11- Climate Change

Question 1

criticism of viewing climate change as a security threat?

Answer 1

• the enemy is unclear
• not everyone is affected similarly
• can technological advances - from the west- help address environmental injustice
• who should we empower to find solutions/ responses

Question 2

human security

Answer 2

provide for essential needs of vulnerable people.

Question 3

why has human security become popular? (4)

Answer 3

1- economic growth is no longer the main indicator of development
2- increase in civil wars
3- globalization spreading transnational dangers (e.g terrorism, pandemic)
4- post cold war emphasis on human rights

Question 4

criticism of the concept of human security

Answer 4

1. lack of precision- too broad
2. securitization of poverty- securitization will not lead to any significant development in poverty
3. role of the state in human security- states are a part of the problem.
4. encourages intervention

Question 5

resource wars

Answer 5

resources will become scarce, so tehy become more valuable, which will cause conflict.

Question 6

when does climate change lead to collective violence? (4)

Answer 6

1. livelihood depends on agriculture
2. poverty
3. weak state institutions
4. exclusion of minorities

Question 7

how does climate change lead to collective violence (post-disaster mechanisms) 3

Answer 7

1. spikes in food prices
2. increased competition over scarce resources
3. reduction in state policing capacities

Question 8

how did climate change play a significant role in the Syrian civil war?

Answer 8

climate change => drought => agricultural failures => social unrest

Question 9

what does it mean to think about CC as a security issue?

Answer 9

recognizing that changes in the environment pose significant threats to human security.

Question 10

4 Ways in which CC is a security threat

Answer 10

1) public health
2) agricultural failure
3) resource wars
4) forced migration
5) economic instability

Question 11

why is the securitization of CC good (3)

Answer 11

1. sense of urgency
2. mobilization
3. broadens scope (policymakers can see CC as interconnected to other problems like conflict and poverty)

Question 12

why is the securitization of CC bad? (3)

Answer 12

1. political opposition and polarization
2. prioritizing national interest over international cooperation
3. response with traditional security measures