A thing of the past? A lone walker on
Brighton beach. Photograph: Graeme
Robertson/Getty ImagesClimate change will turn Britain into a Noah's ark for the world by the end of the century, an article in the Times suggests today.
It has picked out a patriotic silver lining from the gloomy predictions of James Lovelock, the creator of the Gaia theory, who reckons that more than 80% of the world's population will be wiped out by global heating.
Under the optimistic headline "Scientist predicts Britain will triumph over global warming" it says the UK is "perfectly placed to become the most desirable location in the world and one of the few areas able to feed itself".
The paper explains that, unlike the rest of Europe, Britain will be cooled sufficiently by the sea to sustain a technologically advanced nation. Britain will resemble Hong Kong, the Times predicts, as millions displaced by climate change flock to these shores.
But will what's left of Britain, after sea levels have risen, really be able to feed itself and so many others? Earlier this year, Lovelock pointed out that Britain was already so overcrowded that it has to rely on imported food.
He added:
"Climate change will deny us regular supplies of food and fuel from overseas ... We could grow enough to feed ourselves on the diet of the second world war, but the notion that there is land to spare to grow biofuels, or be the site of wind farms, is ludicrous."
This is one of the reasons for Lovelock's controversial support for nuclear power.
Would such a country really be the most desirable on earth? Pub Philosopher doesn't think so.
"His [Lovelock's] vision for Britain seems to be a sort of return to a wartime economy and standards of living but with nuclear power and a hotter climate.
This might appeal to some on the "back to nature" eco-left, or indeed the ultra-traditional conservative right but it sure as hell doesn't appeal to me. I hope he is wrong but even if he is right, his terrifying vision is more likely to make people stick their heads in their hands and shout 'We're all doomed,' than to get them actively tackling the impending crisis."
