Concordia International School Shanghai Model United Nations ◆ Seventh Annual Session
Forum:
The General Assembly 4th Committee (Special Political and
Decolonization)
Issue:
Protecting vulnerable populations placed at risk by climatic changes
in environmentally fragile areas
Student Officer: Yun Kei Chow
Position:
Deputy President
Introduction
As the world’s temperature increases due to climate change, the consequences will as well.
Studies show evidence of increasing numbers of droughts, tropical cyclones and other weather-related
events. These changes have already begun to affect society and populations of such areas, leaving
populations vulnerable to many risks.
Although action has been taken to implement policies against climate change, not many have
issued against the protection of vulnerable populations affected by them. These populations are left
without homes, basic resources, a steady source of income and are in dire need of humanitarian,
medical and economical assistance. Climate change is estimated to cause the deaths of over 300,000
people annually, and severely affecting 300 million people globally, according to a report by the World
Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), and many others.
Definition of Key Terms
Climate Change
An irregular change in an environment, in temperature, rainfall probabilities, rainfall patterns, etc.
Consequences of climate change include increased levels of carbon dioxide emissions, rising sea levels,
and higher probabilities of natural hazards.
Environmentally Fragile Areas
Areas (usually near large bodies of water) vulnerable to many weather related events due to
climate change. They are more susceptible to tropical storms, land loss due to rising sea levels, or
tsunamis.
Environmental Migrants
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Concordia International School Shanghai Model United Nations ◆ Seventh Annual Session
Individuals or families who are forced to relocate to new areas as their old habitats have been
destroyed or deemed as unsafe. These people are usually unable to find new areas to stay, due to
possible civil conflicts in that area or overpopulation. These people are unable to return to their homes,
as their homes have more likely been destroyed, so they are unable to reside in temporary living
locations.
Vulnerable Populations
Populations who live in areas extremely susceptible to climate change, where the [weather]
consequences are prevalent and have begun to cause economical and habitual damage. If no action is
taken, these populations will be the first few to become environmental migrants, displaced and [ ].
History
East African Drought
In 2011, countries of East Africa such as Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, faced the worst
drought crisis to hit in over sixty years. Over 12.4 million people were affected, in need of humanitarian
and economic assistance. The drought has caused insufficient rainfall, resulting in livestock death (due
to lack of hydration) and crop failure. According to the Action Aid Organization, over 60% of cattle
perished in some areas.
In many areas of Africa, conflict has also increased between different tribes, nations and villages.
In the past, many conflicts have occurred upon the limited natural resources. However, with even more
limited resources, conflicts have become more serious as these populations depend on these extremely
limited resources.
This drought did not only cause economic issues, but raised educational ones. Many children
dropped out of school in order to help their parents find feasible sources of water or finding jobs to buy
food and possibly water. Although humanitarian assistance was provided to these families, many more
suffered grave consequences. Operation USA has estimated that about 1.5 million people were
displaced travelling to and from refugee camps, labeled as “environmental refugees”.
Key Issues
Environmental variations from climate change
Climate change causes many environmental consequences, affecting thousands of people
worldwide. Some include, tropical storms, droughts, water security and supply, along with the
socioeconomic effects of these variations.
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Tropical Storms
Many reports and studies show that climate change directly affects natural disasters, causing
extreme weather to occur globally. According to a study from the Proceedings of the Natural Academy of
the Sciences, climate change will cause hurricanes to occur more frequently and in greater force.
Droughts, Water Security and Supply
Many nations, including developing nations, are at risk of low water supplies due to climate
change. Due to higher temperatures, increased evaporation and reduced groundwater replenishment, all
contributing factors to water supply restrictions and shortages. Those who rely on small amounts of
water in dry areas will now have access to even fewer supplies of water. The United Kingdom Climate
Change Risk Assessment estimates that if no action is taken by 2050, 27 – 59 million people worldwide
could be suffering from water deficits.
Socioeconomic effects
Climatic changes have many consequences upon population, including economic impacts. In
areas of the world where land is only a few feet above sea level, the consequences of climate change
not only affect their environment, but also the population itself. For example, in Bangladesh, farmers are
forced to leave their villages and towns, due to land loss caused by rising sea levels. Scientists predict
that if the sea levels continue rising at their current rate, 1/5 of Bangladesh will disappear by the end of
the century. All over this nation, more than 3300 families have lost their land to water erosion. These
people are commonly termed as “environmental migrants”. Forced to leave their homes, they usually
migrate towards their capital, where finding jobs and supporting for their family is harder, due to a bigger
population and fewer opportunities.
