Toward a new world war because of climate change? Part II

climate-changeThis is not exactly hot news as I already wrote more than a year ago about how the United Nations believe this to be true, but a new study brings further credence to this theory.

Climate change and its many consequences such as decreasing snow amounts, rising sea levels and millions of refugees could become a major challenge to national security for many countries.

Today’s article provides us with more data on this threat and the least I can say is that the various findings are truly frightening.

As TreeHugger noted:

1.Crowding and Territorial Tensions- The number one cause of such tensions will be the migration of different cultures to other territories in search of new resources to replace the increasingly depleting ones. Not only will many cultures find their resources disappearing, but the rising sea level will cover over parts of much of the land, minimizing usable farm area, fresh water, and cattle herds. In some cases, entire islands may become submerged.

Instead of allowing their sovereignty to disappear along with their dry ground, many of these endangered cultures will choose to battle with nearby countries in order to set-up their governments and house their citizens upon alternative soil. Inevitably larger powers will become a part of such squabbles and before you know it, we’ve got a world war on our hands.

2.Competition of Newly Habitable Lands- The opposite scenario of crowding may also occur as the open space around the Arctic regions becomes available due to the increased air temperatures. As these uninhabitable areas become habitable for the first time in history, competition from the various coastal countries and islands who have lost their native homeland will become fierce.

In addition to the smaller powers, larger world powers who previously ignored such land will eventually see the profit potential of such areas and involve themselves in the competition. The large nations will be less interested in the usable space and more keen on the possibility of exploiting the relatively untapped oil resources of these areas for strategic economic positioning.

While this may seem like a gloomy outlook, the truth is that it is still only an outlook. There are steps the various countries and governments can take in order to reduce the possibilities of such an outcome.

Indeed, solutions exist. If each and every country embraces sustainability and launches its economy in a Green New Deal as the UNEP advocates, we would alleviate this threat.

Luckily for us, already one country begun a green New Deal. This will be the topic of our next article.

5 thoughts on “Toward a new world war because of climate change? Part II”

  1. I think international relations are nowadays so good that actual war is very unlikely. But international tensions will surely increase. However, this will just result in more talk, and the realization that – in the case of climate change – countries sink or swim together.

    I do think that in certain areas, Africa specifically, local violence could erupt due to conflicts over resources.

    “Instead of allowing their sovereignty to disappear along with their dry ground, many of these endangered cultures will choose to battle with nearby countries in order to set-up their governments and house their citizens upon alternative soil. Inevitably larger powers will become a part of such squabbles and before you know it, we’ve got a world war on our hands.”

    This is not usual practice. You don’t think American, Russian or Chinese government is that stupid, right?

    I think it’s a weak article.

  2. I am afraid I don’t agree with you. of course for us in Europe it’s cool, but we aren’t the most numerous people on that planet…

    look at what take place in Africa, in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and between India and Pakistan (now better, but for how long ?)

    Tensions between India and China could heat up a lot because of water as well. Please see the articles on that topic :

    Water Wars: China and India square up http://is.gd/aU5C Frightful.
    http://www.elrst.com/2008/12/18/decreasing-amounts-of-snow-in-the-himalayas/
    http://www.elrst.com/2008/11/14/huge-air-pollution-atmospheric-brown-clouds/

    And if you consider this article weak, did you check out the one mentioning the UN ? Please also bear in mind that with less resources and more people competing for them, that could bring tensions, a lot of them…

  3. oh Marguerite ! It has been a long time since your last visit here.

    I hope you like the new design and latest posts.

    In any case it is always a pleasure to have your visit. Enjoy ! 🙂

  4. Pingback: Energy conservation is the cheapest solution :: Sustainable development and much more

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