| Publication |
2011.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The consequences of global climate change present a serious strategic challenge in one of the most remote parts of the world. The Tibetan Plateau is the largest high-altitude landmass on earth, with more than 45,000 glaciers that feed the major river systems in Asia, which, in turn, support 40 per cent of the world's population. Temperatures in the region are rising twice as fast as the global average, posing serious risks to hydrological systems, agriculture, and critical infrastructure. Looking at regional cooperation through the lens of ecological security raises important questions about the extent to which the threat of large-scale climate-related disaster could trigger new forms of cooperative action. The sobering reality is that current responses fall far short of ensuring a mutually secure future.
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