Climate Change: A Catalyst for Conflict

Until recently, ‘the dimension of climate change associated conflict has so far received little attention’, however I feel it necessary to bring such analyses into the domestic domain. Therefore, in this Blog I will be drawing on two complementary studies by Bowles et al (2015) and Kelly et al (2015) in order to heighten the very real consequences anthropogenic climate change has on civil society, challenge those who believe it’s all just a hoax and emphasise the urgency for effective climate mitigation through a different lens.

Conflict, as an ‘indirect pathway’ dictated by climate change, has been studied by political and social scientists and is deemed by many as the most important (Bowles et al., 2015).

As pressure on and the instability of natural resources under extreme climatic events increases - such as prolonged drought and frequent flooding - geopolitical strength is challenged as governments struggle to provide for their citizens; holding the capacity to ‘test or rupture social fabrics and resilience’ and stimulate violent outbursts (Bowles et al., 2015).

To place this argument into more meaningful context, Bowles et al (2015) and Kelley et al (2015) study the conflict in Syria through the lens of the severe 2007-2010 drought experienced by the Fertile Crescent; labelling it a ‘fertile breeding ground for discontent’. 

Graph showing the mean winter precipitation,surface temperature and total population in Syria(1900-2015)

As an agricultural region reliant on annual rainfall to feed 2/3rds of its cultivated land, there is no questioning that such an event had a ‘catalytic effect’ on Syria. Transforming it from breadbasket to “bare-basket” as wheat production fell significantly (Kelly et al., 2015).As an agricultural region reliant on annual rainfall to feed 2/3rds of its cultivated land, there is no questioning that such an event had a ‘catalytic effect’ on Syria. Transforming it from breadbasket to “bare-basket” as wheat production fell significantly (Kelly et al., 2015).

In response to ‘agricultural collapse’, farming families migrated in mass to urban peripheries, increasing the strain on city resources and becoming ‘the heart of the developing unrest’ as the Assad regime failed to respond to the issue (Kelly et al., 2015).

Studies of historical and ongoing conflicts provide evidence of conflict as activated by climate change and are crucial warning-windows into the future of countries experiencing state and climate vulnerability - and beyond (Bowles et al., 2015). With specific reference to COP21 negotiations, if the devastating environmental effects of climate change aren’t enough to stimulate effective mitigation policies, then perhaps past conflict, present terror threats and the imminence of future global conflict will be?

Suggested by Bowles et al (2015), the public are most motivated to mitigate climate change when it’s framed as an issue holding potential, direct consequences for them. Thus, I argue if climate change is viewed as a ‘threat to human security’, then perhaps efforts to effectively adapt to living sustainably will be more welcomed?

One can only hope.

Coming Clean at COP21

Alongside news-reports following the progress of negotiations at COP21 in Paris this week, the importance of ‘what happens in the crowded and sweaty streets’ has featured heavily (Mott, 2015).

I’m sure you’re aware of the “Brandalism” project that occurred in Paris? Well if not, Paris was decorated with 600 posters mocking companies who have – seemingly overnight – turned from climate change nightmares to solution champions.

Figure 1) Examples of the 600 pieces of satirical artwork decorating Paris (Jobson, 2015)

In attempt to ‘challenge the corporate takeover of the Paris climate talks’, artists have unveiled the “greenwashing” effect of companies who have used their links to COP21 ‘as a form of marketing’; hiding their true colours and contribution to the state of the world’s climate from the public eye (Jobson, 2015)(Griffin, 2015).

Not anymore.

Writing for the Independent, Griffin (2015) states that through the power of satirical imagery in public space, the artists have ‘call[ed] out their lies and spok[en] truth to power’.

Although I can – as I’m sure you can too – identify with the concerns of these artists and empathise with their clear opinions, I must criticise this action.

What good is negative imagery going to do?

We’re meant to be encouraging public imagination for a sustainable planet. Yes, there are various companies that have contributed significantly to the present condition of the climate, however surely their support and inclusion in talks can only be a step towards a greener future?

Having said that, I think that public activism and inclusion in COP21 is paramount and agree 100% that international climate talks are most definitely a domestic dilemma.

‘We cannot leave the climate talks in the hands of politicians and corporate lobbyists who created this mess in the first place’

            ~ Griffin (2015)

Criticising COP21 talks and predicting their ineffectiveness, Mott (2015) highlights how public voices ‘have been squashed’ after the French government ‘banned public protests, marches, and rallies’ following Paris’ terror attacks. The public are reclaiming space through artwork and leaving 10,000 empty shoes in the space the climate march would have been, as a way of reminding the state that it is within the public realm that ‘new forms of democracy, organization, and inclusion are enacted, that new ideas are tested and voiced, and risks are taken’.

Figure 2) 10,000 empty shoes left in the space the climate march would have taken place

I urge the state to acknowledge just how powerful the people can be, how valuable our opinions are, and recognise that we have the ultimate power to enact change on an international scale.

When dealing with a global dilemma such as climate change, public inclusion must be fought for. After all, it’s us that climate change effects, and us that will ultimately “foot the bill”.

They Haven't Cottoned On!

‘The textile industry is one of the biggest GHG emitters on Earth’

~ Zaffalon (2010)

The textile industry has a large carbon footprint, using fossil fuels along the production chain - from extraction of raw materials to disposal. For instance, a kilogram of fabric could have a carbon footprint on 12.5kg of CO₂. To put this into perspective, a kilogram of steel has a carbon footprint of 2kg of CO₂.

This is a pressing environmental issue, however, as Chris Parkes states

 “We’re rapidly increasing the population of the planet and nobody’s going to be walking around naked”

~ (Thiry, 2011)

So what do we do about it? Textiles are a massive part of modern life, so to get rid of them isn’t an option.

Well, more and more retailers are adopting “ethical agendas” in concern for the carbon footprint ‘across their entire supply chain’, pushing suppliers to improve their sustainability (Zaffalon, 2010).

As a result, the “three Rs” are becoming increasingly important to the textile industry: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.

The textile industry ‘requires a continuous supply of water’, particularly for the dyeing process where water is required ‘at temperatures as high as 80°C’ (Muneer et al., 2006) Using Pakistan as a case study, its climate enables the adoption of renewable ‘solar water heating’ which can replace methods which ‘consume considerable energy’ and ‘substantially reduce the environmental impacts’ (Muneer et al., 2006). Furthermore, ‘waterless and low-water technologies’ are being developed to reduce the use of the world’s more threatened resource, water (Thiry, 2011).

Figure 1) The proportion of freshwater resources on Earth

But, what can we do?

Take a leaf out of Gok Wan’s book: “buy less and wear more”. Try up-cycling our clothing and refresh our wardrobes that way, donate more to charities to continue the lifecycles of our belongings.

Check the labels on clothing! In 2009, the UK fashion retail market introduced the ‘world’s first carbon footprint label for clothing’, informing us of the total carbon footprints of items and encouraging us to think and act more ecologically when shopping AND after purchase (Roos, 2009). 

Figure 2) Example of a Carbon Footprint clothes label

Perhaps we have the power to force textiles to step out of the “Dark Side” and into “Green Side”?