Guest essay by Eric Worrall
The United Nations appears to think nations should stop wasting money on guns and soldiers and instead embrace funding UN climate change, economic decarbonisation and sustainability programmes.
Redirect military budgets to tackle climate change and pandemics
Governments should stop spending billions of dollars on weapons and protect citizens from the real threats they face.
Denise Garcia
20 AUGUST 2020Despite threats to human existence from climate change, biodiversity loss and a pandemic that’s devastating economies and paralysing societies, countries still spend recklessly on destructive weapons for wars they will never fight.
As an academic who advises the United Nations on arms control and the military uses of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, I have long argued that nations should prioritize ‘human security for the common good’ over military spending1,2. That means ensuring people can live to their full potential — economically fulfilled, politically enfranchised, in healthy environments and free from the fear of violence and pressing mortal threats such as climate change or pandemics.
…
This year must represent a turning point for national security budgets. Governments need to accept that their concept of national security sustained by a military–industrial complex is anachronistic and irrelevant. To recover from the costs of the pandemic, estimated at up to $82 trillion over the next 5 years (see go.nature.com/2q5jtyf), they should instead focus their spending on stimulus packages for decarbonization, health, education and the environment. National security budgets should be ploughed into realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2015 Paris agreement to avert dangerous climate change. Ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty — whose member parties are meeting virtually this week — should be a first step.
…
Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02460-9
Given how badly the UN WHO bungled their Covid-19 response, the UN is the last group I’d listen to for advice on how to make the world a safer place.
Climate change isn’t about climate:
“Isn’t the only hope for the planet that the industrialized civilizations collapse? Isn’t it our responsibility to bring that about?”
Maurice Strong, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
“This is the first time in the history of mankind that we are setting ourselves the task of intentionally, within a defined period of time to change the economic development model that has been reigning for at least 150 years, since the industrial revolution.” –
Christiana Figueres, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary
“We’ve got to go straight to the heart of capitalism and overthrow it.
George Monbiot April 12, 2019
Steve Case has gone straight to the heart of this scam.
but climate change is also about climate change
Seasonal, annual, indeterminate period?
What climate change? Everything on this planet is well within the range of normal.
The Swiss chalets are getting more expensive every year. Make your new payment on time so we can build our private bunkers and order new private jets.
One must keep up with Kofi after all.
OK Eric, here’s the key parts of the Denise Garcia biography. She is from Brazil and is a “yogi”, has a PhD in International Relations, and advises the Crapweasels at the United Nations. Oh, and her picture reminds me of Willie Nelsen saying “I never went to bed with any ugly women but I woke up with a few”. Fight climate change instead of China? Yikes!
She’s a yogi Berra.
Only he makes sense…
She’s responsible for her ideas, not her looks. “Ugly woman” comments degrade the conversation and could cause some visitors to write off WUWT as a credible information source.
She’s responsible for her ideas, not her looks.
Bingo!
Besides that skeptics don’t have to exaggerate, lie or in anyway buy in to the notion that CO2. methane and climate change represent a problem.
To quote Jack Webb’s Sgt Joe Friday, “Just the facts Ma’am”
But I would like to copy that Willie Nelsen quote !
– JPP
Willie Nelson
My favorite Willie Nelson story was when he came home drunk, with the smell of another woman on him, crashed into bed a slept. His wife sewed him up in the sheet, then took a baseball bat and beat him until she drug him out to the sidewalk, still inside the sheet, and called the cops. This is an example of failed attitude change, and is also relevant to the failure of climate change advocates.
“She’s responsible for her ideas, not her looks.”
Totally agree, Ralph. It’s basically anonymous cowardice to poke fun at someone’s looks when no one can see you.
Agreed that “She’s responsible for her ideas, not her looks” So calling her ugly on that basis is totally uncalled for. Calling her ugly for her ugly ideas on the other hand, would have been perfectly fine. And make no mistake, most proponents of CAGW have at their heart ugly anti-human, anti-freedom ideas.
