Anthropocene Geographies of Precarity: Mapping Socio-Environmental Tipping Points Across Africa's Climate-Conflict Hotspots

The Anthropocene, a proposed new geological epoch marked by profound human impact on Earth's systems, presents unprecedented challenges, particularly for vulnerable regions. This paper explores the Anthropocene geographies of precarity across Africa's climate-conflict hotspots, areas where climate change impacts intersect with existing political instability and armed conflict, generating complex humanitarian and ecological crises. We develop a conceptual framework for mapping socio-environmental tipping points, defined as thresholds beyond which a system undergoes irreversible changes, leading to severe disruptions in human well-being and ecosystem integrity. Drawing on a comprehensive review of multidisciplinary literature, we identify key indicators of precarity, including food and water insecurity, forced displacement, livelihood collapse, and the degradation of critical natural resources. The methodology outlines a multi-scalar approach utilizing spatial analysis of climate model projections, conflict event data, and socio-economic vulnerability indices to pinpoint regions approaching critical thresholds. Our analysis reveals that regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Lake Chad Basin are experiencing compounding stressors that push communities into deepening cycles of precarity, characterized by heightened competition over dwindling resources and exacerbation of existing fragilities. The paper discusses the urgent need for integrated policy responses that address both climate adaptation and peacebuilding, advocating for geographically informed interventions to prevent widespread systemic collapse and foster resilience in these critically endangered landscapes. Understanding and mapping these Anthropocene geographies is crucial for proactive governance and equitable planetary stewardship.