Migration processes in relation to ecological disasters

This paper aims to understand what is meant by the term ‘refugees’, studying the classic definition and its broader definition, thus emphasising the process of regulation relating to them, as well as the legal consequences of becoming one, highlighting the importance of international treaties. Natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and devastating. Millions of people are forced to leave their countries and head for the wilderness, with nowhere to go. The aim is to analyse how a new social, economic and environmental reality calls for a greater effort by international law to change and broaden the existing concept of refugee. Recognising environmental refugees is essential to fill a legal gap. The issue of refugees is not new in the world. What is new is the emergence of refugees who leave their countries for reasons other than persecution.