Climate change has been identified as one of the most significant security threats of our time. A Defence report released today says climate change can spark low-level and violent conflict, and the Defence Force needs to be able to respond to multiple events at the same time. Security risks include vulnerable populations losing their livelihoods, increased food and water scarcity, malnutrition, climate migration, health-related crises, competition for resources, land disputes and the potential for increased violence from mismanaged adaptation or migration. The report notes climate change is already having adverse impacts.
And, a $9million reconciliation agreement has been settled for Parihaka.