Security Implication of Changing Climate

There are potential drivers of conflict at national and international level from climate change and global warming. Damage to earth’s weather systems from Greenhouse gases will change rainfall pattern. Up to 30 percent of animal and plant species will be vulnerable to extinction if global temperatures rise by 1.5 - 2.5 degrees Celsius, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report said. Conflict among people arise when resources become scarce and when access to energy, water and food are limited. The rise of sea level from melting of glaziers, and the change of landscape, especially along the coastal areas, will bring about border disputes among countries. Thanks to the initiative of the United Kingdom, Chair of the Security Council for April, these security risks will be put on the table for discussions. For the first time, members of the UN Security Council will debate the security implication of global warming on April 17. These debates will surely raise public awareness on future security implications and future dangers that we are facing. The timing of the Security Council debate is good as an appropriate follow-up to difficult negotiations by governments and scientists at the recent IPCC Meeting in Brussels, Belgium. The study of climate change around the world forecast different impact among the different regions affecting billions of people. Africa will be hardest hit by water shortage. Asia will face massive flooding by the melting of ice from the Himalayas. Australia will loose it’s corals of the Great Barrier Reef. And North America will have to deal with more severe storm. We are waiting for the outcome of this important Security Council debates and the following recommendations for action to prevent impending global disaster.

Filed under Environment, Science, United Nations, World Affairs |