International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—The study illustrated how changes in climate contribute to insecurity and conflict. High levels of environmental vulnerability, poor natural resource management, and limited livelihood options, increases the risks of insecurity and conflict. The data was gathered through: a) survey; b) focus group discussions and c)key Informant interview. The areas included in the study have shown environmental changes such as long periods of drought, high temperature, flooding, long duration of precipitation and unpredictable weather changes. Barangay officials need to strengthen the communitys’ strategy in addressing the risks of climate change. Livelihood options and economic conditions are affected due to these climactic events. The respondents’ livelihood is natural resource dependent, like fishing and farming. The loss of livelihood and the opportunity to find other employment is resulting from the low educational attainment and lack of alternative livelihood. This made the community susceptible to experiences of conflict and human insecurity. It can be concluded that the economic condition of the members of the community is affected due to the risks experienced from changes in the weather; these circumstance heightened the conflicts which may be considered as directly or indirectly due to the result of climate change.

Index Terms—Human insecurity, conflict, climate change.

Teresita G. Montaño is with the Ateneo Research Center, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Philippines (email: montanoterg@adzu.edu.ph).
Aurora C. Gonzales is with the Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City, Philippines.

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Cite: Teresita G Montaño and Aurora C. Gonzales, "Human Insecurity and Conflict: Effect of Coastal Communities’ Vulnerability to Climate Change," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 9, no. 7, pp. 187-191, 2018.