The strategic implications of climate change
Student name: Mr Pushpendra Mair
Guide: Dr Prateek Sharma
Year of completion: 2016
Host Organisation: TERI University
Abstract: The strategic dimensions of Climate Change have increasing become a pivotal component in nation building and resource planning, with the exponential increase in environmentally triggered events and phenomenon; resulting in loss to human lives and economic and material degradation. The IPCC, 2014 fifth assessment report has emphasised the fact that climate change is a major cause of strife for humanity. Globally, there is a archetypal change to how climate change related events manifest and translate into acts of devastation and destruction. Challenges to human society are how to sustain the expansive populations as also meet the new fold demands for water, food, land and energy; congruent to the rapid depletion of natural resources; under the looming dangers of conflict and security threats.
The ongoing rapid pace of industrialisation, modernisation and development have intensified the crucial balance between human societies and neighbouring ecological habitats. When the needs of society are superimposed onto the environment and natural systems; a conundrum of need versus greed also emerges.
The all-inclusive evaluation of the present and perspective strategic challenges posed by climate change related events and actions, are imperative to planning for current and future contingencies and development goals. Furthermore, a prudent evaluation of appreciable strategic scenarios, would provide essential data of impending destruction milieus for impacted nations and offer valued inputs for adaptation and mitigation strategies. Analyses of likely challenges related to risks of climate change and extreme climatic events would lead to appropriate policy planning and governmental and organisational structures to cater for optimal preparedness in terms of machinery, manpower and infrastructure.
The inclusion of climate change within India’s national security framework is paramount; especially when analysed with causal factors and risks of climate change events resulting in acute natural disasters and calamities. A realistic analysis of probable risk scenarios, vulnerabilities in infrastructure and reactionary capability would assist in furthering endeavours toward creating national, regional and local capacities for vulnerability mitigation and adaptation against such acute events and conditions. Apropos, all structures responsible for national security strategy as part of various governmental agencies and national forces need to be supported by suitable policy framework and infrastructure to auger the national capability and preparedness against climate change driven challenges.
Keywords: Strategic implications, climate change, security challenges of climate change, extreme climatic events, structures and adaptation capabilities.
