As well as intense floods, storms and droughts, a recent study carried out by US scientists indicates climate change may also be a contributory factor in an increase in violence.
The study found that even small changes in temperature could be linked to an increased rate of domestic violence, assault and other violent crimes.
Conflict as a result of people moving to neighbouring countries due to global warming, such as in Darfur, has long been documented, however the authors of this study believe that climate change can also contribute to domestic violence.
The scientists found an increase in reports of domestic violence in India and Australia at times of drought; land invasions in Brazil linked to poor weather; and more controversially, a rise in the number of assaults and murders in the US and Tanzania.
The authors said that in all of the 27 studies of modern societies they looked at, higher temperatures showed a correlation with rising rates of violence, but they could not say why this might be the case. More studies would be needed to confirm the results and explain why such a correlation might exist, they said. The underlying reasons could run from increased economic hardship as harvests fail or droughts bite, to the physiological effects of hot weather.
The scientists say that with the current projected levels of climate change the world is likely to become a more violent place. They estimate that a 2C (3.6F) rise in global temperature could see personal crimes increase by about 15%, and group conflicts rise by more than 50% in some regions.
