Religion, Resource Scarcity, and Conflict: Theological Reflections on Climate Driven Political Instability

Abstract

Climate change has increased the shortage of resources, which has been a situation that increases political instability and war, especially in sensitive areas. This paper examines the intersection between religion, resource shortage, and conflict based on the interpretation and response of climate-based issues by religious institutions. Based on the available material, the study identifies the impact of theology on the resilience of communities, ethical reactions, and peacebuilding efforts (Tarusarira, 2022; Douglas, 2019; Maseno et al., 2024). It analyzes the empirical examples of religious actors involved in the tension of water, land, and food shortages with an accent on the possibility of its alleviation and the threat of polarization on the basis of faith (Hussein, 2025; Koehrsen et al., 2022). The study is qualitative, methodologically, and the analysis of secondary materials and theological propositions helps to grasp the moral order used to formulate religious interventions. The results indicate that religious institutions tend to enhance ethical stewardship and reconciliation, however, such a process depends on the interpretation of the doctrine, local socio-political environment, and involvement in the secular system of governance (Pontoriero, 2022; Cabot, 2017; Burke et al., 2015). It is concluded that theological insights into climate adaptation and conflict prevention strategies can make community resilience and ethical responses to the environmental stressors stronger and provide a more subtle view of the ethical aspects of climate-related conflicts (Scheffran et al., 2012).

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