Climate change and wildlife crime in social-ecological systems: A conceptual framework and examples from the Global South
Two of the greatest threats to biodiversity and sustainable development are climate change and wildlife crime, which are interrelated in complex ways with implications for human and wildlife security. However, the mechanisms driving these interactions are not well understood because relevant research is mainly disparate. To address this gap, we propose a conceptual framework that draws on four existing climate change literatures in criminology, geography, sociology, and wildlife ecology and conservation. We apply our framework to a case study in Namibia, exploring the associated probability of farmers using poisons to respond to carnivore depredation in this climate change-affected socio-ecological system experiencing slow-onset stressors. Our framework reveals novel insights, such as feedback on the vulnerability of natural and human systems, and motivations to poach, and facilitates a more nuanced discourse and policy response associated with climate change victimization and environmental offenders.