11 May 2011: Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), has stressed the need to continuously question, “in the face of scientific complexity and uncertainty, as well as growing evidence of climate change, at what point precaution, common sense or prudent risk management demands action, on climate migration.”

In an editorial titled “Climate migration will not wait for scientific certainty on global warming,” published in the UK’s Guardian newspaper and reproduced on UNEP’s website, Steiner discusses the issue of climate change and migration. He offers clarification regarding a map, which was offered by UNEP GRID Arendal on Environmentally Induced Migration. He stated that the map was withdrawn following some media reports suggesting that the findings presented were those of UNEP and the UN, which he indicates is incorrect. Steiner notes that the map was linked to scientific projections, made in 2005, suggesting there might be 50 million “climate refugees” by 2010.

Steiner acknowledges the science has evolved since 2005, as has the debate on classifying people affected by natural hazards, either temporarily or permanently and within or across national borders. Noting that the map over-simplifies the message, he indicates that UNEP has removed it.

Steiner also underscores the role of UNEP in reviewing emerging science, subject it to peer review and make it available to public policymakers and the public. He underscores that declaring climate change non-existent would be “reckless and irresponsible,” and concludes by noting that “millions of people are displaced annually as a result of climate-related disasters.” [Guardian Editorial]