The Climate Injustice Behind the Border Crisis

When asked to discuss the migrant crisis where more than 50,000 people crossed from Morocco into Spain, it is important to look at the human cost. Many individuals swam around the breakwaters to reach the shore. At least 72 people drowned or were crushed during the crossing, and more than 1,000 required medical treatment. The response from populist politicians on the right was entirely predictable.Donald Trump called the situation an invasion and claimed that the same scenario will happen in America if the Democrats win. JD Vance stated that the event is a reminder of mass migration and radical globalist policies from the political left. Elon Musk asserted that the entire budget of Spain will be destroyed by illegal migrants. Giorgia Meloni called the crisis a threat to the borders of Europe, while Marine Le Pen claimed the influx was encouraged by the Spanish government itself. Nigel Farage warned that the migrants will be heading to his country too, calling the event a stunning warning about the consequences of lax border control. Right wing parties in Spain also used the word invasion, criticizing the government for failing to protect the borders, and some even organized a rally at the border while the crisis was unfolding. These politicians are all using this tragedy to push a political agenda that opposes immigration. They deliberately use the word invasion to make people afraid, and they position themselves as the only leaders who are strong enough to protect the nation. However, this conversation completely misses what caused the tragedy in the first place. It ignores the question of why so many people would risk their lives in this manner.The root causes are tied heavily to climate and economic survival. Morocco recently endured seven consecutive years of drought. These weak harvests cost 157,000 jobs. Unemployment among young people reached close to 40 percent in a country where agriculture supplies close to 30 percent of all employment. Looking ahead, the World Bank predicts that as many as 216 million people will be displaced inside their own countries by the year 2050, which includes 19 million people in North Africa alone. Africa accounts for less than 4 percent of global carbon emissions, yet its population faces the most severe droughts, floods, and food insecurity caused by the pollution of wealthier and more industrialized nations. This is a profound global injustice because the continent that did the least to cause the climate crisis is paying the highest price for it.Personally, I do not want a politician who wants to build a wall. I want a leader who admits and takes responsibility for causing the intolerable conditions that these migrants find themselves in. I do not see an invasion when I look at this crisis. Instead, I see a Moroccan waitress who saw a chance to support her parents and her daughter. I see a 24 year old person who cannot find a job anywhere in Morocco. I see a hungry 23 year old person who was prevented from buying food by Spanish authorities. Ultimately, we must remember that a child remains a child even after crossing a border. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit quietcanines.substack.com/subscribe