Climate change is a critical factor in Lake Chad crisis conflict trap -'Shoring Up Stability' report

Lake Chad is caught in a conflict trap. It is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies with an estimated 10.7 million people in need of assistance. Now a new G7 mandated report from the Berlin based think tank adelphi shows, for the first time, how climate change is interacting with the conflict to compound the crisis and sets out how these challenges might be overcome.

The report “Shoring Up Stability” shows that climate change and conflict dynamics create a feedback loop where climate change impacts seed additional pressures while conflict undermines communities’ abilities to cope. It concludes that the impacts of climate change have to be tackled as part of peacebuilding efforts as well as humanitarian aid and development cooperation if the region is to break free of the conflict trap. In doing this the Lake Chad Basin can once again become an engine for sustainable livelihoods and stability in the region.

The people of Lake Chad are caught in a conflict trap. Violent conflict between state security forces and armed opposition groups have blighted the lives of local people and forced 2.5 million people from their homes. Climate change is compounding these challenges.

Contrary to popular beliefs the latest research shows that Lake Chad is currently not shrinking. After the chronic droughts of the 70s and 80s, the lake is in a period of expansion.

But this does not mean that climate change does not affect the Lake Chad region: quite to the contrary. The population is highly affected by seasonal and inter-annual rainfall variability: People do not know when will the rain come; how much rain will come. How and where will the water of the lake be available.

The uncertainty and the interaction of climate and conflict undermine people’s day to day lives and their jobs, reducing their ability to adapt to climate change. Where once they might have moved to a different location to farm when the rains failed, military restrictions mean such options may no longer be available to them. This is decreasing their ability to cope – with both climate change and the conflict around them.

One important step to break this conflict trap is to support resilient jobs: For the young, growing population living in the area around Lake Chad where unemployment and underemployment are endemic, the lack of jobs and money is a major strain on resilience, and indeed one of the reasons cited for people choosing to join armed opposition groups such as ‘Boko Haram’.

Resilient jobs can be achieved for example through new, climate resilient farming approaches to diversify rural income. Climate- and conflict sensitive livelihoods can provide young men and women with employment opportunities in the face of a changing climate.

With over 10.7 people in urgent humanitarian need, Lake Chad’s conflict trap can seem insurmountable. But the lake has always been a source of resilience and it can be again.
But even if the terrorist threat is surmounted, the climate is still changing. The impacts of climate change have to be tackled as part of peacebuilding efforts if the region is to break free of the conflict trap. In doing this, Lake Chad can once again become an engine for sustainable livelihoods and stability, and there is hope for sustainable peace in the region.

ABOUT ADELPHI

adelphi is a leading think tank for policy analysis and strategy consulting. We offer creative solutions and services on global environment and development challenges for policy, business and civil society communities. Our projects contribute to sustaining natural life systems and fostering sustainable enterprises. adelphi´s clients include international organisations, governments, public institutions, corporations and associations.

We bring together scientific and technical expertise with analytical and strategic competence, practical application and constructive problem solving. Our integrated approach combines research, consulting and dialogue on six main topic areas. International and interdisciplinary project teams contribute worldwide to a common future -- working in different cultures and languages.

In the last ten years adelphi realised more than 400 projects for 100 clients, offering professional and strategic support to crucial environment and development policies and processes. Sustainability is the foundation and leitmotiv of our internal and external conduct. All our activities are climate-neutral and we apply a certified environmental management system.

[BalaMandara]

There is hope for the people and we shall encourage and develop it

[muhammadhanifbaloch]

Nice video, looked good. Thank you adelphi Berlin