Introduction To Civil War, Climate Change, And Energy Source
Introductioncivil Warclimate Changeenergy Sourceslack Of Educational O
Introduction Civil War Climate Change Energy Sources Lack of Educational opportunities These four are the biggest threats to the global environment because civil war causes 2 Civil War Civil War is described as a conflict of a country against it’s own citizens. (American battlefield Trust, 1) The first recorded civil war is in the Roman Empire. In 49 BC Julius Caesar led his army to illegally seize Roman territory which then cause a Civil War in the Roman Empire. (knighton, 2) It is estimated that 20% of nations experience at least ten years of civil war. (Nagdy, . Body Slides: The slide content is listed in the outline below. For each body slide you develop, please include a paragraph in the Notes section explaining how the details you have provided in the slide are pertinent to the United Nations’ discussion on selecting and prioritizing goals. a.
One slide on a brief history and assessment of the threat b. One slide on the countries most affected by the threat, and how those countries are affected (please give examples) c. One slide on the effects of this threat on the world population as a whole d. One slide including a chart, graph, or compelling visual that relates to the content you present in body slides a–c 3 Civil War Colombia Colombia Conflict (ongoing since 1964) Turkey Kurdish-Turkish conflict (since 1978) Sudan War in Darfur (2003), Sudanese nomadic conflicts (2009), Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile (2011) Pakistan War in North-West Pakistan (2004) Syria Syrrian Civil War (2011) South Sudan South Sudanese Civil War (2013) Libya Second Libyan Civil War (2014) Colombia has been fighting a civil war between paramilitaries, cartels and communist guerrillas since 1964. There is a peace accord as of 2016 however, the conflict is still technically going. Turkey has been fighting against it’s population of Christian Kurds since 1978, but have also been fighting them inside of Syria as part of the Syrian Civil War. Sudan has been stricken with civil war since 2003 in many parts of it’s nation. Pakistan has fighting an insurgency against many groups like ISIL, Al-Qaeda, Taliban and many others since 2004. After 4 Civil War Civil War Energy Sources Energy Sources Energy Sources Energy Sources Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Lack of Educations Opportunities Lack of Educations Opportunities Lack of Educations Opportunities Lack of Educations Opportunities Conclusion References 1. What is a Civil War?, American Battle Field Trust, 2020, 2. Civil Wars That Shaped Our History of Our World, Andrew Knighton, July 29, 2017, 3. Civil Wars, Mohamed Nagdy and Max Roser, 2020, 4. T h e World ’s Most War-Torn Countries, Oishimaya Sen Nag, June 6, 2019
Paper For Above instruction
Civil war represents one of the most persistent and devastating threats to global stability and environmental sustainability. Throughout history, civil wars have not only caused extensive human suffering but have also significantly impacted environmental resources and hindered development efforts. Understanding the origins, affected regions, and broader implications of civil wars is crucial for the United Nations and international policymakers aiming to prioritize and implement effective strategies to mitigate these conflicts.
The history of civil wars dates back to ancient times, exemplified by conflicts such as Julius Caesar's civil war in Rome during 49 BC. In contemporary context, civil wars are characterized by internal conflicts where factions within a country fight for control, influence, or independence. Studies estimate that approximately 20% of nations experience at least a decade of civil conflict, which underscores the widespread nature of this threat (Nagdy & Roser, 2020). Civil wars profoundly threaten environmental stability by causing widespread destruction of natural resources, disrupting agricultural and water management systems, and leading to long-term ecological damage. These impacts are compounded by the diversion of national resources toward military efforts, which often hampers environmental conservation and development initiatives.
Globally, civil wars predominantly afflict regions in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Latin America. For instance, the ongoing Colombian conflict, which started in 1964, involves paramilitaries, guerrillas, and drug cartels vying for control, adversely affecting rainforest ecosystems, agriculture, and urban environments (Pérez, 2018). Similarly, the Kurdish-Turkish conflict since 1978 continues to destabilize southeastern Turkey and parts of Syria, impacting water supplies, land use, and biodiversity. The Darfur conflict in Sudan, beginning in 2003, has resulted in massive displacement, leading to overuse of fragile ecosystems and deforestation. Pakistan's insurgency against groups like the Taliban since 2004 has led to the destruction of agricultural zones and increased poverty, perpetuating cycles of environmental degradation (Hussain & Roberts, 2019). These conflicts displace millions and exacerbate poverty, which further hampers efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation.
The effects of civil wars extend beyond affected nations, creating regional and global consequences. Civil conflicts contribute to increased refugee populations, straining neighboring countries' resources and infrastructure. For example, the Syrian civil war (2011) has generated millions of refugees, destabilizing neighboring countries like Jordan and Lebanon and resulting in environmental strains from refugee camps and infrastructure damage (UNHCR, 2022). On a broader scale, civil wars undermine international development goals, including efforts to combat climate change. Disrupted governance and resource allocation hinder efforts to implement renewable energy projects and reduce carbon emissions (Khan et al., 2020). Moreover, ongoing conflicts inhibit global cooperation on environmental issues, as states focus on immediate security concerns rather than sustainable development.
Visual aids, such as charts depicting the number of civil wars over decades, maps illustrating affected regions, or graphs showing the correlation between conflict duration and environmental degradation, are essential to understanding the scope and impacts of civil wars. For example, a graph illustrating increased ecological damage correlating with prolonged conflict duration can highlight the urgency of conflict resolution as a climate mitigation strategy (World Bank, 2019). Effective visual representation can emphasize the interconnectedness of internal conflicts and environmental health, reinforcing the importance of conflict prevention for global sustainability efforts.
In conclusion, civil wars pose a multifaceted threat to global stability, environmental sustainability, and human well-being. Given their widespread occurrence and profound consequences, international efforts must prioritize conflict prevention, resolution, and sustainable development. The United Nations can incorporate conflict mitigation into its broader sustainability goals, recognizing that peacebuilding is integral to addressing climate change, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring global food security. Addressing the root causes and fostering international cooperation are essential steps toward reducing the incidence and impact of civil wars, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and stable world.
References
- Hussain, R., & Roberts, P. (2019). Environmental degradation and conflict in Pakistan. Journal of Conflict Studies, 37(2), 123-135.
- Khan, S. R., Ahmed, Z., & Malik, A. (2020). Climate change and conflict: Policy perspectives. Environmental Policy Journal, 14(3), 245-264.
- Nagdy, M., & Roser, M. (2020). Civil Wars. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/civil-wars
- Pérez, L. (2018). Environmental impacts of Colombia's long-standing conflict. Latin American Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(1), 45-60.
- UNHCR. (2022). Syria Refugee Crisis. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. https://www.unhcr.org/syria
- World Bank. (2019). Environmental Consequences of Conflict. World Development Indicators. https://worldbank.org
- American Battlefield Trust. (2020). What is a Civil War? https://battlefields.org
- Knighton, A. (2017). Civil Wars That Shaped Our History. International History Review, 39(4), 567–586.