by Bushra Afreen & Md Tabrez Alam
Abstract
Climate change significantly impacts essential resources like water, food, and arable land, reducing accessibility and quality. This decline heightens human insecurity, economic inequality, and displacement, potentially exacerbating social tensions and triggering violent conflict. This article analyzes the complex relationship between climate change and human security, highlighting how climate-induced disruptions threaten societal stability. It emphasizes the dangers climate change poses to ecological and social systems, with significant risks to peace and security. As resources become less accessible, the likelihood of increased insecurity, economic disparity, and migration rises, which may sometimes lead to violent conflict. Overall, the paper examines the implications of climate change for human security and the structural factors that increase the risk of social unrest.
Introduction:
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global issues, not only as an environmental challenge but as a critical concern for human security. The urgency of this issue is underscored by its potential to disrupt people’s capacity to manage stresses to their basic needs, rights, and values. However, technology, such as advanced weather forecasting systems and sustainable farming techniques, can mitigate these disruptions significantly. When climate change disrupts these essentials, the results can include political instability, economic hardship, and violent conflict. This paper examines how climate change contributes to human insecurity by impairing access to natural resources, creating economic vulnerabilities, and posing unique challenges to government responses. Given the wide-ranging effects of climate change across regions, a closer look at the interconnected risks it poses to human security is warranted.
The Human Security Framework and Climate Change:
Human security emphasizes the protection of individuals and communities, focusing on factors such as access to clean water, food security, and stable livelihoods. Studies by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) show that climate change disrupts these elements by accelerating environmental changes that stress natural resources and amplifying the frequency of extreme weather events. From coastal erosion to decreased soil moisture, these environmental changes weaken the infrastructure of human security, especially in regions with high dependency on natural resources.
Increasing Environmental and Social Vulnerabilities:
The link between climate change and human security becomes especially clear in ecologically sensitive regions where people depend heavily on natural resources. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, many communities rely on agriculture and fisheries for their livelihood. Climate-induced events such as erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and increased frequency of droughts make these regions highly vulnerable. In sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, prolonged droughts have led to crop failures and food shortages, while in South Asia, rising sea levels have inundated coastal farmlands. According to the IPCC (2007), the changing climate also accelerates desertification in arid regions and is projected to displace millions who rely on these areas for agriculture, food, and water.
In India, where approximately 70% of the population depends on agriculture, climate change-related shifts in the monsoon cycle threaten food security and the livelihoods of millions. This agricultural dependency heightens vulnerability and diminishes adaptive capacity. With a large proportion of India’s population below the poverty line and lacking robust state-directed support, such as insurance or advanced health infrastructure, the risk of malnutrition, hunger, and poverty due to climate-induced agricultural shocks is amplified. This situation underscores the importance of resilience and adaptive capacity in determining the security of these populations.
Impacts of Climate Change on National and Global Security:
The impacts of climate change on human security reverberate beyond individual communities and can have national and even international security implications. Countries and regions with higher levels of human insecurity are often more prone to political instability and violence. Climate change is a threat multiplier, exacerbating pre-existing social and economic challenges in countries with fragile governance structures. For instance, competition can intensify tensions within and between nations as environmental resources become increasingly scarce.
Factors Influencing Human Insecurity and Conflict:
- Vulnerable Livelihoods: Livelihoods dependent on climate-sensitive resources, such as agriculture and fisheries, are highly susceptible to climate change. In Bangladesh, recurrent floods destroy homes and farmlands, threatening food security and driving internal displacement. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), rising sea levels and increasing cyclone activity in the region could displace over 13 million people by 2050.
- Poverty and Inequality: Climate change also exacerbates poverty and inequality. Relative poverty, a strong indicator of vulnerability, is heightened when people lack economic and social capital to withstand environmental shocks. Climate change impacts disproportionately affect the poorest communities, who often rely heavily on natural resources and lack the means for adaptation.
- Weak Governance Structures: Effective governance is essential in managing the impact of climate change. However, many vulnerable regions need more governance capacities and resources to respond to climate-related challenges. When governments cannot provide necessary public infrastructure and services due to reduced revenue or increased costs, they lose their ability to ensure human security effectively, potentially increasing the risk of conflict.
This highlights the crucial role of leadership in managing climate change.
Forced migration is becoming an increasingly common response among those displaced by climate change. Large-scale movements of people can strain host communities, leading to tensions and social instability. According to estimates by the World Bank, by 2050, climate change could displace over 140 million people within their own countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, further fueling insecurity.
Climate Change, Human Insecurity, and the Risk of Violent Conflict:
Violent conflicts often arise from resource scarcity, economic instability, and political weakness. The link between these factors and climate change is well documented in the field of environmental security. When climate change exacerbates food and water scarcity, competition for these resources can lead to social unrest. Such conditions can also significantly increase the likelihood of young men joining armed groups or engaging in violent acts, mainly when frustration over limited economic opportunities is high. This potential for conflict underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for action.
