The UK has warned countries around the world that the climate and nature crises, combined with the upcoming El Niño weather pattern, pose serious threats to national security and defense. This message was shared by Ed Miliband, the UK’s foreign secretary, during a private meeting with foreign ministers from the European Union, Kenya, and other nations at the UN General Assembly in New York. The discussion was based on a classified report from the UK’s intelligence agencies, which highlighted how the collapse of natural systems globally could lead to conflict, migration, and food shortages. Miliband emphasized that the current El Niño, which is being made more severe by climate change, will place unprecedented strain on global food systems. He described it as the most intense El Niño in living memory, warning that it would amplify climate-related shocks that cross borders, threatening food and water security, displacing people, and damaging economies. Recent events, including heatwaves, poor harvests, and rising food prices, have already shown the real-world impacts of these challenges, Miliband said, stressing that they must be tackled at the highest levels of government. The report, prepared by the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), was originally scheduled to be published in October but was delayed by the government. A redacted version was released in January under the Freedom of Information Act, but the full report has not been made public. Miliband, with support from UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, emphasized that the collapse of key ecosystems, such as the Amazon and Congo rainforests, driven by climate change and environmental degradation, poses risks to global security. Retired General Richard Nugee, a security expert, told the Guardian that climate change should be treated as seriously as other national security threats, such as sabotage by hostile states. In response to the growing concerns, Miliband announced plans to appoint a new special representative for climate security and establish a ministerial task force focused on the risks posed by climate change and nature loss to national security. The task force will include experts from the military, security sector, and climate science. He also pledged £330 million to the Global Environment Facility, an international fund aimed at protecting nature in developing countries. Miliband emphasized that the UK will place climate and nature security at the core of its national security and foreign policy decisions, calling for countries to recognize the link between climate resilience and long-term stability.