Includes bibliographical references (p. 279-283) and index.

"Waves of climate refugees. Dozens of failed states. All-out war. From one of the world's great geopolitical analysts comes a terrifying glimpse of the strategic realities of the near future, when climate change drives the world's powers towards the cut-throat politics of survival. An increase of as little as two degrees Celsius in average global temperature -- which is almost inevitable -- would heat global politics to boiling point and trigger massive conflicts over scarce food and water. Bringing together extensive interviews and the latest research, Gwynne Dyer reveals the truth about our planet's future. Can our technology save us, or is it too late? Where do our best hopes for damage limitation lie?"--Dust jacket.

The year 2045 -- The geopolitics of climate change -- Russia, 2019 -- An inevitable crisis -- United States, 2029 -- Feedbacks: How much, how fast? -- Northern India, 2036 -- We can fix this... -- A happy tale -- ...But probably not in time -- United States and United Kingdom, 2055 -- Real world politics -- China, 2042 -- Emergency measures -- Wipeout -- Childhood's end.

"The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that the average global temperature will rise between 2 degrees and 6.4 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. These are conservative estimates, based on a lowest-common-denominator consensus among scientists and further watered down by governments. They make no allowance for feedback phenomena and potential runaway heating. But a World Bank study in India last year suggested that even 2 degrees hotter means a 25 percent cut in Indian food production. The core problem with climate changes is not sea level rise or bio-diversity; it is food supply"-- Provided by publisher.