As climate talks are underway in Paris this week, and in light of Bernie Sander’s – American democratic presidential candidate – recent claim that “climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism,” it is worth examining the role climate change plays in the war in Syria. The Syrian uprising-turned-civil war was the result of a myriad of complex interrelated social, political and economic factors. Among such factors were a widespread dissatisfaction with the repressive rule of the Assad family – who belong to the minority Alawite sect, the inability of the government to provide jobs and social services to the rapidly growing population, and a deep-seated longing for democratic reform. However, a long overlooked aspect in triggering the unrest is, on the one hand, the role played by climate change in aggravating the economic situation for ordinary Syrians, and on the other hand – and perhaps more importantly – the failure of the Syrian government to adequately respond to the effects of the changing climatic conditions. This resulted in a humanitarian crisis that had developed and accumulated in the years and decades before 2011. The most immediate climate-related event…
How Climate Change Fueled Armed Conflict and Bred Militant Groups in the Middle East
December 2, 2015
