Climate Security in Kenya: Local Mechanisms in Addressing Climate Related Security Risks

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Download

Abstract: Considered the most pressing global environmental challenge of our time,climate change is threatening livelihoods and progressively pushing human limits. Due to climate change,unpredictable extreme events have caused havoc and many households increasingly plunge into the poverty line across the globe. Broad consensus in the academic literature is that climate change is a threat multiplier rather than a direct driver of conict. In their latest physical science basis report for the sixth assessment report,the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) a global warming of 1.5°C relative to 1850?1900 would be exceeded under most of the future greenhouse gas emissions scenarios by 2030-2051. The impacts and frequency of these extremities is likely to bolden,especially in the business-as-usual scenario ? a scenario that assumes continued present behaviour patterns and little adaptation and mitigation eorts. Climate change consequences have far-reaching national security implications,they have the potential to intensify current stressors,contributing to poverty,environmental degradation,and political instability. Climate change's eects on critical economic sectors like agriculture and water,for example,might have signicant implications for food security,posing a threat to global stability. Even though the debate about the precise link between climate change and security matters continues,the impact of climate change can greatly aect security risks,interventions and increases the risks of violent conflicts. As noted by the former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asserting that ?climate change not only exacerbates threats to peace and security,but it is also a threat to peace and security.