An exploratory study conducted by Dr. Jared Dmello, an expert on extremism from the School of Social Sciences at the University of Adelaide, discovered that changing weather patterns caused by climate change are leading to alterations in the location of terrorist activity. The research focused on how certain climatological factors influenced terrorist activities in India. The study found that all the climatological variables tested, including temperature, precipitation, and humidity, were linked to changes in terrorist activities., precipitation, and elevation — relate to changing patterns of terrorist activity,” states Dr. Dmello.
“City centers have seen a growth in population density, especially in areas with favorable climates, while some remote regions previously used by extremists have undergone such dynamic climate changes that they are no longer suitable for human living, forcing these groups to relocate.”
It wasn’t just the severity of these climatic factors that caused terrorists to move to different areas; the shift in terrorist activity was also influenced by the seasons.
“This study demonstrates that preventing the harmfulDr. Dmello, the recipient of the Early Career Award from the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ Security and Crime Prevention Section, emphasizes that the effects of climate change are not limited to environmental concerns but also have direct implications for national security and defense. The study, which was published in the Journal of Applied Security Research, focused on terrorist activity in India between 1998-2008, with a particular emphasis on attack location. However, the data also suggests that other forms of extremist behavior, such as training location, are likely to be influenced by climate change.In 2017, there were 9096 documented terrorist incidents according to the Global Terrorism Database.
Dr. Dmello stated that India experienced record high average temperatures over the 20-year study period.
He also added that this timeframe was wide enough to show climate change trends and to use the most recent data covering both climate change and extremism in the country.
This new understanding of how climate change impacts terrorism patterns is crucial information for governments worldwide, including Australia’s.
The University of Adelaide’s Dr. Dmello highlighted the importance of addressing radicalization and other critical issues in order to ensure national security and defense strategies. Dr. Dmello emphasized the need to consider factors such as homelessness, food insecurity, water and energy crises, and social equity in order to effectively mitigate radicalization and create a more secure environment for all. This is particularly important for Australia, where radicalization remains a significant challenge despite lower levels of terrorism and violent extremism compared to other countries like India.
Dr. Dmello, who joined the University of Adelaide in 2024, also co-edited a recent article on the subject.A book is being written about security in the Arctic from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The author intends to further research terrorism and extremism in the Australian context.
He states, “I have been working on understanding how emerging issues impact radicalization in Australia. The goal is to collaborate with government and law enforcement to prevent engagement with extremist ideologies.”
He also expressed interest in expanding his research to investigate the impact of water and food inequality on radicalization worldwide.
Journal Reference:
<ol class=”jour rnrnJared R. Dmello and Christine H. Neudecker conducted a study titled “Monsoon Marauders and Summer Violence: Exploring the Spatial Relationship between Climate Change and Terrorist Activity in India” that was published in the Journal of Applied Security Research in 2024. The DOI for the article is 10.1080/19361610.2024.2322238.