Climate Change as a Threat to Human Security : Example Southern Africa Christoph Bals, Germanwatch McPlanet 2007, TU Berlin 6 th of May 2007, 9-11 a.m.

Tipping Points

Drought in Southern Africa Extreme droughts expected in Africa: “by 2020 between 75 and 250 million people will be exposed to an increase of water stress due to climate change” (IPCC, WGI, 2007) climate change threatens livelihoods and lives in Southern Africa

Human Security Definition by Kofi Annan 2003: “Human security can no longer be understood in purely military terms. Rather, it must en­compass economic development, social justice, environmental protection, democratisation, disarmament, and respect for human rights and the rule of law“ (UN,2003) not only threats to a nation but also to a large number of people within a country (world civil rights); not only military threats, but other threats like CC not only military answers, but mainly disaster prevention through good governance, human rights, de-marginalisation and empowerment.

UN Security Council CC was raised as an issue at the UN Security Council on 17 th of April 2007: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a “long-term global response” to deal with climate change, along with unified efforts involving the Security Council, Member States and other international bodies to deal with the problem of scare resources, warning that countries’ lack of access to water, energy and other essentials can lead to conflict.”

Climate Change and Human Security Security discourse today dominated by military security “solutions” In line with Annan’s definition of human security: need to correct this understanding Move security debate from the issue of military “solutions” towards conflict prevention

Climate Change and Human Security Conflict prevention regarding climate change means mitigation and adaptation At the same time: mitigation and adaptation serve as prevention of non- climate-change-connected threats and conflicts e.g. energy security, water and food security, resource curse

Energy Security Ressource Curse Climate Security Access to Energy Bio Fuels Nuclear Security Energy Supply Energy Demand

Climate Change and Human Security Additional role of climate security in the climate debate? Additional role of climate security in the security debate? No naiveté: –conflicts between energy security and climate security (or food security) –US-interpretation: holistic approach (energy security, climate security, ec. growth)

Conclusions Combining climate change and human security debate can serves different purposes To solve the contradictions between climate and energy security can add additional strength to climate debate There are strong contradictions and an attempt to neutralise climate targets.

Thank you for your attention!