The Climate-Conflict Nexus in Asia: Fact or Fiction?
Publisher: Climate Institute
Author(s): Marcus Arcanjo
Date: 2018
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Land
This paper investigates conflicts in Asia attributed to climate change. It supports the argument that climate change is a threat multiplier of existing and underlying hostilities rather than being the principal cause of conflict in and of itself. While climate may increase competition for limited resources such as food and water, and should therefore not be overlooked entirely, it is not the primary root of violence. Many of the contemporary conflicts we are witnessing in Asia are born from longer term geopolitical tensions and socio-economic issues, which cannot be attributed to climate. Following the analysis of conflicts in Asia, this article also explores climate as an issue of national security. It suggests that the use of excessive militarisation in response may result in unnecessary violence.