Climate Change and its Implications to National Security

Abstract

Problem statement: Climate change is increasingly one of the most serious national security threats which will have significant impacts on natural and coastal resources, ecosystem, human health and settlements, thereby affecting human wellbeing. At the same time, it is likely to influence of large scale human migration, economic and social depression over scarce natural resources and political systems necessary involve an even higher degree of uncertainty. Crucial for action is addressing climate change threats to small island states and states that are least developed, as environmental destabilization may lead to a major economic, environmental and political crisis that may not just affect these states but the world as a whole. Approach: Literatures were identified for review through a comprehensive search by using electronic and non-electronic databases. Related published literature and documents were searched in a systematic way using a range of key words relating to climate change impacts and national security. Results: The literature review indicates that climate change undermine national security dimensions by increasing environmental degradation, resources scarcity, large scale human migration as well as damage of infrastructure. The review also indicate that climate change undermine environmental dimensions by increasing sea level rise, extreme weather events, freshwater scarcity, land degradation and pollution; undermine economic dimensions by reducing access to and the quality of natural resources and human health, in addition to undermine of political dimensions with the possibility of increased environmental refugees, severe storms and failed economics. Conclusion: Reducing climate-induced threats that contributes to national security, there will need to develop an integrated approach in local and national levels and implement sustainable adaptive strategies as well as climate security.

The Impact of Climate Change Upon Winter Rainfall

“…Therefore, climate change is a very urgent issue in the region. What makes the situation worse is that most of the region is expected to become hotter, drier and experiencing more droughts Rashid et al (2011). According to IPCC computer modeling, an estimated additional 80 million to 100 million people will be exposed to water stress by 2025, putting more pressure on already depleted groundwater resources.…”

“…According to IPCC computer modeling, an estimated additional 80 million to 100 million people will be exposed to water stress by 2025, putting more pressure on already depleted groundwater resources. The magnitude of future impacts of climate change is likely to be beyond the coping range of many communities and countries in the region like Jordan, where the negative impact of rainfall decrease could threaten the stability and national security of the country (Rashid et al, 2011).…”

Climate Change-Induced Disaster and Its Impact on the National Security of Nepal

“…The scientific evidence is now overwhelming that climate change poses many threats and challenges to the security and prosperity that face humanity all over the world (Rashid et al, 2011). Initially, the definition of national security was primarily associated with managing conventional threats with military capabilities but in the modern concept, it is more engaging in handling non-traditional issues like pandemics, climate change, and other similar issues by applying all the available resources in an integrated approach.…”

Assessing the impact of the securitization narrative on climate change adaptation in Nigeria

“…Another paradox with having the state as the referent object in climate change is due to the global nature of climate security. National security framing suggests a micro-level analysis where climate change is directly responsible or will aggravate existing problems such as resource scarcity, social tension, and state stability (Rashid et al 2011). Such a framing demonstrates an assumption that the nation-state plays a crucial role in governing adaptation as the national government is central in providing adaptation policies and practices.…”