Science & Technology

New report predicts world collapse by 2040

By T.K. Randall
June 23, 2015 ·  85 comments

The world's population could soon reach breaking point. Image Credit: sxc.hu In a new report released by Lloyds this week the Anglia Ruskin University's Global Sustainability Institute has outlined its prediction of a global collapse brought about by food and water shortages, energy loss and a period of prolonged political instability.

Supported by both the UK and US governments, the report was commissioned for the purpose of assessing the risks associated with food shortages and other issues over the next few decades.

"Global demand for food is on the rise, driven by unprecedented growth in the world's population, which is expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050," the report authors wrote."To meet the increased demand for food driven by these factors, the FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation) projects that we must more than double global agricultural production by 2050."

The report also predicted an increase in the "intensity and frequency of extreme weather events" such as floods, droughts and wildfires due to climate change.

"This is further exacerbated by the growing issue of water scarcity, which is accelerating at such a pace that two-thirds of the world's population could live under water stress conditions by 2025."

"Volatile food prices and increasing political instability are likely to magnify the impacts of food production shocks, causing a cascade of economic, social and political impacts across the globe."

Source: News.com.au | Comments (85)

Tags: Population, Food Shortage