How does climate change correlate to the nationalistic values and social, economic, and/or political conflict in your country of concern?
Assignment Brief
Increasingly security is no longer just threatened by another ‘actor’ but by events, such as climate change. But is climate change enough to promote local hostilities, inequity, or political and/or social instability? The reality is that when climate change is compounded by nationalistic values of inequity, elites drive for power, poverty, persecution, and a problematic social, economic, and/or political environment it can lead to structural violence and conflict within a country and a possible spillover effect in the region and the international community. Thus, when integrating the concern of climate change in your reflection answer the question, how does climate change (i.e. food insecurity; desertification; droughts; sea level rise; flooding; access to clean water; and shifting weather patterns) correlate to the nationalistic values and social, economic, and/or political conflict in your country of concern?
Sample Answer
Climate Change and Political and Social Instability in the United States
Introduction
Security threats in the 21st century are increasingly shaped not by traditional state actors, but by complex global challenges such as climate change. In the United States, climate-related events like wildfires, droughts, flooding, and extreme weather increasingly intersect with nationalistic rhetoric, social inequities, and political polarisation. While climate change on its own may not directly cause conflict, it acts as a stressor that intensifies existing social and political divides. This reflection explores how climate change in the US correlates with structural inequality, nationalism, and conflict at local and national levels.
Climate Change and Environmental Pressures in the US
The US is experiencing a growing number of extreme climate events. Western states like California and Arizona face historic droughts and wildfires, while southern states like Florida and Louisiana suffer from flooding and hurricanes. Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities such as Miami and New Orleans, while shifting weather patterns affect agricultural regions in the Midwest. Access to clean water has also become an issue, notably in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi.
These environmental changes impact food systems, housing, public health, and local economies. Communities already facing social and economic disadvantage often bear the brunt of climate-related impacts. This uneven exposure increases the sense of injustice and contributes to local instability.
Nationalism, Inequity, and Polarisation
In the US, climate change has become a deeply polarised issue. Nationalist and conservative rhetoric often downplays the threat of climate change, framing environmental regulation as a threat to economic freedom and national identity. At the same time, wealthier elites often have more access to resources and infrastructure to adapt, while poorer and minority communities face disproportionate risks.
For example, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many poor and Black residents in New Orleans were left behind during evacuations and received delayed aid. The disaster response exposed structural racial and economic inequalities and fuelled distrust in government institutions. Similarly, wildfires in California have disproportionately impacted low-income rural communities lacking robust emergency response systems.
Structural Violence and Risk of Unrest
Structural violence in the US manifests through policy failures, disinvestment in infrastructure, and environmental racism. Marginalised communities, particularly communities of colour, are more likely to live in flood-prone areas or near polluting industries. These communities also have fewer resources to recover from disasters.
Such inequalities can lead to unrest, protest, and increased political polarisation. Climate-induced migration within the US, such as people leaving fire-prone or flood-prone areas, can also generate tension in host communities, especially when local governments are unprepared to handle the influx.
Spillover and International Implications
While the US is less likely to face direct international spillover due to its resources and geographic position, the global leadership vacuum caused by climate denialism or slow policy action can affect international cooperation. Moreover, instability within the US, a global superpower, can have ripple effects, economically, politically, and environmentally.
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