Climate Insecurity and Conflict in South Asia : Climate Stress as a Catalyst for Social Tension and Environmental Insecurity

Contents: 1. The link between climate variability, conflict, and insecurity. 2. Climate insecurity and conflict in Afghanistan. 3. Climate insecurity and conflict in Bangladesh. 4. Climate insecurity and conflict in Bhutan. 5. Climate insecurity and conflict in India. 6. Climate insecurity and conflict in Maldives. 7. Climate insecurity and conflict in Nepal. 8. Climate insecurity and conflict in Pakistan. 9. Climate insecurity and conflict in Sri Lanka. 10. Environmental security at the context of climate stress. 11. Addressing climate induced conflict and insecurity in South Asia: Pathways for future. Annexures. References. Index. Climate change has emerged a central and undeniable issue for nations as its effects are causing environmental damage that triggers enormous human insecurity and conflict around the world. South Asia in particular has been identified as one of the more high risk regions of the world when it comes to climate change and its impacts. Though some scholars and policy makers contend there is no concrete evidence of a correlation between climate change and conflict, we compile compelling stories that connect climate change effects with human insecurity and conflict in South Asia. Using five years of research, looking at media and scientific reports from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, we document ample evidence that climate stress has become a powerful catalyst for social tension and insecurity. Erratic climate events (e.g., 2010 floods in Pakistan and 2012 flood in North India and Nepal) as a result of climate variability have impacted millions of livelihoods throughout South Asia and rendered billions of dollars in damage on homes and national infrastructure. (jacket).…