I consume a significant amount of news from many sources, including a lot on the refugee crisis. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why what has been going on has been going on as long as it has. Then I saw this article earlier this month. Predictions are that even IF the recently agreed upon emissions goals are met, parts the Middle East and Africa (MENA) could be inhospitable by 2050. By 2100, large swaths of the MENA would be inhospitable to humans. Predictions are that by 2050, there could be 80 days averaging 45C (112F) and that by 2100 more than 200 days per year could reach 50C (122F).

Rather than the complete on utter chaos that would erupt from the mass migration of environmental refugees (think massive number of deaths, wars, global economic collapse), world governments are taking an 'it takes a generation' approach. Mind you, everyone has their theories, ideas and possible reasons behind all of this (which could be being used in and of themselves as motivators and catalysts in this), but we will all be dead or on our way out before the environmental crisis peaks. The next generation will find ways to integrate, ways we don't understand or agree with for our own reasons and beliefs, but they will find a way because by that time there won't be any going back. In the end, despite the tragedies occurring, we may be witnessing the coordinated and possibly now unstoppable start of the best possible outcome, given current politics and beliefs. I'd be interested to hear others thoughts on this.