Issue #238 – Feb 21, 2023

Announcements

EnPAx Seeking People Interested in Participating in a MENA Interest Group

February 13, 2023 | Environmental Peacebuilding Association

The Environmental Peacebuilding Association is seeking people who would be interested in joining a Middle East and North Africa-focused Interest Group.

Survey Seeking Your Perspectives on the Intersections between Environment and Peace

February 12, 2023 | Michael Chew

Michael Chew, an independent researcher from Australia, is currently completing the Institute for Economics and Peace Ambassador program.

“Environment and Security” Now Accepting Journal Submissions!

January 24, 2023 | Environmental Peacebuilding Association

Be a part of the historic launch of the new journal, Environment and Security!

Events

For more upcoming events on environmental peacebuilding, please visit our online calendar of events.

Famine in the Horn of Africa: A Boon for Terrorist Groups? (Forum at the 21st International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights)

March 15, 2023 FIFDH
Geneva, Switzerland

In the countries of the Horn of Africa, populations are experiencing unprecedented food insecurity as a result of recurrent droughts.

The Changing Geopolitics of Critical Minerals and the Future of the Clean Energy Transition

March 9, 2023 Wilson Center
Washington, DC and online

The relationship between China and the US is commonly portrayed in terms of geostrategic competition, often leading to pessimistic accounts of international cooperation.

Book Launch: Weaponizing Water by Marcus King

February 28, 2023 Georgetown University, Mortara Center for International Studies, Science, Technology & International Affairs, Walsh School of Foreign Service
Washington, DC

Join Dr.

Library

In the last two weeks, 24 new publications were added to our online library of materials on environmental peacebuilding. Here is a sampling of the new additions:

Climate Security, Sweden and NATO Spotlight: An Interview with Bruce Jones, Brookings Institution [Video]

January 1, 2023
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

As part of the series 'Climate security, Sweden and NATO', SIPRI interviewed Bruce Jones, Director and Senior Fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy of the Foreign Policy Program, Brookings Institution.

Environmental Impact of Armed Conflicts

January 1, 2023 | John Howell
Council of Europe

Armed conflicts, wars and military aggression destroy human lives and damage human living space. Environmental damages can be multifaceted, severe, long-lasting and mostly irreversible.

Recovery Plan of Ukraine "Environmental Safety"

January 1, 2023
Government of Ukraine

In 2020, greenhouse gas emissions decreased to 33. 7% from 1990 levels. Still, the energy intensity of Ukraine's GDP in 2018 was three times higher than in Poland.

The Coastal and Marine Environment (Ukraine Conflict Environmental Briefing No. 5)

January 1, 2023
Conflict and Environment Observatory

A wide range of land and marine-based military activities are placing Ukraine’s marine ecosystems at risk, while fragile and ecologically sensitive coastal habitats have been directly affected by the fighting.

The Next Climate War? Statecraft, Security, and Weaponization in the Geopolitics of a Low-Carbon Future

January 1, 2023 | Benjamin K. Sovacool, Chad Baum, and Sean Low
Energy Strategy Reviews

The impacts of global climate change on international security and geopolitics could be of historic proportion, challenging those of previous global threats such as nuclear weapons proliferation, the Great Depression, and terrorism.

The Forgotten Countries in the "Muddy Middle" of Climate Security Risk

January 1, 2023 | Tom Ellison
Center for Climate and Security

Climate security analysis lends itself to focusing on the extremes among countries, whether the greenhouse gas trajectories of the highest emitting countries or the adaptation challenges in the most exposed.

The Blind Spot: How a Gap in Climate Security Strategy Leads to Opportunities for Maligned Actors in Strategic Competition

January 1, 2023 | Alexander Kenna and Matthew Alexander
Small Wars Journal

As the US military continues to develop its climate security strategy and action plans, the current publications and programs only briefly mention proactive international actions by enhancing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts.

Steps to Prevent the Worst Consequences of Climate Change Impacting Future Peace and Security: UK Statement at the UN Security Council

January 1, 2023 | Barbara Woodward
Government of the United Kingdom

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council open debate on sea-level rise:

"Thank you President, and thank you for convening this important debate today.

