Security is not just a matter of technology. First and foremost, it is a political issue, explained the vice-president of the European Commission, Günter Verheugen, at the start of a conference on research into security issues in Stockholm on 29 September. He slammed the meddling of “petrofascist states” in the crises in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Similarly, it is not the technological tools at Europe's borders that will protect the continent from floods of climate refugees. An exodus of 100 million people meant the EU must take concrete political action and make greater efforts to correct the problems caused by the fossil fuel economy as soon as possible, added Günter Verheugen, not mincing his words: “Shame on Europe for what we are doing with people who sail across from Africa in tiny boats!” (O.J./transl.fl)