How Climate Change Risks Magnify Economic and Security Vulnerabilities. Case Study: Venezuela and its Neighbors
Publisher: Igarape Institute
Author(s): Oliver L. Barrett
Date: 2019
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Prevention, Renewable Resources
Countries: Venezuela
Climate risk assessments for South American nations such as Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela are increasingly severe and suggest that critical infrastructure, energy and water security strategies are not sufficiently climate-change sensitive. Recent climatic shocks, particularly the 2013-2016 El Niño event that significantly disrupted rainfall patterns, have played a consequential role in Venezuela’s water, energy and food security crises specifically, and its overall human security challenges more generally. Lack of available research and data complicate accurate assessment of the effects of climatic shocks on Venezuelan instability and insecurity. However, there is enough data to make informed hypotheses about the role of environmental variability in the crisis, and to invite further study. While many of the climatic risks the region faces are unprecedented, the capability to foresee these risks is also unprecedented. Preventing, preparing for, adapting to and mitigating these risks will require that policy makers, thought leaders and other stakeholders take action in the near term.