Baltic Rim Economies: Climate change as a common security threat
The world
has a new and common security threat: climate change. Creation of new
transatlantic bonds and cooperation due to climate change and its effects and
dangers are more than needed these days. The latest reports from the Baltic Rim Economies
illuminates the evolving dynamics of transatlantic relations in the context of
climate change and how we should see and live with them now and in the future.
Register to the mailing list to receive the Baltic Rim Economies review!
A tale of transatlantic cooperation
Fight against climate change has been a bumpy road according to Connie Hedegaard. Discussions haven’t been easy between USA and the leader of the climate change, Europe. USA’s concerns earlier have been near to zero with President Bush’s words: “The American lifestyle is not negotiable”. This mentality is supported by a fact, that USA has never ratified the Kyoto Protocol even though they have been one of the largest emitters in the world with China.
In 2015 the change came when USA and China made an agreement that they both were willing to commit to and they both signed Paris Agreement. Europe and USA were finally on the same page. Since that USA has withdrawn and re-entered again from the agreement and last years the transatlantic dialogue about climate change has been solid. At these days climate change is seen as a security threat from both regions. It’s time to intensify the transatlantic cooperation and security thinking for us and for the “new generations on both sides of the Atlantic”.
Connie Hedegaard: Climate can revitalise transatlantic bonds
Prioritizing adaptation in today's world
Erna Solberg, the Current Leader of the Opposition in Norway argues how climate adaptation has become a matter of security for us all. Last year’s storm Hans was the costliest natural disaster in Norway of modern times. These kinds of wake-up calls are also concern for NATO. In their security strategy 2022 climate change is mentioned through strategy, comparing to 2010, when climate change was only mentioned once.
The issues following climate change are inescapable. The Arctic ice pack is melting, and the Northern Sea Route becomes more navigable. Migration crisis from Northern Africa and the Middle East affects to Mediterranean NATO allies. China is more and more interested in Arctic and Russia is always present. Climate change is interlinked with many crises and concerns globally and the world must adapt to its dangers.
Erna Solberg: NATO & the impact of climate security
Resources on a spotlight
Lena Ek highlights that resources, food, and water, for example, have always been sources of conflict. “Our common picture of how geopolitics and climate change affect the world is outdated.” Its effects extend to sectors that we don’t even realize. Food production, water, security, financial markets, housing, just to mention few, are all affected by climate change.
The
transatlantic bond shows to be very important in the context of geopolitical
and climate change issues. It has taken some time to realize the implications
of human actions but now countries have started to notice that. Attention has now
focused on to resources such as agriculture and forestry, which have also
caught China’s interest, particularly in Africa. Understanding the sectors
where climate change has an impact will help people now and, in the future, to
cooperate better.
Lena Ek: Climate change and geopolitics: Implications for transatlantic cooperation
Energy and climate as a transatlantic priority
Speaking of transatlantic relations and sectors where to cooperate between the regions, are energy security and resilience, trade and investment, and capacity building with knowledge exchange, according to former EU Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs. The USA and EU have pursued different paths in addressing climate change, with Europe being more effective.
Energy security has been a long-standing concern for transatlantic cooperation. EU’s strengthened energy security and reduced dependence on China through diversified supply chains also enhances economic security for both regions. The EU and US lead in advancing global clean energy transition, which relies on transatlantic cooperation.
Andris Piebalgs: Energy transition and transatlantic relations: A new chapter
See all articles of Baltic Rim Economies 4/2023
Register to the mailing list to receive the Baltic Rim Economies review!
