Security threats from climate change top Pacific agenda

Security threats from climate change must top the agenda of John Key’s tour of Pacific island nations after a recent United Nations Security Council Resolution, the Green Party said today.

“The New Zealand Government supported the recent UN resolution, but persists with climate change targets which the science tells us will wipe out many of our Pacific neighbours,” said Kennedy Graham, Green Party International Climate Change Spokesperson.

“As a Pacific island nation, New Zealand must work with our neighbours in the lead up to Copenhagen, not against them.”

Last month, the UN General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging Member States to intensify their efforts to address the security implications of climate change, the culmination of a year-long campaign by a coalition of Pacific small island developing states (PSIDS).

“The danger that an entire nation may cease to exist because of environmental causes (rather than war and conflict) raises new dilemmas in international humanitarian law.”

The Vice-President of the Republic of Palau, Elias Camsek Chin, emphasised these factors in his address to the General Assembly last September, stating: “Never before in all history has the disappearance of whole nations been such a real possibility.” Chin said climate change posed a threat not only to development, but to future survival. “This is a security matter which has gone unaddressed.”

“The Prime Minister,” said Dr Graham, “risks making this a ‘farewell tour’ as he takes artists and former All Blacks to their home countries, which will suffer huge impacts or may even cease to exist because of climate change.”

The latest science prepared for the Copenhagen talks suggests that sea level rise will be almost double what the IPCC estimated in 2007.

“It is imperative that Mr Key faces reality and explains New Zealand’s climate position to each of our neighbours on the tour,” Dr Graham said.

While Mr Key is travelling around the Pacific, New Zealanders have their chance to push for action on climate change. The Government starts a two-week national consultation tour in Wellington tonight.

For details on how to take part in climate change policy consultation go to: http://www.greens.org.nz/node/21447


For the latest Synthesis Report, prepared for the Copenhagen climate change negotiations:
http://climatecongress.ku.dk/pdf/synthesisreport