Report: Global warming will stress nations

WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- The largest threat global warming poses to U.S. security is linked to how it impacts countries less prepared to manage climate change, studies indicate.

"Climate change alone is unlikely to trigger state failure in any state out to 2030, but the impacts will worsen existing problems -- such as poverty, social tensions, environmental degradation, ineffectual leadership and weak political institutions," Thomas Fingar, chairman of the National Intelligence Council, said.

Fingar's comments came Wednesday while he was speaking to the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, CNN reported.

"Economic refugees will perceive additional reasons to flee their homes because of harsher climates," he said.

He added that many countries that attract refugees "will have neither the resources nor interest to host these climate migrants."

Fingar said climate change could help the United States by increasing crop yields.

A government study found global warming could cause intense storms that could impact coastal nuclear and oil facilities.

The change could also cause droughts in the Southwest and extended summers and increased wildfires, CNN said.