The Pentagon and Poverty

[Harry Veeder <eo200@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It is too bad the Pentagon isn't planning a global war on poverty.
(I am not kidding). The civilian arm of government hasn't been very
successful. The military arm of a government has the command and control
structure to ensure it gets done.

Harry

> Key findings of the Pentagon
>
> Sunday February 22, 2004: (The Observer)
>
> · 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. In California
> the delta island levees in the Sacramento river area are breached, disrupting
> the aqueduct system transporting water from north to south.
>
> · 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 weather patterns begin to resemble Siberia.
>
> · Deaths from war and famine run into the millions until the planet's
> population is reduced by such an extent the Earth can cope.
>
> · Riots and internal conflict tear apart India, South Africa and Indonesia.
>
> · Access to water becomes a major battleground. The Nile, Danube and Amazon
> are all mentioned as being high risk.
>
> · A 'significant drop' in the planet's ability to sustain its present
> 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. Waves of boatpeople
> pose significant problems.
>
> · 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 grave risk.
>
> · Europe will face huge internal struggles as it copes with massive numbers of
> migrants washing up on its shores. Immigrants from Scandinavia seek warmer
> climes to the south. Southern Europe is beleaguered by refugees from hard-hit
> countries in Africa.
>
> · Mega-droughts affect the world's major breadbaskets, including America's
> Midwest, where strong winds bring soil loss.
>
> · China's huge population and food demand make it particularly vulnerable.
> Bangladesh becomes nearly uninhabitable because of a rising sea level, which
> contaminates the inland water supplies.
>
> © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004