Ministry of Climate Change and Environment Hosts Youth Circle on Impact of Climate Change on Immigration

• Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship attends youth circle
• Al Zeyoudi: Migration due to climate change is an aggravated global challenge and the UAE has been taking significant actions

Dubai, UAE: May 24, 2017 – The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, in collaboration with the Emirates Youth Council and the Canadian Embassy in the UAE, held a youth circle under the title “The Impact of Climate Change on Immigration”.

The youth circle was held in the attendance of His Excellency Dr. Thani bi Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and The Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara in Abu Dhabi.

His Excellency Dr. Al Zeyoudi told the audience that migration due to climate change is a global challenge that is expected to aggravate in the future. He noted that there have been 21 million climate migrants since 2008, with numbers expected to reach almost 200 million by 2050.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed that humans and other living creatures are affected by climate change, indicating that the number of bird species registered in the UAE has reached 443, of which about 240 are resident while 135 are rare or accidental. 

He explained that more than 150 bird species are threatened by climate change, where increasing temperatures affect bird migration and cause them to go further north to find cooler areas. “For species such as the polar bear or snow leopard, they literally have nowhere else to go. Increasing heatwaves can also reduce the life span of species, and lead to their death,” he said.

“We can control the extent and severity by taking actions to reduce climate change, and also adapt to its effects. The Paris Agreement actually includes specific references to consider climate migration,” he added.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted that the UAE has been taking significant actions, such as providing US$850 million in renewable energy aid to other developing countries, developing ambitious clean energy targets and hosting the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said: “I welcome the opportunity to participate in a Youth Circle here in the UAE, especially one focused on an issue of such significance. Climate change has already impacted migration patterns around the world, a reality which will continue for decades to come. That is why hearing from young people is so vital. Their commitment to addressing the issue and the solutions they envision are critical, given that they are the leaders of the future.”

Youth circles are great opportunities that empower the youth to express their opinions regarding current issues and enable them to find solutions for global challenges. These events also allow them to meet with decision makers to discuss the best ways to contribute their creative ideas to advance various sectors towards a better future.