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‘Appeal for the Survival of My Country’: Islands Want U.N. to Recognize Climate Change as an International Security Threat

Feb. 16, 2013 7:34am
Island Nations Want U.N. to Recognize Climate Change as an International Security Threat

Members of the United Nations Security Council vote during a meeting on North Korea non-proliferation in New York on Jan. 22, 2013. (Getty Images)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Marshall Islands and other low-lying island nations appealed to the U.N. Security Council to recognize climate change as an international security threat that jeopardizes their very survival.

Tony deBrum, a minister and assistant to the Marshall Islands president, said Friday the island nations are facing opposition from Security Council permanent members Russia and China and a group of more than 130 mainly developing nations, which argue that the U.N.’s most powerful body is the wrong place to address climate change.

DeBrum told reporters after a closed Security Council meeting on the “Security Dimensions of Climate Change,” organized by Britain and Pakistan, that he hopes more council members will be convinced that “this is a security issue and not just an economic-political-social issue.”

The low-lying islands, which are already being inundated with sea water, want the council to bring its “political weight” to the issue and help their countries survive, for example, by harnessing new technologies and ensuring alternative energy supplies, he said.

DeBrum said it was “ironic, bizarre perhaps” that 35 years after he went before the Security Council to seek the independence of the Marshall Islands he was back again “to appeal for the survival of my country.”

He said climate change has already taken a toll on the Marshall Islands. Wells have filled with salt water, making drinking water scarce and in turn affecting food production. One small island in a lagoon is now under water, and coastlines are being eroded.

The impact of climate change is also causing migration to other islands, as well as to Australia and the United States, he said.

In an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Rachel Kyte, the World Bank’s vice-president for sustainable development, said that since the council’s last discussion of climate change “the sense of immediacy and urgency has increased.”

“The question is: Do you want to keep on cataloging all of the terrible things that are going to happen if we continue on a business as usual track, or are we actually going to start doing anything about it?” she said

Kyte said she explained to the council on Friday that “it is possible to stop the worst from happening but it will require real, concerted policy action globally at every country level.”

“Economically we know what to do, but politically it’s going to take leadership,” she said. “And every day we don’t act we make the job more difficult for ourselves.”

“What the Security Council has to do is understand that everything has to be seen through this lens. Climate change is changing the future scenarios for every country,” Kyte said. “It’s framing decisions on security, economic security, food security.”

Germany’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador Miguel Berger recalled that in July 2011, at his country’s initiative, the Security Council discussed the security implications of climate change at a formal meeting and adopted a presidential statement expressing the council’s concern about the possible adverse effects of climate change on international peace and security.

Berger told the council that Germany was happy to see the council taking up the issue again and stressed that all U.N. entities, including the Security Council, need to intensify their efforts to combat climate change and its security implications. He called for these implications to be included in Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s reports to the council on climate change.

“Let us not forget: Climate change and its security implications will shape tomorrow’s world in a way that is almost impossible to overestimate,” Wittig said. “We should also consider whether a U.N. special envoy on climate and security could help us to tackle the foreign and security policy implications of climate change.”

Pakistan’s U.N. Ambassador Masood Khan said the meeting would galvanize actions in all U.N. forums to combat climate change.

“Our response should not be anchored only in politics; it should also be guided by science and technology,” Khan said. “Our response should not just counter immediate threats; it should forewarn and prepare us for the impending threats that impinge on our security.”

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Comments (107)

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  • ABRAXUS
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 4:32pm

    Why is there no word on the supream courts review of taietz evidence on obama that was given 2/15

    Report this comment

    ABRAXUS  
  • Coyote1953
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 4:28pm

    Throughout the ages islands have been created by nature and have been erased by nature.

    Harnessing new technologies and ensuring alternative energy supplies will do nothing to change nature.

    It is inevitable that islands will eventually be erased by time.

    The only way the Marshall Islands can stop the disappearance of their land is to go to the bottom of the sea and scoop up the “land” that was once on the island.

    Put the land back on the island.

    Report this comment

    Coyote1953  
  • Patriot Z
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 4:22pm

    blah blah blah…climate change is nonsense. im sure these island nationd need billions of our dollars sent to them to help with their ‘climate change’ nope tell gilligan to go screw the skipper hand have a fine navy day…NOT 1 AMERICAN CENT!

    Report this comment

    Patriot Z  
  • wowjustwow
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 3:51pm

    Just amazing! Another story where almost 100% of the comments are the same broken record of trite non-related responses. You guys are reliable in that respect. It fascinates me…I come here to see just how willfully ignorant a person can be…and you never disappoint me. That’s one bar you’re ALWAYS raising!!!

