How Does Climate Change Influence International Conflict?

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component that tests your ability to understand and analyze passages written in English. A common theme that has appeared increasingly in recent years is climate change and its wide-ranging impacts, including its influence on international conflict. This theme is highly relevant given the ongoing global discussions about environmental issues and their repercussions. In this article, we will delve into the topic of “How does climate change influence international conflict?” and offer a comprehensive reading exercise based on this theme to help you prepare effectively.

Reading Passage: Medium Text

The Relationship Between Climate Change and International Conflict

Climate change is an undeniable reality that is increasingly shaping global interactions and conflicts. As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, natural disasters become more frequent and severe, resource scarcities intensify, and the socio-economic fabric of nations undergoes significant stress. Climate-induced changes are exerting pressure on already fragile states, leading to disputes over resources such as water and arable land, exacerbating migration crises, and fueling socio-political instability.

Studies have shown a direct correlation between climate change and conflict. For instance, in regions like the Sahel in Africa, the scarcity of water and grazing land has intensified clashes between local farmers and herders. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that such resource-based conflicts are only expected to increase in frequency and severity as climate conditions continue to deteriorate.

Sahel drought and conflict

Moreover, climate change acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and widening inequalities. Poorer nations, which are often more susceptible to the detrimental effects of climate change, struggle to adapt and mitigate its impacts. This contributes to socio-economic disparities that can lead to heightened tensions and, ultimately, conflict. Notably, the Syrian civil war has been linked to a prolonged drought exacerbated by climate change, which contributed to social unrest and violence.

International bodies, such as the United Nations, are increasingly recognizing the need to address climate change as a fundamental part of maintaining global peace and security. Efforts to combat its effects often require international cooperation, which poses its own set of challenges and potential conflicts, particularly where national interests clash, as seen in the Arctic, where melting ice caps have led to contentious territorial claims.

Exercise: IELTS Reading Questions

Questions 1-4: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. What has become more frequent and severe due to climate change?

   • A) Economic growth
   • B) International trade
   • C) Natural disasters
   • D) Technological advances

2. According to the passage, which region in Africa has seen intensified clashes due to resource scarcity?

   • A) Sahara
   • B) Sahel
   • C) Nile Delta
   • D) Congo Basin

3. What role does the United Nations play in the context of climate change and conflict?

   • A) Only in resource allocation
   • B) Primarily in economic reconstruction
   • C) Fundamentally in maintaining global peace and security
   • D) Mainly in promoting technological advances

4. The text implies that poorer nations are:

   • A) More effective in combating climate change
   • B) Better equipped economically
   • C) More susceptible to climate change impacts
   • D) Less likely to experience social unrest

Questions 5-8: True/False/Not Given

Write True, False, or Not Given.

5. The Syrian civil war was exclusively caused by climate change.
6. The IPCC expects fewer resource-based conflicts as climate conditions improve.
7. Melting ice caps in the Arctic have led to territorial tensions among nations.
8. International cooperation entirely resolves climate change issues without conflict.

Questions 9-11: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences below with words taken from the passage.

9. Climate change acts as a ____, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.
10. Prolonged drought in Syria is linked to ____.
11. The Sahel region in Africa experiences clashes between __ and __.

Answers and Explanations

Answer Key

1. C (Natural disasters become more frequent and severe due to climate change).

2. B (In the Sahel region, water and grazing land scarcity has intensified clashes).

3. C (The United Nations addresses climate change as a fundamental part of maintaining global peace and security).

4. C (Poorer nations are often more susceptible to the detrimental effects of climate change).

5. False (Climate change contributed to the Syrian civil war but was not the exclusive cause).

6. False (The IPCC expects an increase in the frequency and severity of resource-based conflicts).

7. True (Melting ice caps in the Arctic have indeed led to contentious territorial claims).

8. False (International cooperation poses challenges and potential conflicts particularly where national interests clash).

9. threat multiplier

10. climate change

11. farmers, herders

Common Mistakes

• Misinterpreting the relationship between cause and effect in climate change impacts.
• Confusing specific details such as geographic regions or international bodies.
• Overlooking key terms that signal important information, such as “threat multiplier.”

Vocabulary

Key Terms:

• Arable (adj): Suitable for growing crops (/’ærəbl/).
• Scarcity (n): The state of being scarce or in short supply (/’skeəsəti/).
• Deteriorate (v): To become progressively worse (/dɪ’tɪəriəreɪt/).
• Exacerbate (v): To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse (/ɪg’zæsərbeɪt/).

Example Sentences:

• The scarcity of water led to intensified conflict in the region.
• The socio-economic fabric of the nation deteriorated rapidly due to prolonged drought.

Grammar Focus

Important Structures:

1. Causative links using “due to”:

   • Example: Natural disasters become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

2. Relative clauses for emphasis:

   • Example: Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.

Tips:

• Practice identifying these structures in reading passages.
• Use them in your own writing and speaking to add depth to your responses.

Tips for a High IELTS Reading Score

1. Practice regularly with diverse topics to become familiar with different types of content.
2. Work on your timing to ensure you can complete all questions within the given time limit.
3. Improve your vocabulary by reading broadly and noting down new words.
4. Review common question types and practice answering them under exam conditions.

By focusing on these areas, you can enhance your IELTS Reading performance and achieve the score you aim for.