Climate change is intensifying conflicts around the globe, and these conflicts, in turn, are harming the environment. Recently, at a UN Security Council meeting, experts highlighted the urgent link between climate issues and human security.
Take Haiti, for example. A representative from World Relief described a mother whose home is destroyed by floods. She must flee with her children through dangerous gang territory to find shelter. This situation is not unique; it reflects the daily struggles of many families in climate-vulnerable areas. Disasters like hurricanes and droughts consistently impact the same marginalized groups, emphasizing a cycle of humanitarian crises.
Inger Andersen from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) pointed out the severe environmental issues in conflict zones. For instance, in the Gaza Strip, 97% of tree crops have vanished due to ongoing conflict. Similarly, water and soil quality in Haiti are suffering due to rising violence. A 2024 World Bank study discovered that 90% of regions facing conflict also deal with increased drought, highlighting how climate change exacerbates instability.
The financial aspect is alarming. From 2014 to 2021, individuals in conflict-heavy nations received a mere $2 per person in climate aid, compared to $162 in more stable nations. This disparity reveals gaps in support that can hinder recovery efforts.
Legal experts stress the need for clearer laws to hold parties accountable for damaging the environment during conflicts. Current laws can be vague, making it hard to enforce environmental protections in war zones. There’s a push for countries to adopt a framework that considers severe environmental harm as a war crime. This would help foster accountability in regions like Gaza, where destruction is rampant.
Voices from countries affected by conflict, like Sierra Leone and Ukraine, echo these concerns. Sierra Leone’s Deputy Foreign Minister recounted how civil wars devastated local ecosystems. Ukraine’s current conflict has polluted water sources and threatens food security, making restoration efforts critical.
Experts suggest that climate instability is increasingly driving migration. For instance, a drought in Syria between 2006 and 2010 led many to urban areas, heightening tensions and eventually contributing to civil unrest. Greece’s representative noted that climate-related migration is becoming a key factor in regional conflicts.
Additionally, some delegates highlighted the challenges of addressing climate issues amid current political tensions. The representative from the United States pointed out how one major state contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, complicating cooperative efforts to tackle climate change. Meanwhile, others voiced that environmental security shouldn’t be a point of contention but rather a shared priority.
Finally, the discussion underscored the need for an integrated approach where climate, security, and humanitarian concerns are interconnected. Countries must come together to strengthen local capacities, promote sustainable practices, and effectively deal with the underlying causes of conflict. Only then can we hope for a stable future where both people and the planet can thrive.
For more insights on environmental impacts during conflicts, see the reports from the [World Bank](https://www.worldbank.org) and the [United Nations Environment Programme](https://www.unep.org).
