Climate and Conflict
Rajendra K. Pachauri, Ph.D.
Abstract
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has assessed climate change in the past, current trends in evidence, and future projections.
The impacts of climate change are becoming progressively serious, and minimizing the risks from future impacts will require human society to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) at a significant rate and within a short period of time. Efforts are also needed to adapt to the impacts of climate change that are inevitable on account of the past concentration of GHGs. This presentation will highlight some of the risks from the impacts of projected climate change and the real threats these pose to global peace—such as the displacement of people, increasing conflicts over scarce resources, and the impacts on agriculture.
We conclude by pointing out that, to avoid conflict, global society must understand the scientific reality of climate change and take early action. We argue that mobilizing the youth of the world is an essential part of such a strategy, and perhaps the most effective approach to minimizing future risks.