    Report this comment

    wowjustwow  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 3:46pm

    Global Warming + algore + un = FRAUD

    Report this comment

    South Philly Boy  
  • cdb
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 3:11pm

    What is this a moron convention? Do these people actually think the United nations can dictate to the planet what climate it will have? The climate on this planet always has been changing, and will continue to change in what ever way it wants to. Despite what the likes of Gore and the rest of the people who have invested millions in green energy scam want everyone to think, we the people, are just along for the ride, we do not in any way control the climate on this planet. Ice packs melt and refreeze, ocean levels rise and fall, hell the surface of the planet is constantly moving around and changing everything, including the flow of ocean currents. Get use to the idea of change, it is inevitable that the climate on this planet is going to continue to change, and there is absolutely nothing we people can do about it. So island residents and UN nuts, take that and stick it.

    Report this comment

    cdb  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 3:11pm

    I am very glad the coast lines are shrinking. maybe this will get lazy bastards off the beach and Back to work where they belong. Fix you roof , oil your hinges do something other than sit on your large asses. comon America lets go

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 3:08pm

    we are all doomed just prepare for the end go out fighting where are your balls America

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • wilbstal
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 3:06pm

    Hmm Global warming, I nearly froze this winter i spent more for heat than the last 3 years total. The global warming is scare tactics like Ar15 rifles all a liberal Commie ploy. Un does not run my life and never will. you will see blue helmets with bullet holes in them.

    Report this comment

    wilbstal  
  • garylee123
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 1:44pm

    Anyone that thinks the Earth is static is stoopid.

    Report this comment

    garylee123  
  • Rayseafus
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 1:37pm

    Those Islands will be under water again. They were in the past and they will be again as will Florida, half of South Carolina and up to the “Fall Line.” I live near Aiken, South Carolina and when my well was dug sharks teeth came up with the drilling. The sharks will once again dwell over this land. It is cyclic scientists say over a 25,000 year period. There is nothing any legislation can do about it. With or without the United Nations. There was no law 25,000 years ago to prevent the receding of the Atlantic. If there was it was ineffective.

    Report this comment

    Rayseafus  
    • Patriot Z
      Posted on February 16, 2013 at 4:23pm

      i say repeal the law of gravity that way the islands can float oabove the water..but not too many people can live on them or they may tip over

      Report this comment

      Patriot Z  
  • Small World
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 1:19pm

    While we are climate problems I read yesterday on MSN that in Wash.the nuclear tank in Hanford is leaking radioactive water. Why isn’t that Blaze-worthy????????

    Report this comment

    Small World  
    • lbesq
      Posted on February 16, 2013 at 3:03pm

      Small World, That is News! Oh, wait, I think I heard about that some years ago, and they have been monitoring it. Let’s see, Our Government has known about it for a long time, Oh wait, they would rather spend money on “green” energy and other self-serving interests. Let’s see if you can come up with More exciting “current” news.

      Report this comment

      lbesq  
  • hi
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 12:44pm

    Everyone move inland and I will live on your beach front property and moniter it.

    Report this comment

    hi  
  • Renewable_Energy_Teacher
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 12:19pm

    If and only if the following can be proved:

    1) The Earth and therefore the oceans are warming and rising. The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory did a study of the sea level around the Pacific nation of Tuvalu which shows there has been no see rise since 1976. See http://mclean.ch/climate/Sea_Level_Tuvalu.htm

    2) It can be proved that the sea level is rising as a result of man’s activity; keeping in mind that sea level has varied every since there have been oceans on Earth as a result of many factors other than the AGW hoax.

    3) It can be proved that CO2 is the cause of AGW in addition to being plant food. Remember 3rd grade science: animals take in O2 and exhale CO2 while plants take in CO2 and give off O2.

    4) Any actions proposed by the U.N. would actually improve the situation and not merely promote empowering the U.N. and those that want global wealth redistribution.

    5) If the above points can be made, then the U.N. should go after those nations and entities that are supposedly causing AGW. Typically, nations that have high populations and are emerging technologically using the cheapest energy sources they can.

    Report this comment

    Renewable_Energy_Teacher  
  • HOLYSMOKES
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:44am

    Speaking of low lying tiny islands in the Pacific. Has Guam tipped over yet?

    Report this comment

    HOLYSMOKES  
    • MK2
      Posted on February 17, 2013 at 11:02am

      No they got all that styrofoam from N.Y. Keeping them afloat

      Report this comment

      MK2  
  • SPOT_OF_TEA
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:30am

    This global warming perversion……must be stopped.

