The Impact of Climate Change on Cultural Security

Abstract

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges and most pressing issues faced by humanity in the modern era. Extreme weather events, changes to world ecosystems, species extinction, disruption of animal and human migration, resource shortages, socio-economic concerns, outbreaks and pandemics, as well as domestic and international conflicts represent only a few select potential climate change consequences. Regrettably, when considering the issues pertinent to climate change, one of the oft-overlooked areas is cultural security. Rising sea levels will lead to some of the world’s islands and coastal cities essentially being erased from Earth, resulting in the destruction, and possibly even the disappearance, of their cultural heritage. Inhabitants of endangered and unlivable areas are likely to drive mass exodus on a global scale, and forcibly displaced persons who find themselves in a new socio-cultural reality face countless challenges that will hinder their sense of cultural security. The most immediate concerns are related to the potential eruption of local and regional conflicts, emergence of negative social behaviors, disappearance of national language and cultural identity, and statelessness due to a loss of habitable lands, all of which pose severe threats to cultural security.

Unravelling the Social and Economic Consequences of Climate Change on Sustainable Livelihoods on Coastal Communities in South Africa

“…The resettlements have disrupted their social networks, cultural identity, and the loss of traditional livelihoods rooted in their homes. These findings coincide with the views of Krupocin et al (2020) that coastal communities in South Africa have rich cultural traditions and unique ways of life that are intrinsically linked to their natural environment. Nonetheless, climate change impacts, such as the loss of coral reefs or coastal habitats, have resulted in the loss of cultural practices, traditional knowledge and the eradication of cultural identity.…”

Examining the Interplay of Climate Change, Cultural Dynamics, and Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective

“…Higher temperatures can also impact cultural backgrounds by contributing to the displacement of communities. This is what the authors of [79] state: climate change leads to massive exodus on a global scale, leading to displacements. As sea levels rise and extreme weather events become more common, some communities may be forced to relocate, which can disrupt traditional social structures, relationships, and cultural practices.…”