What climate change will undeniably do is cause of amplify events that hasten the reduction of resources. Competition over these diminishing resources would ensue in the form of political or even violent conflict. Resource based conflicts have rarely been overt and are thus difficult to isolate. Instead they take on veneers that appear more politically palatable. Conflicts over resources like water are often cloaked in the guise of identity or ideology. What does the above passage imply?

The passage explicitly states that "climate change" (an environmental issue) will "cause or amplify events that hasten the reduction of resources" (resource stresses). It then says that "competition over these diminishing resources would ensue in the form of political or even violent conflict." This directly links environmental issues to resource stresses and subsequent political conflict. Let's analyze each option: A) Resource-based conflicts are always politically motivated Incorrect. The passage states these conflicts "take on veneers that appear more politically palatable" or are "cloaked in the guise of identity or ideology." This implies the underlying cause is resources, but they are *framed* politically, not that they are *always* politically motivated in their origin. The word "always" makes this too strong and misinterprets the text. B) There are no political solutions to resolve environmental and resource based conflicts Incorrect. The passage describes the problem and its manifestations but does not discuss solutions or their feasibility. We cannot infer from the text whether political solutions exist or not. C) Environmental issues contribute to resource stresses and political conflict Correct. The passage begins by stating "What climate change [an environmental issue] will undeniably do is cause or amplify events that hasten the reduction of resources [resource stresses]." It then continues, "Competition over these diminishing resources would ensue in the form of political or even violent conflict." This option accurately summarizes the core chain of events described in the passage. D) Political conflict based on identity or ideology cannot be resolved Incorrect. The passage mentions that resource conflicts are "cloaked in the guise of identity or ideology," but it does not comment on the resolvability of such conflicts, whether they are truly based on identity/ideology or merely cloaked as such.