UN: Climate crisis threatens human rights

MANILA, Philippines — Beyond its devastating impacts felt across the world, the climate crisis also severely threatens human rights globally, the United Nations warned.

At the opening of the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council last week, human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said diminished resources due to global warming could lead to increased conflict and hunger, as well as deaths due to diseases made worse in an increasingly warming planet.

“The world has never seen a threat to human rights of this scope. The economies of all nations, the institutional, political, social and cultural fabric of every state and the rights of all your people — and future generations — will be impacted,” she said.

Most dangerous country

Bachelet also sounded the alarm over the increasing attacks on environmental defenders worldwide.

In the latest report by international group Global Witness, the Philippines was ranked as the most dangerous country worldwide for environmental defenders.

In a statement on Sunday, Greenpeace Southeast Asia said Bachelet’s statement was a “clear call to action at this time of climate emergency.”