Week 13

Summary

The Security Dimensions of Global Climate Change and Global Pandemics

Pandemics pose immediate threats to public health, overwhelming healthcare systems, and causing social and economic disruptions. Pandemics can lead to economic crises, affecting livelihoods, businesses, and global markets, potentially destabilizing countries, and regions. Measures like quarantine and social distancing can have long-term effects on mental health, social cohesion, and community resilience and school closures and disruptions in education can affect learning outcomes and exacerbate inequalities.

Climate change brings about extreme weather events, rising sea levels, droughts, and food shortages, impacting human security, displacing populations, and potentially leading to conflicts over resources. Competition for dwindling resources like water and arable land can heighten tensions between communities and nations, potentially leading to instability and conflicts. Climate-induced migration, both internal and cross-border, can strain resources in host areas, increase social tensions, and potentially exacerbate existing conflicts. Critical infrastructure, including energy, transportation, and communication systems, is at risk due to climate-related events, potentially leading to disruptions and security vulnerabilities.