UN Security Council split over climate change threat

CLIMATE change is generating an “unholy brew” of extreme weather events that threaten global security, the UN chief said as the Security Council recognised the issue’s potential effect on world peace.

However, the 15-member council apparently failed to agree on whether climate change itself was a direct threat to international peace and security, prompting a rebuke by the United States which described the lack of consensus as “pathetic”.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged concerted action and called on developed countries to lead the charge in mitigating effects of climate change, while encouraging the developing world to do its fair share.