Disasters linked to climate can increase risk of armed conflict

EarthzineAgriculture

Research found that 23% of violent clashes in ethnically divided places were connected to climate disasters
Climate-related disasters increase the risk of armed conflicts, according to research that shows a quarter of the violent struggles in ethnically divided countries were preceded by extreme weather.
The role of severe heatwaves, floods and storms in increasing the risk of wars has been controversial, particularly in relation to the long drought in Syria. But the new work reveals a strong link in places where the population is already fractured along ethnic lines. Continue reading…