文档介绍：Climate Change and Armed Conflict
This book examines the evolution of the relationship between climate change
and conflict, and attempts to visualize future trends.
Owing to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, current
trends in climate change will not appreciably alter over the next half century
even if drastic action is taken now. Changes in climate will produce unique types
and modes of conflict, redefine the value of important resources, and create new
challenges to maintaining social order and stability. This book examines the con-
sequences of climate change, and argues that it has and will produce two types
of different types of conflict: “Cold Wars” and “Hot Wars”. Cold Wars will
occur in northern and southern latitudes as warming draws countries into pos-
sible conflict due to expanding interests in exploiting new resources and territ-
ories (inter-­state conflict). Hot Wars will break out around the Equator as
warming expands and intensifies dry areas, petition for scarce
resources (intra-state­ conflict). Conflict is not inevitable, but it will also be a con-
sequence of how states, international institutions and people react to changes in
climate. Climate change and conflict have always shaped human experiences.
This book lays out the parameters of the relationship, shows its history, and fore-
casts its trends, offering future conditions and opportunities for changing the his-
torical path we are on.
This book will be of great interest for students of climate change and environ-
mental security, peace and conflict studies, and IR/security studies in general.
James R. Lee is a Professor in the School of International Service, American
University, Washington, DC, and Associate Director of American University’s
Center for Teaching Excellence. He is author of several books on international
relations, including, most recently, Exploring the Gaps: Vital Links Between
Trade, Environment and Culture