DVC Request for "Climate Change and Security Planning for

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000126 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/T/ES (RADAMS); IIP/T/SV; EAP/PD - GMCLOUGHLIN; EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO NZ SUBJECT: DVC Request for "Climate Change and Security Planning for the Future" Seminar ¶1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Post requests a DVC with Marc Levy, CIESIBN, Columbia University. ¶2. Preferred Activity Date, Fiscal Year, and Quarter: FY09 program, November 13; 1st quarter; Washington time, November 13 at 5.00pm. This is November 14, 9.00am NZ time. ¶3. PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION: Recently-published studies draw attention to the fact that climate change poses a number of security challenges in terms of both a narrow and an extended definition of security. A comprehensive data analysis of the period 1950 to 2000 undertaken by the conveners of this seminar indicates that natural disasters significantly increase the risk of violent civil conflict. This applies both to geological (earthquakes and volcanic eruptions) and climate-related disasters. Case-based evidence alternatively suggests that climate-related disasters can sometimes provide the incentives and means to address long-standing societal conflict effectively. These linkages have not received the academic and policy attention that they deserve. In view of the expected increase in natural hazards caused by the effects of climate change in coming years and decades, it is both opportune and imperative to draw together experts in the field to explore the dynamics of how climate change impacts domestic and transnational security concerns such as violent competition for scarce resources, and conflict caused by the population displacement. The South Pacific is particularly vulnerable, as climate change is bound to have significant dislocating effects that may exacerbate deep and persistent social tensions. A discussion of these interactions is important in order to devise ways of mitigating the negative social consequences of climate change and explore the opportunities provided to enhance security. Furthermore, adaptation to the effects of climate change is fast becoming a prominent international focus in the post-Bali international context. This changing focus makes it particularly important to explore the linkages between climate change and security in order that appropriate and well-informed policies can be adopted in New Zealand and the region. This DVC would be part of planned seminar being run by NZ's leading climate change experts, which will explore these issues. It will be led by a number of experts in the field and attended by participants involved in public-policy formulation and implementation and in the field of human security in general. It will be a useful tool to make sure that the societal dangers and opportunities posed by climate change are placed on the public agenda. Post would welcome the opportunity to discuss the impact of climate change with Dr. Levy. ¶4. Audience Expected: Members of the New Zealand government, security analysts, climate change experts and policy-makers, economists, and think-tankers. ¶5. MSP THEME AND EXPECTED AUDIENCE: MSP GOAL 09-01 - Mutual Understanding. ¶6. NAME OF SPECIALIST REQUIRED: Marc Levy, Deputy Director CIESIN, Columbia University, NY. ¶7. Contact Details: CIESIN (Center for International Earth Science Information Network) 61 Route 9W PO Box 1000 Palisades, NY 10964 Fax: 845-365-8922 Ph: 845-365-8988 email: mlevy@ciesin.columbia.edu ¶8. POST PROJECT OFFICER: Christine Vivian Office phone: 644-462-6112; Fax: 644-499-0490 Email: cvivian@actrix.gen.nz / vivianc@state.gov TECHNICAL OFFICER: Ola Thorsen Office phone: 644-462-6015, Fax: 644-499-0490 Cell: 6427-451-2535 Email: thorsenO@state.gov LOCATION AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Venue/phone numbers to be advised. Please advise soonest. Many thanks. MCCORMICK