The Coming Resource Wars

[Clara T]

The Coming Resource Wars

America's closest ally has announced that climate change has ushered in an era of violent conflict over energy, water and arable land.
by Michael Klare
March 13, 2006
TomPaine.com

It's official: the era of resource wars is upon us. In a major London address, British Defense Secretary John Reid warned that global climate change and dwindling natural resources are combining to increase the likelihood of violent conflict over land, water and energy. Climate change, he indicated, "will make scarce resources, clean water, viable agricultural land even scarcer" -- and this will "make the emergence of violent conflict more rather than less likely."

Although not unprecedented, Reid's prediction of an upsurge in resource conflict is significant both because of his senior rank and the vehemence of his remarks. "The blunt truth is that the lack of water and agricultural land is a significant contributory factor to the tragic conflict we see unfolding in Darfur," he declared. "We should see this as a warning sign."

Resource conflicts of this type are most likely to arise in the developing world, Reid indicated, but the more advanced and affluent countries are not likely to be spared the damaging and destabilizing effects of global climate change. With sea levels rising, water and energy becoming increasingly scarce and prime agricultural lands turning into deserts, internecine warfare over access to vital resources will become a global phenomenon.

Reid's speech, delivered at the prestigious Chatham House in London (Britain's equivalent of the Council on Foreign Relations), is but the most recent expression of a growing trend in strategic circles to view environmental and resource effects -- rather than political orientation and ideology -- as the most potent source of armed conflict in the decades to come. With the world population rising, global consumption rates soaring, energy supplies rapidly disappearing and climate change eradicating valuable farmland, the stage is being set for persistent and worldwide struggles over vital resources. Religious and political strife will not disappear in this scenario, but rather will be channeled into contests over valuable sources of water, food and energy.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=56&ItemID=9900

[Deja Q]

1. Well, what are the criteria for survival?

Now America has its problems, but we are worthy of a second chance - for we are only 300 million. AND we believe in personal freedoms and expression. And the most advanced weapons... for once, that spending seems to have come in handy.

That's just how I feel; the point being, there comes a time for anyone to choose personal ethics over the core desire for survival.

And with a planet of 6 BILLION, realistically, there's no way we can support everybody.

Pity nobody can turn saltwater into freshwater; surely it's as simple as removing the salt?

[maxsolomon]

2. UMMM... we're IN a resource war

it ain't COMING.

[Clara T]

3. My Thoughts Also

http://www.aliveness.com/kangaroo/L-overclass.html

http://indexresearch.blogspot.com/2006/03/pnac-rebuilding-americas-defenses.html

[cliss]

4. I read this about 2 years ago...

Future prognosticator Gerald Celente predicted: "Soon, wars will be waged and fought over resources....water, oil, natural resources".

Also, wars will be waged over pollution. If one country does a bunch of polluting and harms another neighbouring country, that country could very well declare war over it.

Scary times ahead. This man has the best predictions that I've ever read -
http://www.trendsjournal.com