STRUCTURAL FORCES ENVIRONMENT Key Takeaways During the next 20 years, the physical effects from climate change of higher tem- peratures, sea level rise, and extreme weather events will impact every country. The costs and challenges will disproportionately fall on the developing world, in- tersecting with environmental degradation to intensify risks to food, water, health, and energy security. There will be increased emphasis on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net zero with new energy technologies and carbon dioxide removal techniques to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, as the world gets closer to exceeding 1.5°C—probably within the next 20 years—calls will increase for geoengineering research and possible deploy- ment to cool the planet, despite possibly dire consequences. Debate will increase over how and how fast the world should reach net zero as countries face hard choices over how to implement drastic emissions cuts and adaptive measures. Neither the burdens nor the bene昀椀ts will be evenly distributed within or between countries, heightening competition, contributing to instability, straining military readiness, and encouraging political discord. 30 Photo / Pexels