According to the report published by the Switzerland-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), 17.2 million people in 144 countries were internally displaced due to natural disasters merely in 2018.

The climate change, with its effects more pronounced every day is now a global phenomenon. The report by IDMC reveals that 17.2 million people migrated due to climate only in 2018, with the total figure reaching 265 million in the period of 2008-2018.

According to the “Climate Change, Migration and Displacement” report published in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Overseas Development Institute, the 10 largest migration movements in 2016 were triggered by climate, with the Philippines, China and India most affected by such migration.

The UNDP report predicts that larger mass movements will occur due to climate change. It is expected that about 200 million will have to abandon their localities in 2050 due to rising sea level, drought and floods.

IDMC reports mention Turkey as well. While climate- or disaster-triggered migration rate is lower in Turkey than in other regions, in the last decade, 275,313 people migrated on that account.

As a solution to such adverse scenarios arising from the studies and reports, it is proposed to devise a correct development plan that prevents greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

News: Elif Yavuz / Hüseyin Çakmak - DHA