Climate change

Climate change is high on both domestic and international political agendas as countries face up to the huge environmental challenges the world now faces. Whilst this attention is welcome, less energy is being focused on the inevitable impact climate change will have on security issues. The well-documented physical effects of climate change will have knock-on socio-economic impacts, such as loss of infrastructure, resource scarcity and the mass displacement of peoples. These in turn could produce serious security consequences that will present new challenges to governments trying to maintain stability.

Selling Nature to Save Nature, and Ourselves

Stephen Leahy | Terraviva | July 2011

Issues:Climate change, Competition over resources, Marginalisation

Avoiding the coming catastrophic nexus of climate change, food, water and energy shortages, along with worsening poverty, requires a global technological overhaul involving investments of 1.9 trillion dollars each year for the next 40 years, said experts from the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) in Geneva Tuesday.

"The need for a technological revolution is both a development and existential imperative for civilisation," said Rob Vos, lead author of a new report, "The Great Green Technological Transformation". 

Article source: Terraviva

Image source: Paul Keller

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Posted on 6/07/11

A New Road for Preventative Action

East West Institute | East West Institute | June 2011

Issues:Climate change, Competition over resources, Global militarisation, Marginalisation

A gap continues to exist between the international community’s rhetoric about conflict prevention and its responsibility to protect people from severe human rights violations. The record of human misery caused by violent conflict is testimony to the chronic  lack of political will to respond collectively to newand emerging threats to peace. The ineffectiveness of many global efforts at preventive diplomacy is evidence that traditional diplomatic approaches,  including the use of force, simply may not work.

Article source: East West Institute

Image source: AfghanistanMatters

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Posted on 29/06/11

Global Climate Change Vulnerability and the Risk of Conflict

Uppsala University | Center for Sustainable Development | June 2011

Issue:Climate change

In a study from the Center for Sustainable Development at Uppsala University in Sweden titled “Climate Change and the Risk of Violent Conflicts in Southern Africa,” authors Ashok Swain, Ranjula Bali Swain, Anders Themnér, and Florian Krampe examine the potential for climate change and variability to act as a “threat multiplier” in the Zambezi River Basin. The report argues that “socio-economic and political problems are disproportionately multiplied by climate change/variability.” A reliance on agriculture, poor governance, weak institutions, polarized social identities, and economic challenges in the region are issues that may combine with climate change to increase the potential for conflict. Specifically, the report concludes that the Matableleland-North Province in Zimbabwe and Zambezia Province in Mozambique are the areas in the region most likely to experience climate-induced conflicts in the near future.

Article source: The New Security Beat

Image source: The City Project

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Posted on 29/06/11

Finding the Right Paddle: Navigating Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies

The New Security Beat | The New Security Beat | June 2011

Issue:Climate change

 After decades on the periphery, climate change has made its way onto the national security stage. Yet, while the worlds of science, policy, and defense are awakening to the threats of rising sea levels, stronger storms, and record temperatures, debate continues over the means and extent of adaptation and mitigation programs. In a world of possibilities, how to decide which paddle to use to navigate uncertain waters?

A report from E3G titled, Degrees of Risk: Defining a Risk Management Framework for Climate Security, contends that a more rigorous risk management approach is needed to deal with the security implications of climate change, and cues should be taken from the risk management approach of the national security community. Risk management, while not a “panacea” for divisive climate change politics, “provides a way to frame these debates around a careful consideration of all the available information.”

The report calls for a three-tier, “ABC” framework for international planning:

1) Aim to stay below 2°C (3.6°F) of warming
2) Build and budget assuming 3-4°C (5.4-7.2°F) of warming
3) Contingency plan for 5-7°C (9-12.6°F) of warming

Article source: The New Security Beat

Image source: Pondspider

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Posted on 15/06/11

Paul Rogers on Development, Climate Change, Conflict and Migration

Action Aid | youtube | June 2011

Issues:Climate change, Competition over resources, Marginalisation

Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University, and Oxford Research Group's Global Security Consultant, talks to Action Aid about the issues that will dominate international security and world development over the coming decades.

Source: youtube

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Posted on 14/06/11

Climate Change, Nuclear Risks and Nuclear Disarmament: From Security Threats to Sustainable Peace

Jurgen Scheffran | World future Council | June 2011

Issues:Climate change, Global militarisation

This study brings to light the multidimensional interplay between climate change, nuclear risks and nuclear disarmament, and its critical implications for the strategic security environment. In addition, it explores prospects and openings to tackle these key challenges, stressing the role played by institutions to “strengthen common ecological and human security, build and reinforce conflict-resolution mechanisms and low-carbon energy alternatives, and create sustainable lifecycles that respect the capabilities of the living world."

Read the full report here.

Image source: GreenDominee

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Posted on 8/06/11