The number of climate refugees is increasing, investments are needed in the affected areas

Ivan Koutzaroff, a project manager at BlueLink, was guest on the “Business Start” program hosted by Roselina Petkova on Bloomberg TV Bulgaria. The primary focus of the discussion was climate refugees.

“Currently, approximately 27 million climate refugees are annually displaced, with this number projected to reach 100 million annually. A substantial portion of migrants in Europe originate from North Africa, primarily farmers seeking refuge due to drought. The European green policy is anticipated to attract further climate refugees,” shared Ivan Koutzaroff.

In his opinion, the European Union should provide financial assistance to African countries to mitigate this trend. However, there is still a lack of a definitive definition for the term “climate refugee.” Legal professionals worldwide are actively engaged in developing a comprehensive legal framework to encompass these individuals.

During the interview, the publication “Our Climate Rights” by BlueLink was highlighted, emphasizing the importance of increased citizen engagement in combating climate change and safeguarding their rights. Advocacy priorities for the establishment of an independent and expert NESIC, as well as the activities of the Climate Coalition - Bulgaria, coordinated by BlueLink, were also discussed.

“To a considerable extent, climatologists and experts concur that climate change is the primary cause of the wildfires in California,” commented Koutzaroff. The climate exerts a profound impact on various activities. For instance, in Bulgaria, drought significantly affects agricultural production, while winter temperatures directly influence electricity bills.


“While it is not accurate to label climate migration in Bulgaria, addressing the issues of drought is not inconceivable. Furthermore, air quality concerns could potentially compel individuals to seek alternative residences,” predicted Koutzaroff.


The complete interview is available for viewing here.

 

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