Climate change and conflict in the Sahel: the acacia gum tree as a tool for environmental peacebuilding

2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-218
Author(s):  
Ousseyni Kalilou
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Gum Arabic ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Resource Governance ◽  
Acacia Gum ◽  
Promising Source ◽  
Acacia Tree

Abstract Environmental stress contributes to food insecurity, poverty, forced migration and violent conflict in the Sahel, with climate change aggravating the situation. The production of gum arabic from the acacia tree increasingly aligns with the community stakeholders’ efforts to promote climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. Based on expert interviews and field observations in Niger, and a reading of relevant documents, I found that gum arabic production is valuable for conflict mitigation because it helps tackle the root causes of violent conflicts. The acacia gum tree is a natural soil fixer and multinational companies have coveted the resin from the tree, which is a rising commodity and a promising source of revenue for the local inhabitants. As different communities work together and cooperate with outside actors (government agencies, international partners, NGOs and businesses), the opportunities to build social cohesion around the tree increase. By facilitating ecological improvement, social inclusion and poverty alleviation, the promotion of gum arabic production, despite other issues such as bad natural resource governance, is a critical environmental peacebuilding strategy. Hence, suitable funding of massive afforestation with the acacia tree fits with community-based natural climate solutions to global humanitarian issues by protecting and restoring the local environment.

scholarly journals A TALE OF TWO TWITTERS? IDENTIFYING BRIDGES BETWEEN LANGUAGE BASED TWITTERSPHERES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Victor Münch ◽  
Luca Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Forest Fire ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Online Media ◽  
Public Spheres ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Global Space

Global political developments – such as Brexit, climate change, or forced migration – are entangled with communication that transcends national publics. Meanwhile, the EU’s integrity suffers, also due to polarised online discourses, which are sometimes actively manipulated. Therefore, an overview of online communication beyond language barriers is essential. However, whether and how online media create a global space that sustains deliberation of national and global interests by citizens, remains understudied. We approach this problem by exploring relations between the Italian and German Twittersphere, while asking: 1) What is the macrostructure of this bilingual network? 2) Are there bridges between these language communities in the form of single accounts and how can they be described? 3) Are there bridges in the form of groups and what are they tweeting about? We build on an innovative network crawling strategy for language-based Twitter follow networks. We developed it further to combine strengths of rank degree, snowball, and forest fire sampling. Thereby, we collect a network sample of the most central accounts in the Italian-German Twittersphere. Preliminary results suggest a bridging quality of soccer and connections between political clusters of both languages by EU politicians. Furthermore, larger network clusters connect mainly with one linguistic domain while smaller communities show a bridging behaviour. The final paper will present results of months of data collection, focusing on the relation between topics discussed within clusters and their connectivity. While it focuses on the German-Italian Twittersphere, our methods open up new avenues of enquiry regarding multi-language public spheres.

scholarly journals Assessment of costs on the adaptation to climate change in Ukraine

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (4) ◽  
pp. 60-71
Author(s):  
Galyna Trypolska ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Protection ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Adaptive Nature ◽  
Regional Budgets ◽  
Promising Source ◽  
First Time

The paper focuses on the main adaptation measures financed in Ukraine at the expense of state and regional budgets region-wise during 2016-2018 within the framework of environmental activities. The source of data was "Environmental passports of the regions". The paper finds that during 2016-2018 the most funded items of expenditure were the construction and repair of sewerage, clearing of riverbeds, repair of water protection structures and wastewater treatment. A significant gap in the cost of measures of an adaptive nature between the regions is established. Expenditures in the Transcarpathian region, which most suffers from floods, were the lowest: they were 46 times lower than expenditures on adaptation measures in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which actively allocated funds for clearing riverbeds and strengthening the river banks. During 2016-2018, almost USD 110 million were proved to be spent on adaptation measures in Ukraine. The main source of funds were local budgets, in particular regional environmental funds. Green bonds are determined to become a promising source of funding for adaptation measures in Ukraine. For the first time, the amount of funds required for adaptation measures in Ukraine until 2050 has been partially estimated. It is proved that the only international funds that can provide funding for adaptation measures in Ukraine in late 2020, is the Global Environmental Facility.

scholarly journals Mudanças Climáticas no Semiárido Brasileiro: Experiências e Oportunidades para o Desenvolvimento (Climate Change in the Brazilian semiarid: Experiences and Opportunities for Development)

