Climate crisis threatens global security, UN leaders say
Almost all of the members of the Security Council have hammered home how climate change is a threat to collective security.
AFP / File
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
High-level debate this Tuesday between New York and capitals around the world: for the Security Council, it was a question of debating whether its powers in the maintenance of peace and security can be extended to cases of climate emergencies .
This is refused by China and Russia, very conservative in the interventions of the executive body of the United Nations.
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With our correspondent in New York,
Carrie Nooten
It causes 16 million displaced people each year, thus encouraging enlistment in terrorist groups, human trafficking and organized crime.
Even if it affects Africa in particular, the effects are suddenly felt everywhere: almost all members of the Security Council have hammered home how climate change is a threat to collective security.
Including Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, who initiated this debate: "
I know some think that these are just green fads of a few tofu eaters who like to hug trees, inappropriate in politics and diplomacy international.
I couldn't disagree more deeply.
When are we going to do something if we don't act now?
"
China and Russia remain in their positions: they protect the sovereignty of states as much as possible and are keen to limit the Council's scope of action.
But the debate has shown that they are increasingly isolated.
The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the urgency to extend the notion of security entrusted to the Council into the 21st century.
Tools were also suggested to better equip the Council: the creation of a special UN Climate Envoy, regular climate and security reports, more systematic climate data sharing.
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