Major Parties Involved and Their Views
United States of America
According to data compiled by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency in 2011, the
USA was the second biggest emitter of fossil fuels, emitting around 15.7% of all greenhouse gas
emissions. The USA has also implemented many laws and ratified many treaties concerning climate
change in order to combat this issue. However, it has also experienced its own share of consequences
deriving from climate change.
Alaska
Alaska has been warming up twice as fast compared to the rest of the United States. Due to the
higher temperatures, permafrost (frozen soil) temperatures have greatly increased too. As many public
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infrastructures in Alaska depend on the maintenance of permafrost, the cost of conserving the
permafrost is projected to increase by 10-20% by 2030 and another 10-12% by the 2080’s.
California
In California, the current drought is said to be the worst to affect the state in over 1200 years. In
2014, 100% of the state experienced drought conditions ranked “severe” but with the implementation of
many laws concerning water usage among Californians, it has dropped to 93% - not a lot of difference,
but improvement nonetheless. Climate change has intensified the drought in California through the
evaporation of crucially important snowpack (1/3 of California’s water supply), dried out soils and the
conversion of snow to rain.
Laws and treaties
The USA has also implemented many laws concerning climate change. In 2007, they enacted the
“Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007”, which introduced new methods upon expansion of
renewable energy production, addressing the impact and issue of climate change, as well as reducing
the USA’s dependence upon fossil fuels for energy.
Bhutan
Although Bhutan has not experienced many of the consequences deriving from climate change, it
is one of the most active advocating against it and implementing many laws to combat it. Ranked first by
the Climate Action Tracker, Bhutan has implemented many policies to follow the target of a global 2C
pathway. Bhutan is aware of the importance of their forestry sector, and [has] a constitutional mandate,
which ensures that their forests cover at least 60% of their landscape – currently high above their
mandate at 73%. By [keeping] their forests, they gain ecosystem services worth 14 billion/year.
Kiribati (and many other Southern Pacific States)
The small island nation of Kiribati, home to 102,000 residents, has faced grave consequences
due to climate change. With most of their population living in lowlands, only a few metres above sea
level, the rising sea levels have caused the 313 square miles of land to slowly disappear. If no action is
taken to combat these specific consequences of climate change, the whole island may disappear in a
matter of decades. Climate change has not just affected the rising sea levels but has also increased the
number of storms and earthquakes occurring. The current president of Kiribati, Anote Tong, has raised
greave concerns over the protection of his nation. The nation of Kiribati has greatly advocated for the
protection of their island, and [advocates] for more action to be done. However, this has not been
success.
The government of Kiribati has even gone to measures to purchase island land in one of the
islands of the Maldives, Vanua Levu. With knowledge that maybe in the near future, Kiribati will be over
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swept by the rising sea levels, Anote Tong purchased this land in order for his citizens to be able to
immigrate to a new location, without facing the consequences of being environmental refugees.
Timeline of Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events
Date
Description of event
Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto Japan, aimed to reduce greenhouse gases
11 December 1997
and to establish the presence of global warming and how it has occurred due to
man-made CO2 emissions
16 February 2005
June 3rd, 2009
Kyoto Protocol becomes implemented in ratified nations
General Assembly passes resolution, A/63/L.8.Rev.1, upon “Climate change
and its possible security implications:
Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue
A previously attempted solution has been to implement insurance policies in case for any
possible unforeseen hazards occurring, especially to those in LEDC’s. Agricultural micro-insurance is a
sustainable solution for farmers suffering from the economic consequences of climate changes. For
example, in Malawi, agricultural micro-insurance programs have been implemented in which farmers
receive weather-indexed crop insurance along with access to agricultural loans. Taking into account of
farmer’s and their families, if this solution were implemented worldwide, could greatly benefit many
people suffering from the economic consequences of climatic changes.
Possible Solutions
Vulnerability reduction strategies and techniques should be implemented in order to ensure the
well being of many populations globally. These strategies would include adaption techniques and
disaster risk reduction.
Risk identification and mapping of extreme risk zones are not as common as commonly thought.
Governments, especially those with vulnerable populations, should invest more into risk management.
Focus should be on mapping out specific vulnerable areas where populations can face, creating
vulnerability assessments in order to determine the “level of vulnerability” on the Environment
Vulnerability Index.
Using this data, they may also decide whether evacuation or adaptation to natural hazards would
be a better solution. Adapting to natural hazards would ensure that buildings with specific codes would
be able to withstand the [ ] hazards scientists predict will occur. Physical buffers may be considered for
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emergency situations. Emphasis should be placed on availability and readiness of emergency personnel
ready to assist in any emergency possible.
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