Climate change and armed conflicts have always been related. Evidence from the past decade suggests that climate change can be a significant cause of armed conflict in the future. As the global temperature continues to rise and Earth’s climate continues to change, we may see more water-related conflicts. Unprecedented human migration caused by climate change will also likely contribute to regional instability, as displaced people have fewer resources to fight over.
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| There is no Planet B |
Climate Change and Armed Conflicts
Climate change and armed conflicts could be a dangerous mix. While we don’t know the precise details, many experts believe climate change will have a significant impact on conflicts around the world. Here are some of their predictions:
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1. Climate change is a “threat multiplier”
As the number of armed conflicts grows, so too do their root causes. The environment isn’t usually at the top of the list, but it’s becoming more and more important. Climate change isn’t just contributing to armed conflicts — it’s multiplying them.
2. Fighting over water
Water is already a source of tension between nations (think India and Pakistan), but climate change is making it even more scarce. Drought-prone regions are likely to become more violent as resources become more limited.
3. The Arctic is melting — and tensions are rising
Water is already a source of tension between nations (think India and Pakistan), but climate change is making it even more scarce. Drought-prone regions are likely to become more violent as resources become more limited.
4. People are on the move
Millions of people around the world will be displaced by rising sea levels, desertification, and other effects of climate change. That massive wave of refugees from one country to another could be cause for conflict.
5. Extreme weather events
Climate change is expected to result in more extreme weather events, such as the typhoons that recently ravaged Southeast Asia and the hurricanes that hit the United States and the Caribbean in 2017. These storms will bring flooding and destruction to areas that are already prone to conflicts, like Yemen and Syria.
6. Climate Change Is Having an Impact on the Global Economy
It’s impossible at this point to say exactly how much climate change will cost the global economy. But one thing that most economists agree on is that it’s likely to shrink the global economy overall — perhaps significantly. Many factors are expected to contribute to this decline.
One is that climate change is expected to make extreme weather events more common and more severe. These events can have a major impact on businesses and economies. For example, natural disasters have been responsible for $1 trillion in economic losses over the past 20 years.
Another factor is that climate change will likely make it harder for many regions of the world to grow enough food and provide enough clean water for their populations. This will make it harder for affected countries to develop economically and could lead to unrest or even armed conflict as people fight over resources.
7. Climate change is making a bad situation worse.
The Syrian Civil War is the most devastating armed conflict of the 21st century. Over 250,000 people have been killed, more than four million Syrians are refugees, and over seven million are internally displaced. The war has caused over 13 million Syrians to be in need of humanitarian assistance.
It is easy to think that this war was caused by religion or politics, but there is another factor that should not be ignored: climate change. A five-year drought in Syria from 2006-to 2011 set the stage for war.
8. Civilians in harm’s way. Climate Change and Armed Conflicts
The world has already seen an increase in natural disasters in the past century, and the IPCC predicts that climate change will cause more extreme weather events, like hurricanes, flooding and heatwaves. As these disasters get worse, people will have to flee their homes to escape them. The UN predicts that there could be 200 million climate refugees by 2050 — people who would then be fleeing conflict zones with little means of support.
How to prevent climate change
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| Stop Climate Change |
Let’s get started. Climate change is the result of human activity. Our actions – every moment, every choice – are warming the earth we call home. We can discuss what actions to take and how fast climate change is happening, but on this page, I want to focus on a few simple things you can do right now to help prevent it.
1. Eat less meat
Eating less meat is one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Animal agriculture is responsible for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So, if you eat meat and dairy, consider reducing your consumption to once or twice a week. You’ll be saving the planet and you’ll feel better too.
2. Plant a tree
Trees are fantastic at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The best way to plant a tree is to find a local community planting program near you. There are hundreds of them around the world. If you can’t do that then just plant a tree in your backyard or buy some credits from a verified offsetting program (see next section).
3. Support politicians who are committed to fighting climate change
If you live in a democracy then support climate-friendly politicians and vote for them. The only way we’re going to prevent climate change is if governments take action on it but elected officials will only do that if they know they’ll be re-elected by voters who care about this issue. So, make yourself heard!
4. Take short showers instead of long baths.
This will conserve water and reduce your energy bills too! Plus if you spend less time in the shower then maybe there’ll be enough water left over for everyone else!
5. Fly less
The average person in the UK flies 300,000 miles every year. That’s enough miles to fly from London to LA and back five times over, or enough to circle the world twice. By flying less, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and reducing your contribution to climate change. It’s also a good idea if you want to take a trip somewhere – flying will often be cheaper than taking a boat, but it can also cost more if you want a long-haul flight.
Final Thought
Climate change and armed conflicts: Armed conflicts are also advanced by numerous political, economic, and social factors. What they all have in common, however, is a reduced capacity of states and non-state actors to provide effective governance. This is compounded by the reality that (often domestic) political leaders are often unable to cope with the unprecedented economic changes that can result from climate change.