Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 05/2011

Climate Insecurities: Exploring the Strategic Implications for Asia-Pacific Armed Forces

Evan A. Laksmana

April 2011

Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore and assess the implications of climate insecurities for the armed forces of the Asia-Pacific region, and in particular Southeast Asia. It identifies key issues and trends related to climate insecurities – in the areas of mass migration, diseases, natural disasters and the scarcity of water, food and other resources. It then details the implications for armed forces in the region with reference to the strategic, institutional and operational realms, and contends that climate change will become both a burden multiplier and a threat multiplier in the decades to come.