The historic flooding in India comes as new figures show that worldwide, an average of one person is displaced by climate-related weather events every single second. The data revealed by the United Nations refugee agency shows that since 2008, 22.5 million people have been displaced every year by floods, storms and other climate-related weather events—the equivalent of a person per second over the last eight years. Speaking at the United Nations climate summit Wednesday, Marine Franck of the U.N. refugee agency said the COP must address climate displacement.

Marine Franck: “The Paris agreement must address human mobility. In the current draft of the negotiations, the issue is addressed under 'loss and damage,' but it is also important to address this issue under adaptation. Preventing and minimizing displacement must be a priority. Enabling people to migrate in dignity, to seek alternative opportunities when living conditions deteriorate and crisis comes knocking at their door, is also an important measure.”