The French president has assured that To fight terrorism, we must also end climate change. It is possible that more than one has put his hands to his head. The French president has assured that this is the case. France is currently one of the countries that is making the most efforts to end climate change. But what does it have to do with terrorism? Are you misunderstanding something, or have others misunderstood something?
Macron assures that the relationship is very close. He defines it as follows. "We cannot be fighting terrorism without determined action on climate change, or it will be necessary to explain to people living in Chad, Niger and elsewhere that climate change is not a problem." Given this position, he assured that these problems cannot be treated for different reasons. Much of what happens in Africa and the weather problems come from industrial processes and our production methods. So Africa, climate and industrial development should be treated as the same thing.
What does Macron use to affirm these conclusions?
In the latest reports that have been coming out the last two years. One of the best, commissioned by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs is that of «Insurgency, Terrorism and Organized Crime in a Warming Climate«.
This report, unlike others that have existed, details concrete situations where climate problems are very closely related to the people of the regions. Social unrest, climate refugees, droughts in areas, etc. All this great accumulation of climatic problems leads the population to seek solutions and often to emigrate to other areas. The so-called climate refugees for example. That is why Macron's statement does not seem absurd, it is full of sense. You cannot attack terrorism and finally tell people that they can go back to their countries., when this problem really still exists.
For all this, Macron ensures that all these problems must be addressed as an equal, and has already organized a new summit of G20 in Paris for this next December 12.
It will deal with problems and commitments that countries must adopt in the fight against climate change. It is not something that is new for Macron in the wake of this latest summit in Hamburg, his commitment has been there long before. Even inviting engineers and scientists from the US to go to France to tackle these global problems.
Countries that are being severely affected by the climate
Among the most vulnerable, we have clear evidence that In Africa, the vulnerability index due to the effects of climate change is alarming. Countries like those Macron mentions, Chad and Niger, are no coincidence, but they are not isolated countries either. A large group will have and already have serious problems. The Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan, Mali, Madagascar, Syria, and Kenya are just some of the most vulnerable.
We must put a stop to this growing problem now. Otherwise, emigration will continue, and according to reports, terrorism alone isn't enough. The problem isn't over.
A significant and very representative case can be seen in Lake Chad. From 1963 onwards, it has gradually dried up until almost today it is practically dry. In 2009, Boko Haram took up arms to build the Islamic State. Since then more than 20.000 people have died. 2,6 million had to leave for refuge. The crisis caused by the drought in Lake Chad is huge, and has been ignored for too long. The United Nations estimates that more than 1.500 billion are needed to cover the needs this year alone.
Edward Kallon, originally from Sierra Leone, coordinator of the United Nations Development Program in Nigeria, says that the commitment made by the community is a good beginning. At the same time, on whether there is an immediate risk of famine, Kallon said "the situation is getting worse, not better."
It's no longer just about war and terrorism. Macron didn't say anything absurd. We must begin to solve these problems, where there are fewer and fewer habitable regions.
