Resolved, when in conflict; the United Nations should prioritize global poverty reduction over envir

The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban-Ki Moon said: "Climate change is the preeminent geopolitical issue of our time."It is because we stand with the United Nations that we, the con, negate today's resolution which states: When in conflict, the United Nations should prioritize global poverty reduction over environmental problems. Contention 1-The environment is an imminent danger to the world's population, and the United Nations has the capacity to effectively combat this issue. Sub Clause A- Global Warming, in particular is a great threat to our contemporary society -According to a team of health and climate scientists at the World Health Organization and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, there are 150,000 deaths and 5 million illnesses annually due to climate change. In their conclusion, they stated that the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria can be attributed to global warming. -It creates conditions that lead to potentially fatal malnutrition, and increases the likelihood of heat waves and floods, all of which can be avoided by further sustaining our global environment. -The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change reported that more than 52,000 Europeans died from heat in the summer of 2003, marking one of the worst climate disasters in Western history. -In France alone, 15,000 elderly men and women died. The panel concluded that the cause was Global Warming and would reoccur if action was not taken. Sub Clause B- The United Nations can effectively sustain the environment. -There currently exists the /united Nations Environment Programme or UNEP which specifically coordinates environmental activities, assists developing countries in implementing sound policies and encourages sustainable development through positive environmental practices. -The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change contains, in particular, the Kyoto Protocol which establishes legally binding commitment for the reduction of greenhouse gases. Thus far, it has set limitations for Japan, China and the United States, producing global success. -The Copenhagen Protocol is the upcoming event to extend this agreement. -History has proven that the United Nations has efficient capabilities to sustain the environment, and can take serious strides toward environmental protection if it were prioritized. Contention 2- Environmental Protection conflicts with global poverty reduction and must be prioritized first. Sub Clause A-Climate change challenges the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. -The Millennium Development Goals were set by the United Nations to achieve by 2015, HOWEVER, the environment directly conflicts with poverty eradication and sustainable development objectives, and must be prioritized first. -Unless concrete and urgent steps are taken to reduce vulnerability and enhance the capacity of poor people, it will be impossible to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. -Simply put, environmental objectives must be acquired first, or else poverty cannot be eradicated or even considered. Sub Clause B- Environmental Protection prevents the additional threat of strains on the livelihoods and coping strategies of the poor. -Climate change reduces poor people's livelihood assets, for example, are health, access to water, homes, and infrastructure, According to the World Health Organization. -The Greenguard Environmental Institute, a report published in September 2009 states that climate change alters the path and rate of economic growth due to changes in natural systems and resources, infrastructure, and labor productivity. -Jeff McNeil of the Department of environmental Studies states that, "In particular in Africa, food security is expected to worsen." -Without more environmental protection, further reduced asse4tes to drinking water will negatively affect the health of poor people, and will pose a real threat to food security in many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. -For these and more, we the con negate today's resolution.