Care to post your portrait, Ron?
I have a better idea. Divert any money that might get sent to the UN and use it for disease research and treatment. Starve the beast that wants to turn the world into a worse place.
Now that would make a difference.
The irony is that such a comment should ideally be taken as a joke but the the UN has drifted so far into hyperventilation space that it is actually a serious option.
https://tass.com/world/1180059
18 JUL, 12:40
UN Secretary General initiates New Global Deal for fairer world order
+42
defund the UN is the one defund movement I support.
Can’r wait for this to be a UN treaty proposal, i look forward to China convincing them with an argument it shouldn’t apply to a small developing nation such as themselves.
Following the 80/20 rule then begin with the armies of Russia and China as they are the largest and have allways voiced their intent to change the world through the barrel of a gun. The May Day parades are not necessary considering the huge expensive displays of armaments and soldiers and the savings can go towards climate mitigation (whatever that is). As these countries profess collectivist and solialist values then they can lead by example to ‘save the planet’ so that Russia can stop producing oil and gas and China can stop burning coal in it’s myriad coal fired power stations.
The IPCC/UNFCCC and UN are all the same. Their motivation is suppressing the West, specifically the US, and arises from the envy of capitalistic successes coupled with concern that Western freedom is an impediment to the globalization around Socialist/Marxist policies they want to achieve and control.
“The IPCC/UNFCCC and UN are all the same. Their motivation is suppressing the West”
Their real intention is to gain more political power for themselves and that necessarily requires that the West and Democratic values be suppressed.
The UN has devovled into authoritarianism and they are seeking as much control of the lives of human beings as is possible, and Human-caused Climate Change is a perfect vehicle for them.
If the UN thinks it is a good idea to cut military budgets, they should start with their own.
There are a lot of forces lined up against the West: The UN; the Leftwing political parties of the West; and all the bad actors around the world. What do they all have in common? They all want to control every aspect of your life. They want you to obey or they will destroy you. Your personal freedoms mean nothing to these people.
Trump is our best defense against these people. We better get him elected again, or all freedom-loving people are going to have BIG problems. Trump is the only impediment to a Leftist/Socialist/Authoritarian takeover of the West and the destruction of the United States.
When will the world call out the UN to get back to their intended mission of maintaining peace between countries? There’s been MORE wars since their inception then before. They’ve overstepped their function in every conceivable way except preventing wars and have grown into a body larger than many countries’ governments. Their stated goal of being the “One World Government” should bring chills to everybody. It’s nothing more than a reincarnation of The League of Nations and it’s past time for them to dissolve. The USA has been their whipping boy since inception yet it contributes more to their existence than any other country. Time to move on the UN.
https://tass.com/world/1180059
18 JUL, 12:40
UN Secretary General initiates New Global Deal for fairer world order
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2020-05-28/the-secretary-generals-press-conference-the-prime-ministers-of-canada-and-jamaica-financing-for-development-the-era-of-covid-19-and-beyond
Defund the police V2.0
Decarbonization is one of those words that just boils my blood. Why have we been brought to a place so evil as to think that to get rid of carbon (us, etc.) is a good thing. Hell who need to eat when you can have a one world govt to supply you with Vienna sausage in a can for weeks on end. Seems like Australia is the testing ground for one world nonsense . I feel for them but they must stick up for themselves , Wear the mask do the dance and be happy we let you out every once in a while. They seem so few in numbers, so how does this madness continue, so few with so much makes it tough.
Yes it should be Decarbondioxideation.
I thought that’s what you meant.
– JPP
I can imagine the European culural elites getting their sticky fingers into someone else’s money. It would be a nirvana moment for them that would truly demonstrate their status vis-à-vis the grubby colonialists.
China first there Denise? North Korea or Iran second?
