Britain should brace itself for a new wave of
mass migration caused by global warming, a report warns today.
A landmark document by two senior European Union officials
says climate change will drive millions of "environmental
migrants" towards the EU.
The report also warns of a potentially dangerous scramble
between Russia and the West for the mineral deposits of the
Arctic made accessible by the melting of the polar ice cap.
It says millions of people in poorer countries will be displaced
by the consequences of global warming - famines, rising sea
levels, loss of arable land and fresh water, and dangerous
weather conditions.
Within a decade "there will be millions of environmental
migrants," says the report by Javier Solana, the EU's
chief foreign policy co-ordinator, and Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
the European Commissioner for external affairs.
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"The core challenge is that climate change threatens
to overburden states and regions which are already fragile
and conflict-prone. The risks include political and security
risks that directly affect European interests," concludes
the document to be discussed at a special EU summit on Thursday.
The report says "significant potential conflicts"
are likely as a result of "intensified competition"
over energy resources. Of particular concern is a "potential
crisis" with Russia over rights to oil and gas deposits
in the Arctic region.
"If global warming were to allow this to become a viable
source of energy, a serious conflict could emerge between
Russia and Norway," the report says. A combination of
farmland being turned to desert, shrinking coastlines and
harder to obtain fresh water will result in a "vicious
circle of degradation" with "migration and conflicts
over territory" threatening global stability, the document
adds.
"The multinational system is at risk if the international
community fails to address the threats. Climate change impacts
will fuel the politics of resentment between those most responsible
for climate change and those most affected by it," the
report says.
Full
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