ImperialViolet

These are predictions from a "leaked Pentagon report" that were published in The Observer today (news section, page 3).

I just want them here so I can look back in a few years time.

• Future wars will be fought over the issue of survival rather than religion, ideology or national honour.
• By 2007 violent storms smash coastal barriers rendering large parts of the Netherlands inhabitable. Cities like The Hague are abandoned.
• Between 2010 and 2020 Europe is hardest hit by climatic change with an average annual temperature drop of 6F. Climate in Britain becomes colder and drier as its weather begins to resemble Siberia's.
• Deaths from war and famine run in the millions as the population is reduced until the Earth can cope.
• Riots and internal conflict tear apart India and Indonesia.
• Access to water becomes a major battleground. The Nile, Danube and Amazon are all at high risk.
• A 'significant drop' in the planet's ability to sustain its population will become apparent over the next 20 years.
• Rich areas like the US and Europe would become 'virtual fortresses' to prevent millions of migrants from entering after being forced from land drowned by sea-level rise or no longer able to grow crops.
• Nuclear arms proliferation is inevitable. Japan, South Korea, and Germany develop nuclear-weapons capabilities , as do Iran, Egypt and North Korea. Israel, China, India and Pakistan also are poised to use the bomb.
• By 2010 the US and Europe will experience a third more days with peak temperatures above 90F . Climate becomes an 'economic nuisance' as storms, droughts and hot spells create havoc for farmers.
• More than 400m people in subtropical regions at risk.
• Europe will face huge internal struggles as it copes with massive numbers of migrants arriving at its shores. Southern Europe is beleaguered by refugees from hard-hit Africa.
• Mega-droughts affect the world's major breadbaskets, including America's Midwest, where strong winds bring soil loss.
• China's huge population make it particularly vulnerable. Bangladesh becomes nearly uninhabitable because of a rising sea level, which contaminates inland water supplies.