Link from my friend Darrell. A new report, co-written by High Representative for the European Common, Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana and EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, warns that the European Union must prepare for the eventuality of future conflicts with Russia, as the nations compete for control over energy resources. The report, which has been forwarded to the 27 member states of the EU, warns that climate change could trigger conflicts between nations as they stake their claims on previously untapped oil and gas fields. One such area presently under dispute is the Arctic circle, which has up until recently been inaccessible for exploitation. New drilling technologies, along with an increased thaw due to a warming climate, are causing tension between nations that border the continent. Recently Russia staked its claim to the entire Arctic seabed, stating that the territory was just an extension of the continental shelf on which Russia lies. Russia's long running dispute with the Ukraine over gas prices have also erupted again this winter, prompting Russia to cut the supply to the former Soviet state in half. This time Europe's gas supplies have not been affected, but judging from today's report, that cannot be taken for granted in future.  

Quote: "The officials single out the impact of the thawing Arctic and its emergence as a potential flashpoint of rival claims, pointing to the Kremlin's grab for the Arctic last year when President Vladimir Putin hailed as heroes a team of scientists who planted a Russian flag on the Arctic seabed. Developments in the Arctic had "potential consequences for international stability and European security interests". "The rapid melting of the polar ice caps, in particular the Arctic, is opening up new waterways and international trade routes," the report notes. "The increased accessibility of the enormous hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic region is changing the geostrategic dynamics of the region."

As Solana's report states, climate change is not the sole cause of conflict, but it will serve to increase the threat of war in countries that are already experiencing political instability. The Middle East is also mentioned in the document. The problem here is less to do with climate change and more to do with economics, as growing populations and industries put further pressure on the region's limited water supply. There have already been disputes between Turkey, Israel and Syria over how much water is being siphoned off for agricultural use from an already low Euphrates river. The Scriptures indicate that environmental conditions may well play a part in the end time scenario leading up to the final battle. The Bible states that it will be the thought of gaining spoil that will bring Gog against the nation of Israel in the latter days (Ezekiel 38:13). And during the during the tribulation period the Euphrates river is to dry up completely, preparing the way for the kings of the east to march on the Middle East (Revelation 16:12). Mankind really has no long-term answers to the problems this planet faces. Even the unbelievers are saying that now. Mankind has the capability of destroying itself many times over, and the only thing that prevents it from doing so is the grace of God (Matthew 24:22). Piece by piece, the Lord will remove mankind's security from him until finally he realizes that he cannot live by bread alone, but only by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Jesus Christ was that bread from Heaven. He is the Bread of Life. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Source Guardian, China View, CNN