According to recent military studies, future wars will likely be triggered by which environmental issue?

The choice that highlights water and food scarcity as a potential trigger for future wars is particularly relevant in discussions about global stability and security. As populations grow and climate change exacerbates environmental conditions, access to essential resources like freshwater and agricultural land becomes increasingly strained. This scarcity can lead to intensified competition among nations and groups, resulting in conflicts.

Research suggests that regions already facing droughts or disruptions in agricultural production are more vulnerable to unrest and violence. The interrelation of food production and fresh water availability means that a shortage in one often impacts the other, further compounding the risk of conflict. Historical examples, such as tensions in areas with diminishing water resources or unreliable food supplies, provide real-world context to this concern.

While other environmental issues can also contribute to geopolitical tensions, such as the effects of global warming on climate patterns or the implications of oil scarcity, water and food scarcity have the most direct and immediate impact on human survival and societal stability. Thus, military studies emphasize these factors as significant precursors to potential conflict, making this choice the most plausible in the context of future warfare scenarios.