Climate Change and Human Security in the 21st Century International System: the Case of Kenya

Abstract

Evidence across the world points to various impacts of anthropogenic climate change on human security at different levels. While research on security implication is documented there is still lack of consensus on climate change-human security nexus. This study critically “examined the impacts of climate change on human security in 21st century international system”. This was analyzed through the following objectives: examined the “climate change-human security nexus in the 21st century international system”, assessed the “impact of climate change on human security in Africa” and critically analyzed the “impact of climate change on human security in Kenya”. Theory of securitization was employed in providing direction to the study. Descriptive-correlation design was utilized in data collection through primary and secondary sources. The target population consisted of climate change experts from UN, NGOs and the national government of Kenta. Descriptive statistics through the use of mean and standard deviation was used in analyzing the primary data. Findings of the study showed that at each global region is experiencing risks from climate change with risk ranging from low levels of warming to severe risks of climate change. The findings also established that extreme or more severe climate change impacts are possible if the climate change situation is not arrested. The findings revealed that climate change is connected to various human insecurities in Africa that are putting pressures on fragile food ecosystems worsening the food insecurity in Africa. The findings also showed that climate change occasioned by deforestation impacts local communities across different regions in Africa directly leading to personal insecurities, water insecurity, food security, cultural insecurity, health insecurity and environment insecurity. The study findings demonstrated that climate change impacts on human security in Kenya takes various forms such as food insecurity, health insecurity, water insecurity and personal insecurity. Further the findings revealed that the impacts of climate change on these securities are both direct and indirect. The researcher concludes that climate change scenarios positively impact on human insecurities in different areas in the world. The researcher concludes that climate change strongly contributes to various insecurities in Africa, most significant effect on food, water, health and personal security. Climate change the study concludes has led to scarcity of resources that has resulted to the exacerbation of human insecurities such as food, water, personal security and climate security has led to scarcity of resources and human insecurity in Kenya. The researcher has provided policy and practical recommendation in the research paper.