World

UN says climate change threatens world security

The scale of the natural disasters will increase exponentially: Achim Steiner, director of the UN Environment Program.

Afp July 21, 2011

UNITED NATIONS: Climate change could exponentially increase the scale of natural disasters while at the same time threatening world security, a senior UN official told the UN Security Council Wednesday.

Though science cannot yet explain all the reasons behind global warming, "a changing climate is a reality," and one that effects all sectors of society, said Achim Steiner, director of the UN Environment Program.

Steiner cited a worst-case scenario prediction that temperatures will rise 4 degree Celsius by 2060 while the sea level will rise one meter over the next century.

There are myriad threats already and their numbers will rise, he said, noting droughts like the one currently afflicting Somalia, floods such as the ones that hit Pakistan, and their implications on the food markets.

"The scale of the natural disasters will increase exponentially," he added.

Two regions of Southern Somalia, hit by a devastating drought, were declared in a state of famine Wednesday by the United Nations, who called it the worst food crisis in Africa in 20 years and have mobilized efforts to stem the situation before it worsens.

"The signs of climate changing, not only is it happening, it is accelerating," he added.

The famine and rising sea levels "are all threats to peace and security," said Steiner. The next climate conference will take place in Durban in December and "must be decisive."

Developed countries must manage their actions but emerging nations must also play their role and cannot be spectators, he urged.

COMMENTS (1)

Cheryl F. | 13 years ago | Reply

The U.N. has lost all credibility on this issue (and MANY others, too), and really needs to "butt out" of our business. For example, this statement: "Though science cannot yet explain all the reasons behind global warming, a changing climate is a reality, and one that effects all sectors of society, said Achim Steiner, director of the UN Environment Program."

The last remark is so incredibly transparent (they want an excuse to get their grubby little fists on our money) that I'm embarrassed for him: "Developed countries must manage their actions but emerging nations must also play their role and cannot be spectators, he urged."

Question: If they, by their own admission, don't know what's causing climate change, how DARE they try to tackle it? Shall we blow up the sun? Stop feeding the world because tractors cause pollution? Watch "developed nations" lose large portions of their populations so their favorites can survive?

This is why the U.S. is of a mind to elect a president who sees the UN as a pointless, money-sucking parasite which preaches "DISASTER IS COMING! WE MUST SAVE YOU!" while turning their back on those they don't "like."

We will succeed in divorcing ourselves from this illegitmate body of theives. The U.N.s big idea really boils down to this - massive de-population. Why would we agree to such a horrendous plot?

If the planet is going down in flames, so be it. I choose to continue feeding the world.

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