Climate Change as a Threat Multiplier for Extreme Natural Events: A Comparative Analysis of the Albanian Armed Forces’ Preparedness for Security Risks Linked with Climate Change

Absztrakt

Climate change will have far-reaching consequences as floods, droughts, storms and heavy rainfalls become more intense and possibly more frequent. In the last years, Albania experienced a higher frequency of natural events requiring the response of the Albanian Armed Forces, either for the evacuation of civilians, search and rescue missions, or support to emergency services. The focus of this article is to analyse how climate change serves as a threat multiplier of extreme natural events, particularly within Albania, and its effect on the response by the Albanian Armed Forces. A comparative case study approach has been used to analyse the connection between climate change, three extreme natural events, and the Albanian Armed Forces’ response during the phases of immediate reaction and immediate response. The findings of this paper support the argument that the increased frequency of natural events, multiplied by climate change, will result in an increased demand for the intervention by the military personnel. Additionally, this paper will provide evidence that there is a need to adapt the military’s strategy, resources, as well as operational and tactical preparedness to the effects of climate change and consequently to be able to better respond to extreme natural events.