Monday, February 23, 2004
Apocalypse Now??
In an article reeking of imagery from the Bible's book of Revelation, The Observer (UK) claims that climate change over the next 20 years could result in a global catastrophe costing millions of lives in wars and natural disasters.
A secret report, suppressed by US defence chiefs and obtained by The Observer, warns that major European cities will be sunk beneath rising seas as Britain is plunged into a 'Siberian' climate by 2020. Nuclear conflict, mega-droughts, famine and widespread rioting will erupt across the world.
The document predicts that abrupt climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies. The threat to global stability vastly eclipses that of terrorism, say the few experts privy to its contents.
'Disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life,' concludes the Pentagon analysis. 'Once again, warfare would define human life.'
The Four Horsemen ride rampant through the scenario, which is enough to strike panic into the average mortal breast if the predictions are accurate.
But there's the rub. Until they happen, we can't know. The Bush administration in the USA sides with those scientists who say global warming is not proven. It is interesting that The Guardian provides a link to Bjorn Lomborg, who claims that gobal warming is overstated. He says many predictions are based entirely on worst-case scenarios, and don't provide a balanced view. He also says: "global warming will not decrease food production, it will probably not increase storminess or the frequency of hurricanes, [“there is no general agreement yet among models concerning future changes in midlatitude storms (intensity and frequency) and variability,� and “there is some evidence that shows only small changes in the frequency of tropical cyclones.�
Unfortunately, even if global warming is a fact, and the Pentagon's scenario is correct, there is now insufficient time for any measures under the Kyoto Protocol to take effect. Perhaps now is the time to take heed of the other advice provided in the Book of Revelation - turn to the author of the book.
In an article reeking of imagery from the Bible's book of Revelation, The Observer (UK) claims that climate change over the next 20 years could result in a global catastrophe costing millions of lives in wars and natural disasters.
A secret report, suppressed by US defence chiefs and obtained by The Observer, warns that major European cities will be sunk beneath rising seas as Britain is plunged into a 'Siberian' climate by 2020. Nuclear conflict, mega-droughts, famine and widespread rioting will erupt across the world.
The document predicts that abrupt climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies. The threat to global stability vastly eclipses that of terrorism, say the few experts privy to its contents.
'Disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life,' concludes the Pentagon analysis. 'Once again, warfare would define human life.'
The Four Horsemen ride rampant through the scenario, which is enough to strike panic into the average mortal breast if the predictions are accurate.
But there's the rub. Until they happen, we can't know. The Bush administration in the USA sides with those scientists who say global warming is not proven. It is interesting that The Guardian provides a link to Bjorn Lomborg, who claims that gobal warming is overstated. He says many predictions are based entirely on worst-case scenarios, and don't provide a balanced view. He also says: "global warming will not decrease food production, it will probably not increase storminess or the frequency of hurricanes, [“there is no general agreement yet among models concerning future changes in midlatitude storms (intensity and frequency) and variability,� and “there is some evidence that shows only small changes in the frequency of tropical cyclones.�
Unfortunately, even if global warming is a fact, and the Pentagon's scenario is correct, there is now insufficient time for any measures under the Kyoto Protocol to take effect. Perhaps now is the time to take heed of the other advice provided in the Book of Revelation - turn to the author of the book.
