News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius. Parent comment

Re:India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius by kabwj on Sunday June 02, 2019 @10:10AM (#20075539)
It’s caused a divide because the number of current economic refugees is relatively small. Thus many people thought it was possible to have them stay in the first world. Hence the divide in public opinion. But I believe that if the estimates are right, the number of climate refugees will be so high that people will more or less agree that it’s better to close the border in that situation.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius by inflatableDodo on Sunday June 02, 2019 @10:31AM (#20075674)
>the number of current economic refugees is relatively small

Interesting way to describe people fleeing war.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius by kache_ on Sunday June 02, 2019 @11:59AM (#20076228)
Economic refugees don't have it good either. Starving and dying from disease isn't easy.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius by inflatableDodo on Sunday June 02, 2019 @12:29PM (#20076411)
If you are travelling because otherwise you will starve while dying from disease, you are a refugee. Economic migration generally assumes that you are not likely to die from returning. I do not think it is that wise to conflate the terms.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius by Scoundreller on Sunday June 02, 2019 @03:27PM (#20077463)
Being too poor to not have enough food, or experiencing a crop failure, does not meet official definitions of refugee eligibility:

https://www.unrefugees.org/refugee-facts/what-is-a-refugee/

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius by inflatableDodo on Sunday June 02, 2019 @03:47PM (#20077610)
It does meet common dictionary definitions though - https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/refugee
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:India heatwave temperatures pass 50 Celsius by Scoundreller on Sunday June 02, 2019 @05:32PM (#20078387)
Your link’s definition limits it to issues of war, persecution or natural disasters.

A crop failure might be a natural disaster, but lots of other causes of starvation that are not.

Main point is, if you’re seeking refuge, try to put a clear-cut reason down rather than something debatable, but sensible, like absolute poverty.

[ Parent | on HN ]