climate refugee

American  

[klahy-mit ref-yoo-jee, ref-yoo-jee] / ˈklaɪ mɪt ˌrɛf yʊˈdʒi, ˈrɛf yʊˌdʒi /

noun

1. a person who has had to flee their home due to the negative effects of climate change.

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Etymology

Origin of climate refugee

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Jungle Book: Reimagined, directed by the new chancellor of De Montfort University Akram Khan, reinvents the story of Mowgli through the eyes of a climate refugee.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2022

The story follows Francis, a climate refugee who helps turn out feel-good propaganda in one of Earth’s “Cities,” high-tech and affluent communities that are sealed off from near-constant natural disasters.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2022

Today, the phrase climate refugee refers to someone who has been forced to relocate in response to rising seas, wildfires, drought, or other environmental disasters.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2021

Once a climate refugee herself, she knows what their lives are like.

From The Guardian • Apr. 9, 2020

“They are becoming a type of climate refugee — they have to find work in other places,” said Aguirre.

From Washington Post