Immigration is in the news across the Atlantic. Neither Americans nor Europeans want any more immigrants, but Barack Obama has surprised many by opening his arms to them. There is much banter about his presidential powers in this connection, but the hubbub ultimately revolves around the legalization of the status of some five-million immigrants who are illegally in the States at this time. Five-million people are hardly worth the noise, though. Besides, they are already in the country. There must be about as many illegal immigrants in Europe, as well. The real question is what to do about the immigrants who have not yet started on their journeys to America or Europe. To make a wild guess, there are at least a hundred times more people who will seek refuge in the richest parts of the world when climate change starts biting in earnest. And half a billion immigrants is a conservative estimate, to be sure. By the end of the century, five-billion of them would not be surprising, either. This is where there is a need for some serious thought on both shores of the Atlantic. By comparison with the drama ahead, Obama’s brave gesture is of little if any consequence. At best, it is a gesture.