By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 24, 2008, 10:44 GMT
(M&C) - The government must take action now to prepare its security forces for major social upheavals caused by climate change, warns a think tank report.
(FILE) An overview picture showing two Greenpeace Demonstrators on a crane on the River Thames outside The House of Commons in London, Wednesday March. 14, 2007. EPA/Richard Lewis
The Oxford Research Group has predicted a marked increase in social unrest, radicalised environmental groups and protests against polluting companies which it says will become more prevalent as the effects of global warming intensifies.
Published today, the report warns the government it must prepare police,army and security services to adapt to meet these challenges.
Report author Chris Abbott warned: "Failure to do so could lead to an increasingly unstable country, unable to cope with the challenges and demands placed on it by wider global challenges."
Using traditional methods of law enforcement would not work says Mr Abbott: "If governments simply respond with traditional attempts to maintain the status quo and control insecurity they will ultimately fail."
"In today's globalised world, using military force to secure resources overseas, while attempting to create a fortress state at home, will not work - despite the potential attraction of such policies for governments faced with such an uncertain future. The security consequences of climate change will not just manifest themselves 'over there' - there will be domestic security concerns for both developed and developing nations alike," he said in the report.
"Leadership within the police, security services and military will need to use their considerable influence to make this clear to policy-makers and impress upon them the importance of taking steps now to prevent and manage climate change, rather than relying on force to try and control the insecurity later."
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