If left unchecked, anthropogenic climate change will have monumental consequences for the international community. To a large extent, these consequences will arise from the underlying issue of resource scarcity and its associated economic, political and social dilemmas. As a result, this essay asserts that anthropogenic climate change and resource scarcity are intrinsically tied. To develop this assertion, this essay will explore ways in which resource scarcity, as a result of anthropogenic climate change, will affect the international community. Additionally, this essay will explore these effects specifically through the issues of energy security, food security and water security as these issues are the most prominent facets of resource scarcity.
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As a result, if water security and food security are interdependent, then it would be logical to conclude that anthropogenic climate change and water security are linked too. For instance, this essay has already noted the causal link between anthropogenic climate change and drought. Naturally, an increase in drought would lead to an increase in water scarcity, as fresh water supplies are depleted. The effects of said water scarcity have already been felt in regions like South Asia. As a result, South Asia provides valuable insight into the possible economic and social consequences of water scarcity. To illustrate the extent of the problem, agriculture in South Asia takes up 90% of the region’s total water usage per annum; however, water availability per capita in the region has dropped significantly. In India alone, projections show that per capita water availability could drop to 1,140 cubic metres per capita by 2050 from 1,986 cubic metres per capita in 1998 if current climate trends continue. Moreover, India is extracting groundwater 56% faster than it can be replenished, which will, in time, exacerbate water scarcity in the region. Given these statistics, it is clear that water security poses a significant challenge in the region. First of all, water security is heavily interdependent with food security; and as this essay has already …show more content…
To a large extent, energy scarcity operates on similar economic principles to food scarcity. Hydroelectric dams rely on the potential energy of running water sources to generate electricity. Consequently, if climate change leads reduced water accessibility and availability, then it would be logical to conclude that by extension, energy availability is affected negatively. Consequently, if energy availability falls, then energy prices will rise as a result of the fundamental market forces at play. Whilst the majority of case studies used by this essay have demonstrated the effects of resource scarcity in the developing world; energy scarcity on the other hand holds major economic consequences for the developed world too. For example, during the late 1970s, the Southwestern United States went through a major period of drought in which there was a 60% decrease in the amount of electricity generated by hydroelectric power stations. The most major short-term economic consequence of this drought being a spike in energy prices. However, to stabilise the energy price during this period, the state of California began increasing its use of fossil fuels to compensate for the hydroelectric energy lost. It should be noted too that California has been undergoing an extended period of drought since 2011. From this, it is clear that
As a result, if water security and food security are interdependent, then it would be logical to conclude that anthropogenic climate change and water security are linked too. For instance, this essay has already noted the causal link between anthropogenic climate change and drought. Naturally, an increase in drought would lead to an increase in water scarcity, as fresh water supplies are depleted. The effects of said water scarcity have already been felt in regions like South Asia. As a result, South Asia provides valuable insight into the possible economic and social consequences of water scarcity. To illustrate the extent of the problem, agriculture in South Asia takes up 90% of the region’s total water usage per annum; however, water availability per capita in the region has dropped significantly. In India alone, projections show that per capita water availability could drop to 1,140 cubic metres per capita by 2050 from 1,986 cubic metres per capita in 1998 if current climate trends continue. Moreover, India is extracting groundwater 56% faster than it can be replenished, which will, in time, exacerbate water scarcity in the region. Given these statistics, it is clear that water security poses a significant challenge in the region. First of all, water security is heavily interdependent with food security; and as this essay has already …show more content…
To a large extent, energy scarcity operates on similar economic principles to food scarcity. Hydroelectric dams rely on the potential energy of running water sources to generate electricity. Consequently, if climate change leads reduced water accessibility and availability, then it would be logical to conclude that by extension, energy availability is affected negatively. Consequently, if energy availability falls, then energy prices will rise as a result of the fundamental market forces at play. Whilst the majority of case studies used by this essay have demonstrated the effects of resource scarcity in the developing world; energy scarcity on the other hand holds major economic consequences for the developed world too. For example, during the late 1970s, the Southwestern United States went through a major period of drought in which there was a 60% decrease in the amount of electricity generated by hydroelectric power stations. The most major short-term economic consequence of this drought being a spike in energy prices. However, to stabilise the energy price during this period, the state of California began increasing its use of fossil fuels to compensate for the hydroelectric energy lost. It should be noted too that California has been undergoing an extended period of drought since 2011. From this, it is clear that