Migrants

Climate change and migration: Building a coalition to protect our collective future

02 November 2023

Climate Change & Migration: Building a Coalition to Protect Our Collective Future

Many harmful narratives surrounding climate change and migration focus on the threat posed by climate change-induced migration. But these narratives can be divisive, and they can trigger fear.

UN Human Rights aims to change the narrative on migration and climate change by promoting hope-based stories of migrants and communities working together to address the adverse impacts of climate change.

These hope-based illustrations were created by Magda Castría, a feminist illustrator and graphic designer from Argentina. She produces editorial, animation, motion graphics and digital media projects focused on defending human rights.

Castría is devoted to spreading hope to make the world a better place for all species that inhabit it.

Together, using stories like these, and celebrating the power of community, we believe we can create local solutions to climate change.

To find out more about how to help change the narrative on migration and migrant human rights, visit the UN Human Rights Toolbox.

Suluafi loved growing up on her home island. She was surrounded by greenery, the beach, and a supportive community. Her parents would tuck her in at night and tell her, “Sleep well. You are safe here on this peaceful island.”
As Suluafi grew up, she learned about climate change in school. It was the first time she understood why the coral surrounding the island was turning white; why the sea levels were rising and why there were more cyclones some years and worsening drought in other years. These factors were already threatening her community’s food and livelihood sources.
She knew her beloved island had made a minimal contribution to global climate change, but it would bear the impacts from it. “If my county were in a bubble, I would stay here forever,” she thought. But she was afraid for her island and her future there. She wanted to meet and tell others what was happening and be part of creating collective solutions.
Suluafi migrated to a new country to continue her education. There, she joined other young people who wanted to stop climate change, both locals and those who had migrated from other islands. They shared their knowledge and feelings and decided to join forces to form a coalition.
Suluafi went from school to school, leading workshops for other young people who wanted to join the movement. She connected with diverse activists and helped create an online media network to widely share everyone’s stories and advocate for change together.
While she is grateful to be contributing to a global movement to stop climate change, Suluafi knows in her heart she wants eventually to go back to her home. She remembers a famous proverb from her island: ​​E lele le toloa ae ma'au i le vai, which means the bird who flies off will always want to return home.
But she is concerned that the dangers her island is facing will continue to grow if climate change is not stopped. She checks in regularly with people on the island working towards sustainable production and consumption along with conservation of the forests, coral and traditions. She also works with her coalition in the city in her new country to address climate change and bring their stories to a global platform.
Many people believe everyone from the island wants to leave, but Suluafi knows this simply isn’t true. Everyone should have the choice to stay and the choice to move. By working together to address climate change, we ensure a future where both options are possible. And a future where her home island –and her new county– thrive.
#StandUp4Migrants UN Human Rights Logo. This story was produced in partnership with Suluafi Brianna Fruean @briannafruean

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