12:27 PM |
Climate Change Threat Akin to Armed Conflict
Drowning Islands Demand Security Council Action on Climate Change
Threat akin to armed conflict
20 May 2010, New York, - The Pacific Small Island Developing States (Pacific SIDS) at the United Nations called on the Security Council to immediately address the security threats of climate change in a letter sent to Security Council members today.
"Climate change can devastate a country just as thoroughly as an invading army. We urgently need the Security Council to take this issue seriously," said Ambassador Moses, Permanent Representative of Nauru to the United Nations and Chair of the Pacific SIDS.
Climate change is already contributing to severe food and water shortages in the Pacific and has led to the forced to displacement of individuals and communities in Vanuatu, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands.
Sea level rise is the most dire security threat to the region. Recent projections by scientists indicate that a rise in sea level of two meters by the end of the century cannot be ruled out. Such a scenario would redraw political borders and devastate low-lying islands in the Pacific.
"If international community fails to take immediate action, then it will be complicit in the extinction of entire nations," said Ambassador Moses. "We can no longer be silent on the failure of the Security Council to meaningfully take action on this issue."
Within the United Nations system, the Security Council holds primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The letter, sent by the Permanent Representatives of eleven Pacific island nations, contends that the Security Council has a duty to use the powers granted to it under the UN Charter to respond to the security threats posed by climate change.
"While the UNFCCC should be the primary forum for developing a global response to climate change, the negotiations are not keeping pace with the severity of the impacts. Many of the responses that may be required are beyond the mandate of the UNFCCC," said Ambassador Elisaia, Permanent Representative of Samoa to the United Nations. "Climate refugees, conflict over increasingly scarce resources and the loss of territory are all impacts caused by climate change that will threaten global peace and security."
Mexico holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of June and is also host of COP16 in Cancun later this year. The Pacific SIDS are hoping Mexico shows the same leadership on the Security Council as they have been at the UNFCCC negotiations.
Ambassador Moses reiterated the appeal for Security Council action in a statement delivered on behalf of the Pacific SIDS during a formal debate of the General Assembly on human security held today.
The Pacific SIDS work together at the United Nations to raise issues unique to the countries in their region. The Pacific SIDS comprises the missions of Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
_______________________
Media Contacts:
Ms Teall Crossen
Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of Nauru to the United Nations
+ 1 212 518 7047
Ms Rona Meleisea
Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Samoa to the United Nations
+ 1 212 599 6196
Attachments:
- Copy of letter sent to all Security Council Members from the Pacific SIDS urging action on the security threats of climate change dated 20 May 2010.
- Briefing Note on the Security Implications of Climate Change
The Pacific SIDS statement on human security delivered to the General Assembly on 20 May 2010 is available on request.
ENDS.
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