For around ten years natural disasters have been occurring more frequently causing widespread destruction yet industrialized countries still refuse to implement or persist in doubting the actions they must take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fail to revise their policies for economic growth Decisions taken high up directly affect the way of life of thousands of people in Canada and elsewhere In 2003 the United Nations indicated that for the first time in history environmental refugees 25 million outnumbered those fleeing from war or political persecution 23 million And their numbers keep on increasing