I recently wrote a blog about the different impacts that climate change has on mental health. When researching the topic, I came across a statistic that crime is heightened when temperatures are higher. This interests me, but also frightens me. All I can think about is the havoc among individuals that will prevail with the increasing temperatures due to climate change. We already see angry people on a daily basis, how much worse do you think this anger could get?
I came across a study, called “Positive Association of Aggression with Ambient Temperature”, which took place in Seoul, South Korea. Researchers studied the assault death cases from 1991 to 2020, as well as observing the ambient temperatures. With this, they found that risks of assault significantly increased by 1.4% per 1°C increase in ambient temperature. They also found that this is particularly more common in males, teenagers, and people with less education. Through this study goes on to explain that heat stress may increase irritability and aggression by affecting cognitive processes and neurotransmitter activity in the brain. I found a quote from a climate organization that I want to share below.
Crime has increased over time due to climate change factors such as heat but also when it comes to advocating for change. In fact, climate change protesters are often facing criminal charges. An example of this was back in 2019, more than 1100 extinction rebellion protesters were arrested for offenses such as highway obstruction and a range of public order offenses and criminal damage. Although a number of these convictions can be easily squashed, it still is leading to more crime. A lot of these convictions are being squashed because of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Ziegler, Ziegler concerned that the right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly under articles, 10 and 11 of the European convention of human rights and it’s role in the criminal law of England and Wales. I want to clarify that when mentioning this, I wanted to highlight that individuals will only continue to protest for change, which I believe is a great thing. But without change within the government, it is completely understandable that anger will arise within the people that care about earth. I wouldn’t necessarily categorize protests as crime. But I think that with the government not advocating for change as the people are, I believe we can only see chaos from here whether that’s fighting for our earth.
With the recent Palisades and Eaton fires in California, there was a big issue with burglary and looting. When big disasters, such as wildfires strike, crime is high, and not only due to the weather events, but also because their crimes are disguised by the bigger picture. A lot of homes were broken into after families evacuated. officials made 22 arrests in both of the evacuation zones for burglary and looting, and in order to help prevent more crime, they enacted a curfew for individuals who did not evacuate.
I think it’s incredibly scary to think that we’re not only worrying about climate change itself, but how it’s going to affect the world around us, and what havoc and chaos will come of it.
This reminds me a lot of our conversations from when we were on "The Ministry for the Future" book. The crime that Frank committed to protect the future against those pushing for climate change and the crime/theft over AC units is a very real-world possibility for the future if the environment continues to be polluted
ReplyDeleteI can assume that there will be detrimental affects to those who care deeply about Earth. It’s extremely important to note too that this isn’t just a “agree to disagree” in politics. It’s understandable to be angry with the people who don’t “agree” or like Trump who WONT do anything to save our world. I myself am angry, I can’t imagine the chaos to come from this.
DeleteIt is crazy how much climate change links with everything else. How something as simple as rising in temperatures can increase the amount of crime being committed.
ReplyDeleteClimate change is already causing devastation through natural disasters, but the idea that it could also be fuelling higher crime rates adds another layer of urgency to the crisis. The soaring numbers for crime rate is terrifying.
ReplyDeleteI have read about this in psychology classes; crime rising with temperatures. The hotter temperatures make people feel more agitated and easily angered so not a good correlation!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the way you explained the science behind this phenomenon, it sounds a bit strange at first but it makes sense that an increase in stressors with the addition of neurological/biological changes could have these effects. A frequent topic we've discussed in class has been climate migrants/refugees and how unfair it is that climate change results in people losing their homes, the addition that climate change also has the potential to effect their brains as well is just awful.
ReplyDeleteThe alarming link between rising temperatures and increased crime rates highlights the urgent need to address climate change, as the potential for heightened aggression and criminal behavior poses significant risks to societal stability and public safety.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't think about the correlation between the rise of temperatures and crime rates. I feel that when the worst is going on in the world people will be at their worst. With the temperature rising, I am worried about the future.
ReplyDeleteTemperature rises .... crime rises it feels impossible that two things so far attached from each other can be affected so much. However, if things in temperature get worse I have a bad feeling crime will also get worse as well.
ReplyDeleteThis risk of violence associated with the discomforts and perhaps illness brought on by climate change reminds me of the way people were treating each other during the 2020 pandemic. People are unwilling to give up their comforts even if it means saving other's lives, and will become increasingly more violent if their standard of living is threatened. Of course with the real enemies being corporations funding and being head of oil and gas, any violence is usually misguided toward innocent civilians and not the ones doing the damage.
ReplyDeleteThis seems very possible. I have witnessed this in working retail, the days where it was over 90 degrees for 2 or more days consecutively the customers were much ruder to my coworkers and I. People are more agitated and have less patience and grace.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a shocking article, but unfortunately it makes a lot of sense. I encountered this working in a park, as the heat rose, many guests were rowdier and more irritable leading to problems.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you making this connection, the mental impacts of climate change aren't often spoken of. It is unfortunate that we will likely continue to see increased crime rates if warming continues.
ReplyDeleteThe rise of crime in association with rising temperatures makes sense, as rising temperatures can be attributed to falling resource and food production, and livable land shrinking. Scarcity of available land and resources has historically led to great conflicts, damages, and loss of life. It should be a priority of all countries to begin planning how to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all in this changing world.
ReplyDeleteThis is so disheartening. Thank you for sharing this. Everything is falling apart but also coming together and making sense. It's really hard to wrap my head around increasing violence more than it already seems to have increased.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough I have never really thought about the connection between crime and temperature rises. The estimated statistics for the future are extremely scary. There is already so much violence in society I can't imagine what the world with look like with a major increase in crime.
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting to read. When I read the title of this, I figured it would just be about criminals, but you brought so much more. I didn't think about protests that turned violent or even people who are desperate during a natural disaster that do what they need to survive. It has a lot of elements that I was glad you brought to your post.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the world has been getting angrier and angrier with each passing year. I have never connected crime with climate change, but it makes sense. I don't even want to imagine what the world will be like if we do not reduce this effects, and fast. This is a very interesting post, great job!
ReplyDeleteI always think about this when I am at work. It is weird what people will do when seasons change or when the weather gets hotter. It makes me wonder if the alternative is also true. Would people be going to steal and loot if the weather was extremely cold?
ReplyDeleteThe analysis you provided is very thought provoking. I think those statistics could be a reality much sooner than we think. At the very least, we are going to either need more prisons or more parole and police officers if these crimes do occur.
ReplyDeleteIn an important sense I believe it is a mistake to lump protestors with crimes. Protesting is a choice to try to address a wrong, and yes, as the earth continues to heat likely more people will protest, and those protests may become more violent, especially against property but the motivations and effects are quite different.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea rising heat could actually lead to more crime. It’s wild and kind of scary how climate change could affect our behavior like that.
ReplyDeleteIt is frightening to see how rising temperatures might lead to increased crime. Climate change has unanticipated effects on society.
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