Scientists offer roadmap for studying link between climate and armed
conflict
New assessment provides path forward to manage increased risks of
violence from climate change

Date:
July 7, 2020
Source:
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric
Science
Summary:
Climate change -- from rising temperatures and more severe heavy
rain, to drought -- is increasing risks for economies, human
security, and conflict globally. Scientists are leading an effort
to better assess the climate-conflict link to help societies manage
the complex risks of increased violence from a changing climate.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Climate change -- from rising temperatures and more severe heavy rain,
to drought -- is increasing risks for economies, human security, and
conflict globally. Scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel
School of Marine and Atmospheric Science are leading an effort to better
assess the climate-conflict link to help societies manage the complex
risks of increased violence from a changing climate.


==========================================================================
The links between climate and the risk of violent conflict are well
studied; however, scientists in varying research disciplines often
disagree about the scope and severity of possible climate change
impacts. Some of the open research questions are about the links between climate change and violence, including large-scale armed conflict.

In a new report in Earth's Future, a group of scholars, with backgrounds including environmental and political science, geography, and economics, analyze the relationship between climate and organized armed conflict to
define crosscutting priorities for future directions of research. In a
previous assessment published in 2019 by the group, it was estimated that
over the last century between 3-20 percent of organized armed conflict
risk has been influenced by climate.

In this new assessment, the scholars suggest that future directions for climate-conflict research include deepening insight on what the links are,
when they matter, and how they manifest. They suggest that future research
can use data from diverse sources, including satellite and drone imagery, social media, and population surveys.

"Our changing climate poses threats for human security," said Katharine
Mach, an associate professor at the UM Rosenstiel School and lead
author of the assessment. "In this commentary perspective, we provide a
roadmap for future research that is supportive of appropriate societal responses. The options include deepening our understanding of how climate shapes security and conflict risks, as well as the ways in which research
can prioritize ethical, interactive, and ongoing engagement with the
many organizations and governments promoting peace and stability in
societies." Changes in Earth's climate are already impacting societies
and economies and will further increase the risks of a range of outcomes, including civil conflict, which is profoundly and enduringly destructive
for societies.

Comprehensive and transdisciplinary efforts are needed to fully understand
the multifaceted links between climate and conflict and appropriate
responses by governments and humanitarian assistance organizations.

"This research topic is controversial and contested," said Caroline
Kraan, a PhD student in the Abess Graduate Program in Environmental
Science and Policy.

"We came together to provide a full range of expert views to establish a
way forward for research that can serve decision-making needs." According
to the authors, priorities for future directions of research include (1) deepening insight into climate-conflict linkages and conditions under
which they manifest, (2) ambitiously integrating research designs, (3) systematically exploring future risks and response options, responsive
to ongoing decision- making, and (4) evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to manage climate-conflict links.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Miami_Rosenstiel_School_of_Marine_&
Atmospheric_Science. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Katharine J. Mach, W. Neil Adger, Halvard Buhaug, Marshall Burke,
James
D. Fearon, Christopher B. Field, Cullen S. Hendrix, Caroline
M. Kraan, Jean‐Francois Maystadt, John O'Loughlin,
Philip Roessler, Ju"rgen Scheffran, Kenneth A. Schultz, Nina
Uexkull. Directions for Research on Climate and Conflict. Earth's
Future, 2020; 8 (7) DOI: 10.1029/ 2020EF001532 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200707160158.htm

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