National security threatened by climate crisis, UK defence chiefs due to warn

"The UK's national security is under severe threat from the climate crisis and the looming collapse of vital natural ecosystems, with food shortages and economic disaster potentially just years away, a powerful report by the UK's defence chiefs is due to warn. However, the report, which was supposed to launch tomorrow at a landmark event in London, has been delayed, and concerns have been expressed to the Guardian that it may not now be published."

"Other industries will also be affected by ecosystem collapse in places such as the Amazon and by the worsening impacts of extreme weather around the world. These impacts are not far in the future as some had complacently assumed, ministers have been told, but are already being felt and will grow in importance as temperatures rise beyond 1.5C above preindustrial levels."

"Overseas aid, formally known as official development assistance (ODA), which could help to stabilise countries most at risk from the climate crisis and avoid some of the impacts warned about, has been slashed. This is a very stark warning, another source familiar with the contents told the Guardian. It is very clear that the impacts on national security are very worrying. Food is the biggest risk as the UK imports an increasing proportion of it"

The UK's national security is at severe risk from the climate crisis and collapse of vital ecosystems, with food shortages and economic disruption possible within years. Food import supply chains are already under pressure and commodity prices are rising, risks worsened by heavy reliance on imports. Ecosystem collapse in regions such as the Amazon and increasing extreme weather globally will damage other industries. Impacts are occurring now and will intensify as temperatures exceed 1.5C above preindustrial levels. A major defence intelligence report warning of these threats has been delayed amid concerns it may be suppressed. Cuts to overseas aid reduce capacity to stabilise vulnerable countries.

Read at www.theguardian.com