Political stability and/or change Flashcards
Brazil and political change
Brazil reduced its rates of deforestation by 80% from its peak in 2004-12. However rates subsequently rebounded significantly between 2012 and 2020, erasing half of the progress achieved in that previous reduction. This rebound can be significantly attributed to Jair Bolsonaro who served as president from 2019-2022 and eroded many of the environmental protection laws under the guise of increasing economic growth. These laws were removed despite the public dismay of this new policy. This dismay led to a change in government in 2023 as Lula Da Silva’s government campaigned for much stricter climate policies which saw an increase in Brazil’s NDCs pledging to reduce emissions by 49-57% of 2005 levels by 2035.
Extinction Rebellion and political instability in Australia
Extinction rebellion have contributed to political instability in Australia. In 2024 Extinction Rebellion protested for greater financial contributions by Australia’s government, blocking the West Gate Bridge and causing hours of traffic congestion. Member Deanna Coco later justified her actions describing the need to “sound the alarm and make sure that people understand the threat that we face.” The protests and demands of Extinction Rebellion have gone widely unacknowledged by the Australian government besides being labelled “absolutely disgraceful” by deputy PM Michael Mckormack, leading to unrest among the 53,000 Australia members. Therefore contributing to political instability in Australia.
The 2020-2023 food and water crisis in Madagascar contributing to political change and stability
Climate change has contributed to political instability and policy change, particularly where extreme weather events have led to mass displacement, social unrest, and shifts in government policy.
- Led to widespread famine, internal displacement and increased political tension.
- Southern Madagascar experienced its worst drought in 40 years, with rainfall levels dropping to less than 50%bof the annual average.
- According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) the crisis left over 1.3 million people facing acute food insecurity, with tens of thousands on the brink of famine.
- Worsening conditions led to violent protests against president Rajoelina’s government, as citizens accused authorities of failing to provide sufficient humanitarian relief and long-term solutions.
- Political opposition groups leveraged the crisis to challenge the government, highlighting the corruption and mismanagement in food distribution efforts.
- As a result of domestic and international pressure. the Madagascar government revised its climate adaptation policies in 2022, increasing investment in drought-resistant crops, water conservation programs and external partnerships with organisations like the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund climate resilience projects.
- UN designated the crisis as the first case of “climate-induced famine”
Nigeria and political instability
- Climate change can contribute to an increase in armed conflict - specifically where shared resources like fresh water and arable farmland are shrinking due to drought.
- One study estimates that by 2030 there will be a 54 per cent increase in civil conflicts in the region, or resulting in approximately 393 000 battle deaths (Burke et al., 2009).
- ○ Lake Chad - once Africa’s largest freshwater body - livelihood to 30 million people.
○ Lake Chad has diminished by 95% in the last 60 yrs due to overuse and climate change.
○ Consequences:
Increased competition over water and land - over 3600 died in conflicts between farmers and herders from 2016 to late 2018 (Amnesty International, 2018).
○ Increase in poverty has people more susceptible to recruitment by paramilitary / terrorist groups such as Boko Haram - who have offered grants to people to join.
Boko Haram
A self-proclaimed jihadist terrorist organization that aims to overthrow the government and impose strict sharia law.
