There was a number of news reports today about the security-related aspects of climate change.
As Iraq runs dry, a plague of snakes is unleashed
The Independent reports that the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers are flowing through Iraq at significantly reduced levels since the war began, causing poisonous snakes to attack people and livestock. They report that "The total water reserves behind all Iraqi dams at the beginning of May was only 11 billion cubic metres, compared to over 40 billion three years ago." Unfortunately, the Independent misses the story -- that Iraqi agriculture is being desperately harmed by a lack of irrigation -- and focuses on snakes instead. This shortage is a symptom of a long-running dispute between Turkey and Iraq over the amount of water sent down these two rivers into what was once the Fertile Crescent.
Making the Case for Climate as a Migration Driver
The New York Times reports on a report from the United Nations, CARE International and Columbia University about how climate change will drive migration. The report focuses on areas like South Asia, Mexico, and Central Asia as potential sources of 'climate migrants.' According to the article, the report had originally referred to them as 'climate refugees', but that term was rejected because of legal imperatives to protect refugees. The report acknowledges that it is almost impossible to quantify who is a 'climate migrant' but does begin to put some numbers to the task.
UN warns of 'megadisasters' linked to climate change
UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said that rapidly growing urban areas in the developing world combined with climate change creates a risk of 'megadisasters' stemming from floods, droughts, or storms. This statement was made at the release of the Red Cross' annual World Disaster Report. The report underscored that early warning of disasters is vital to saving lives. It went on to claim that climate change is "offering us the ultimate early warning" and that “The rising dangers of climate change require a response from governments equivalent to the one made to address the global financial crisis.”
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Grist Post on Climate Change as a Security Threat
Grist has posted an article by Geoffrey Lean about how militaries are beginning to address climate change and sustainibility. Lean is the Environment editor of the Indpendent on Sunday in London. He says that we may be seeing the beginning of the 'military-ecological complex.'
It seems that the environmental community is beginning to understand the moral and economic power that the military can wield. However, greens should not expect the military to take over this area: properly addressed, the entire government should be working to address climate change. The role of the military should be to use its powerful predictive capability to outline the threats. The role of the civilian government should then be to address those threats.
It seems that the environmental community is beginning to understand the moral and economic power that the military can wield. However, greens should not expect the military to take over this area: properly addressed, the entire government should be working to address climate change. The role of the military should be to use its powerful predictive capability to outline the threats. The role of the civilian government should then be to address those threats.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Lloyd's Report
Lloyd's has picked-up a story that the IISS launched our Transatlantic Dialogue on Climate Change and Security.
In April, the IISS and Lloyd's will publish a report on climate change, security, and business risk. We believe this will mark some new and important ground in how businesses, particularly in the insurance industry, should prepare for a warmer climate.
In April, the IISS and Lloyd's will publish a report on climate change, security, and business risk. We believe this will mark some new and important ground in how businesses, particularly in the insurance industry, should prepare for a warmer climate.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Ban Ki Moon in Davos
One thing that sometimes gets lost in dialogue about security and climate change by focusing on relatively short-term issues like droughts, melting arctic ice, and others is the possibly existential nature of climate change. It is important to have people like UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon call climate change "the one true existential threat to the planet."
His speech in its entirety can be found here.
His speech in its entirety can be found here.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Climate and Security News: January 16
There's not much new in the climate change and security field over the last day or two. Although not strictly security related, its worth noting that USCAP, a business and environmental coalition, introduced their plan for a Cap-and Trade regime to strongly reduce carbon emissions. Interesting that they've been attacked by both the right and the left.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Climate and Security News: January 14
Just a few things in the news today:
As I mentioned, two of Obama's nominees who will be directly involved in Climate Change policy testified before the Senate yesterday: both Chu and Clinton vowed that addressing climate change would be a top priority, for national security reasons as well as environmental reasons.
In Senator Clinton's hearing it was interesting to hear that both her and John Kerry spoke about climate change in their openning statements, but once it came down to questions -- which were limited to only 10 minutes per Senator -- no Senator put climate change as a high enough priority to ask about it.
