Global climate change is undeniable. Over the next few decades, as sea levels rise, storms intensify, and drought and desertification run rampant, hundreds of millions of civilians will abandon their homes, cities, and even entire countries. What will happen to these massive numbers of environmental refugees? Where will they go, what rights will they have, and who will take care of them?Over 200 million people in Asian countries live on land that will be affected by rising seas. Picture Pakistan, India, and China--all nuclear powers--skirmishing at their borders over access to shared rivers and farmable land with former coastal areas now submerged. Imagine tens of thousands of Pacific and Indian Ocean islanders cast adrift by waves that have drowned their nations, and more than 100,000 Caribbean islanders forced to leave submerged towns. Consider the complete abandonment of Miami Beach and other coastal communities up and down the Americas. At the same time, hundreds of millions will be desperate for water and a secure life in drought-ravaged Africa and the Middle East.Rising Tidessounds an urgent wakeup call to the growing crisis of climate refugees, and offers an essential, continent-by-continent look at these dangers. The crisis is everywhere and it is imminent. Detailing a number of solutions, John R. Wennersten and Denise Robbins argue that no nation can tackle this universal problem alone. The crisis of climate refugees requires global, concerted solutions beyond the strategic, fiscal, and legal capability of a single country or agency.

PrefacePart 1Climate Refugees in the 21st CenturyIntroduction - Rising Tide: Climate Refugees in the 21st CenturyChapter 1: Seeking Shelter From the StormChapter 2: RefugeedomPart 2Pressure Points and Regional AnalysisChapter 3: What Happens When Your Country Drowns?Chapter 4: The Crisis Hits Home: Climate Refugees In The United StatesChapter 5: Latin America: Land Of Rain, Land Of ThirstChapter 6: Africa: Environmental Conflicts In A War-Torn LandChapter 7: Middle East: The Boiling Point Of Climate Change And National SecurityChapter 8: Asia: The Looming CrisisPart 3Policy Implications and ConclusionsChapter 9: Current Affairs and Climate RefugeesChapter 10: The Shape Of Things To Come