University of Birjand-Research Group of Drought and Climate Change Journal of Drought and Climate change Research 3092-6076 Articles in Press 2026 05 30 Climate Change and Local Vulnerability: A Geopolitical Perspective on Gonbad-e Kavous Climate Change and Local Vulnerability: A Geopolitical Perspective on Gonbad-e Kavous 3997 10.22077/jdcr.2026.11146.1219 FA Morteza Esmailnejad department of geography, university of birjand 0000-0001-5398-4267 Vahdid Kiani department of Geography, university of birjand 0000-0003-0927-5054 Mehdi Hokmabdi geopolitics student, university of Birjand Journal Article 2026 04 14 Climate change, as one of the emerging global challenges, has profound effects on the environmental, economic, social, and political structures of various regions. In sensitive and vulnerable areas such as Gonbad-e Kavous County, these consequences manifest in a multidimensional and complex manner. The significance and necessity of this research lie in its comprehensive analysis of the reflection of the consequences of climate change and drought on the vulnerability of local communities from the perspective of geopolitical approaches (including economic, social, political-security, and environmental dimensions). A precise understanding of these consequences paves the way for designing sustainable policies and managing climate crises at both regional and national levels. The main objective of this study is to investigate and rank the consequences of climate change and drought and to analyze the relationship among its various dimensions in Gonbad-e Kavous County. The research method is applied, and its approach is descriptive-analytical. Data were collected through library research, online sources, and a survey (researcher-made questionnaire). The statistical population comprised 97,147 households in the county, with a sample size of 117 individuals selected through random sampling. By providing detailed analyses, this research lays the groundwork for adopting scientific strategies and targeted policymaking to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to climate change. Climate change, as one of the emerging global challenges, has profound effects on the environmental, economic, social, and political structures of various regions. In sensitive and vulnerable areas such as Gonbad-e Kavous County, these consequences manifest in a multidimensional and complex manner. The significance and necessity of this research lie in its comprehensive analysis of the reflection of the consequences of climate change and drought on the vulnerability of local communities from the perspective of geopolitical approaches (including economic, social, political-security, and environmental dimensions). A precise understanding of these consequences paves the way for designing sustainable policies and managing climate crises at both regional and national levels. The main objective of this study is to investigate and rank the consequences of climate change and drought and to analyze the relationship among its various dimensions in Gonbad-e Kavous County. The research method is applied, and its approach is descriptive-analytical. Data were collected through library research, online sources, and a survey (researcher-made questionnaire). The statistical population comprised 97,147 households in the county, with a sample size of 117 individuals selected through random sampling. By providing detailed analyses, this research lays the groundwork for adopting scientific strategies and targeted policymaking to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to climate change.