Guest Lecture from Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University

27.2.2025

A guest lecture was held for the students of the Department of Political Science and International Relations by the associate professor of the Department of International Relations and Regional Studies of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University.

On February 26, a guest lecture by Natalia Romaniuk, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations and Regional Studies of the Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, on the topic “Global Warming and Climate Change as a Threat to International Security” was held for students of the “International Relations, Public Communications and Regional Studies” (first level of higher education); “Political Science” (first, second and third levels of higher education) programs on the topic “Global Warming and Climate Change as a Threat to International Security”.

In her lecture, Natalia examined in detail the issues of modern climate change on a global scale and trends in its change in Ukraine, the factors that cause global warming, and the consequences of the impact of global climate change on Ukraine.

The global climate change is one of the greatest threats to humanity with a far-reaching impact on society, the environment and the economy. Climate change affects all regions of the world and all segments of the population.

The focus is on global warming and climate change as a serious threat to international security: 1. Environmental disasters: the increase in average temperatures leads to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, hurricanes and forest fires. This causes destruction of infrastructure, loss of housing and loss of life, which destabilizes regions; 2. Migration crises: due to rising sea levels and worsening living conditions, millions of people may become climate refugees. This exacerbates social tensions and can lead to conflicts in the places where migrants arrive; 3. Conflicts over resources: climate change affects the availability of water and food, especially in arid regions. This exacerbates competition for limited resources, which can lead to military conflicts; 4. Economic instability: declining harvests, destruction of infrastructure and the need to adapt to new conditions create economic pressure on countries, especially developing ones; 5. Health threat: the spread of diseases associated with temperature increases, such as malaria or dengue fever, is becoming a global problem, affecting the stability of regions; 6. Geopolitical tension: melting glaciers open up new sea routes and access to the natural resources of the Arctic, which can exacerbate geopolitical rivalry between countries.

Global warming is a multidimensional threat that affects the stability of countries, the economy and people’s health. Effective international cooperation and adaptation strategies are key to minimizing these risks.

We are infinitely grateful to the esteemed Natalia Ivanivna for a relevant, interesting, and meaningful lecture, which was not just informative, but also fascinating. The presented lecture material aroused interest and lively discussion among the students.

According to the Department of Political Science and International Relations