A conference on climate change and security taking place 3 September in London.

Climate Change: Preparing for the New Security Environment.
 http://rusi.org/events/ref:E48481B8ED91E…

At present, responses to the security implications of climate change are embryonic and disjointed. Current understandings of the nature and timing of climate change impacts remain speculative, yet the magnitude of the potential consequences demands an urgent response. This dichotomy presents a pressing challenge for policy makers, the climate science community and security actors alike.

The RUSI climate change and security conference will provide a forum to discuss the current state of research on the linkages between climate change and security, with a special focus on responses and solutions for planners and policymakers.

Key issues:

·       How will climate change reshape future approaches to defence and security?

·       What policy initiatives are needed in order to deal comprehensively with climate-driven insecurity, and what steps need to be taken to make these changes?

·       How should security planning proceed within an environment of incomplete information – regarding the timing and severity of climatic changes, and the linkages between climate change and instability?

·       How can the international community mitigate tensions around strategic assets, territorial claims and access to resources in the Arctic?

·       What are the latest assessments from the climate science community, and how can climate modelling be integrated into social science to deliver sound projections of future vulnerabilities?

·       How will climate change affect international relations, security policy, economic relationships and tensions within and between countries?

Confirmed Speakers:

·       Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

·       Sir Ian Andrews, 2nd Permanent Undersecretary, UK Ministry of Defence

·       Major General Richard Engel (Ret), Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Science and Technology, U.S. National Intelligence Council

·       Nick Mabey, Director, E3G and author of RUSI’s ‘Delivering Climate Security’

·       Professor Paul Berkman, Head, Arctic Ocean Geopolitics Programme, University of Cambridge

·       Rob Varley, Government Services Director, UK Met Office

·       Professor Neil Adger, Head, Adaptation Programme, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia

·       Major Shannon Beebe, Senior Africa analyst, US Department of Defence

Registration information and further programme details are available at:

 http://rusi.org/events/ref:E48481B8ED91E…

Shiloh Fetzek
Researcher, Climate Change & Security Programme
Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI)
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2ET

Tel: +44 (0)207 747 2629
Mobile: +44 (0)7894 348 185
Email:  shilohf at rusi.org
Web: http://www.rusi.org/climate

RUSI Climate Change conference:
Perparing for the New Security Environment
3 September 2008

 http://rusi.org/events/ref:E48481B8ED91E…