Historical Evidence of Climate-Induced Instability:
Historical precedents reinforce the idea that climatic changes can lead to societal unrest. The drought-induced famines triggered by the El Niño phenomenon in the late 19th century, which devastated parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are a prime example. Historian Mike Davis attributes much of the death toll to colonial policies that deprived communities of their traditional resource entitlements. Famines are rarely “natural” disasters resulting from a mix of ecological conditions and political choices. Similarly, climate-induced food scarcity today could worsen conditions in politically unstable regions, leading to unrest.In South Asia, climate change threatens water security as glaciers in the Himalayas continue to melt. This poses a significant threat to agriculture and peace in the region, as countries like India and Pakistan depend on these glaciers for fresh water. Heightened water stress has sparked tension between the two nations, underscoring how climate change can catalyze conflict.
The Role of International and Local Policies:
While the risks associated with climate change are profound, they are not inevitable. Effective policy interventions at both the national and international levels can help mitigate these risks by improving resource management, bolstering social safety nets, and enhancing community resilience. For instance, global cooperation on greenhouse gas reduction and investments in renewable energy can reduce the pace of climate change and lower the potential for climate-related conflicts. Locally, governments can implement adaptation measures such as crop insurance, water conservation programs, and disaster preparedness training to help communities better withstand climate-related disruptions.The United Nations and the IPCC have emphasized the importance of adaptation in maintaining human security. However, adaptation strategies must be equitable and inclusive, ensuring that vulnerable groups receive adequate resources and support. Investing in climate resilience for at-risk populations can significantly reduce the likelihood of climate-induced conflict and human insecurity.
Way forward:
Various strategies can be implemented to enhance resilience and adaptive capacity in climate-vulnerable communities. First, developing and promoting sustainable agricultural practices is crucial. Techniques such as crop diversification, agroforestry, and climate-resilient crop varieties can help communities adapt to changing climatic conditions. Improving access to water management technologies, such as rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems, can significantly alleviate water scarcity. Providing education and training on climate adaptation practices empowers communities to make informed decisions and enhance their adaptive capacity. International cooperation is essential in addressing the implications of climate change on global security. Collaborative efforts can facilitate sharing resources, knowledge, and technology among nations facing similar challenges. Initiatives such as joint research programs and technology transfer agreements can help countries build capacity to combat climate-related threats. Moreover, global frameworks, like the Paris Agreement, encourage nations to set and achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets, which can mitigate the broader impacts of climate change and promote peace among competitive nations. Financial assistance for developing countries to implement climate adaptation and mitigation strategies is also vital, as it can reduce the potential for conflict arising from resource scarcity.
Local governance and community engagement are pivotal in mitigating the risks associated with climate change and human insecurity. Empowering local governments to develop and implement tailored disaster risk reduction plans ensures that specific community needs and vulnerabilities are addressed. Engaging community members in decision-making fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility toward climate action, leading to more sustainable outcomes. Local knowledge about traditional practices and ecological systems can also guide effective adaptation strategies. Building networks among local communities, NGOs, and government bodies can facilitate knowledge sharing and mobilize resources, enhancing the overall resilience of vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
Climate change poses an unprecedented challenge to human security, impacting access to essential resources, destabilizing economies, and, in extreme cases, fostering conditions for violent conflict. The threats of climate change are complex, transcending national borders and influencing global security. The evidence suggests that climate change acts as a force multiplier, amplifying existing vulnerabilities and exposing weaknesses in social and political structures. Addressing climate change, therefore, is not solely an environmental imperative but a security necessity.
Mitigating climate risks will require a concerted global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop resilient infrastructure. Furthermore, adaptive policies should prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities, offering support through social safety nets and economic opportunities. By focusing on strengthening human security, the international community can minimize the risks of climate-related conflicts and ensure a more sustainable and peaceful future for all; this article underscores the urgency of addressing climate change as a pathway to enhancing human security and ensuring peace, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the human dimensions of climate impacts, for more reading below some articles referred.
References
- Davis, M. (2001). Late Victorian Holocausts: El Niño, Famines, and the Making of the Third World. New York: Verso.
- IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). (2001). Climate Change 2001: Synthesis Report. Cambridge University Press.
- Sen, A. (1981). Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- UNDP (United et al.). (2006). Human Development Report 2006. Oxford University Press.
About authors
Bushra Afreen is pursuing a Master of Education (M.Ed) from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Arts (MA) in Geography from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. She has completed her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) from the Central University of Jharkhand. Bushra has hands-on experience working with children from marginalized communities and has contributed her efforts to various projects with the Rising Tree Foundation. Her core interests span education, health, livelihood, and environmental sustainability, where she is passionate about making a difference. Email: [email protected]
Md Tabrez Alam recently earned his PhD from IIDS, New Delhi. His academic journey includes an MPhil from MANUU and a Master in Social Work from the Central University of Rajasthan. Graduating initially in Social Work from Osmania University, Alam is pivotal in social initiatives as the General Secretary of Rising Tree and co-founder of Social Works Collectives. His book, Muslim as Unequal: A Socioeconomic Study of Jharkhand, and multiple research papers highlight his contributions. His research interests include Social Work interventions, Social Policy, Identity-based discrimination, and Social Development. He may be contacted at [email protected].
He tweets @ktabrezshams
