Refuge, Refugium, Refugee

[ˈref·judʒ], [ʁɛfʊgʒʊm], [ˌref·jʊˈdʒi,ˈ]

Related terms: Biosphere, Community, Exodus, Habitat, Heimat (German), Subsistence

The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951 (Article 1) needs to be updated to consider the new era of climate refugees – those who lose their habitat because of climatic mutations. Currently, the status of refugees is tied to race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion – however, it leaves out those seeking new and necessary refugia after their original ones have been devastated by climate or connected catastrophes. 

       A refugium is defined as a safe, life-supporting place, where human and nonhuman beings can find a new home after an event that has altered their former habitat in such a way that they have to leave it in order to survive. There is an urgent necessity to create a legal framework that recognizes the right to physical integrity of all life-forms.