UK warns that climate change could trigger violent conflict in India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/UK-warns-that-climate-change-could-trigger-violent-conflict-in-India/articleshow/43317404.cms

Kounteya Sinha,TNN | Sep 24, 2014

A British report has warned that climate change could trigger violent conflict in India - similar to the Arab Spring where climate change, drought, water mismanagement and food prices contributed to the outbreak of civil unrest.

The Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge has said that water availability is closely tied to food production and with India's population expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2050, the country could face a "perfect storm" of challenges.

The report specifically looks at the specific socio-political, economic, cultural and environmental characteristics of the Cauvery and Indus catchments and the potential for both climate change and scarcity of natural resources to destabilise social and political systems.

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Dr Aled Jones, director of the Institute, said "Although unlikely to be the primary cause of violent conflict, natural resource scarcity and climate change can be a catalyst that exacerbates simmering tensions and existing conditions for instability. A decreased availability of water and a rise in food prices in already water-stressed regions can create the perfect storm for civil unrest and conflict. Climate change, population increase and water mismanagement stresses on the Indus are therefore a relevant factor in the ongoing peace negotiations between India and Pakistan.

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