StG

Think outside the box.

Are we seeing the opening shots of World War 3 with WEATHER USED AS A WEAPON?

I am NOT saying that North America and Europe would escape unscathed. What I am saying is that they could emerge battered, bruised but DOMINANT.

The argument of the Greens has always been "We're all in this together. It is in the interests of the developed world to reach an accommodation with the less developed countries and with China and India."

But perhaps we're NOT in this together. Perhaps from the point of view of Europe and North America the way to retain global supremacy is to LET CATASTROPHE HAPPEN. It could lead to a drastic reduction in population as literally billions die in China, India and Africa. With economies there imploding the growth of greenhouse gas emission would be reversed before total calamity overtook the developed world.

In a way we may be looking at a global game of chicken with Europe and North America counting on being the last regions standing.

Do you really think the folk at the Pentagon or NATO haven't game planned this sort of scenario?

WOW, that's right out in left field somewhere.

I believe someone in charge has considered climate change creating issues with people needing to be relocated due to flooding etc....

But who will Europe and North America trade with?. YOu seriously reckon big business (who is really running everything) is gonna just sit back and watch it all go to sh....?

Sorry, mate. That's way too out there for me.

StG,

Which of these two statements seems more credible to you?

The United States and the EU will help China and India become economic and military super-powers by bearing the cost of drastically reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions.

The United States and the EU will seek to undermine the emergence of China and India as economic and military super-powers and are prepared to pay a price to achieve this goal.

Steven, and you think China, Russia, India, Iran and Co have not thought of these scenarios as well?

Let the games begin (I mean continue...)

Water wars are already being assessed my military strategists and economic thinkers worldwide. Not to mention wars over oil, we're witnessing an oil war now in Iraq.

I believe, from Australia's view, our biggest fear will not be from military attack but mass landings of refugees. What do we do if 1 million Indonesian refugees float across to NT? There is abundant water and arable land up North ... something severely lacking in Indonesia.

As for wars (Steven's comment), I struggle to see humanity suddenly achieving worldwide compassion and an ability to share our resources and wealth, just so those less fortunate in Africa, China and elsewhere can achieve a similar consumerist society.

As Q&A stated ... watch the "games" continue.

could someone suggest a book/essay which tries to chart the breakdown of civil society in australia as climate change (in its more dire predicted outworkings) takes effect?

it occurs to me that if, as i likely, we do not solve the problem, and human civilization continues to be threatened, in an exponentially rising tide of threat, that things like social security safety net, humane treatment for prisoners, and civil society generall, will all steadily crumble as we naturally try to adjust to totally altered circumstances...

i'm interested in darkly meditating on such themes and would like some titles/authors/fora in order to get orientated

thanks,
michael fitzgerald