Climate change 'could create 200m refugees'

[jaybeat]

Source: The Sunday Times (UK)

EQUATORIAL lands that are home to hundreds of millions of people will become uninhabitable as food and water run out due to climate change, scientists will warn this week.

A report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to be published on Friday, will warn that the temperature rises of 2-3C predicted by 2050 spell global disaster for both humanity and the environment.

Nearly a third of the world’s land surface may be at risk of extreme drought by 2099, compared with about 1%. Such a change would destroy farmland and water resources and lead to mass migrations of “environmental refugees”.

In lands close to the equator, especially in Africa, declining crop yields could leave hundreds of millions of people unable to grow food.

Read more here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article1596769.ece

[Briar]

1. Yes

and how will the "civilised" world respond to that?

[sam sarrha]

2. when 200 million mexican and central americans try to cross the boarders will we machine gun them..

because we will also be taking in most of Canada first

[Nikia]

3. Why would Canadians be refugees?

Canada is less densely populated than most of the United States. They have a lot of forest and fresh water lakes and rivers. A warmer climate might cause drought in some areas, but extend the growing season in others.

[jaybeat]

4. Unless you live on the ice

Or live on something that needs the ice. Eskimos, and other native peoples will be in a world of hurt. Those who fish, or hunt seals, elk, etc. Guides and tourism jobs generally. Forest industries (forests that need cold winters to kill pests may quickly die of infestation).

Think also about hydro power--less snowmelt, less water, less power.

On the other hand, you could be right. Canada and the northern US could see an influx of folks from hotter climes. Wanted or otherwise.

It would be quite a turn of the karmic wheel if, 50-100 years from now, Canada's border is the scene of intense efforts to keep illegal immigrants--from the USA--out.

Bottom line is that these changes will make a few winners, and a bunch of losers. And when you have too many who have lost too much (and have nothing else left to lose), things will get ugly, fast. And the few "winners" there are won't be winners for very long.

[sam sarrha]

5. global warming means frozen upper latitudes, the stopped thermalcline will stop bringing up heat

we will see glaciation in canada and upper latitudes of the usa, we down here will become wind swept and DRY

[Javaman]

6. naaa, Mexican refugees will be coming here sometime within the next

two to three years. Their main oil field is in the process of collapsing. As soon as the revenue from the field stops and the gov't can no longer support it's economy, be prepared for the coming border war that is soon to follow.