects much more harshly, despite being the least responsible for it. My fourth guest is Shanthuru Premkumar, a non-binary Black Indigenous refugee from Sri Lanka. Shanthuru is a dedicated human rights activist and catalyst for transformative change. Their mission centres on addressing deeply ingrained systemic oppressions faced by the global majority.

Natural diversity, including queerness, should be accepted and celebrated. Yet, environmental catastrophes often hit marginalised communities the hardest, leading to disproportionate migration and displacement. In this episode, we will discuss how we can create a world where systemic oppression and conflict are not the norm, and where we strive for equitable, sustainable solutions for everyone.

Shanthuru works at Greenpeace, currently with Greenpeace Belgium. They formerly worked for Greenpeace International as the Global Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement Coordinator. At present, they serve as the Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Safety Officer, as well as a Programme Advisor for Greenpeace Belgium, integrating these principles within the organisation's framework.

They tirelessly strive to create a more equitable world by amplifying the voices of marginalised communities, campaigning for decolonisation, and championing climate justice initiatives.

Find Shanthuru and their work on:

The disproportionate impact of climate crisis on the LGBTQIA2S+ community (blog)

Instagram, LinkedIn, X

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Intro sound credits:

Pride 2024: We Show Up Legacies / Human Rights Campaign / YouTube

Kimberle Crenshaw on Intersectionality | The Big Idea / YouTube

Who is most affected by climate change and who should tackle it? - BBC News / YouTube

Climate Justice And Human Rights Explained / Amnesty International / YouTube

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In our fifth and final episode, we focus on the struggles of the Roma community in Europe and the impact of climate change, environmental degradation and systemic racism and oppression on their lives. Despite being the largest ethnic minority in Europe, the Roma face systemic discrimination and economic hardships, which are worsened by climate change and consequent forced migration.

Join us as we explore the resilience and voices of the Roma community in the face of environmental change with Judit Ignácz, an Advocacy Officer at the European Roma Rights Centre and a leading advocate for Roma rights.

Find Judit and her work at:

Judit's LinkedIn

Sheja Consulting

European Roma Rights Centre

Ame Panzh

Events discussed in this episode:

Quarry collapse in Recsk (video with English subtitles!)

Ajka alumina plant accident

Intro sound credits:

Europe’s Problem With The Roma / AJ+ / YouTube

Magda Matache: FXB Celebrates International Roma Day / FXB Harvard / YouTube

Vice News: The Struggle for Survival of the Roma People /

Romani or Gypsies? | Dijana Pavlovic | TEDxBocconiU / YouTube

Hungary inundated by severe flooding / Sky News Australia

Hungary's worst disaster - warnings it could happen again / Euronews / YouTube

How is the largest European ethnic minority affected by climate change? WFD / Council of Europe / YouTube

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