From society of the risk to deflagration of climate refugees: the exclusion of legal treatment as an issue of environmental racism

Abstract

This paper intends to study the phenomenon of environmental migrants by presenting a global view on the topic, understanding it as a result of the connection of two events: the development of the (risk) society and the practice of environmental racism. In order to do so, the Theory of Social Risk will be explained, and from such theoretical basis, the evolution of societal damage and the occurrence of environmental hazards will be analyzed – leading directly to the emergence of environmental racism and its conceptualizations and evaluation. Similarly, the worldwide phenomenon of environmental migrants will be asserted, essentially in the need for an eff ective legal recognition that favors the acceptance of ‘climate refugees’ based in an ethical conduct of mankind towards the ecosystem; intending to present and face such issues obdurately experienced in the contemporary world.

Keywords

• Sociedade do Risco. Racismo ambiental. Refugiados ambientais. Ética ambiental.