U.N.: Climate change a global threat

UNITED NATIONS, July 21 (UPI) -- Volatile weather events brought on by climate change create "an unholy brew" that can threaten international security, the U.N. secretary-general said.

Achim Steiner, the executive director of the U.N. Environment Program, told members of the U.N. Security Council during a debate on climate issues that new international mechanisms might be needed to address the consequences of climate change.

"It is the speed of environmental change, including climate change, that will be increasingly at the heart of our collective concern and response," he said in a statement.

The Security Council expressed its concern that the effects of climate change could pose a long-term threat to international security.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said frequent extreme weather events put a strain on nation's response capabilities.

"Extreme weather events continue to grow more frequent and intense in rich and poor countries alike, not only devastating lives, but also infrastructure, institutions, and budgets -- an unholy brew which can create dangerous security vacuums," he said during the Security Council debate.