The Human Dimensions of the Climate Risk and Armed Conflict Nexus: A Review Article
Publisher: Regional Environmental Change
Author(s): Leanna Augsten, Karine Gagné, and Yvonne Su
Date: 2022
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes, Livelihoods
Countries: Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (DRC), Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan, Turkey
The literature that examines the nexus of climate risk and armed conflict tends to be based on quantitative datasets and focuses on the causal relationship between the two issues. A limited number of studies consider the human dimensions of this nexus, but this literature has not been the subject of a synthesis. This article reviews the research examining the climate risk and armed conflict nexus, with specific emphasis on field studies and qualitative research. It aims to synthesize key findings emerging from the literature in order to shed light on the human dimensions of this nexus. Our analysis focuses on two broad themes: exposure and response. Exposure varies according to regional particularities and across locations while gender and weak political institutions are significant determinants in further increasing vulnerability. Response to the experience of the climate risk and armed conflict nexus consists primarily of various forms of migration. We also draw attention to specific directions for future research efforts to better understand the human dimensions of the climate-conflict nexus. This includes methodological considerations, attention to the anticipated aggravation of geopolitical realities through climate risk, and the identification of countries having a high climate risk index, and which are experiencing ongoing armed conflict.