2 of 15

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

killing almost everything else. These dead zones are normal occurrences in some areas, but the last few years have seen their expansion into important fisheries off the west coast of the United States and South America, as well as South Africa. The damage that this could cause to the fishing industry will be difficult if not impossible to mend any time soon. The growth of these dead zones has also caused an expansion in the territory of the Humboldt squid, an aggressive species of giant squid that has a tolerance for low oxygen waters. This predator has expanded as far as the northwest coast of the US.

This strain on the fishing industry will likely have an affect on the world food market, which was unexpectedly taken by what a report that appeared on Apr 17th 2008, in The Economist, Called "The silent tsunami", referring to the disastrous rise in food prices. According to the report, the cost of food has risen 20% in some places, which sparked several protest and riots throughout Africa, and Asia. The notable feature of this food shortage though is that it may have been as a result of an attempt to cut green house gas emissions. Namely, the growing use of food crops to produce bio-fuels. If this is the case, the effects of climate change on society and its security are not only already being felt, bat are proving to defy simple solutions.

Even more troubling than the high food prices driving more and more people to desperation is the ever increasingly clear prospect of a global water shortage. Precipitation may become stronger in the tropics. However, vast inland stretches of the continents may be facing longer and longer droughts, such as the one already affecting the southwest United States. Coupled with ever growing populations and increasing industrial and agricultural operations and the huge drain on the water supply these bring, large areas of the world may likely face the threat of not having enough water for their populations or invasion by another state facing the same problem. Also, as more people are forced into poverty and desperation, crime and terrorism will be likely responses to government and international system unable to deal with the change.

In his land mark books, "Guns Germs and Steel" and "Collapse", Jared Diamond argues for a link between environment and natural resources and the success or fall of civilization. He illustrates how availability of natural resources has carried many nations to success and also how a lack or mismanagement of the same resources has brought many empires crashing down. As the events of the last year demonstrate, climate change, if man made or not, is already having a serious effect on society. If this continues, the food and water supply along with the public health, and emergency response agencies of governments around the world will be pushed to their limits. The prospect of international security problems and conflicts will increase, and wars over natural resources will become more and more likely. As the situation progresses, governments will fall, states may fail, and perhaps even whole societies will collapse.

Weather one believes this is a man mad problem or not, it is obvious that something is going on. It's time to wake up and deal with it.

Learn more about this author, Wayland Blue.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about Effects of climate change on society and the environment?
We want to hear your view. Write now!