The impact of climate change will inevitably drive the British armed forces into violent conflicts in the future, a senior military figure has said.
Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti told MPs on Monday that global warming, particularly from global reliance on oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels would be a driver of global instability, and would be a significant risk to the UK’s “geopolitical security.”
“Climate change will require more deployment of British military in conflict prevention, conflict resolution or responding to increased humanitarian requirements due to extreme weather impacts,” he said.
Morisetti also said global warming was a “threat multiplier” that is undermining global peace and livelihoods, as well as the natural world.
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“The impact resulting in the loss of land and the loss of livelihoods is increasing the stresses in a number of vulnerable countries, countries where food, health and [rising population] are challenges,” he said.
Morisetti served in the Royal Navy for 37 years, and was an adviser on climate change to the foreign secretary, where he warned about the effects of food shortages, droughts and the depletion of traditional energy sources.
Some experts have warned that Admiral Morisetti's predictions are
showing a "militarizing" of society through climate
change, calling his comments "disturbing".
"Admiral Morisetti reveals a mindset inside the defence
establishment that is understandable, though disturbing. If
climate change continues, we face a future of resource shortages,
food crises and water conflicts amidst more extreme weather
events - all of which would significantly undermine British and
US energy, economic and strategic interests around the
world" said Institute for Policy Research & Development
(IPRD) executive director Dr. Nafeez Ahmed.
"Morisette's comments show that by failing to address climate
change at its root, our leaders are militarising society. But
this is only going to worsen our predicament. You can't defeat
climate change by bombing it."
His comments follow a report published last week by the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warned that climate change would inflict “severe, widespread and irreversible” impacts on the world population unless countries made significant cutbacks to their carbon emissions.
The report also said international efforts to reduce global poverty could only be achieved by halting global warming and ultimately reducing carbon emissions to zero percent.
Additionally, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has acknowledged the potential effects of climate change on the UK’s security from abroad.
READ MORE:‘Profit over security’: Business trumps climate
targets – Oxfam UK
In its Global Strategic Trends report published in June, the MoD predicted that climate change would result in more “failing cities,” a greater loss of life and a rise in sexual violence in volatile conflict zones.
It also said that new energy initiatives such as nuclear and fusion power posed security risks, particularly if the material was obtained by “non-state actors,” such as terrorist groups.
Other experts have also warned about the effects of climate change on international security. Last year, researchers from the University of California Berkley conducted one of the widest studies of conflict to date, and found that localized and regional wars could be triggered as a result of “minor” climactic change.
They highlighted a strong correlation between rising temperatures and violence.