In these challenging times for the world, the Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to an organization or an individual who has done the most for conflicts prevention and resolution, and against the increasingly deadly and widespread consequences of climate change.
It should not be awarded to any political figure who denies the very existence of climate change. Nor should it be awarded to any individual who recklessly supports activities that exacerbate it, especially when short term financial gains are the sole motivation and are to the detriment of all transition measures that need to be implemented urgently. Those are key to avoiding or limiting disasters such as floods, fires, forced migration, job losses, economic and financial hardships (including for businesses), along with their dire consequences on human rights and especially on life, health, and education.
The energy transition that is attempting to control the "climate time bomb" that the world is facing depends largely on critical minerals. However, their "scarcity" can be a source of conflict, including the ongoing arm race to secure/control access. The exploitation and use of critical minerals also often lead to serious human and environmental rights violations.
"International security" (i.e. avoidance of armed conflicts) and global security (i.e. the "climate time bomb") must both guide every state and political leaders. Thus, their paramount objective should be to uphold human dignity and fundamental human rights in the extraction, processing and use of natural resources, particularly critical minerals.
Ensuring peace in every country around the world is only possible if human and environmental rights are respected. And to avoid armed conflicts and human disasters, every effort must be made to prevent economic, commercial, and financial wars.
We pledge our support to the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to an individual or an organization that is committed to protecting and enforcing human rights, including those related to the environment and the consequences of climate change.
