Climate change a contributor to Darfur crisis, says U.N. report

Canary You Hear Me Now?

A United Nations Environment Program report says brutal conflicts in Sudan are tied to the effects of climate change, including severe drought. Competition over scarce resources, including water, timber, oil, and land, could spark more fighting unless the issues are addressed, says the report: "Ignoring these environmental issues will ensure that some political and social problems remain unsolvable and [are] even likely to worsen." In war-torn Darfur, an estimated 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been left homeless by a conflict that began in part as an agricultural skirmish over water supplies. Even in refugee camps, water shortages are now a source of strain. While programs are emerging to replant trees and manage resources, they are overshadowed by violence and desperation. "The consciousness of the world on the issue of climate change has to change fast," says Muawia Shaddad of the Sudan Environment Conservation Society. "Darfur is just an early warning."

straight to the source: Angola Press, 23 Jun 2007

straight to the source: Forbes, Associated Press, Alfred de Montesquiou, 22 Jun 2007

straight to the source: Voice of America, Lisa Schlein, 22 Jun 2007

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Comments: (2 comments)

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U.N. on Climate Change

The U.N. named 2006 as The Year of "Desertification," a process that is taking place not only in Sudan, but in Spain; not only in the Arabian Peninsula but in Arizona.
Not only are we facing severe climate changes, but we're going to run out of potable water first.
I agree that Dafar is an early warning. When China runs out of water within the next decade, look out rest of southeast Asia, because that's where China will be seeking new water supplies.
Already in Texas, so-called entrepreneurs like T. Boone Pickens are buying up water supplies once in the public domain. There is already a "Water Index" on the Swiss exchange, where wealthy investors can "bet" on water futures. At some point in the future, water will be available only to those who can afford it, unless steps are taken now to keep water in the public domain.
One country, South Africa, ironically, has an elightened view on the future of water supplies. Water there is still in the public domain. Heavy users are taxed (or fined), while there are caps on prices paid by those who can least afford it.

by bobcajun at 7:08 PM on 25 Jun 2007

Let's stay focused

While the U.N. Environment Programme drew and important link between climate change and the increasing competition for resources, it is important to recognize what is at the root of the conflict in Darfur if we hope to see a timely end to the ongoing atrocities. It is true that the people of Darfur faced decades of drought prior to the onset of this conflict, possibly attributed to the advancement of the Sahara; however, the people of Darfur had also faced decades of neglect and oppression at the hand of their own government in Khartoum. It is also essential that we recognize the environmental implications of the displacement of millions of people from their homes to refugee camps that have far surpassed their environmental carrying capacity.

However, what we must immediately recognize is that climate change is not causing a genocidal regime in Khartoum to murder its own people. Additionally, any argument that strays from applying pressure to the perpetrators of these crimes delays the process of hastening an end to these atrocities.

Be assured that President Bashir breathed a sigh of relief when the U.N. Environment Programme blamed the genocide in Darfur on climate change instead of him.

by ashleycarolyn at 11:41 AM on 28 Aug 2007

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