According to the report, up to 200 million people could become environmental refugees by the middle of this century due to violent storms, rising sea levels, floods and famines. Such numbers would bring to one billion the number of people displaced by conflicts, natural disasters and large development projects.
"It is crucial," said author Chris Abbott, "that governments begin to take steps now towards developing effective policy solutions for the police, security services and military to help them adapt to the new and changing demands."
"However," he added, "they must resist the temptation to use force to try and control insecurity and maintain the status quo. In this instance, prevention really is the only cure."
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