Government officials announced on Thursday that Britain is urging the UN security council to address climate change to emphasize its potential threat to global stability. With Britain set to assume the presidency of the United Nations in April, Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett are leading the initiative, as they believe the timing is appropriate given the topic's prominence at European Union and G8 summits. Downing Street confirmed that climate change is a top priority for the Prime Minister, while a Foreign Office official stated the goal is to integrate climate security into foreign policy discussions. "We believe that climate change has the potential to worsen many of the global insecurities that contribute to global tension and conflict," stated the official. They did not comment on reports in the newspaper that Britain, currently discussing the idea with other member states, faced opposition from the United States and South Africa. Many government ministers are pleased with the increasing recognition of the potential impact of climate change and the goals set for cutting greenhouse gas emissions at this week's EU summit. British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett, a former environment minister, has warned that failing to address climate change could lead to famine, water shortages, and energy infrastructure failures, posing a threat to global security. Beckett emphasized the importance of developed countries taking action in the next 10 years in a speech to the UN general assembly last September. Experts are cautioning that climate change could lead to severe tensions in volatile regions like the Middle East by depleting resources. International Alert recently warned that global warming may trigger conflicts in various parts of the world as people move due to unviable habitats. This could further strain already fragile situations, as seen in fighting over water rights in Kenya's Rift Valley. Deforestation has caused disputes in various areas, such as South East Asia.