Empowering Refugees through Education on Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

By Dr. Izzati Haji Jamil

ِA PhD graduate from Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

As an example, sea level rise is linked with the thermal expansion of the seas. This thermal expansion leads to droughts in some areas and floods in other areas. This occurs through the evaporation-precipitation cycle, of which dry regions are made even drier. A case example is Syria, that faced one of the most historic cases of climate-related droughts. Between 2006 and 2010, Syria faced one of the most severe droughts in its modern history, devastating agricultural output and forcing hundreds of thousands of rural residents to migrate to urban areas in search of work and support (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025). At present, Syria still scuffles with its worst drought in over 60 years. The factor of the sea level exacerbates this drought. Case in point, rising seas add up to the risk of saltwater entering freshwater aquifers along the coast, which can destruct irrigation water soil. 

Another example is how research trends exhibit the sea-level pressure in the Eastern Mediterranean being connected to a decline in Syrian precipitation. This is significant largely due to how climate change has been intensifying evaporation rates as well as altering rainfall patterns (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025). Scientifically, this leads to depletion of surface water and further inducement of droughts. Overall, the journey for many Syrian refugees has never been separate from the phenomena of climate change and the man-made causes. This poses the question – how can an education on climate change and sea level rise make any difference for the journey of refugees?

Firstly, the climate-driven rising seas is largely related to the escalating water crisis and shortage. Recently, a report by the United Nations (2025) shows that the world has entered an era of “global water bankruptcy.” Even nations that have surplus water are likely to face short-term water insecurity due to climate change-induced droughts and floods. One of the most crucial challenges facing Muslim-majority states is water scarcity (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025) and this effects refugees. In relation to altering rainfall patterns and sea-level pressure, the element of water scarcity adds more challenges for refugees and asylum seekers. In terms of Islamic ethics, this is connected to the idea of stewardship (amānah). To elaborate, Muslim societies can improve climate resilience and contribute to global environmental governance by reviving the ideals of stewardship (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025). 

Contextually, the idea of stewardship under the Islamic ethics would involve prohibition from pollution. Islam greatly prohibits contaminating water sources. In terms of refugee settings, it necessitates greater prevention against the spread of water-borne diseases like cholera through sanitation infrastructure. This is especially as water scarcity has contributed to the spread of waterborne diseases, displacement and the escalation of conflict over access to resources (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025). Thus, the role of Muslim societies would be to become more proactive in terms of stopping water pollution. Industrial effluents generally increase the average ocean temperature, which add to the already challenging water-related journeys for refugees. A public dialogue about the Muslim’s duty of stewardship encompassing both water care and refugee groups needs to be fostered. To expand – religious and community centers have historically served as spaces for moral instruction and the dissemination of knowledge (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025).  By the inclusion of environmental education into sermons and community programs, religious leaders can derive practical action from the awareness of climate issues (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025). In this context, the rising seas and their consequences on vulnerable refugee groups should be made the priority. Religious leadership must be a double-fold source of empowerment and education so that other people can be inspired to lend a hand in giving ease for the refugee groups. 

Furthermore, as climate change increasingly effects the Asia-Pacific region, religious leaders can help empower the younger generation through education of the global warming-induced factors – so that they can help vulnerable refugees. When it comes to climate change, education is the first step. By passing knowledge to their peers, the younger generation can enormously mitigate the burdens of climate change. In many countries of this region, some 30 to 70 percent of drinking water remains unaccounted for. Part of the loss is due to the leaking distribution systems. The younger generation can take up knowledge that relates to engineering in order to fix these problems in the long run. It is also the role of religious leaders to inspire them in that direction. Secondly, the climate-linked rising seas have a relationship with the wastage of water. When we waste excessive amounts of water, one of the ways it ends up in the ocean is from groundwater extraction. To explain, much of the water used for daily household needs is pumped from deep underground aquifers. Yet, the wastage of water affects the long-term sustainability. Relatedly, in Yemen, there have been decades of unsustainable water extraction from aquifers (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025). For refugees and asylum seekers in water-stressed camps, there has been an emphasis on water-prevention programs for their well-being. However, the onus to ensure the water sustainability and lesser wastage of water is on the industry bodies, government bodies, and NGOs. This is to foster protection for marginalized refugees and migrants everywhere. 

Deductively, many Islamic environmental groups are already active in the promotion of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and community-based conservation (Iqbal & Jamil, 2025). At the same time, the idea of using an education of an education on climate change and sea level rise in order to empower must be a priority on agendas. The climate care towards the seas can never be separate from the care towards the welfare of all refugees.

References:

• Iqbal, M. A., & Nurul Izzati Haji Jamil. (2025). From Caliphates to Climate Crisis: Historical Records, Islamic Teachings, and Environmental Challenges in the Muslim World. Indonesian Journal for Islamic Studies, 3(3), 120–131. https://doi.org/10.58723/ijfis.v3i3.560
• United Nations. (2025). World enters era of ‘global water bankruptcy.’ URL: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166800