Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue. It has become a burning national security issue. Extreme weather threatens all aspects of Taiwan’s survival. In the face of this all-encompassing challenge, Taiwan must think outside the box and include climate action in national security plans.
Climate change is a national security issue for several reasons. Taiwan is an export-driven economy: The semiconductor industry is key to the global supply chain, and wafer manufacturing requires a stable supply of water and electricity. However, unpredictable rainfall has become the new normal, driving already limited water resources to the brink. A technology park shutting down due to water and electricity shortages would devastate the economy and jeopardize the global supply chain.
The green transformation carries hidden geopolitical risks. Green industries, such as electric vehicles and energy storage, require an increasing amount of lithium, cobalt and other rare earth minerals. However, these strategic resources, often sourced from a handful of countries, could sway the geopolitical battle between the US and China. If Taiwan fails to secure alternative suppliers and establish recycling mechanisms, energy transformation could hinder national security and development.
Climate change brings more than natural disasters; it tests resilience. Taiwan is a small and populous country; even with heavy rainfall, Taiwan has long been troubled by water storage issues. Competition among agricultural, industrial and domestic water is likely to intensify.
Climate disasters drive mass migration. Taiwan has long relied on migrant workers, from countries like Vietnam and the Philippines that are prone to climate disaster. Climate refugees could shock Taiwan’s labor market; they could also strain social welfare, education and healthcare systems, not to mention humanitarian rescue efforts.
Nevertheless, with crises come opportunities. Globally, Taiwan maintains technological advantages in many fields, such as semiconductors, information technology, disaster prevention and energy conservation.
If Taiwan could wield its technological advantages by investing in smart grids, efficient energy storage systems, water management, climate alerts and other key technologies, it would become resilient. Taiwan could become a climate tech hub in the Asia-Pacific region, providing stability and a model for climate governance around the world.
While Taiwan has been excluded from many international organizations, climate diplomacy provides a new opportunity to increase our international presence. By exchanging ideas with other cities, organizations and academic institutions, we can share the nation’s experiences in weather technology, disaster prevention and renewable energy with other partners. These would deepen relations with other Asia-Pacific nations, bolster Taiwan’s diplomatic power, expand its international influence and build mutually beneficial partnerships.
When climate change becomes a national security issue, traditional governance no longer suffices. The government should establish an intergovernmental network, and draft a multifaceted and visionary plan for national security and climate change, which could lay out strategies for water distribution, energy transformation, industrial development, social security and diplomacy.
Climate change is a battle for survival; we have no choice but to brave through. Taiwan must face the risks and treat it as a national security issue. Only then can the nation remain steady amid a turbulent future, ensuring the wellbeing of its residents and its long-term development.
Su Wei-cheng is a lecturer and a former secretary of the president of the Legislative Yuan.
Translated by Cayce Pan
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