Germany Warns of New Migration Waves Due to Climate Change

Berlin, Oct 6 (KUNA) – The German government warned today of new migration waves triggered by the impacts of climate change, emphasizing that climate risks are increasingly becoming security risks. This was stated by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadefohl in a speech delivered at a conference on climate and security in Berlin. According to the German minister, climate change, particularly in fragile states, leads to greater poverty and hunger, which may provide fertile ground for extremism and terrorism or result in migration waves. Wadefohl pointed to tangible impacts of climate change on living conditions in poor countries, noting that, for example, rainfall shortages in Sudan exacerbate droughts and lower the level of the Nile, thereby leading to migration waves. He added that the consequences of climate change should not be viewed in isolation from other crises, stating that climate change intensifies situations in regions experiencing wars and crises, and that some actors attempt to use the impacts of climate change as a weapon. On the other hand, the minister noted that effective climate policies can enhance security by increasing countries’ resilience to crises. The German minister’s remarks came at a climate conference that began today in Berlin, with the participation of dozens of entities specializing in climate protection, peace, and security, including representatives from countries affected by the impacts of climate change, as well as representatives from the United Nations, the European Union, and international organizations. (End) A.N.J./A.B.G.