Researchers are examining how climate change affects communities facing conflict, and they have discovered that many countries significantly impacted by these issues are being ignored.
“Speaking to individuals who had lost their land made me realize how deeply intertwined conflict and climate change are,” explained Ms. Luisa Bedoya Taborda. She dedicated many hours to locating land deeds and interviewing communities impacted by conflict to advocate for their land rights.
Ms. Bedoya Taborda led a study that explored the connection between climate change and conflict, including civil wars, indicating that regions in South America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia require more research. The findings were published in WIRES Climate Change and analyzed over 212 research papers from the last 15 years (2007-2023). The study highlighted that while many researchers have examined the link between climate change and the initiation of conflicts, there has been less focus on how climate impacts affect communities already dealing with conflict or engaged in peacebuilding efforts.
This is concerning, as communities in Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines are already witnessing an increase in socio-political tensions due to climate-related events like typhoons, floods, droughts, and coastal erosion, which often trigger or escalate conflicts.
The researchers emphasize that it’s essential for peacebuilding initiatives and strategies to mitigate climate change in vulnerable areas to be integrated rather than addressed separately.
Additionally, significant perspectives are lacking in most studies about climate change and conflict.
“Many studies are published in English, overlooking those written in Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, and other languages. This gap results in a lack of crucial insights and understanding of these situations,” noted Ms. Bedoya Taborda.
The researchers cautioned that this lack of representation could adversely affect Australia’s humanitarian efforts by undermining the success of its economic support, peacebuilding, and climate adaptation programs.
“Instability related to climate change in nearby countries may present regional security challenges, force migration, and lead to humanitarian crises in Australia, yet these areas remain under-explored,” commented Associate Professor Michele Barnes, co-author of the study from the University of Sydney, alongside Professor Tiffany Morrison from James Cook University.
“In Colombia, I supported communities experiencing the impacts of climate change, such as droughts and floods, while simultaneously dealing with conflict. The lands we worked to recover were severely affected by climate change,” Ms. Bedoya Taborda reflected. After relocating to Australia in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree at James Cook University, two years later, she is beginning a PhD on this subject at the University of Sydney’s School of Project Management, Faculty of Engineering.
“This situation is intricate because we lack clarity on how to assist communities dealing with these simultaneous challenges.”
“Our review uncovered a significant lack of understanding regarding communities already immersed in conflict. These groups are essentially on their own, confronting these two substantial overlapping crises,” added Ms. Bedoya Taborda, who conducted the study during her master’s program.
The research revealed that stress from climate change is intensifying existing socio-political tensions, often resulting in conflicts breaking out or worsening.
One example cited by the researchers is Nepal in Southern Asia. Following a decade-long civil war, Nepal embarked on a peacebuilding initiative aimed at reducing poverty and enhancing livelihoods. However, the communities faced substantial challenges due to ongoing issues from the civil war and the impacts of climate change. The Midland region suffered severe deforestation, leading to shortages of wood and food.
This type of crisis driven by climate and security issues in regions adjacent to Australia could escalate demands for humanitarian assistance, migration support, and diplomatic and security measures.
“There is an urgent need for research on the impacts of climate change in conflict-affected communities. This understanding will help in designing policies and projects to address these intertwined challenges while promoting both climate resilience and lasting peace,” emphasized Dr. Barnes.
