Civil conflict sensitivity to growing-season drought

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The authors address a critical point that extreme climates may escalate internal / civil conflicts, as well as armed conflicts. 

The case drawn here is critical in understanding how an extreme climate condition such as droughts can insidiously lead to the formation of radicalism.  Such formation of radicalism and formation of terrorists (radical people) is not limited to Middle East, but can be more broad. The authors pointed out that "agriculturally dependent ethnic groups" are particularly vulnerable to sustained violence under extreme climate conditions (ie severe droughts). 

 

The Syria Conflict begun long before civil wars were brought to light.

The starting point was that a drought related crop failed and the drought virtually displaced thousands of people. Syrian Government did not help the Syrian People who suffered the consequence of drought. Some of those displaced turned into joining the armed force, or radical groups such as ISIS.   The study affirms that minority groups in agriculturally dependent - poor countries, drought could sustain violence.

 

The study addresses how climate change impacts in agriculturally dependent minority / ethnic region could have consequences.  It sheds lights on where the world's organizations (ie. UN) should give more focus on to provide humanitarian support, mitigate the severe impacts from the climate change as well as to help those displaced find a means to sustain their overall health : well being / mental health / physical health / basic hygiene and spiritual life.    It is far easier to say and list but addressing the issues is essential in accommodating the challenges the world faces.

 

 

 

Authors

  1. Nina von Uexkull
    • Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden;
    • Peace Research Institute Oslo, NO-0134 Oslo, Norway;
  2. Mihai Croicu
    • Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden;
  3. Hanne Fjelde
    • Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, SE-75120 Uppsala, Sweden;
    • Peace Research Institute Oslo, NO-0134 Oslo, Norway;
  4. Halvard Buhaug
    • Peace Research Institute Oslo, NO-0134 Oslo, Norway;
    • Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

 

Attached link

http://www.pnas.org/content/113/44/12391.abstract

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