A most unwanted scenario

 

- Water scarcity threatens world stability

- Resource scarcity, pertaining specifically to energy, threatens world stability

- Climate change accelerated, affecting crop yields

- Predicted rise in sea levels threatens coastal settlements

 

The world has come to its worst-case scenario. After years of no co-operation and failed summits where no agreement or plan was ever reached to protect earth’s nature, resources and ecosystems, the worst predictions scientists made are beginning to manifest, and faster then anyone ever thought it would. World leaders must now meet to solve the coming crisis before circumstances plunge the world into years of chaos.

 

You are one of the heads of state attending the Global Crisis Council. Your job in the eyes of mankind is to come to an agreement on global environmental politics and in solutions to the already deteriorated state of the world. However, you must not forget you lead a nation and your people have many demands, of which not all concur with the interests of others. There are of course great and impending dangers facing each nation individually that could threaten your power and the stability of your nation. Will you be able to balance your people’s interests, maintain your power, and prevent the end of the world, as we know it?

 

Each country has internal politics and issues to deal with as they attend the Council and as they deal with other nations. Each nation has a military, a treasury, and resources at their disposal.

 

 

The Main Issues

 

            Drinkable water sources: Countries may soon find themselves without enough water for their entire population. Sources are not, however, scarce. They are simply unequally divided across the globe. Some nations possess vast sources of water while others have little next to nothing. This creates a dangerous opportunity, as these countries may sell their water at extremely high prices. While some countries may be able to pay for this, others may be more desperate and may choose the use of force to obtain this vital resource. Can the world’s leaders come to an agreement on the distribution of water and prevent war from breaking out?

            Scarce oil reserves: The world is running out of oil. What is left is being sold at very high prices. It is a similar problem as the water issue, except that oil will soon no longer be available.  Other forms of energy will replace oil, especially coal and gas, which will change the face of the geopolitical map. More importantly, these remaining substitutes will continue to pollute the earth’s atmosphere, hyper-accelerating the already accelerated climate change. Can the world’s nations cut back on its use of these energy sources and find sustainable energy sources to replace it?

            Affected crop yields: The greenhouse effect has made the world’s climate unpredictable and extreme. Hot places are now hotter and drier. Storms are stronger and catastrophic, and cold places can turn into barren frozen lands. This volatility has affected crop yields in many countries, causing famine and high prices. There is enough to feed the world, but agricultural mal-practice, encouraged by large agriculture firms, farmer’s interest groups and opportunism has caused the yields to be unequal and inefficient.  A solution, both in short-term and long-term, is needed. Is there enough political will, courage and solidarity to fight big business and feed the hungry mouths of the world?

            Prognosticated rise in sea level: Scientist expect the rise in sea levels to be soon and significant. Coasts will be heavily affected with flooding and catastrophic storms. Having most of the world population on earth’s coasts, this rise in sea level poses a matter of global security. The displacement of these residents and a potential refugee crisis further threaten world stability. Can world leaders find a common solution to this impending catastrophe, and can they work together to lessen the impact once it happens?