Livelihood Security: Climate change, conflict and migration in - UNEP

successive droughts, greater rain variability, and the
ill-adapted responses by governments and societies
to these changes. 91 Land issues, in particular,
are a central concern for communities, states and
international institutions. In many of the countries
discussed in this report, land ownership is synonymous
with uncertainty. 92 Additionally, cross-border
migration is a source of tension between transhumant
livestock breeders and inhabitants in pastoral
areas. 93 These conflicts remain a threat to social
peace and impede development in the region.
2.7 Livelihood vulnerability
The vulnerability of herders, farmers and fishermen
to the impacts of climate change stems from a
range of climate and non-climate factors, resilience
and capacity for preparedness at the local,
national, and regional levels. This report focuses
on four specific indicators of climate change:
Livelihood Security: Climate Change, Migration and Conflict in the Sahel
slow-onset changes in temperature, rainfall and
drought, and occurrences of sudden-onset and
extreme flood events. In addition, this report looks at
the potential impact of sea-level rise in the region.
These changes in climate can act as threat multipliers
to a number of existing vulnerabilities faced
by these three types of livelihoods. 94
First, however, it is important to note that the region
has long been subject to considerable climate
variability unrelated to anthropogenic climate
change. As discussed in section 2.2, rainfall varies
sharply across the region, with differences of more
than 1,000 mm over a north-south distance of
750 km. 95 There can also be a variation of more
than 30 per cent in the length of the rainy season
from one year to the next. 96 Specific livelihood
strategies have developed in the region in response
to this variability.
In the Sahel, women often travel great distances daily to collect water from scarce sources such as seasonal
waterholes. Changes in climate affect the availability of natural resources and increase vulnerabilities, such as
food and water insecurity
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© UN Photo/Jeffrey Foxx