Columbia Energy Exchange Climate as a Catalyst for Global Conflicts
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Jan 7, 2025 Peter Schwartzstein, an award-winning journalist specializing in climate security, discusses how climate change is a growing catalyst for conflict. He highlights the psychological impacts of climate-related trauma on communities and the rise of agricultural crime as regions face increasing stress. Schwartzstein delves into how water scarcity fuels civil unrest, even in wealthier democracies. He also shares insights on environmental peacebuilding, illustrating how collaborative resource management can foster trust and mitigate violence.
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ISIS Recruitment and Climate Change
- Peter Schwartzstein's reporting on ISIS revealed how the terrorist group exploited climate change's impact on agriculture.
- Villages reliant on rain, which became increasingly scarce, saw higher ISIS recruitment rates compared to those with irrigation.
Climate Change and State Legitimacy
- Climate change weakens state legitimacy, especially when governments fail to provide essential services during crises.
- In Iraq, the government's inability to provide aid during droughts fueled resentment and made people more receptive to ISIS.
Nepal's Slow Decline
- In Nepal, climate change is eroding the government's legitimacy, not through dramatic events, but through a slow decline in services.
- Crop failures, landslides, and inadequate infrastructure leave citizens questioning the government's usefulness.
