Ecological Threat Report 2023

November 6, 2023

GS Paper III Environment and Ecology

Context:

Recently, The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) has released its Ecological Threat Report for 2023, revealing alarming findings about the increasing ecological threats faced by countries around the world.

Key Findings of the Ecological Threat Report 2023:

Escalating Ecological Threats
- Rising Numbers: By 2050, the number of people in countries facing severe ecological threats will surge from 1.8 billion to 2.8 billion.
- Hotspot Regions: Over half of these countries are located in sub-Saharan Africa.
Vulnerability and Resilience
- Wide Analysis: The ecological threat report encompasses 221 countries and 3,594 sub-national areas, covering 99.99% of the global population.
- Growing Vulnerability: The number of countries with low resilience facing severe ecological threats has increased to 30, with sub-Saharan Africa most affected.
Hotspot Countries
- Prominent At-Risk Nations: Ethiopia, Niger, Somalia, and South Sudan are identified as some of the most at-risk countries, with Ethiopia and Niger emerging as new hotspots. Myanmar has also been added to the list of countries facing severe ecological threats.
Regional Comparisons
- Europe and North America: These regions are the exceptions with no countries currently facing severe ecological threats, offering a contrast to other parts of the world.
Key Ecological Threat Categories:
- Food Insecurity: 42 countries experience severe food insecurity, with the majority in sub-Saharan Africa.
  - A 25 per cent increase in food insecurity, as measured by the ecological threat report, increases the risk of conflict by 36 per cent.
- Natural Disasters: Natural disasters contribute to ecological threats, with a 25% increase in natural disasters increasing the risk of conflict by 21%.

ecological threat report

- Demographic Pressure: The ecological threat report underscores the significance of demographic pressure as a threat factor.
- Water Risk: Critical globally, with 2 billion lacking access to clean water. A 25% increase lack of clean drinking water raises the risk of conflict by 18%.

News Source: DTE