The Sunday UK Times - World
May 19, 2002
UN in warning on water wars
THE United Nations is to publish an "apocalyptic" warning on the
global impact of environmental damage this week. It predicts a surge in the
incidence of wars, famine and other catastrophes linked to humanity's
over-exploitation of nature, writes Jonathan Leake.
The study predicts that the next three decades will see water
wars destabilising the Middle East and famine having the same effect on much
of Africa and Asia. In the natural world, most of the world's coral reefs,
rainforests and fisheries face destruction.
The Global Environmental Outlook report is the most dramatic
issued by the United Nations. It portrays various scenarios of which the
worst - the result of doing nothing to halt current trends - is described by
insiders as "apocalyptic". The report is backed by 1,000 scientists who have
drawn up its findings based on data collected around the world.
The study is to be launched in London this Wednesday by Klaus
Topfer, executive director of the United Nations environment programme.
It will be followed by a keynote speech from Margaret Beckett,
the environment secretary, who will support its findings and commit Britain
to sustainable development
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Be the change
you want to see in the world.
-- Mahatma Gandhi
