Yemen's Survival Quandary: The Compounding Effects of Conflict and Climate Obstruction

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to conflict and instability worldwide, including in conflict-ridden Yemen. The article hypothesizes that the complex relationship between conflict and climate action obstruction in Yemen is mutually reinforcing, thus, forming a vicious cycle. Yemen already faces many difficulties, including a lack of food and water, displaced people, and a deteriorating economy, all of which have been made worse by the conflict. Climate change could make these issues worse, resulting in more competition for resources and greater tensions between groups. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has been impeding climate action, increasing the state's prospects of climate change-induced conflict in the future. The article highlights the risk of neglecting the consideration of climate change in decision-making and peace efforts in Yemen. Our findings underscore the dire necessity to equip Yemen to include climate action in state-level peace efforts to break the self-reinforcing vicious cycle.