BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 29 (UPI) -- While there may be links between conflict in East Africa and climate change, U.S. researchers said political and socioeconomic factors play a greater role.
A study from researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, said risks of conflict in East Africa declines with more rainfall but rises when temperatures increase. It notes, however, that "socioeconomic, political and geographic factors play a much more substantial role (in conflict) than climate change."
John O'Loughlin, a geography professor who led the study, said links between climate change and conflict were often overstated.
"The simplistic arguments we hear on both sides are not accurate, especially those by pessimists who talk about 'climate wars,'" he said in a statement. "Compared to social, economic and political factors, climate factors adding to conflict risk are really quite modest."
While climate issues may affect the availability of food and water, direct links to conflict intensity weren't apparent, the researchers found.
The research team examined climate data from nine countries in East Africa from 1990-2009. The results were published in last week's online version of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