Although I didn't watch or listen to any of Chu's hearing, it is interesting to look at the media follow-up to it. Most of the spin given by the newspapers, like the WaPost or the NYTimes, is that he is backpedalling from statements he made about coal and the price of gasoline before he was nominated. Of course he would moderate his statements: he has to answer to politicians now, not to scientists. It seems that the only way you can avoid controversy is to not take a serious position on anything. But, I guess that's just where our political system is right now.
As I mentioned, two of Obama's nominees who will be directly involved in Climate Change policy testified before the Senate yesterday: both Chu and Clinton vowed that addressing climate change would be a top priority, for national security reasons as well as environmental reasons.
In Senator Clinton's hearing it was interesting to hear that both her and John Kerry spoke about climate change in their openning statements, but once it came down to questions -- which were limited to only 10 minutes per Senator -- no Senator put climate change as a high enough priority to ask about it.
Although I didn't watch or listen to any of Chu's hearing, it is interesting to look at the media follow-up to it. Most of the spin given by the newspapers, like the WaPost or the NYTimes, is that he is backpedalling from statements he made about coal and the price of gasoline before he was nominated. Of course he would moderate his statements: he has to answer to politicians now, not to scientists. It seems that the only way you can avoid controversy is to not take a serious position on anything. But, I guess that's just where our political system is right now.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
More Arctic News
Senator Murkowski asked Clinton during her confirmation hearing about America's arctic policy. I'm not sure how Clinton responded. Probably by saying "this is a very important issue, and I assure you I'll give it my closest attention." All the while knowing that she'll pass it off to a deputy undersecretary while she jets off to meet a roundtable of sheiks.
Tom Ricks, over at ForeignPolicy.com says that Global Warming is now a national security issue.
Tom Ricks, over at ForeignPolicy.com says that Global Warming is now a national security issue.
Climate and Security News: January 13
It seems to be a big day in climate security issues in the arctic:
Does the Northwest Passage still matter?
The Canadian Globe and Mail says that Canada should protect its sovereignty in the Northwest passage, but it may be superceded by a direct over-the-pole route, should melting continue.
In Parting Move, Bush Sets Arctic Priorities
The New York Times' "DotEarth" blog reports that the Bush Adminstration issued new national security directives asserting free navigation in the arctic, through both Canadian and Russian waters.
Does the Northwest Passage still matter?
The Canadian Globe and Mail says that Canada should protect its sovereignty in the Northwest passage, but it may be superceded by a direct over-the-pole route, should melting continue.
In Parting Move, Bush Sets Arctic Priorities
The New York Times' "DotEarth" blog reports that the Bush Adminstration issued new national security directives asserting free navigation in the arctic, through both Canadian and Russian waters.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Climate and Security News: January 12
Focus on the Environment
In an opinion piece on Defense News, Sherri Goodman and David Catorious of the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA) argue that the Obama Administration will need to treat global climate change as a national security threat. They argue that domestic action on infrastructure, clean energy, and improved energy security is an important, but not sufficient, step to addressing climate change. In order to truly address climate change as the global security problem it is, they argue that the Obama Administration lead in negotiating a truly global climate change treaty.
Climate warming means food shortages, study warns
A study recently released in the Journal Science says that global warming will drastically reduce crop yields and lead to a disastrous food shortage for billions of people. Conflicts caused by food and resource shortages are considered one of the largest security threats from climate change. However, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Boulder, CO points out that "The reality would be somewhat less grim than what they're presenting," because crops would be adapted for higher temperatures.
In an opinion piece on Defense News, Sherri Goodman and David Catorious of the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA) argue that the Obama Administration will need to treat global climate change as a national security threat. They argue that domestic action on infrastructure, clean energy, and improved energy security is an important, but not sufficient, step to addressing climate change. In order to truly address climate change as the global security problem it is, they argue that the Obama Administration lead in negotiating a truly global climate change treaty.
Climate warming means food shortages, study warns
A study recently released in the Journal Science says that global warming will drastically reduce crop yields and lead to a disastrous food shortage for billions of people. Conflicts caused by food and resource shortages are considered one of the largest security threats from climate change. However, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Boulder, CO points out that "The reality would be somewhat less grim than what they're presenting," because crops would be adapted for higher temperatures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)