When Does Scarcity Lead to Conflict?
As the climate crisis intensifies, many fear that growing scarcity of resources such as water, arable land, or energy will inevitably fuel conflict. Already, we see tensions over carbon emissions between historically high-emitting countries and those playing catch-up, disputes over fish stocks and the regulation of the world’s fisheries, and increasing concerns about access to water and land in vulnerable regions. These examples suggest that scarce resources can become a source of geopolitical tension.
