The complex relationship between the climate crisis and displacement was discussed at an online event, hosted by HIAS+JCORE last Thursday (30th November).
Run in partnership with EcoJudaism, the session was held to mark the opening day of the COP 28 climate summit.
Panellists included Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi at Masorti Judaism and EcoJudaism trustee, Professor David Cantor, Director of the Refugee Law Initiative (RLI), and HIAS’ Senior Director of International Jewish Community Relations and International Advocacy, Noah Gottschalk.
Speakers discussed the impact that climate change will, and is having, on displacement, connections between such movement and the 1951 Refugee Convention, and the importance of ensuring safe migration pathways for people forced to leave their homes by extreme weather events and disasters.
Audience members also heard about the important work HIAS has begun undertaking in this field, with the event concluding with a call to action from Andrea Passe, EcoJudaism’s Director of Operations.
Click below to re-watch the full event recording.
