IOM Chief task world governments on concrete solutions to climate crisis

June 5, 2023

By Reporter

Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Antonio Vitorino has called on world governments to come up with concrete solutions for transformative change to tackle the climate crisis.

Vitorino made the call in a video message in commemoration of the 2023 World Environmental Day with the theme “Solution to Plastic Pollution” under the #BeatPlasticPollution.

The IOM Chief disclosed that according to the World Bank, without early, concerted climate and development action, over 216 million people could become internal climate migrants by 2050.

“Concrete action is urgent.

“IOM calls on all governments and parties to address the reality of the climate crisis, providing concrete solutions for people who are already on the move, for people who will want or must move, and for these who want to stay,” Vitorino said.

According to Vitorino, the deterioration of the environment is indeed accelerating with the climate changing at an unprecedented speed, disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, impacting human morbidity in many ways, every day.

He said that in recent years, extreme floods, severe droughts, cyclones, fires and storms have been witnessed in every region of the world.

To address this, Vitorino said that it is critical that the world invest in protecting its environment to avert further disasters.

“In the past decade, records numbers of people have been internally displaced due to disasters, and 2022 was no exception.

“Last year alone, a record number of 32.6 million new internal disaster displacements were registered. Environment migration is our reality.

“We need to invest in protecting the environment today to reduce the risk of displacement due to climate and environmental related hazards for future generations. And ensure that when necessary, their movement are safe.

“We need to invest in solutions for people who want to stay, for people on the move, and people who want, or have to move because of disasters due to adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

“We all need to work together to accelerate climate action, and to reduce environmental pollution and to guarantee that our future generations enjoy their right to a clean and healthy environment.

“On world Environment Day, I join voices of the UN leaders, calling to respect and protect the environment and beat plastic pollution.

“We need to take action now, for people and for nature,” Vitorino said.

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