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francislene Angelotti ◽  
Diana Signor ◽  
Vanderlise Giongo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Environmental Services ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Brazilian Semiarid

A comunidade científica, ao longo dos últimos anos, tem buscado soluções para o desenvolvimento sustentável do Semiárido. Os estudos dos impactos das mudanças climáticas subsidiam medidas de mitigação e adaptação frente às futuras alterações no clima. Adicionalmente, o desenvolvimento e adoção de processos e tecnologias voltados para o desenvolvimento sustentável, tendo em vista a viabilidade econômica, social e ambiental são fundamentais, para aumentar a segurança alimentar, gerenciar os recursos hídricos e erradicar a pobreza. O avanço do conhecimento obtido nos últimos anos e a interação entre as instituições de ensino e pesquisa assumem um papel importante na proposição e adoção de políticas públicas que visam aumentar a capacidade adaptativa da sociedade e da economia regional frente às mudanças climáticas, criando espaços de oportunidades e caminhos para a resiliência climática. Nesse sentido, a busca de soluções e oportunidades para o desenvolvimento do Semiárido brasileiro é estratégico, razão pela qual mantem-se um fórum de discussão permanente traduzido no Simpósio de Mudanças Climáticas e Desertificação no Semiárido Brasileiro, realizado bianualmente. A adoção de ações voltadas para o desenvolvimento sustentável é estratégica. A economia verde e o pagamento por serviços ambientais se tornaram oportunidades, pois atualmente o desenvolvimento econômico não pode estar dissociado das preocupações com relação às mudanças no clima e a preservação do ambiente. Para o Semiárido brasileiro é necessário fortalecer as ações em andamento e buscar soluções inovadoras para reduzir os impactos e riscos inerentes às mudanças climáticas, criar oportunidades na economia de baixo carbono e promover a inclusão social. The scientific community over the last few years has been sought solutions for sustainable development of the semiarid. The research about impacts of climate change is subsidizing mitigation and adaptation measures facing future changes, in semi-arid region. In addition, the development and adoption of processes and technologies for sustainable development, in view of economic, social and environmental sustainability are essential to increasing food security, manage water resources and eradicate poverty. The knowledge progress achieved in recent years and the interaction between education and research institutions play an important role on proposition and adopting public policies that aimed to increase the adaptive capacity of society and the regional economy to climate change, creating opportunities spaces and directions for climate resilience. In this sense, the search for solutions and opportunities for the development of the Brazilian semiarid is strategic, which is why keeping a permanent discussion forum translated at the Symposium on Climate Change and Desertification in the Brazilian semiarid carried out every two years. The adoption of actions for sustainable development, in view of economic, social and environmental viability is strategic. The green economy and payment for environmental services have become opportunities because currently the economic development cannot be dissociated from concerns about climate change. For the Brazilian semiarid is necessary to strengthen actions in progress and seek innovative solutions to reduce the impacts and risks posed by climate change, creating opportunities in the low carbon economy and promoting social inclusion. Key-words: adaptation, mitigation, environmental services, research.   

Climate Change-Associated Conflict and Infectious Disease

2017 ◽  
pp. 68-88
Author(s):  
Devin C. Bowles
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Food Scarcity ◽  
Surveillance Programs

One of the least appreciated mechanisms by which climate change will affect infectious diseases is via increased violent conflict. Climate change will diminish agricultural and pastoral resources and increase food scarcity in many areas, including already impoverished equatorial regions. Many in the defence and public health fields anticipate that climate change will increase conflict by fuelling competition over scarce resources. Already, some commentators argue that the conflicts in Darfur and Syria were partially caused or exacerbated by climate change. Conflict facilitates a range of conditions conducive to the spread of many infectious diseases, including malnutrition, forced migration, unhygienic living conditions and widespread sexual assault. Flight or killing of health personnel inhibits vaccination, vector control and disease surveillance programs. Emergence of new diseases may go undetected and discovery of outbreaks could be suppressed for strategic reasons. These conditions combine to increase the risk of pandemics.

