The concept of 'environmental refugees' has gained traction in recent decades, yet its definition remains contentious. Unlike traditional refugees, who flee persecution, environmental migrants are displaced by gradual ecological changes such as desertification, sea-level rise, and resource scarcity. Scholars argue that the term 'refugee' inaccurately implies a temporary, reversible situation, whereas environmental displacement is often permanent and driven by complex socio-economic factors. Moreover, international law, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention, does not recognize environmental causes as grounds for asylum, leaving affected populations without formal protection. This legal gap has prompted calls for a new international framework that addresses both prevention and adaptation strategies, acknowledging that environmental migration is not merely a humanitarian crisis but a structural consequence of global inequality and unsustainable development.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿por qué se considera problemático el término 'refugiado ambiental'?
A. A) Sugiere que el desplazamiento es a menudo temporal y reversible.
B. B) No reconoce el papel de la desigualdad global.
C. C) No está reconocido por el derecho internacional.
D. D) Solo se aplica a cambios ecológicos graduales.
✅ 正确答案
A) It suggests that the displacement is often temporary and reversible.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first