Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn

"The global attack on nature is threatening the UK's national security, government intelligence chiefs have warned, as the increasingly likely collapse of vitally important natural systems would bring mass migration, food shortages and price rises, and global disorder. Food supplies are particularly at risk, as without significant increases, the UK would be unable to compete with other nations for scarce resources, a report to ministers warns."

"Many of the impacts are already being felt, in the form of crop failures, intensified natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks. These will intensify, resulting in geopolitical instability, economic insecurity, conflict, migration and increased inter-state competition for resources. The hard-hitting report, which was originally to have been published last autumn, but for an intervention by Downing Street, is attributed only to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but the Guardian understands that the joint intelligence committee,"

The global attack on nature threatens the UK's national security. Collapse of vital natural systems would cause mass migration, food shortages, price rises and global disorder. Food supplies are especially vulnerable; without significant increases the UK could not compete for scarce resources. Some vital ecosystems could face collapse within five years, jeopardising security and prosperity. Impacts are already occurring as crop failures, intensified natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks. These impacts will intensify, driving geopolitical instability, economic insecurity, conflict, migration and heightened inter-state competition for resources. Government and security agencies identify ecosystem collapse as a critical security threat.

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