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Human Security

Climate-driven impacts and threats on peace and security.

Reports
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Analysis
A Climate-First Foreign Policy For Australia
Climate disruption demands urgent reorientation of Australian foreign and security policy priorities.
Impacts Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Analysis
Too Hot to Handle
Australia’s climate-security response is dangerously inadequate, ignoring urgent scientific warnings and concealing key risk assessments.
Climate Extremes Advocacy Politics Tipping Points Health Human Security
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Analysis
Heat to Hunger
Climate-driven food insecurity threatens global stability; Australia must act urgently to assess and address escalating security risks.
Adaptation Impacts Future Warming Food & Water Human Security
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Analysis
Australian Climate & Security Risk Assessment
Proposal to establish an urgent, independent Australian climate and security risk assessment framework.
Risk Analysis Policymaking Human Security
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Analysis
Missing in Action
With the planet already effectively at 1.5°C of warming—and no sign of emissions peaking—the world is now on a dangerous trajectory toward 3°C.
Future Warming Politics Food & Water Human Security
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Analysis
Disaster Alley
Climate change has become a major catalyst for global conflict, social unrest, and humanitarian breakdown.
Risk Analysis Impacts Climate Extremes Sea Levels Food & Water Human Security
Papers
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Analysis
Climate disruption, not China, is the key security threat facing Australia
This submission argues climate disruption, not military rivalry, represents Australia’s greatest security risk, demanding a major rethink of AUKUS-era spending priorities.
Impacts & Risks Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Analysis
Testing Climate Preparedness
Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA) process ignores global-scale existential and systemic climate risks.
Risk Analysis Scientific Reticence Politics Human Security
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Analysis
Australia's Climate Security Risk Assessment
Australia’s first climate security assessment highlights urgent threats, but government refuses to release full findings.
Risk Analysis Politics Food & Water Human Security
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Analysis
The Third Degree
Australia and the world face catastrophic risks from 3°C warming; leadership denial leaves society dangerously unprepared for collapse.
Risk Analysis Climate Extremes Future Warming Tipping Points Food & Water Health Human Security
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Analysis
Existential Climate-Related Security Risk
Climate change poses an existential threat; urgent, wartime-scale action is needed to prevent profound security consequences.
Risk Analysis Impacts Climate Extremes Future Warming Human Security
Articles
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Insights
Could Four Billion People Die at 3°C?
Every 1,000 tonnes of fossil carbon burned may result in one future premature death.
Impacts & Risks Risk Analysis Climate Extremes Food & Water Health Human Security
Rescuers evacuate residents from their flooded homes in Bekasi on February 19, 2021, as heavy rain inundated the city on the outskirts of Jakarta. (Photo by Rezas / AFP) (Photo by REZAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Insights
Drowning in Distraction
Any sane security policy would put climate risks, not China, at centre stage.
Politics Policymaking Human Security
TOPSHOT - Women members of Iran's Red Crescent society stand near smoke plumes from an ongoing fire following an overnight airstrike on the Shahran oil refinery in northwestern Tehran on March 8, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, sparking swift retaliation by the Islamic republic which responded with missile attacks across the region. The war has dragged in global powers, upended the world's energy and transport sectors, and brought chaos to even usually peaceful areas of the volatile region. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
Insights
Iran War Heightens Climate Risks
As a regional power and signatory to the non-proliferation treaty, Australia has responsibilities. There are four steps the government should take.
Politics Human Security
TOPSHOT - This picture taken on December 4, 2019 shows a passenger aircraft flying across the setting sun in Sydney, as smoke haze continues to hang over the city with more than 50 bushfires still burning across New South Wales. - Australian authorities on December 5 said the toxic smoke that has enshrouded Sydney for much of November is unprecedented, as residents donned masks and cranked air conditioners in the hope of respite. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Insights
In the Burning Days
Northern Australia faces escalating climate risk amid defence and fossil expansion.
Energy Risk Analysis Impacts Human Security
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong tour the flight deck of HMAS Canberra ahead of the arrival of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, at Fleet Base East, in Sydney, Wednesday, November 12, 2025. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
Insights
Sleepwalking Down a Runway to Climate Disaster
Australia's defence an foreign policy ignores climate threat to focus on smaller risks.
Politics Policymaking Human Security
6 year-old Ariella (top) and her 3 year-old sister Romy enjoy an early morning swing amid a dust storm in Balmain, Sydney, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. The dust, which blanketed the city, is being blown by strong winds from dry farm land in western and southern parts of NSW and eastern South Australia. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING, INTL OUT
Insights
Australia’s First Climate Risk Assessment, Long Overdue
Australia has never had a comprehensive climate risk assessment. It has been a glaring omission.
Risk Analysis Politics Human Security
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Insights
Too Hot Classified
The Albanese Government withheld a classified climate-security report, selectively briefed MPs, and delayed action amid rising risks.
Risk Analysis Politics Human Security
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (2nd L) walks upon his arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta on May 14, 2025, on his first overseas visit after being re-elected. (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
Insights
Our National Security Blindspot
The Albanese Government's climate risk assessment is delayed, while critical climate-security risks remain hidden.
Risk Analysis Politics Human Security
NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump hugs an American flag as he arrives at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 24, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. Attendees descended upon the hotel outside of Washington DC to participate in the four-day annual conference and hear from conservative speakers from around the world who range from journalists, U.S. lawmakers, international leaders and businessmen. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Insights
America First, Earth Last
Climate policy is failing to address rapid warming, risking extreme impacts and societal collapse.
Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Insights
Too Hot To Handle
Climate threats are escalating fast, yet Australia’s defence and risk systems remain dangerously outdated and blind.
Politics Human Security
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 09: A resident walks on a flooded Edmonstone Street in the suburb of Newmarket on March 09, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. Australia's east coast is experiencing severe weather as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves south. While downgraded from cyclone status, the weather system continues to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding, particularly in the Gold Coast and northern NSW regions. Authorities have issued severe weather warnings, and coastal areas remain at risk of significant erosion and hazardous surf conditions. Residents are urged to stay updated on local warnings, avoid floodwaters, and prepare for ongoing disruptions. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Insights
Oblivious to the Storm
AMOC collapse threatens global food security, sea levels, and climate stability, with severe impacts on Australia.
Impacts Tipping Points Human Security
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 18: Anthony Albanese prime minister of Australia listens during the first working session as part of the G20 Summit 2024 at Museu de Arte Moderna on November 18, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 2024 G20 Summit takes place in Brazil for the first time. The event gathers leaders of the most important economies. Starvation, sustainable development and social inclusion are some of the issues to be during the summit. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Insights
Politics Tunes Out Climate Warnings
Climate policy is failing to address rapid warming, risking extreme impacts and societal collapse.
Politics Human Security
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 14: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at Parliament House on May 14, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. Australia's Labor government is grappling with a slowing economy, weaker commodity prices, soaring housing costs and a softening labor market as it prepares to unveil its federal budget on May 14. To counter these headwinds, the budget is expected to feature smaller revenue upgrades compared to recent years, while outlining the government's interventionist policies aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and the transition to green energy. Critics warn that such industrial policies risk fueling inflation and diverting resources from more productive sectors of the economy. The budget is seen as a key opportunity for the Labor government to deliver broad economic support that analysts say is fundamental to re-election chances next year. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Insights
Climate Security Left in the Dark
Concealing the intelligence analysis of climate threats is the opposite of good security policy governance.
Risk Analysis Politics Human Security
Podcasts
USA Podcast—6-100
Insights
The Worst Outcome of Systematic Collapse
Exploring climate tipping points, 1.5°C, and why high-end risks must guide policy and security planning.
Climate Science Goals & Targets Impacts Future Warming Human Security
Listen
Events
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Event
National Climate Emergency Summit
An underdog group of economists is on a mission to instigate a paradigm shift by flipping our understanding of the national debt — and the nature of money — upside down.
Fri 11—Tue 15 Apr 2025
State Library Victoria Theatrette
Human Security
Media
Media
Labor goes cold on hot climate threats
Promised domestic climate risk assessment missing in action as new report warns of 3°C warming catastrophe.
3 December 2024
Impacts & Risks Risk Analysis Politics Policymaking Human Security
Media
Financial sector risks repeating Global Financial Crisis mistakes on climate change
Can the banking system survive climate warming of 3°C
16 August 2021
Economics Finance Impacts & Risks Politics Policymaking Human Security
Press
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Media
Net-zero emissions by 2050: leadership or climate colonialism?
How fast does Australia need to reduce greenhouse emissions to play its fair part in responding to the global climate emergency?
20 September 2023
Decarbonisation Impacts & Risks Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Media
Anthony Albanese government refusing to release declassified climate security report
Forceful declaration calls for governments to set short-term zero emissions target to avoid catastrophic warming
23 August 2023
Impacts & Risks Climate Extremes Politics Human Security
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Media
Is it true climate change will cause the end of civilisation by 2050?
More than a billion people could be displaced by climate change by 2050, is that true?
6 June 2019
Impacts & Risks Tipping Points Food & Water Ecosystem Collapse Human Security
Contributors
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Tim Costello

Social Justice Advocate & Former World Vision Australia CEO

Leading voice on social justice, poverty, humanitarian response, community leadership and public advocacy.

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MichaelThomas.FA

Michael Thomas

Security Analyst and Defence Academic

Former army officer researching geopolitics, strategy and climate-security risks internationally.

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NeilGreet.fa

Neil Greet

Climate Security Analyst and Advisor

Retired colonel assessing defence implications, environmental instability and strategic planning challenges.

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Cheryl-Durrant.FA

Cheryl Durrant

Climate Security Analyst and Defence Strategist

Former military leader specialising preparedness, resilience and climate risk integration strategies.

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Sherri Goodman

National Security and Climate Risk Leader

Pioneer linking defence planning, environmental change, geopolitical stability and security frameworks.

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ChrisBarrie.FA

Chris Barrie

Former Defence Chief and Security Advocate

Ex-ADF leader highlighting climate threats, national security risks and policy urgency.

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