The Rise and Fall of Militarization in Environmental Contexts around the World

Date & Time
Jun 19, 2026 | 11.00 - 12.30

Location
CRX 230

Participants
Carrie Hanks, Environmental Peacebuilding Association (United States)
Esther van 't Veen, Netherlands Defence Academy (Netherlands)
Dominic Offei, University of Massachusetts - Boston (Ghana)
Emily Kenward, University for Peace (United States)
Richard Marcantonio, University of Notre Dame (United States)

Military and security actors are playing increasingly prominent roles in environmental governance, conservation, and responses to environmental insecurity. This session critically examines the diverse and often contested relationships between militarization, environmental protection, and peacebuilding. Drawing on cases from Ghana, Costa Rica, Kenya, and broader international contexts, the presentations explore how the proliferation of small arms contributes to violence in resource-extraction communities, how militarized conservation affects protected areas and local populations, and how military institutions engage in environmental security and climate mitigation initiatives. The session highlights both the opportunities and risks associated with military involvement in environmental affairs, including questions of authority, justice, gender, and accountability. By examining experiences across different regions and sectors, the contributions offer nuanced perspectives on when militarization may support environmental objectives and when it may undermine inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding efforts.

The Role of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Fueling Violent Conflicts in “Galamsey” Communities in Ghana

Dominic Offei, University of Massachusetts - Boston (Ghana)

The Rise of Militarized Conservation in Corcovado National Park and La Amistad International Peace Park in Costa Rica: An Ecofeminist Perspective

Emily Kenward, University for Peace (United States)

The Role of the Military in Environmental Security Operations and Environmental Peacebuilding

Richard Marcantonio, University of Notre Dame (United States)

The Kenyan Environmental Soldier Program: Military Actors and Climate Mitigation

Esther van 't Veen, Netherlands Defence Academy (Netherlands)