Event

The world is losing nature at a rapid pace. The world’s seas are becoming more acidic and the temperature of the globe continues to rise. This threatens food security, air quality, creates migration and increases the risk of resource conflicts - both within and between countries.

The World Economic Forum ranks the destruction of natural ecosystems, water shortages and air pollution as far greater threats than the risks associated with stock bubbles, corruption and terrorist attacks.

The damage we inflict on nature is a real political risk that affects our security and interests. Nevertheless, the importance of the environment is marginal in today's global politics.

This event will be in English and does not require registration. Note that the event takes place at Deichman's main library.

PROGRAMME:

14.30-14.35 Welcome and introduction by Jorunn Sandsmark, Publishing Manager in Kagge and J.M. Stenersens Forlag.

14.35-14.50 Introduction by David Wallace-Wells on probable conditions on earth if no radical climate action is taken, based on his book The Uninhabitable Earth.

14.50-14.55Bård Vegar Solhjell (WWF Norway) draws a thematic backdrop, poses two questions to Wallace-Wells and introduce the panel.

14.55-15.10 Short posts from panel: Ole Jacob Sending (NUPI) and Tina Bru (Conservative Party)

15.10-15.55 Discussion and Q&A

Related publications

Publications

August 20, 2019

Publications

Scientific article

August 20, 2019

Ole Jacob Sending

Norsk utenrikspolitikk i en varmere verden

Despite the fact that political leaders describe the climate crisis as the biggest challenge of our time, it plays only a marginal role in Norwegian foreign policy. We analyse how the transition to renewable energy, increased migration flows, reputational risks to Norway and challenges to international organisations such as the UN, EU and NATO will change the conditions for Norwegian foreign policy. We describe how three different climate scenarios – quick transition (A), slow transition (B), and no transition (C) – will affect Norwegian foreign policy. We show that the scope and efficacy of Norwegian foreign policy will be constrained in all three scenarios and conclude that the overall priority for Norwegian foreign policy should be to prevent dramatic climate change, as it undermines Norwegian welfare and security. We conclude by discussing the implications for foreign policy strategy, stressing the need for close integration with the EU, and for stronger cooperation with China.

• Global economy
• Foreign policy
• Climate

• Global economy
• Foreign policy
• Climate