Diplomats warned that climate change is security issue, not a green dilemma
6th December 2007
The Independent reports from the UN Conference in Bali today about the delegations from some 190 countries began talks on the Indonesian island of Bali yesterday, aimed at agreeing a “road map” for a successor to the Kyoto protocol.
From rising sea levels in the Indian Ocean to the increasing spread of desert in Africa’s Sahel region and water shortages in the Middle East, global warming will cause new wars across the world and is being described by diplomats as a “threat multiplier” – adding new stress to areas of traditional geopolitical instability.
Foreign policy-makers are waking up to the impact of climate change on conflict zones worldwide, and will add their voice to those calling on governments at the UN conference in Bali to act urgently.
An internal presentation to senior diplomats at the Foreign Office listed every recent, serious breakdown of civil order around the world and mapped it against those countries hardest hit by climate change. The fit was almost perfect. One of the diplomats present said there was an “audible intake of breath” from the audience when the slide was shown.
