Posted on 07/21/2011 6:54:00 PM PDT by Kaslin
(CNSNews.com) For the first time in four years, the U.N. Security Council debated Wednesday whether climate change should be considered a priority worthy of the councils attention, but it failed to reach agreement on the politically charged issue.
The council settled for a watered-down statement referring to the possible security implications of climate change after Russia, China and others opposed a strong text promoted by Germany, which holds the rotating presidency this month. Germany had pushed for a first-ever council statement linking climate change to global peace and security despite critics arguments that the source, magnitude and consequences of climate change remain in dispute.
Russian delegate Alexander Pankin said many countries were leery of putting climate change on the councils agenda.
We believe that involving the Security Council in a regular review of the issue of climate change will not bring any added value whatsoever and will merely lead to further increased politicization of this issue and increased disagreements between countries, he said.
U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice lashed out at countries unnamed that were blocking progress.
She told the meeting that dozens of countries whose very existence is threatened by climate change had asked the council to show its understanding of their plight.
Instead, because of the refusal of a few to accept our responsibility, this council is saying, by its silence, in effect, Tough luck. This is more than disappointing. Its pathetic. Its shortsighted, and frankly, its a dereliction of duty.
The last time the Security Council discussed this issue, in 2007, was also the first time. Then it was Britain holding the presidency and initiating the debate, and China driving the opposition.
Joining China were some developing nations suspicious that the council was trying to broaden its power and encroach on areas traditionally falling under other U.N. entities, including the General Assembly, U.N. Environment Program (UNEP), and U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat.
Similar arguments were aired during Wednesdays debate, with non-permanent members India and Brazil among those voicing concern.
Under the U.N. Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In order for the council to take on the issue of climate change, it is therefore necessary for it to determine that the phenomenon poses a risk to international peace and security.
Unlike other U.N. bodies currently responsible for climate change-related issues, the Security Councils decisions and resolutions are legally binding.
Addressing Wednesdays meeting, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also pushed for recognition of the threat.
The facts are clear, he told the meeting. Climate change is real; it is accelerating in a dangerous manner; and it not only exacerbates threats to international peace and security, it is a threat to international peace and security.
Also addressing the council, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner conceded that the world does not have perfect knowledge on current or future climate change and said it was a challenge to determine what contributions greenhouse gas emissions were making to events like the severe drought now affecting the Horn of Africa.
But human beings have never planned strategies or responses based on 100 per cent certainty, he continued. Rather we make decisions based on risk assessments ...
Steiner then pointed to data featuring in reports of the U.N.-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), such as the finding that storms and cyclones had become more intense over the past 30 years and droughts more frequent, as well as projections of a three-foot sea level rise this century a development that could threaten low-lying islands and other coastal areas.
Irrespective of the specific causes and drivers, there is clear evidence that our climate is changing and that the pace and scale of that change is accelerating in many areas.
Turning to the security implications, Steiner cited natural disasters, food insecurity and conflicts over resources.
He said countries where natural resources had played a key role in the conflict have accounted for 10 peacekeeping operations mandated by the Security Council. Their combined cost, $35 billion, represents half of the total peacekeeping budget ever spent.
this administration is hell bent on pushing their agendas regardless of what the citizens say. Why do our representatives in congress allow it to continue?
It’s time for Americans to rise up and run those U.N. bastards out of our country on a rail. Those commie lowlifes have overstayed their welcome.
Perfect! A pointless, stupid and delusional course of action for a pointless, stupid and delusional organization.
IIRC, the Russians NEVER bought in to the global warming BS.
DEFUND UNaccountable bureaucracies (socialist collectives), foreign and domestic. It’s 2011. Wake up.
Some back-up for my #5
Yep, they are. You bozo's at he UN are Lying Commie Scum. It is TIME to totally Defund the UN and run their sorry a$$es out of the US.
The House voted to defund the OAS, it is TIME to do the same for the UN.
What a surprise . . . the country where the headquarters of the Secretariat for UNFCCC is. Germany's been heavily promoting the "climate change"/anthropogenic global warming scam since the early 90s.
The council settled for a watered-down statement referring to the possible security implications of climate change after Russia, China and others opposed a strong text promoted by Germany
The UN is an issue that needs to be put to our candidates.
What will you do about the UN?
I find it interesting that it is never, never mentioned.
ABSOLUTELY! Great point, ‘creek!
The US totalitarians didn’t get their Cap and Tax legislation passed....so they’re going to try other routes, like regs, the EPA, and now this.
NWO
Agenda21
Prophecy.
I wouldn’t even lead them with a question. I’d leave them hanging with no indication of what I want to hear.
Force them to tell us what they really think.
Susan Rice needs to take a hike. The whole UN operation needs to move elsewhere-without USA funding. It’s nothing but a pre-retirement home for unproductive elitists calling themselves diplomats. Every one of them a waste of oxygen. I’d say bring back John Bolton for a good housecleaning and going out of business sale but I’m lookin’ to him for Sec. of State in the next administration.
Focussing the UN security council on climate change is as absurd as getting NASA to do muslim outreach ... oh, wait a sec.
Its time for Americans to rise up and run those U.N. bastards out of our country on a rail. Those commie lowlifes have overstayed their welcome.
China would be a good place to send the UN , one of those brand new empty cities they’ve built (the GDP scam ones LOL)
You all may want to invest your time into your City. They are promoting sustainable living. They are creating policy to control every aspect of your life. CA is keeping up with UN.
Eff the UN
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