As the leaders of various countries kicked of the beginning of the climate change talks currently happening in Paris, France, President Barack Obama talked about the correlation between global warming and the growing terrorist threat during his opening speech.
The U.N. Climate Change Summit was held only a couple of weeks after a series of gruesome terrorists attacks were carried out in various locations across Paris. On November 13, a group of assailants armed with grenades, suicide belts and assault rifles attacked popular spots in the city including the Bataclan Theatre and the Stade de France.
The coordinated attacks, which were composed of mass shootings and suicide bombings, resulted in the death of around 130 individuals. The aftermath of what was dubbed as the Paris Terrorist Attacks, which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed, led to widespread investigation regarding the identities of the suspects. But more importantly, it also sent a strong message to the world regarding the threat of terrorism.
Due to the horrifying incident and threats to both national and global securities, talks regarding the cancellation of the U.N. Climate Change Summit emerged. But, the leaders of the world maintained that the fight to end climate change is just as important as eliminating terrorism.
"We salute the people of Paris for insisting this crucial conference go on - an act of defiance that proves nothing will deter us from building the future we want for our children," Obama said in his speech according to The Daily Beast.
"What greater rejection of those who would tear down our world, than marshaling our best efforts to save it?" the U.S. President added.
Obama then noted that these two global issues are directly linked and that if the effects of global warming are not reversed or stopped, the worsening environmental conditions could push individuals into extremism.
According to the Los Angeles Times, effects such as rising sea levels warming temperatures could lead to the destruction of natural resources and the homes of people on various regions. The lack of proper shelter and food and water supplies could contribute to the rise in poverty and might send waves of refugees to other countries to seek help.
With the growing number of people in need, terrorists groups such as the ISIL or ISIS could take advantage of this scenario to recruit members in exchange for a better life. But other than recruitment, other extremists groups might also form as nations begin to destabilize.
As French President Francois Hollande said, aside from global peace, a world safe from extreme natural disasters must also be established for future generations.
"I'm not choosing between the fight against terrorism and the fight against global warming," he said during the conference. "These are two major challenges we must overcome. We must leave our children more than a world free of terror, we owe them a planet protected from disasters, a viable livable planet."
