MoD identifies resource strain

7th August 2014


Related Topics

Related tags

  • Agriculture

Author

Francis Rowlands

Rising sea levels, water shortages, desertification and a mismatch between global energy supplies and demand are just a few of the threats identified in a report from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The fifth edition of Global strategic trends sets out a range of likely developments in the years to 2045 to help provide a strategic context for policymaking in the MoD and other government departments. It does not attempt to predict the future but describes the phenomena that could have a significant impact.

Thirteen overarching themes are covered in the report, including resources and the environment. A key issue for the environment will be the growing population, which by 2045 may have reached nine billion. This growth will increase the strain on vital resources, such as water and food. The report suggests, for example, that, without successfully managing water stress, it is likely that 3.9 billion people will suffer water shortages. And, as people cluster in vulnerable areas, such as coastal regions, the consequences of poor weather may be felt more keenly.

By 2045, climate change will be producing increasingly noticeable effects, says the MoD. Rising global sea levels – likely to increase by between 0.32 and 0.38 metres by 2050 – will heighten the risk of coastal flooding, particularly in regions affected by tropical cyclones. Droughts and heatwaves are also likely to increase in intensity, duration and frequency.

Extrapolations from current data suggest demand for energy could more than double by 2045, says the MoD. Although non-polluting power sources and better energy storage may make an increasing contribution, coal and hydrocarbons will remain the most important sources.

Overall, the MoD concludes that the effects of climate change are likely to be less severe in Europe than in other regions, although agricultural productivity may reduce in the south as water becomes scarce.

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

Facing the climate emergency challenge in local government

It’s well recognised that the public sector has the opportunity to work towards a national net-zero landscape that goes well beyond improving on its own performance; it can also influence through procurement and can direct through policy.

19th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) strategy is based on optimistic techno-economic assumptions that are now outdated, Carbon Tracker has warned.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK’s new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements could create 15,000 hectares of woodlands, heath, grasslands, and wetlands and absorb 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s latest Public Attitudes Tracker has found broad support for efforts to tackle climate change, although there are significant concerns that bills will rise.

13th March 2024

Read more

Multinational corporations are undermining their net-zero commitments with excessive air travel and no plans to reduce ‘the low hanging fruit’ of carbon footprints, a study by Transport & Environment has found.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s climate adaptation plans are ‘inadequate’ and falling ‘far short’ of what is required, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned today.

13th March 2024

Read more

Large businesses across the world are avoiding climate action due to fear they will be called out for getting their work wrong, according to a new Carbon Trust report.

29th February 2024

Read more

A thought-provoking discussion on how storytelling can change the world took place in Central London last night, alongside an exclusive sneak preview of an upcoming IEMA film series.

29th February 2024

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close