As climate patterns become more unstable, the world is experiencing a fundamental shift in global power dynamics, beyond just rising sea levels or extreme heat. Climate change has become a new driver of conflict in this era, influencing everything from mass migration to political instability, and causing nations to be uprooted by floods more rapidly than by sanctions.

This analysis explores how climate change intensifies threats by triggering instability through economic disruptions, competition for resources, displacement due to environmental factors, and the decline of institutions, particularly in the Global South. By applying Human Security and Environmental Security frameworks, we investigate why countries such as Indonesia are not merely victims, but potential leaders in forging a new climate-focused diplomacy grounded in justice, creativity, and regional cooperation.

The effects of climate change permeate every aspect of human existence, from the soil where food is grown to the cities where people seek refuge. Droughts decimate harvests. Hurricanes displace coastal communities. Resource scarcity creates divisions between tribes, neighbors, and eventually, states. For instance, a severe drought in Syria from 2006–2010 destroyed 75% of its farms, leading to a large-scale rural exodus into overcrowded urban slums, which ultimately resulted in civil war. Similarly, in Sub-Saharan Africa, unpredictable rainfall forces pastoralist and agrarian communities into deadly competition. In these instances, climate shocks do not initiate wars, but they exacerbate existing inequalities, making already fragile states even more volatile.

Two essential concepts provide crucial insight: Human Security broadens the definition of security beyond military and borders to encompass economic stability, food access, public health, and social cohesion, all of which are jeopardized by climate change. Environmental Security characterizes climate as a "threat multiplier," worsening weak institutions and long-standing grievances. Together, these frameworks reveal that climate-induced conflict is not solely environmental, but profoundly political, social, and moral.

Despite contributing the least to global emissions, developing nations bear the brunt of climate disasters. From Jakarta's subsiding streets to Kenya's failing crops, the Global South pays the price for the industrialized past of the North. Nevertheless, international climate financing remains insufficient. Although the Paris Agreement pledged billions in aid, many countries in the Global South still face challenges in accessing green technologies, adaptation funds, and representation in decision-making forums.

Indonesia is one of the world's most climate-vulnerable and rich countries, with over 17,000 islands and abundant biodiversity. The country faces challenges such as rising sea levels, deforestation-related haze, and natural disasters, combined with complex social demographics under a pluralistic governance model. Risk factors include transboundary regional haze disputes with Malaysia and Singapore, rural depression exacerbated by agricultural disruption, and radicalized governance gaps in post-disaster areas like Papua. On the other hand, Indonesia also has the potential to implement solutions such as the "Kampung Iklim" community program that enables climate resilience building at the grassroots level, a model other countries can learn from that can be scaled up.

To transform from a passive participant, the Global South must adopt a New Diplomacy that emphasizes climate solidarity groups (G77, ASEAN, AU) and brings them to the forefront of international negotiations, fosters collaboration among Southern countries in agriculture, water management, and disaster response, and implements local strategies based on traditional frameworks and civic engagement. This goal goes beyond simply sustaining life; it aims to seize opportunities to reclaiming voice and vision in shaping a sustainable future.

In today’s world, diplomacy has transcended the traditional boundaries of embassies to encompass Instagram, comic books, and even dance trends. For the Global South, and especially for Indonesia, integrating climate activism into pop culture with films like Gundala or Pendekar Tongkat Emas offers opportunities for trans-Asian collaboration. They can leverage TikTok, YouTube, and online gaming communities to foster a collective identity rooted in climate awareness. Even traditional art forms like wayang and adat narratives can be adapted into digital formats to tell stories about the environment and the wisdom of indigenous peoples.

Beyond the efforts of the Global South, developed nations can significantly bolster global climate resilience. South Korea stands out as a member state with advanced technology and transnational cultural appeal, as they can collaborate on the development and implementation of green technologies. Their contributions could include renewable energy, smart cities, and climate-resilient infrastructure. South Korea could also contribute more actively to international climate finance, advocating for and designing robust climate finance mechanisms that provide accessible funds to vulnerable countries, which are sorely needed in the Global South. South Korean pop culture can also be leveraged for climate diplomacy. Integrating climate change elements into K-pop, K-dramas, and other popular media will spread the message far and wide, including to the youth of the Global South, promoting environmental justice and sustainable lifestyles. There is a potentially tremendous impact from creating climate-conscious collective identity content between South Korean and Global South artists. Having rapidly industrialized, South Korea can use its experience to help bridge the gap between the developed and developing worlds in climate negotiations, providing a unique perspective on how to implement equitable and efficient climate action.

With the acceleration of the Anthropocene, it is crucial to move beyond outdated concepts of power. In the context of climate dislocation, security is about nutrition, forestry, social equity, and a sustainable future not just military power. Indonesia, and the Global South more broadly, needs to take charge with narrative sovereignty, fund solutions rooted in culture, and engage youth through digital and cultural diplomacy. From this perspective, they are not simply protecting their populations; they are transforming diplomacy for a world in crisis.