Climate Change, Peace and Security in the SADC Region: An Analysis Based on Document Research

The paper focused on the implications of climate change on peace and security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The paper adopted document analysis to collect data on peace and security in the region. The research was informed by the human security approach. The paper focused on the implications of climate change on peace and security in the SADC region. The findings of the study showed that climate change reduces agricultural productivity and causes poverty, rural-urban migration, unemployment, food insecurity, malnutrition and political instability. Incessant drought and poverty have an impact on human security which indirectly leads to civil unrest. The study concluded that climate change can catalyse the spread of terrorists in the region as the recruitment of the local people will be made easy due to poverty and hunger. The study recommended that governments invest in climate change mitigation measures, sustainably extract and utilise natural resources for the benefit of citizens and promote local and infant industries to promote economic growth.