“That means ensuring people can live to their full potential…”
I’m pretty sure that civilized people living in civilized societies are doing this on every day that ends in ‘y’. And we’re doing this without any assistance and/or “input” from the UN.
What happens if your country can’t afford to defend itself? It gets overrun by someone else.
As Britain was preparing to be invaded, things were dire. The Home Guard had a bit of artillery but almost no ammunition. The crews couldn’t even afford one round for practice. link
For whatever reason, Britain was spared. I’m guessing she didn’t have anything useful, like oil for instance.
Rather, let’s divert the UN budget to military sustainability!
This can only come from a person that does not have a clue about the reasons that lead to the UN foundation and the main justification for its existence.
Let the UN lead the way by abolishing the IPCC which is just as dangerous, if not more so, as anything they have listed
Most of NATO aside from the US did this a while ago. Time to disband NATO unless all members either meet their commitments or pay us the difference.
Let’s not forget…
U.N. Geneva tweeted: “UN #HumanRights experts express profound concern over a recent statement by the US Attorney-General describing #Antifa and other anti-fascist activists as domestic terrorists, saying it undermines the rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly in the country.”
…..but of course this is fine…
“China has been appointed to a panel on the controversial U.N. Human Rights Council, where it will help vet candidates for important posts”
…….and of course this too is just dandy…
“It came under fresh criticism last year when Venezuela, a country plagued by poverty and mass human rights abuses under the regime of dictator Nicolas Maduro, was elected to the Council.”
…..nothing to see here, everything’s normal.
Cherry on the cake, next year Turkey has the Presidency of the UN general assembly…… yayyyy!!!
“U.N. Geneva tweeted: “UN #HumanRights experts express profound concern over a recent statement by the US Attorney-General describing #Antifa and other anti-fascist activists as domestic terrorists”
Antifa is not anti-fascist, they are fascists themselves. It’s 1984 Doublespeak. Fascists now claim to be anti-fascists. And UN bureaucrats echo this sentiment.
The truth is Antifa and these other violent organizations are terrorists, and should be designated as such, and they are being funded by George Soros and other Leftwing Biliionaires who want to see the destruction of Western Democracy, so it can be replaced with a One-World government run by themselves.
I think Attorney General Barr is looking hard at these organizations. Like Newt Gingrich said the other day: The way to stop these terrorists is to keep locking them up until there are no more left to lock up. That won’t take long. The hard-core anarchists are small in numbers. But even small numbers of anarchists can cause a lot of havoc if the local authorities don’t do anything to stop them. Lock them up!
No doubt China and Russia support this call for the West to disarm itself.
So much so, that they are going to disarm first.
I saw a report this morning where the Chicoms are planning on doubling their nuclear weapons capabilities over the next few years.
Perhaps the UN should speak to the Chicoms about their military spending. The UN should tell the Chicoms to do away with their military. The Chicoms would get a good laugh out of that one.
All this “getting rid of the military spending” is aimed at the Western Democracies. The rest of the world will laugh at the suggestion.
These are the same nutcases who assure us that if we outlaw the guns, that criminals will meekly turn theirs in as well.
If you outlaw guns than only criminals will have guns. by definition.
Outlawing guns will make the world safe … for criminals.
The punchline for me… defund the military, and give that money to the Green Climate Fund.
“A substantial part of military expenditure and expertise should be diverted, to renewable energy programmes, climate mitigation and adaptation projects and humanitarian aid for natural disasters and COVID-19 recovery. Governments should put some of this arms money into the Green Climate Fund, for instance, to help low- and middle-income countries to meet their Paris pledges.”
Tell you what .. I’ll supply a Swiss bank account number for all the money currently used for warfare to be sent to ..
… and I promise, these wars will end.
PS you have to send it all or it won’t work.
Declaring that wars should be fought according to Queensberry Rules? Seriously?
These guys don’t even do politics by Queensbury rules.
What comes next after Crimean takeover and South China Sea?
