Burkina Faso may face severe consequences of climate change. Extreme climate events are predicted to happen more often in the coming years due to global warming, which may affect issues such as...Show moreBurkina Faso may face severe consequences of climate change. Extreme climate events are predicted to happen more often in the coming years due to global warming, which may affect issues such as food security. This thesis examines the Mossi population in Burkina Faso, through the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, in order to understand the extent to which culture shapes the vulnerability of Burkinabé rural livelihoods to climate change. Mossi culture is intrinsically related to their resource management. Collectivism is strongly present in the Mossi population in Burkina Faso, expressed in the sharing of vital resources with all members of the household. Ethnographic research has identified the importance of human capital, natural capital and social capital for Mossi livelihoods. Both labour, food, water and land are influenced by social capital which, in turn, is shaped by the culture of collectivism and sharing. Thus, the Mossi are more focused on the well-being of the entire community than their individual well-being. Yet, within these households, inequality based on age and gender is still present, specifically women will be more vulnerable to climate change due to the power relations embedded in the culture, as their adaptive capacity to climate change is more negatively affected.Show less
The effects of global climate change are causing new patterns of human migration, which arises questions about decision-making in climate migration. This thesis analyses the influence of distance...Show moreThe effects of global climate change are causing new patterns of human migration, which arises questions about decision-making in climate migration. This thesis analyses the influence of distance to the host country in migration decision-making through the perceptions of Marshallese and I-Kiribati. In 32 surveys and 12 in-depth interviews among these Pacific islanders, this study finds that the reason for migration – more climate security – shapes migration motivations significantly. It therefore argues that climate change should be included as a factor in research on migration distances. In addition, it uncovers that that distance is not perceived solely geographical, but that the islanders also discern sociocultural, economic, climatic and political distance. This research therefore suggests that the definition of distance will be expanded to fit it into this multi-dimensional character.Show less
It is undeniable that the current ecological crisis could significantly deepen global political and social inequalities, bringing tangible effects on the size of the world population, food...Show moreIt is undeniable that the current ecological crisis could significantly deepen global political and social inequalities, bringing tangible effects on the size of the world population, food abundance, and the occurrence of extreme natural events. To avoid such catastrophic scenarios, our singular individual actions (such as our consumption choices) are seen as too negligible and inconsequential to address the problem at a global level. In this way, the moral gap between our scattered actions and the resulting environmental harm they produce remains intact. Deontological and consequentialist approaches, although dominant throughout the history of western moral philosophy, are not sufficient to tackle the significance of the environmental crisis, especially in its collective-action problems form. In my thesis, I am going to argue for the viability of a third approach to environmental ethical questions, i.e. virtue ethics. In particular, I will explore how a virtue-ethical approach relates to collective action environmental problems such as climate change.Show less
This research paper addresses climate change rhetoric as framed by far-right wing parties. Institutional designs play a part in shaping political party agendas, which are in turn influenced by the...Show moreThis research paper addresses climate change rhetoric as framed by far-right wing parties. Institutional designs play a part in shaping political party agendas, which are in turn influenced by the specific wants of individuals. Party behaviour therefore impacts voters and wider societal reflexivity. Currently, environmental awareness and far-right wing parties are both on the rise. This paper investigates how far-right parties frame climate-change rhetoric. The hypothesis developed is empirically evaluated across two case-studies. Indeed, this analysis establishes a categorisation for far-right environmental rhetoric and applies it. The empirical evidence supports that far-right parties, in direct democracies, are less likely to address climate change from a government intervention perspective. Instead, far-right parties in direct democracies are likely to use social responsibility rhetoric to address environmental matters. The conclusion reached is that far-right climate-change behaviour differs depending on the democratic model, and is of concern for societal reflexivity, as climate challenges increase.Show less
Climate-conflict literature has been growing intensively in the last decade. With a focus on African and Middle Eastern countries, various types of climate variables try to explain divergent...Show moreClimate-conflict literature has been growing intensively in the last decade. With a focus on African and Middle Eastern countries, various types of climate variables try to explain divergent natures of conflict. Many different mechanisms were shown as linking the two together. This study aimed to contribute to the literature by investigating the role of economic dependence on the agricultural sector in the relationship between social unrest and changing patterns of temperature and precipitation. It was asked, thus, to what extent does the economic structure of a country mediate the link between climate and social unrest, in the African continent? The large-N statistical analysis was conducted, including all the African countries, with a population of at least a million. Specifically, a negative binomial regression was run for the years from 1990 to 2007. The key finding suggested that the bigger the percentage of agricultural production in GDP is, the more the country is likely to suffer from temperature rise induced social unrest. This suggests that, because of climate change, economic reliance on the agricultural sector is dangerous for the political stability and even security in Africa. It calls for the importance of using planned adaptation techniques and educating the society on climate change and its effects.Show less
