John speaks in debate on climate refugees

Hurricane image

In a debate on climate refugees at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe John spoke particularly in relation to climate change. With discussion on whether the people involved are termed as 'climate refugees' or 'environmentally displaced persons' John suggested the debate was rather stale. He called instead for acknowledgement of the effect of climate change on vulnerable communities and consideration of their their human rights.

John said: "With a major storm over the Azores heading for Ireland there was never a better time to tackle this issue. Migration is certainly an issue but so is disaster preparedness particularly for vulnerable communities. In Africa there is both hope and despair. There is hope because of the green bonds that are being issued in Nigeria for example and the involvement of young people. There is despair because the current fighting between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria is climatic in origin. Climate change is the cause of the greatest instability."

You may also be interested in

  • Working for a better Europe

    It is important that we have good relations with mainland Europe whatever the outcome of Brexit.  There is a lot of good history here. Since the end of the Second World War, together with the rest of Europe, we have established a world leading focus on human rights, on democracy and on the rule o

Post Office Horizon System

The problems with the Post Office Horizon software is an issue that John has been aware of since becoming an MP when a constituent who had been involved in the situation briefed him. Since then he has joined colleagues to try to get to the bottom of the issue.