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Author Topic: Climate Stress Promotes Militancy  (Read 5120 times)

AbruptSLR

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Climate Stress Promotes Militancy
« on: January 28, 2015, 04:11:29 PM »
All military planners recognize climate change as a stress riser for increasing global militancy (whether terrorists or rebels), e.g. it is generally recognized that much of the "Arab Spring" was linked to crop failures associated with climate change.  The linked article discusses how similar climate change stresses are now contributing to militancy of the poor in the Kashmir.

http://www.trust.org/item/20150126155123-vgut0/

Those who say that national security is a higher priority than fighting climate change should stop and realize that fighting climate change is probably the best way to help maintain national security.
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
― Leon C. Megginson

AbruptSLR

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Re: Climate Stress Promotes Militancy
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2015, 04:33:18 PM »
For those who do not care about Kashmir, the linked article (see extract) discusses how ISIS is currently using climate change induced water shortages to their advantage:


http://breakingenergy.com/2014/12/09/water-terrorism-how-militant-groups-are-taking-advantage-of-climate-change-impacts/

Extract: "However, what we are seeing now are terrorist groups taking advantage of areas with water shortages and manipulating water resources as a coercive tactic. The militant group, the Islamic State (ISIS or ISL) has put the issue in focus as a significant security concern and humanitarian crisis. For many geographically-disadvantaged nations in the world that are already dealing with water concerns, the impact of climate change isn’t going to be felt 20, 30, or 40 years from now. The impacts are being felt today and will only worsen as time goes on. Furthermore, many of these nations that are already feeling the impact of unpredictable weather patterns leading to water scarcity, are also hotbeds of militant extremism. ISIS represents the first significant case of the results of climate change being used as a tool of terror."
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
― Leon C. Megginson

AbruptSLR

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Re: Climate Stress Promotes Militancy
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2015, 04:39:47 PM »
Some may not realize that the Islamist militant group Boko Haram in Nigeria has close ties to ISIS, and Boko Haram is threatening to destabilize Nigeria in the near-term.  The linked article discusses how climate change induced environmental stress is one of the fundamental underpinning factors contributing to Boko Haram's successes in recent years:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2013/0708/The-hidden-force-behind-Islamic-militancy-in-Nigeria-Climate-change
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
― Leon C. Megginson

AbruptSLR

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Re: Climate Stress Promotes Militancy
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2015, 04:45:09 PM »
The linked Huffington Post article provides a general overview of the links between climate change and militant extremism:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-glass/warming-up-to-future-driv_b_4892260.html
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
― Leon C. Megginson

AbruptSLR

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Re: Climate Stress Promotes Militancy
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2015, 04:22:53 PM »
The linked article from The New Yorker entitled: "A Thirsty, Violent World", concludes (see extract) that coming water wars are rooted in our inherent aggressive nature:

http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/coming-water-wars


Extract: "The result of continued inaction is clear. Development experts, who rarely agree on much, all agree that water wars are on the horizon. That would be nothing new for humanity. After all, the word “rivals” has its roots in battles over water—coming from the Latin, rivalis, for “one taking from the same stream as another.” It would be nice to think that, with our complete knowledge of the physical world, we have moved beyond the limitations our ancestors faced two thousand years ago. But the truth is otherwise; rivals we remain, and the evidence suggests that, until we start dying of thirst, we will stay that way."
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
― Leon C. Megginson

AbruptSLR

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Re: Climate Stress Promotes Militancy
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2015, 09:57:03 PM »
The linked article refers to a PNAS reference that indicates that global warming helped to trigger the Syrian Civil War:

http://mashable.com/2015/03/02/global-warming-syria-civil-war/
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”
― Leon C. Megginson

LRC1962

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Re: Climate Stress Promotes Militancy
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2015, 12:03:21 AM »
Remember a Doc I saw years ago about what causes collapses of empires. Climate based on environmental degradation. Final collapse usually involves blood shed, and after full collapse either a strong power comes in with blood shed or anarchy occurs and that almost always involves blood shed.
Articles supporting idea that environmental degradation causes civilization collapses.
The examples I have given all revolve around empires and civilizations. I believe we are currently in a place where one 'empire' and civilization now dominates.
A quote that I think applies
Quote
IT IS SAID OF THE BOURBONS, that during the time they were in power, they neither learnt nor forgot anything. This could equally well be said of our political leaders, probably too, of the scientists and economists who advise them. It is a great tragedy that we seem incapable of learning the lessons of history.
from:Edward Goldsmith - The fall of the Roman Empire
When Civilizations Collapse (Middle East study)
What Was Behind Mysterious Collapse of the Mayan Empire?
Was the Roman Empire a victim of climate change? Full published report.
Why societies collapse (Easter Island and Anasazi
The Angkor Empire, Environment, and Conflict
Can a collapse of global civilization be avoided?
"All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed; Second,  it is violently opposed; and Third, it is accepted as self-evident."
       - Arthur Schopenhauer

Tom_Mazanec

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