Movement for the Abolition of War
PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGO: 18:00 HOURS, 2 OCTOBER 2013
SCHOOLS DVD HIGHLIGHTS LINK BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND WAR
Members of the press are invited to attend the launch at 6.00pm on Wednesday October 2 at the National Union of Teachers, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD.
A resource pack for schools and community groups highlights the danger of climate change leading to global conflict.
Several prominent political leaders, scientists and academics voice their concerns on the need to tackle climate change and reduce the risk of war in an 18-minute DVD.
They include former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Saleemul Huq of the International Institute for Environment and Development, Stuart Parkinson of Scientists for Global Responsibility, Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University and Indian environmental activist Dr Vandana Shiva.
The resource pack, produced by the Movement for the Abolition of War and titled Conflict and Climate Change, includes a booklet for use in lessons or discussion groups covering some of the main issues raised. Chapter headings include: “Does climate change mean more conflict?”, “Is there a military solution to climate change?” and “What can be done to prevent further conflict?”
Speaking at the launch of the resource pack at the head office of the National Union of Teachers in London today, MAW Vice President Bruce Kent said: “It is highly likely that that the struggle for resources and population movements will become more challenging as climate change takes effect. But we must resolve potential conflict by negotiating, not by picking up guns or dropping bombs.
“While doing everything we can to tackle climate change, we must also reduce the risk of conflict between peoples and nations and find ways to deal with it humanely and rationally, not by resorting to war and destruction.”
NUT General Secretary and MAW Vice President Christine Blower, speaking at the launch, said: “Many children and young people are concerned about climate change. This resource pack gives them some excellent ideas for classroom discussions on how to make sure that the effects of a changing climate aren’t made worse by war and violence.”
ends
Notes to editors
The resource pack, Conflict and Climate Change, is produced Bob Walters and executive producers Valerie Flessati and Ellen Teague. The booklet is written by Ellen Teague with an introduction by MAW Vice President Bruce Kent.
The pack is published by Kevin Mayhew and is available price £8.99 (booklet and DVD) directly from www.kevinmayhew.com/conflict-and-climate-change-book-and-dvd.html
For further information please contact:
Movement for the Abolition of War
www.abolishwar.org.uk
Press Officer
Mark Whitehead
0208 348 3103/07906 720141
email: markwhitehead@headlinemedia.co.uk
Kevin Mayhew Publishers
kevinmayhew.com
sales@kevinmayhew.com
+44 (0)845 3881634 (Sales and general enquiries)
