Climate Change and Refugees "You hear the cries of the oppressed and the orphan; you will judge in their favor." (Ps 10.17) A climate refugee is a displaced person caused by climate change induced natural disasters, and they are also often called environmental refugees.  The UN states that this is a rapidly growing group, with more than 20 million world wide.  Environmental catastrophes like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami or Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans can create millions of refugees over night.  . But for many other people the displacement comes from gradual environmental shifts, many of which may be linked to climate change—such as desertification, diminishing water supplies, and rising sea levels. "More and more people live in more and more vulnerable circumstances. When disaster hits, their ability to rebuild will be minimal, and they are forced to leave,” says Anthony Smith, with the Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), a group of experts affiliated with the United Nations University.     Read more from National Geographic   Faith Based Resources God’s Earth is Sacred:  An Open Letter to Church and Society in the United States Christian Aid Church World Service   Learn More From the NCC: Climate Change and Poverty Environmental Justice - Home Climate Change and Energy Environmental Health   More Information: Earth Trends World Bank United Nations Development Programme