Climate change ‘poses security risk’
Not enough attention is being paid to the threat climate change poses to Britain’s domestic security, a report claims.
The Oxford Research Group warns rising conflict over resources and immigration from “environmental refugees” will raise tensions the government may struggle to cope with.
It fears protests targeted at polluting companies, civil unrest against unpopular policies and even terrorist attacks from radicalised environmental groups will increasingly dominate the future news agenda.
Report author Chris Abbott is concerned traditional force will not be an effective counter to these issues.
“It is crucial that the government begins take steps now towards developing effective policy solutions for the police, security services and military to help them adapt to the new and changing demands that climate change will place on them,” he said.
“However, they must resist the temptation to use force to try and control insecurity and maintain the status quo. In this instance, prevention really is the only cure.”
International organisations are already seeking to limit the impact of climate change. Yesterday the European Commission laid out its proposals to reduce harmful carbon emissions by 2020, positioning itself as a potential world leader on the issue.
Mr Abbott’s report warns insufficient attention is being drawn to the strains climate change will place on the global state system, however.
Referring to countries around the world, he added: “There is genuine concern over whether the international governance system will be able to cope with these new geo-political challenges, particularly if national governments are being undermined at the same time.
“Countries under pressure may turn away from the norms of diplomacy and resort to armed conflict to settle such disputes.”
