Vampires & werewolves are no match for geopolitical turmoil

There has been plenty of talk about the potential worldwide unrest that could be caused by global warming. Droughts and famine could lead to mass migration and uprisings. Last week's "What on Earth?" touched on the U.S. Military's plans for dealing with security threats posed by climate change.

But Francois Gemenne of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations in Paris raises a more specific question about island nations that are productive members of the global economy and international community. What will happen when they want to maintain their standing after their homelands are lost to the rising sea levels caused by climate change?

Gemenne says cultural and sentimental attachments are only part of the story. Tuvalu, for instance, is a small island state that makes millions annually selling its assigned internet suffix ".tv" to television companies. It also has international standing through the UN.

"As independent nations they receive certain rights and privileges that they will not want to lose. Instead they could become like ghost states," he said. "This is a pressing issue for small island states, but in the case of physical disappearance there is a void in international law."

Global warming is a threat to the ".tv" industry. Now THAT'S scary.



Here are all the hair-raising details...

Ghost states