Worldwide Emerging Environmental Issues Affecting the U.S. Military, February 2011 Report
Abstract
The UN Security Council session of February 11, 2011, focused on the links between security, climate change, and development. The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, stated, "Nine of the ten countries with the lowest Human Development Indicators have experienced conflict in the last 20 years." He went on to say that while development and social aspects have gradually come to be considered in peace building strategies, focus should increase,"...on the climate change-security-development nexus", and "We cannot achieve security without securing energy and managing climate risks." The concept paper "The maintenance of international peace and security: the interdependence between security and development", distributed to Council members prior to the meeting, notes the Council's awareness of the important impact of this interdependence since the late 1990s. Countries' statements citing economic factors affecting conflict included aspects such as loss of livelihoods, illegal exploitation of minerals, and climate change. France gave examples of how development, climate change and food security fuel conflict, noting that they will be a priority for the country's G-20 chairmanship. The military should continue to explore how its R&D, logistics, and training capacities can work with others to make their development efforts more effective. It should also expand liaison where possible to apply its capacities to mitigate and prepare for adaptation to climate change. Military personnel involved in UN peacekeeping and military-to-military planning and training should anticipate increased requirements for assessing and addressing non-traditional factors as part of the strategies for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA539032