Climate change security warning
Thursday, 24 Jan 2008 00:01
Traditional means of quelling protests may not be appropriate, the report warns
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Climate change will have wide-ranging domestic social impacts the government must actively prepare for, a report concludes.
Security thinktank the Oxford Research Group says force will not be enough to combat increased civil unrest, radicalised environmental groups and protests against polluting companies as the impact of climate change begins to be felt more strongly.
Its report, published today, calls for the government to take immediate steps helping police, security services and the military adapt accordingly.
Report author Chris Abbott warned: "Failure to do so could lead to an increasingly unstable country, unable to cope with the challenges and demands placed on it by wider global challenges."
The report warns the state system may struggle to cope with the impacts of climate change, as conflict over resources and discontent over wealth disparities intensify.
"Countries under pressure may turn away from the norms of diplomacy and resort to armed conflict to settle such disputes," he warns.
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