Restoring eastern Europe to it’s rightful place as part of the Russian empire. Germany and France will join voluntarily.
Global defence spending in 2019 was $1.5 trillion. Cost of Paris $70 to $140 trillion. AOC green new deal $100 trillion. Estimated cost of trimmimg 1C by 2100 $3.94 Quadrilion. Since 2004 planet has spent $5 trillion on wind turbines which generated 1% of total energy demand. Demand growth in 2019 was 2.9%. Turbines are at BETZ limit, 24% efficient at birth declines to 11% at 15 years just before they die. Therefore if you wanted to generate 1% of demand growth per year then you would need to spend $20 trillion a year every year. Not possible but if possible and kept up for 50 years turbines would cover area the size of Russia. A nuclear plant can last 60 years but within that time wind turbines would need to be replaced four times. What befuddles me is those who make the most noise about climate know diddly squat about climate. But worse dont even care to check the economic viability of their supposed solutions or their physical viability. They dont even appear to realise where all of the stuff comes from or how it gets from one side of the planet to the other.
“Since 2004 planet has spent $5 trillion on wind turbines which generated 1% of total energy demand”
Good Lord !
There’s lots of money to be made in the Human-caused Climate Change scam.
“Governments should stop spending billions of dollars on weapons” and just give the money to the UN instead.
Or maybe governments should stop funding this monstrous out of control bureaucracy and just get rid of it.
https://tambonthongchai.com/2020/03/18/the-eco-crisis-ambition-of-the-un/
https://tambonthongchai.com/2019/02/25/un/
https://tambonthongchai.com/2019/03/06/sdg/
Let me put this in terms this simpleminded socialist/fascist a$$wipe can easily understand. ебать тебя, приятель, and 操你， 伙计 Any other bases I should cover?
You can always refer them to the reply given in Arkell and Pressdram
Putting it in languages they can understand gives it that certain panache they so richly deserve.
The US can manage its own affairs including it’s defense. And we certainly cannot depend on the UN for anything except it’s self interests.
Oh, yeah!
Reduce atmospheric CO2 to 185 ppm so there’s precious little plant growth and learn how to eat rocks!
That’s the ticket!
Idiots!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvz0TOm0zgI
Only a Fool Would Say That
23 Aug: Global Research Canada: The Carney/Freeland “Green Reset” Shapes Canada’s ‘New Normal’
By Matthew Ehret-Kump
Why would Chrystia Freeland, a Rhodes Scholar more proficient in regime change than banking, be given the reigns of Canada’s economic order during these trying times?
To answer these questions, we must review the role of Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy on Climate Action, former head of the Bank of England, and leading organizer of the upcoming COP26 Summit to be held in the UK this coming November…
When Mark Carney stepped down from the position of Governor of the Bank of Canada in 2013 to become the first non-British Governor of the Bank of England since the private central bank was created in 1694, it was made clearly known that this Oxford-trained Canadian technocrat had been vetted by some very high level powers.
After training for years as a Goldman Sachs investment banker where his activities helped fuel the bubble that nearly brought down the world economy in 2008, Carney was brought into the Governorship of the Bank of Canada to take on the role as the clean, conservative-minded Canadian central banker navigating through the chaos which his former employer helped create. It was at this time that Carney became a member of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Group of 30, Foundation board member of the World Economic Forum and leading participant at Bilderberg and Davos events. While still Bank of Canada governor, Carney was handed the keys to the BIS’s Financial Stability Board (FSB) by fellow Goldman Sachs man Mario Draghi in 2011 where he managed global derivates regulation (aka: fuse of the international weapon of mass financial destruction now bursting at the seams)…
On August 10th, it was first announced that Mark Carney (aka: the eco warrior of bankers) will be running a task force to restart the economy (titled the “Canadian Pandemic Recovery Plan”) which will attempt to aggressively put into motion those Green New Deal reforms laid out during the World Economic Forum’s “Great Reset” summit of July 14, 2020.
