Sharmistha Michaels argues governments should be more accommodating towards refugees fleeing the impacts of climate change

In his dystopian fable ‘The Wall’, John Lanchester writes of an environmental disaster that leads to the destruction of countries and the displacement of millions. When movement between countries becomes unlawful, the British coastline becomes a large concrete wall guarded to prevent the influx of ‘others.’

Reflecting post-Brexit anti-refugee sentiment familiar from the last five years, Lanchester’s novel also presents a vision of an emerging issue around the world, which will grow dramatically in the years ahead.

Since the 19th century, the world has heated up by around 1.2 degrees. In 2021, the State of the Global Climate report stated average global sea levels have reached a record high and Gr...

Sharmistha Michaels
Barrister
5 St. Andrew's Hill

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