UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning on Tuesday, highlighting the intertwined threats of climate change and food insecurity to global peace and security. Addressing a high-level meeting, he emphasized how “empty bellies fuel unrest” and urged the UN Security Council to act.
Guterres pointed to two main drivers of the global food crisis: conflict and climate change. He highlighted war-torn regions like Gaza and Syria, where millions suffer from chronic hunger due to displacement, agricultural destruction, and deliberate policies. He also stressed the global impact of climate change, jeopardizing food production worldwide.
Sharing the urgency, UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that one in ten people already experience chronic hunger, and this number will escalate without rapid action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience. He urged the Security Council to take a proactive approach, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and requesting regular updates on climate security risks.
Reinforcing the connection between peace and food security, Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, cited the staggering statistic of 258 million people facing high levels of food insecurity due to climate and conflict. She emphasized the complex interplay between these factors, where climate change exacerbates tensions over resources and conflict further weakens communities’ ability to cope with environmental challenges.
The message at the high-level meeting was clear: climate chaos and food crises pose a real threat to global peace. Addressing these challenges requires decisive action from the international community, focusing on both mitigating climate change and ensuring food security, particularly in conflict-affected regions. The UN Security Council is being called upon to play a central role in acknowledging the urgency of the situation and coordinating efforts to prevent further instability and suffering.
