Climate Change to Violent Conflict

By Clarissa

An article was written about the effects of out-migration of people who have been struck with natural disasters and the effect it has on the towns that these victims move to. A question was raised on that very issue: "Can the arrival of in-migrates that left their homes due to enviormental issues create conflict between the natives of that area and the in-migrates?" This topic was discussed by Professer Rafael Reuveny at the Indiana University School of Public and Enviormental Affairs. In a brief summary this is what his article said:

This question has been studied in about 40 cases. It has shown in some of these cases that out-migration has had some conflict. But the issue is larger than just this. If environmental issues create conflict, then climate change might, too. A good example is that if climate change progresses many people could leave the shores of China. China might then demand compensation from the U.S. because the U.S. has been the leading driver or climate change and its per capita contibution to the problem has been higher than China's. This could lead to war between China and the U.S."

For more information visit: newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/7923.html