24 Apr 09 - IISS Press Release - A Conference on the Global Security Implications of Climate Change, Senator John Kerry to Keynote

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is pleased to announce the latest conference installment of the Transatlantic Dialogue on Climate Change and Security (TDCCS), entitled: Defining Global Security in the 21st Century: the Global Security Implications of Climate Change, on Tuesday, 5 May 2009, from 8:30 to 3:00 pm at the Ritz Carlton, Washington (1150 22nd St NW, Washington DC). A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.  Attendance is by invitation only, or with prior approval. 

24 April 2009: IISS

The International Institute for Strategic Studies’

Transatlantic Dialogue on Climate Change and Security presents:

Defining Global Security in the 21st Century:

A Conference on the Global Security Implications of Climate Change

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is pleased to announce the latest conference installment of the Transatlantic Dialogue on Climate Change and Security (TDCCS), entitled: Defining Global Security in the 21st Century: the Global Security Implications of Climate Change, on Tuesday, 5 May 2009, from 8:30 to 3:00 pm at the Ritz Carlton, Washington (1150 22nd St NW, Washington DC). A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.  Attendance is by invitation only, or with prior approval.

Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will deliver the Keynote Address.

Senior IISS experts, including Nigel Inkster CMG, Director of Transnational Threats and Political Risks, Andrew Parasiliti, Ph.D., Executive Director IISS-US and Corresponding Director, Middle East, and Alexander Nicoll, Director of Editorial, will moderate the panel discussions.  Panel topics include: (1) the intersection of climate security and energy security; (2) how military and security planners should prepare for humanitarian crises caused by climate change; and (3) a discussion of the long-term strategic implications for a global emissions-reduction treaty.  

A full agenda, including all confirmed panelists, is listed below.

Media covering this event are requested to contact the IISS-US in advance to schedule interviews and arrange provisions for technical requirements.  As space is extremely limited, media RSVPs (acceptances only) will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Kindly RSVP no later than Thursday, 30 April 2009, to press-washington@iiss.org or by ringing 202.659.1490.

The IISS would like to thank the European Commission for its generous support for this project. To learn more about the IISS or the TDCCS, visit: www.iiss.org.

Transatlantic Dialogue on Climate Change and Security Homepage

Conference Agenda

Defining Global Security in the 21st Century: the Global Security Implications of Climate Change.”

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Keynote:        Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Session 1     Can we have both Energy Security and Climate Security?  Are long term security from climate change and short-term energy security compatible? 

Moderator: Nigel Inkster, CMG, IISS Director of Transnational Threats and Risk

Panelists:

Lieutenant General Lawrence P. Farrell Jr., USAF (Ret.), representing the Center for Naval Analysis’ Military Advisory Board

David Buchan, Senior Fellow,Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Author of Energy and Climate Change, Europe at the Crossroads

Christophe Sammartano, Principal Counselor for Energy Security at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Session 2     Managing Climate-Induced State-Threatening Crises:  How should militaries plan for massive humanitarian interventions into states stressed by climate-induced crises?

Moderator: Andrew Parasiliti, Ph.D., IISS-US Executive Director

Panelists:

Major General Muniruzzaman (Ret.), President, Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS)

Brigadier General (Ret.) Nigel Hall, Senior Fellow, UK Defence Academy

Session 3     The Copenhagen Meeting in a Strategic Context: Is a global emissions-reduction treaty necessary for long-term global security?  How do we define “security” in a world of climate instability?

Moderator: Alexander Nicoll, IISS Director of Editorial

Panelists:

Ambassador Steffen Smidt, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Climate Change Issues, Denmark

Dr. Paula Dobriansky, Former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs

Dr. James Lee, Professor in the School of International Service, American University, Author of Climate Change and Armed Conflict: Hot and Cold Wars (forthcoming)