The People Come A Marching: Peace, Climate Action and Citizen Diplomacy

Happy International Day of Peace! As noted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “Today peace faces a new danger: the climate emergency, which threatens our security, our livelihood and our lives.” As the United States and other countries prepare for days of demonstrations and strikes to support peace and climate action, I have long noted how climate disruptions undermine our peace and security.

Up from the forests, Beaches bare, The people came a marching

Local action is addressing these environmental challenges while young people are emerging as climate champions and leaders to address the underlying security threats.

Climate Disruption Undermines Peace and Stability Climate disruptions affect the basic stability on which we rely. They affect our food and water supplies, shelter and infrastructure, commerce and business operations, and our safety and livelihoods. The U.S. Department of Defense has repeatedly identified “climate change as a threat multiplier” to national security, particularly in coastal areas. For example, three feet of sea-level rise would threaten 128 military installations.

The wind ripped cruelly through their hair, But the people kept on marching. they marched and marched to the steady beat, To the ever growing drumming,

Additional examples include fluctuations up and down in commodity markets such as the price of oil; more frequent and violent disasters including storms and floods, increased competition for resources; and displaced populations that lead to regional tension and international migration. In fact, many national leaders have identified these threats and have indicated that there is an opportunity for a New Climate for Peace.

Local Action to Address These Threats Local action is underway across the world to address these threats and the most vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls recognizing that creating a gendered response to climate change impacts offers a great opportunity to increase resilience at a local level. Addressing these threats locally also opens a unique opportunity to provide a systematic response to climate injustices.

Out from the rafters, Through the gates, The people kept on coming.

The work of groups like Resource Media provide insights into how to communicate these threats. One of their key recommendations is to show local impacts – and the scale of change, from causes to solutions. Ultimately it is important to show how climate change impacts individuals – compellingly and emotionally – and to show ways that communities come together locally, despite differences, when faced with common threats.

A Sister Cities International member in Norfolk, Virginia engages in local action by recognizing these threats and establishing relationships with cities abroad to respond. They engage with other coastal cities with military installations, research centers and universities that are all facing weather-related issues such as nuisance flooding. Their goal is to collaborate, share lessons and learn about ways to build peaceful, stronger, more resilient communities.

 Young leaders As we look to climate action this weekend and the work of young figures such as Greta Thunberg, we also recognize the ability of our young people to provide some direction and insight. Every year Sister Cities International hosts a Young Artists and Authors Showcase competition on key emerging issues. This year’s theme was “Global Citizens: Resilient Communities” which highlights the importance of citizen diplomacy and the innovative ways that an individual or community can prepare for adversity or challenges.

Students were encouraged to draw inspiration from their experiences with Sister Cities, travel, exchange programs, international friendships, and the many ways that people cultivate relationships across cultures. I am moved by the words of the winning entry from Veronica Butler, a middle-school student poet from Lexington, Kentucky:

Up from the forests, Beaches bare, The people came a marching

The wind ripped cruelly through their hair, But the people kept on marching.

They marched and marched to the steady beat, To the ever growing drumming,

Out from the rafters, Through the gates, The people kept on coming.

[…]

It is now they come a marching To show to all the world They shall not be simply tossed aside as the future is unfurled.

So as we think of peace and our well-being, let’s continue to consider the threats that we face from a changing climate, and the ways that we can create greater understanding, awareness, concrete action and leadership to ensure long term peace for our communities and families.

*The opinions expressed here are my own.