PM: Climate change ‘threat to security’

CLIMATE change is a grave threat to global peace and security, Boris Johnson has warned ahead of a United Nations Security Council session on the issue.

The Prime Minister, who is chairing the session today, said a warming planet is driving insecurity, “from the communities uprooted by extreme weather and hunger, to warlords capitalising on the scramble for resources”.

He called for action to help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change and cutting global emissions to “net zero” – which requires huge cuts to greenhouse gases and any remaining pollution to be offset through measures such as planting trees – to protect prosperity and security.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) session on climate and security will hear from Sir David Attenborough, who will say that if the world acts to bring down emissions with “sufficient vigour” it may avoid runaway climate change.

The UN’s Cop26 climate summit being hosted by the UK in November this year in Glasgow could be the last opportunity to make the necessary step-change, the naturalist and broadcaster will warn the 15-member council in a video message.