    Report this comment

    SPOT_OF_TEA  
  • LukeAppling
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:24am

    It is all BS there is no climate change it is all a scam to extract money from America, Canada, Australia , Europe and “wealthy” countries [note China, Russia and Muslim countries never participate perhaps they know the scam?] The scam is the same as Carbon taxes or green energy jobs or algae for gas… there are thousands of scams but all lead to a redistribution of the wealthy countries , other than China, Russia, Muslims] and enormous taxes to sustain the countries too dumb or too lazy to make it on their merits[sounds like Obamaland doesn't it]. Obama has wasted hundreds of billions of tax dollars on green energy scams to reward his campaign contributors with no viable results. Electric cars-can’t go 25 miles from a plug, Solyndra-need I say morer than that. Wake up and demand the opening of the Keystone Pipeline and America becomes wealthy with 2,000,000 new jobs. Check out North Dakota’s economy to verify what I say.Al Gore and Robert Kennedy Jr. both have made millions off the scam.

    Report this comment

    LukeAppling  
  • thegoldman
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:20am

    Amazing that the water has risen so high all this time 30 years and counting…

    But the beach remains the same the pairs that the boats tie up at remain the same as when they were made 100 years ago…

    And that would be in New Bedford i guess we were vaccinated against global warming for ever…

    Report this comment

    thegoldman  
  • getourcountryback
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:19am

    What do the Marshall islands do again?????

    Report this comment

    getourcountryback  
    • HOLYSMOKES
      Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:53am

      The only thing I know about the Marshall Islands is that it was one of many sights the Japanese took a ****-whooping from the U.S. during WW2.

      Report this comment

      HOLYSMOKES  
  • OBUMAURMAMA
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:09am

    P.S. Ask yourselves how much money they want from the sucker taxpayer. Follow the money.
    Think you all, including you ignorant libs..Do you really want the U.N. to be the ruler of your children and grandchildren and overseer of your lives?

    Report this comment

    OBUMAURMAMA  
  • OBUMAURMAMA
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 11:04am

    Shame the U.N. wasn’t around over a thousand years ago when all the Indian villages in the Louisiana and states up and down the east coast were covered with 60+ feet of water. The villages are still under water. Maybe the fools can pump the water out like they’ve done to so many other areas that are usually under water, until some developer pumps and builds.
    How about the CITY off the coast of India in over 100 ft. water. Thousands of examples of Global Warming before the evil white European came along to screw up all those poor minority natives that lived there at that time. Look it up on the Internet about sunken cities. Get rid of the wealthy industrious whites=problem solved.

    Report this comment

    OBUMAURMAMA  
  • RodT82721
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 10:43am

    Climate change the golden goose of the left.
    These UN folks are missing the boat. All they have to do is enlist our very own messiah, after all he promised to slow the rise of the seas. I think that is what these island dwellers are worried about.

    They will need a lot more then more money for the final solution however.

    Our messiah promises all manner of things and produces nothing but debt and waste, so don’t expect to much from a liberal that makes promises.
    Maybe they could enlist our ex-VP Algore for moral support, but they better keep an eye on what funds they have with Al around, he tends to come up with new ways to get your money for noting but his own promises.
    Results are never considered by liberals on the left, it’s always their good intentions and your money.

    Report this comment

    RodT82721  
  • crusaderx9
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 10:36am

    Islands rise up and islands erode as well as sink – it is the way of the earth. If you live next to the water on an island enjoy your million dollar view, but do not be surprised if you eventually get wet.

    Report this comment

    crusaderx9  
  • OUTRIDER WRITER
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 10:35am

    Before any island nation yelps that the flooding of their sandbar islands is the result of sea-level change, they should ensure that the islanders themselves have not contributed to their own demise. The destruction of the coral reefs around their islands through coral harvesting is a huge problem. Remove the coral, and ocean breakers will tumble forward over sandbar islands, depleting the islands of sand.

    For specific and accurate information, please link to the following short article that explains why the entire Kuna (or Cuna, but never Guna) Indian population that lives on islands off the northern coast of Panama are being forced to relocate to the mainland as their islands lose sand and are slowly being overtaken by the sea.
    http://oceana.org/en/blog/2012/11/in-panama-a-sad-retreat-from-the-rising-sea-0

    Report this comment

    OUTRIDER WRITER  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on February 16, 2013 at 10:26am

    They’ve never heard of beach replenishment or dredging?

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  
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