"WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A New Zealand judge on Tuesday rejected a Kiribati man’s claim that he should be granted refugee status because of climate change."

"Ioane Teitiota and his wife moved to New Zealand from the low-lying Pacific island nation in 2007. He argued that rising sea levels make it too dangerous for him and his family to return to Kiribati.

Immigration authorities twice rejected his claims, so he appealed to the High Court.

In his decision, Judge John Priestley said Teitiota did not fit the definition of a refugee under international guidelines because he was not being directly persecuted."

The Associated Press had the story November 26, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Kiribati Island: Sinking Into the Sea?" (BBC News) [3]

"Kiribati: Island Nation Deals With the Consequences of Climate Change" (Marketplace) [4]

"Judge’s Decision "Flawed" in Kiribati Climate Change Case" (Radio New Zealand International) [5]

"Global Warming Threatens Pacific Economies, Report Says" (Wall St. Journal) [6]