A series of recent studies have warned that climate change could exacerbate north-south tensions, increase global migration, spur public health problems, heighten conflict over resources, challenge the institutions of global governance, and possibly shift the balance of power.
Although the probability, extent, and urgency of such threats remains uncertain, U.S. policy makers should prudently hedge against them. Developing a range of tools to mitigate and address climate change is essential given the possible advent of at least some of these challenges.
Many Western leaders have made clear that they already perceive serious challenges to their national security from these consequences. Former British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett was especially outspoken in her concerns. In April 2007, she used the opportunity provided when Britain assumed the rotating chair of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) to place climate change on the council's official agenda for the first time.