UNH Today

With sea levels rising and climate-related disasters becoming more frequent and severe, climate change has become a bigger threat to people’s lives and homes throughout the world. Climate migration is a global issue and establishing a system to welcome those forced to flee their homes should be a global conversation.

That is why UNH Manchester student Brian Lundgren ’21 joined the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire (WACNH) to help organize “The Growing Concerns of Climate Refugees,” a panel discussion to educate the local community on climate refugee issues and what you can do to help.

An interest in world affairs spurred Lundren to join WACNH’s Student Advisory Committee, which helps bring light to global events through local events and activism. The history major said it’s vital for younger generations to get involved in today’s most pressing issues.

“The World Affairs Council brings events that are going on in the world out of the news and into the community,” Lundgren said. “Getting student communities engaged in world affairs is important, especially as the world grows closer and more interconnected every day.”

Lundgren said the committee polled local students to identify the issues that they care about. The poll found students were most interested in climate change and refugees, issues that overlapped with climate-related events displacing people from their communities. Lundgren said the WACNH event highlights the tangible effects of climate change as well as problems that arise when there is a surge in forced migration.

“In certain areas of the globe, communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis in ways that force migration to other areas,” Lundgren said. “This is even more important because many studies show this problem will only get worse as climate change continues.”

Panelists at the event will include New Hampshire State Refugee Coordinator Barbara Seebart; Rob Werner, New Hampshire state director for League of Conservation Voters; and Lawrence Hamilton, professor of sociology and senior fellow at UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy.

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