The Undermining of State Capacity by Climate Change and Vulnerabilities (Published)
Climate change and vulnerabilities are presently undermining state capacities thereby posing major security treats to the survival of most sovereign states. A lot of states are heavily dependent on natural resources and it is also very crucial for individual wellbeing. A major impact of climate change is that it causes drought and its attendant consequence of famine which eventually degenerates into food scarcity, conflicts, migration and other indexes of state failure. Natural disasters are major security threats that pose major humanitarian crisis. Evidently the humanitarian crisis posed by natural disasters is surpassing those posed by armed conflict. Weak states are more vulnerable because their economy and social structure is hinged on climate sensitive resources such as agriculture, fisheries or forestry. Also they lack the capabilities to cushion the impacts of climate change. The article recommends that there is need for conscientious global cooperation to alleviate the impact of climate change in the international system. This is because although it impacts more on weak states, climate change would eventually degenerate into a worldwide catastrophe. Attitudinal change is required to tackle climate change hazards and the requisite change is mainly in the area of international cooperation.
Keywords: Climate Change, State Capacity, Vulnerabilities