Climate Change Driving Extremism
The atrocities the world has witnessed in recent weeks have been truly unfathomable. People violently removed from their homes, brutally murdered, and taken hostage. It is hard to turn away, which is the exact goal of extremists. They want to strike terror in people and force them into a state of fear.
Violent extremism is defined as “encouraging, condoning, justifying, or supporting the commission of a violent act to achieve political, ideological, religious, social, or economic goals.” Most commonly, violent extremism is wielded to advance political or ideological agendas, with motivations ranging from undermining existing governments, removing leaders from power, to implementing Sharia law.
However, another catalyst is on the rise: Climate change. Climate change is not just an environmental crisis; it is a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing social, economic, and political vulnerabilities. As resources become limited, communities are displaced, and traditional ways of life are disrupted, the stage is set for a dangerous cocktail of discontent and desperation.
Extremist ideologies provide a sense of identity, purpose, and belonging. These ideologies exploit existing fault lines and offer a seemingly attractive path for those who feel marginalized or dispossessed due to climate-related challenges.
