Munich: The world has already crossed a critical climate threshold with potentially irreversible consequences, experts warned at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, saying global warming is rapidly becoming a central driver of instability, economic disruption, and security threats.
According to Anadolu Agency, speaking at a panel titled Degrees of Instability: Climate Security in a Warming World, Mads Flarup Christensen, executive director of Greenpeace International, said the planet has entered a dangerous phase. Christensen emphasized that the world has passed the first tipping point and is currently in the danger zone. He warned of approaching systemic environmental shifts that could disrupt ecosystems and societies, including the loss of major natural systems. He highlighted the importance of treating climate risks as a top-tier strategic threat.
Moderator Erin Sikorsky, director of the Center for Climate and Security, noted that the planet is already moving beyond key warming limits. She warned that surpassing 1.5 degrees of warming would bring greater instability and more extreme weather events, impacting global security systems. Sikorsky pointed out that militaries worldwide are being deployed to respond to climate disasters and that competition over resources is intensifying geopolitical tensions.
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stressed the disruption caused by climate shocks, particularly in vulnerable regions. She emphasized the need to save both the climate and communities, noting that climate volatility is affecting defense readiness and disrupting military operations.
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider highlighted ecological threats as leading global risks, affecting economic growth and security. He described climate change as a threat to the livelihood of people and the economy.
US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse warned of financial strain caused by climate impacts, particularly through insurance markets withdrawing coverage from high-risk areas. He cautioned that this could trigger an economic cascade leading to recession.