Climate Change and Security: Three Scenarios for Middle America
Publisher: Environment, Conflict and Cooperation
Author(s): Alexander Carius, Achim Maas
Date: 2009
Topics: Climate Change, Conflict Causes
“Climate change poses two key challenges for Middle America: First, the gradual impacts of climate change alter the landscapes of the region. This includes among others the melting of the Andean glacier and the degradation of the Amazon rainforests; both will change productive patterns and socio-economic structures. Second, climate- variability will increase, which will manifest via more unpredictable weather patterns and potentially more extreme weather events such as hurricanes and droughts. Current patterns of unsustainable natural resources management could accelerate these processes further on a regional level. While many regions are vulnerable, particular hot spots will be the Andean and Amazon regions, and Central America. The main direct impacts of climate change will be on issues related to human development: Access to food, water, shelter and energy will be especially negatively affected.”