As I laid out in my recent paper The Great Reset Fraud (LINK), this program is little more than a cover for global depopulation and world government run by the same arsonists who have lit the world economy on fire in the first place…
For starters, Carney’s Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures co-run by New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg aims to force all companies in the world to disclose all activities that either create carbon dioxide or disrupt supposed states of natural equilibrium which mathematical ivory tower ecologists presume govern all natural states.
On February 26, 2020, Carney joined Sir David Attenborough in launching the “COP26 Green Private Finance Initiative to ensure that “every professional financial decision to take climate change into account…”…
https://www.globalresearch.ca/carney-freeland-green-reset-shapes-canada-new-normal/5721843
” Sustainability ” is another meaningless buzzword of the Marxoid globalists and climate cretins.
”Redirect military budgets to tackle climate change and pandemics”
Great news for terrorists and dictators.
Are they also going to eliminate sticks and stones? Those turn out to make good spears, knives, arrows, etc. Now exactly which nation would benefit from having armies with only those weapons? Oh yeah, the nation with the highest population. Looks like another UN effort to hand over the world to China.
I think this is an excellent idea, to be fully implemented only after it’s verified that China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, Iraq et cetera et cetera have given up all of their weapons and are committed to a peaceful world. In the meantime to save money at the UN, I suggest they move to a cheaper city. Lagos or Pyongyang both spring to mind.
Worth repeating that positions high in the UN are often based not on ability or knowledge but on politics, effectively whose countries turn is it now. Backed up by professional UN buricerates whose main purpose is to grow the UN and avoid any reasonability.
OK, which nation will want to dismantle its military first? Don’t all raise your hands at once. Only the nation that is more fearful of CO2 than its enemies. Russia? China? Iran? It looks as if most of our European allies have already done so.
Since the UN way of doing things is clearly much superior to that of western democracies, I suggests they collect their stuff and round up all the progressives, socialists, social justice warriors, all those unelected heads of failing states they like to do coffee with and head off to a new land to start their own country. Then all they need do is sit back and wait for those western democracies to fail and they can take over the world. They may want to give it a few decades or so, maybe longer. Don’t rush back fellas. We might be here a while.
Meanwhile….
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/china-double-nuclear-warheads-pentagon?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20foxnews%2Fpolitics%20%28Internal%20-%20Politics%20-%20Text%29
Trump isn’t going to cut the military budget. You can bet on that.
I heard an interesting conversation on the news this morning that speaks to whether Trump will be in a position to continue Making America Great and continue military spending.
Bill Stepien, Trump’s 2020 Campaign Manager, was talking this morning with Fox and Friends on the Fox News Channel, and the hosts were asking him about the latest Fox News poll showing Biden was ahead by nine points in Arizona, and Stepien said he loved Fox and Friends, and he loved Fox News, but he didn’t like the Fox News poll, and the hosts jumped on him a little and demanded that he explain what he thought was wrong with the Fox News poll, and Stepien said, “The percentage of Democrats who voted in Arizona the last time around was 28 percent of the votes cast, yet the Fox News poll was sampling Democrats at 48 percent in the Arizona Fox News poll.
This is what is happening in all these polls. They are either oversampling Democrats or undersampling Republicans, or both.
In these circumstances, what we have to focus on in the polls is how they are moving. At present, all polls are moving in Trump’s direction. So even though all the polls show Biden ahead of Trump by a few points, that lead has been steadily dropping and if the pollsters sampled voters at the percentages they voted in last time, Trump would be ahead in all the polls.
The purpose of polls is to sample public opinion, but in our current political climate, the purpose of the polls is to influence public opinion. Polls, and their interpretations, are just another political weapon for the Left. In this case, the polls are trying to discourage Trump’s voters by claiming Biden is leading. Don’t be fooled. Get out and vote.