The nexus between climate change and national security

Kaiti River drying up due to climate change in Makueni on November 25, 2021. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The global community is currently confronting unprecedented challenges presented by extreme climate conditions coming in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The effects of climate change such as droughts, floods, food, and health insecurity also have a potential threat to national security and global peace. Climate-induced conflicts such as in Laikipia, Baringo, Marsabit, and Samburu counties should inform the government’s national agenda and prioritise climate change as a key element of the National Security Council.

While addressing the COP26 in Glasgow, President Uhuru Kenyatta warned that the changing climate is escalating tensions and conflicts globally.

Kenya is ranked number 31 as the most vulnerable country to climate change even as government loses 3 percent of the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) annually due to extreme effects of climate change.

The effects of climate change disrupt social, economic, political and environmental development, hence the link to national security. Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i, while addressing the seventh annual devolution conference in Makueni County, expressed concern that the security sector has been hit hard by the effects of climate change, hence the need for more resources and institutional support.

And even as climate change affects every facet of human life, there’s a significant need for the government to step up a more simultaneous approach and collective dialogue on how local communities should strengthen their adaptation and resilience.

While addressing the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Treasury CS Ukur Yattani urged developed countries to meet existing climate financial gaps and support climate adaptation programs in developing countries.

Climate action is a critical model for water, food, health, and human security. This calls for a national security policy that will promote communities to adapt to climate catastrophe. National and county governments’ climate action and economic goals must beware of the connection between extreme climate conditions and national security threats.

The National Security Council should endeavoUr to turnaround climate change impacts into development-driven opportunities. The government’s national security docket should take a greater shift beyond climate policies to a more robust climate inclusion where women, youth, vulnerable groups and indigenous communities are involved policy decisions.

While addressing climate change is a continuous process, the interplay of government interests and national security should help the country tackle increasingly new realities.

-The writer is a community youth leader