12.2 The climate crisis

In the long journey of human history, people have marveled at nature and depended upon it for survival. Yet, today, the ability of billions of citizens to live safe and healthy lives is increasingly threatened by climate change. Each year, millions of citizens helplessly watch as livelihoods based upon the environment such as fishing and farming are threatened. Climate change is a result of anthropogenic activity. Over 90% of the climate crisis is caused by human action, yet ironically this crisis can also be mitigated by human-generated solutions and innovations. Consider the fact that in 1000 AD the global population was a mere 295 million, 1 billion in 1800, 7.5 billion in 2021 and projected to reach 9.5 billion in 2050. Two factors are propelling climate change: the exponential increase in the global population and the accelerated effects of the Industrial Revolution. Today, 800 million people are without clean water in their home, village or community, and billions are impacted by the devastating human and environmental damages rendered by climate change. In addressing this phenomenon, theory provides an important foundation for understanding and cogent analysis.

As Voltaire aptly noted, it is important to define one’s terms before embarking upon discourse.   Accordingly, this chapter will provide a definition of climate change and address the United Nations Development Program landmark theory and paradigm, Human Security, as a strong analytical foundation for understanding climate change and the environment.