Climate Change Book Reviews - Index

Gynne Dyer, Climate Wars (Random House Canada, 2008)

Gwynne Dyer is an author on international political and security affairs, so of particular relevance are his observations on geopolitical matters. He explores the geopolitical implications of climate change. Specifically, he explores the stresses that climate change will have on individual nations and the relationships among nations. Essentially, he argues that these stresses will have devastating consequences for world order. It is specifically relevant to Canadians, because the negative implications of climate change for Canada will probably be the chaos in the result of the world that could result.

Some of the geopolitical issues that Dyer addresses include:

1. Declines in agricultural production in the mid-latitude countries, as global warming destroys their agricultural sector.
2. Flows of people from the mid-latitude countries to the northern countries.
3. Flows of people out of coastal areas inundated by rising sea levels.
4. All out efforts by the United States to prevent migration from the Carribean, Mexico and countries to the south into the United States, including a fortified southern border.
5. Collapse of the north African states through lack of agricultural production and water.
6. Confrontations between Canada and the United States over fishing rights, Arctic sovereignty and fresh water rights in the Great Lakes and elsewhere.
7. The collapse of economic systems in southern China and coastal areas, forcing the Chinese government to renew claims on disputed lands in Russia. Confrontations between China and Russia could lead to a nuclear confrontation.
8. Confrontations between Pakistan and India, two nuclear powers, over water rights, particularly rights to the waters of the Indus River, which originate in the Indian Himalayas but are essential for the economic survival of Pakistan.
9. The collapse of oil exporting countries as their economies disintegrate as oil importing countries gradually reduce their dependence on oil.

In addition to addressing the geopolitical implications of a warming climate, Dyer also addresses the capacity of the world's nations to address greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the likelihood of devastation climate change. On this point, Dyer is pessimistic, arguing that now is the time to research geo-engineering solutions because they will inevitably become essential.

Dyer is his usual incisive self, but the style is confusing. Dyer mixes potential scenarios written in the present time, with analytical sections. It is often difficult to determine which is the potential scenario and an analytical section. If one can get past this problem, the book is a bleak but important read.

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