Stefan Schluter, the German ambassador to T&T, sees the discussion on climate change and the attendant security risks associated with it as a good opportunity for Caribbean countries to integrate. He was speaking at a seminar at the University of the West Indies' (UWI) Learning Resource Centre, entitled Climate Diplomacy: Reducing Risks for Security.
The seminar was well attended by UWI students and climate-change experts as well as staff of the German Embassy and other diplomats. Dr Indira Rampersad, a lecturer in the Behavioural Sciences Department at UWI, organised the seminar in collaboration with the German Embassy.
Alexander Carius and Dennis Taenzler, co-founder and head of climate and energy policies respectively of Adelphi were the presenters at the seminar. Adelphi uses scientific and technical skills to solve problems and develop worldwide sustainable solutions. Carius and Taenzler examined the risks associated with climate change and the implications of that for foreign relations.
Food security, climate-related natural disasters, climate-induced migration and emerging sea-border disagreements were identified as potential sources of conflict as a consequence of climate change. The duo stressed the importance of climate diplomacy and the role foreign ministries could play in mitigating these potential risks.
Carius said by 2025 one-third of the world could face a severe water threat. He said the Caribbean region was at risk of water scarcity and food security. He added important sectors to the Caribbean, such as tourism, could also be affected. Small island states, he added, were at risk of disappearing as a consequence of rising sea levels. The Pacific Islands, he said, raised the matter at a 2007 United Nations gathering and gained the support of Germany.
The issue was further tabled for discussion in 2009 and taken up as a matter of importance by the UN Security Council.
