How the U.S. Can Lead on Climate Change and Displacement Policy: Views from Communities on the Frontlines

April 22, 2021

The Biden administration is expected to announce an ambitious plan for carbon emissions mitigation at its Leaders Summit on Climate on April 22-23. This is a welcome first step in ensuring that the worst climate change impacts and resulting displacement may be averted. However, communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis are already dealing with impacts, and some are even already on the move. 

This is on the radar of the Biden administration. A February 4th Executive Order from President Biden requested a report on policy options to address climate change and forced migration. This is an encouraging step. But the administration cannot lose sight of what is at the heart of the issue: sustainable and just futures for frontline communities. We encourage the administration to center their voices and experiences.  

Join us for a keynote address by U.S. Senator Ed Markey followed by a conversation with members of the Climate, Migration, and Displacement Platform; a global platform of practitioners and advocates with a common concern for climate justice and the human rights of migrants and displaced people, who will share stories from the ground and visions of policy and practice for a Biden administration.

KEYNOTE

Senator Ed Markey is the U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and Chair of the Senate Climate Change Task Force

MODERATOR

Kayly Ober is the senior advocate and program manager of the Climate Displacement Program at Refugees International and author of the recent report “At A Climate Change Crossroads.”

PANELISTS

Salote Soqo is the senior partnership officer for climate justice and crisis response at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

Helena Olea is associate director for programs at Alianza Americas.  

Harjeet Singh is global lead on climate change for ActionAid.