Climate and Conflict in Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Scheffran ◽  
Peter Michael Link ◽  
Janpeter Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Violent Conflict ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Conflict In Africa

Climate change was conceived as a “risk multiplier” that could exacerbate security risks and conflicts in fragile regions and hotspots where poverty, violence, injustice, and social insecurity are prevalent. The linkages have been most extensively studied for the African continent, which is affected by both climate change and violent conflict. Together with other drivers, climate change can undermine human security and livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Africa through different pathways. These include variability in temperature and precipitation; weather extremes and natural disasters, such as floods and droughts; resource problems through water scarcity, land degradation, and food insecurity; forced migration and farmer–herder conflict; and infrastructure for transport, water, and energy supply. Through these channels, climate change may contribute to humanitarian crises and conflict, subject to local conditions for the different regions of Africa. While a number of statistical studies find no significant link between reduced precipitation and violent conflict in Africa, several studies do detect such a link, mostly in interaction with other issues. The effects of climate change on resource conflicts are often indirect, complex, and linked to political, economic, and social conflict factors, including social inequalities, low economic development, and ineffective institutions. Regions dependent on rainfed agriculture are more sensitive to civil conflict following droughts. Rising food prices can contribute to food insecurity and violence. Water scarcity and competition in river basins are partly associated with low-level conflicts, depending on socioeconomic variables and management practices. Another conflict factor in sub-Saharan Africa are shifting migration routes of herders who need grazing land to avoid livestock losses, while farmers depend on land for growing their harvest. Empirical findings reach no consensus on how climate vulnerability and violence interact with environmental migration, which also could be seen as an adaptation measure strengthening community resilience. Countries with a low human development index (HDI) are particularly vulnerable to the double exposure to natural disasters and armed conflict. Road and water infrastructures influence the social and political consequences of climate stress. The high vulnerabilities and low adaptive capacities of many African countries may increase the probability of violent conflicts related to climate change impacts.

scholarly journals Social Inclusion of Marginal in the Great Climate Change Debate: Case of Slums in Dehradun, India

SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401983592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riyan Habeeb ◽  
Sana Javaid
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
National Level ◽  
The State ◽  
Marginal Population ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Change Events ◽  
Current Events ◽  
Increasing Precipitation ◽  
The City

In times of climate change, it is said that the marginal population shall be the most adversely affected. This article attempts to explore the state of slums in Dehradun city and their susceptibility to climate change events, especially urban flooding. Taking the case of the state capital, we attempt to identify and demonstrate how the slum population is vulnerable to climate change events in the present and the future. Following risk-hazard approach, this article identifies and distinguishes vulnerable slums, per their sensitivity toward climate-led events using geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis. Climate change trends show increasing precipitation and temperature trends, which is in agreement with current events of such phenomena in the city. Through GIS, the slums were mapped and their proximity to streams and roads were taken into account to generate vulnerable hotspots with respect to numbers, population, and location. The article then inquires into the inclusion of such vulnerable slums in various relevant state- and national-level policies discussing challenges and issues in implementation. The article finally derives the possibilities for inclusion of such marginalized classes through ongoing Government of India missions.

scholarly journals Community-Driven Sports Events as a Vehicle for Cultural Sustainability within the Context of Forced Migration: Lessons from the Amsterdam Futsal Tournament

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramón Spaaij ◽  
Hebe Schaillée
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Community Sustainability ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Sustainability ◽  
Somali Diaspora ◽  
Sports Events ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
The Impact

Participation in sport can act as a means or context for enhancing the social inclusion of migrants and refugees. Research has examined if and how mainstream sport organizations’ practices of engaging newly arrived migrants and refugees are effective in supporting participation in sustainable and culturally appropriate ways. Little is known, however, about the impact of community-driven sports events on sustainable participation by migrants and refugees. This paper examines this question with an analytical focus on community sustainability and the role of culture in sport event sustainability practices. The authors draw on ethnographic fieldwork with the Amsterdam Futsal Tournament (AFT), a sports event organized by Somali diaspora community members, to consider how event organizers and participants seek to promote cultural sustainability in a diaspora sport context. The fieldwork comprised 49 semi-structured interviews, participant observation before, during and after the event, and digital ethnography of event-related social media. The findings show the importance of cultural sustainability as a driver of community-driven sport sustainability practices, but also indicate how this driver is closely linked to addressing organizational and individual sustainability. The analysis demonstrates how the AFT can serve as a catalyst for the expansion of sport and community events among Somali diaspora communities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document