By Dora Bakoyannis

Climate change is a grim reality. Scientists tell us that the world is getting warmer by the day. Extreme weather phenomena such as floods, droughts, heat waves and cyclones, experienced in different parts of our globe, are among the far reaching consequences of climate change, giving us a bitter foretaste of what worse may come in the near future. The link between climate change and human security is now as clear as ever.

Dramatic environmental change undeniably places the infrastructure of all countries to the test. But it also poses an even greater threat to developing countries that lack the means, the know-how and the capacity to effectively deal with this phenomena. Add to this the soaring food and oil prices, and the future for millions of people across the globe, particularly those living on the edge struck by poverty or ravaged by war, is ominous.

It is precisely this interplay between climate change and human security that Greece has strategically opted to highlight, as Chair of the Human Security Network.

We are systematically contributing to the international dialogue with relevant research, analysis and concrete policy proposals regarding the impact of climate change on the human security. We turned our focus on three vulnerable population groups in the developing world such as children, women and persons fleeing their homes due to climate change. To this end, in collaboration with prominent Greek and International Research Centers, we prepared four policy papers: one for each vulnerable group as well as a fourth policy paper on Development Cooperation and the Impact of Climate Change on Human Security.

The main findings and policy proposals of these papers are compiled and presented in this edition which, we think will be a useful tool for scientists, journalists, members of the academia and civil society, policy-makers and citizens.

At the same time, in cooperation with and within the framework of international and regional organizations, Greece is funding adaptation initiatives in Least Developed Countries and in Small Island Developing States.

Dora Bakoyannis is the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic.

Article by: Dora Bakoyannis(more...)
	Dora Bakoyannis is the Greek minister for foreign affairs.