Climate Change and Regional Instability in Central America
Provided by: Council on Foreign Relations|Published on: March 7, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 11, 12, AP
Type: Scientific Reports
Subjects: Science, Civics, Geography, English Language Arts
Authors: Council on Foreign Relations
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This discussion paper and introductory article details how climate change will exacerbate instability in Central America and poses recommendations for how to mitigate the instability described.
- Students will learn about the environmental, socioeconomic, and political conditions that have led to the problems detailed, as well as the local and global instability that may occur.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This report is incredibly thorough and will deliver a wealth of knowledge on this topic.
- Students will benefit from the structure of the report, which is clearly laid out in the introductions and utilizes headings and subheadings to promote informational reading strategies.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have an understanding of how climate change can affect communities and businesses before reading this text.
- You can download the PDF for free but you can also purchase the e-book or print version from the links provided.
Differentiation
- Cross-curricular connections can be made in science and health classes that are studying the impacts of climate change on human populations.
- This paper could be read as a class or assigned in chunks, as it contains so much information. Consider working through the "Introduction" and "The Effects of Climate Change in Central America" together, then have students read the other sections and return to the whole-class for a conversation.
- Have students reflect on the recommendations suggested in the resource. Which do they think are most likely to be adopted? Which could have the largest impact? Which do they think is the most important? Is there anything else they might recommend?
This website provides a brief synopsis of a discussion paper (provided as a PDF) published by the Council on Foreign Relations. The paper discusses the effects of climate change risks as catalysts for regional displacement (migration). Major weather events in addition to irregular precipitation patterns, deforestation, and high temperatures are increasingly contributing to upending livelihoods and rampant food insecurity. There is a discussion on how the most impoverished are disproportionately affected by climate change. These topics are then related to migration policy and the need for change.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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