Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has emphasized the urgent need for rapid global action against climate change to prevent future conflicts and alleviate hunger.
Speaking at the Security Council’s high-level open debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on international peace and security, Stiell highlighted the alarming state of global hunger, which is being exacerbated by the changing climate.
“Today, one in ten people on Earth already suffers from chronic hunger. That number is unacceptable,” Stiell declared. He stressed the interconnectedness of climate change, food insecurity, and conflict, stating, “Climate change is contributing to food insecurity and to conflict.”
Stiell underscored the urgency of the situation, noting the rapid changes in climate patterns that are having destructive impacts on agriculture worldwide. “The world is heating. Fast. Rainfall patterns are changing. And storms are becoming stronger and more destructive,” he remarked.
Referencing findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Stiell pointed out that “food production is already lower than it would have been without climate change.” He warned of the potential for “huge supply shocks” in the future, where “harvests fail simultaneously in major producer countries.”
“Without significant climate action, we face inevitable food shortages, price spikes, and increased hunger,” Stiell cautioned. He called on the international community to take immediate and collective action to address the root causes of climate change, emphasizing that mitigating its effects is essential for maintaining global peace and security.
Reference(s):
UNFCCC chief: Addressing climate change key to preventing conflicts
cgtn.com
