Scientists have long predicted the rise of climate change-fueled war. But now, the U.N. Security Council is examining whether a green helmet force should intervene in conflicts caused by rising seas levels and shrinking resources, reports The Guardian.
Wednesday's U.N. Security Council discussion on introducing a security force to de-escalate environmental conflicts comes a month after the U.N. climate panel announced a new study in the works on extreme weather events linked to climate change.
Not all countries are on board to turn the blue helmets green. According to Germany's permanent representative to the U.N., Dr. Peter Wittig said in aHuffington Post op-ed that it should consider how such a force would differ from the current U.N. peacekeeping troops: "Repainting blue helmets into green might be a strong signal -- but would dealing with the consequences of climate change -- say in precarious regions -- be really very different from the tasks the blue helmets already perform today?"
The U.N. climate panel's top scientist told AFP on Tuesday that nations shouldn't wait around for the body's next major scientific assessment to begin battling climate change.
Also on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that U.N. officials said U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon would shift his efforts towards sustainable development.
Scientists recently predicted that 200 million people would be displaced by 2050, due to natural disasters connected with climate change. Refugees International president Michel Gabaudan said, "The failure to address the threat of climate displacement could undermine the long-term stability of countries likely to experience increased floods, storms, droughts and other disasters."
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