Climate change, natural disasters, environmental impacts and military capabilities

Abstract

There are several regions around Hungary with a real risk of military conflict. Russia’s war in Ukrainehas been going on for more than a year, and Hungarian peacekeeping soldiers are being injured inKosovo during a series of riots. The Chief of the General Staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces clearlyexpects a state of readiness in which the Hungarian Defence Forces is ready and able to defend thehomeland and to respond to the challenges that may arise. This can be met by carefully paying attentionto all circumstances that can affect performance. The threat caused by climate change is a good exampleof such a circumstance, as it fundamentally affects military capabilities. Climate change is an issue thatmore and more countries and international organizations consider as a strategic threat and respond tothis challenge accordingly. The goal of this article is not to make a comprehensive analysis, but ratherto raise attention, since the Hungarian Defence Forces is currently undergoing a transformation, inwhich this aspect must also be included.