Climate Change and Australia’s National Security

January 1, 2023 | Tobias Ide
Australian Journal of International Affairs

Climate change can undermine human, national and planetary security in various ways.

How Nepal Regenerated Its Forests

January 1, 2023 | Emily Cassidy
Earth Observatory

In the 1970s, Nepal was facing an environmental crisis. Forests in Nepal’s hillsides were being degraded due to livestock grazing and fuelwood harvesting, which led to increased flooding and landslides.

Food Insecurity in Africa: Drivers and Solutions

January 1, 2023 | Caroline Delgado, Kristina Tschunkert, and Dan Smith
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

Global food insecurity is rapidly increasing. In 2021 an estimated 29. 3 per cent of the global population (2.

Financing Food Security: Promises and Pitfalls of the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus in South Sudan

January 1, 2023 | Caroline Delgado, Kristina Tschunkert, Congai Murugani, and Marie Riquier
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

Food insecurity is on the rise, driven predominantly by violent conflict and climate change.

Water and Conflict: A Toolkit for Programming

January 1, 2022 | Ekta Patel, Erika Weinthal, Geoff Dabelko, Carl Bruch, Jack Daly, and Nikki Behnke
USAID

USAID has released its recently revised Water and Conflict Toolkit, first published in 2014.

Conflict Sensitivity and Renewable Energy: A Case Study From Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp

January 1, 2022 | Ruth Nyakerario and Naho Mirumachi
Stockholm Environment Institute

This report is based on a desk study, involving a systematic literature review from documents in the public domain on previous and current renewable energy projects in the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Jobs

Please visit our jobs page to view these positions and other job opportunities.

Syria: MEAL Director, Growing Agriculture and Incomes in Syria, USAID/Syria

February 21, 2023 | Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

Jordan: Project Manager (m/f/d) for Community Work and Resource Conflict Transformation in Amman, Jordan

February 16, 2023 | Forum Civil Peace Service

The Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e. V. (forumZFD) supports people involved in violent conflicts on the path to peace and strives to help overcome war and violence.

Nigeria: Natural Resource Management Advisor (Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation In Northwest Nigeria)

February 16, 2023 | Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

International News

In the last two weeks, 24 international news items on environmental peacebuilding were posted on our website. The following is a sampling:

DRC: Buying Conflict-Free Tin and Coltan out of Congo Just Got Harder

November 4, 2022 | Michael J Kavanagh, Bloomberg

Buying tin, tantalum and tungsten that doesn’t support violence in central Africa has become more complicated after an industry-led program monitoring the supply chains downgraded its relationship with the region’s main mineral-tracking group.

Colombia: Colombian President Petro & Cattle Rancher’s Federation Agree on Land Reform Framework

November 4, 2022 | Sonia Romero, Finance Colombia

José Felix Lafaurie, head of the Colombian Federation of Cattle Ranchers (Fedegan), and President Gustavo Petro met at the Casa de Nariño, the nation’s presidential palace, at the beginning of October where they…

Afghanistan: Afghan Authorities Ban Illegal Mines in Northern Province

November 4, 2022 | Xinhua

The provincial administration has banned illegal mines in Afghanistan's northern Takhar province.

Climate Change: Emerging Evidence of a Connection Between Climate Change and Armed Group Recruitment

November 3, 2022 | United Nations University

Climate change has long been viewed as a threat multiplier that exacerbates fragility and conflict risks and new data suggests emerging evidence of a connection between climate change and armed group recruitment.

Climate Change: DOD Office Looks to Effects of Climate Change on Department

November 3, 2022 | Jim Garamone, US Department of Defense

Earth's average annual temperature is rising, and as service members adjust to new climate realities, the Defense Department must do its part to combat climate change.

Ukraine/Russia: Russia-Ukraine War - the Connection to Food Security in Africa

November 2, 2022 | Giza Mdoe, The Exchange Africa

Russia-Ukraine crisis. What is the relationship with food security in Africa? Food security in Africa has always been the centre stage of all major global meetings.

Chile: How Illegal Logging Became a National Security Crisis in Chile

November 2, 2022 | Henry Shuldiner, InSight Crime

Chile has long grappled with rampant illegal logging, particularly in the south.

Conflict Minerals: Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to Decide on Fate of Russian Diamonds

November 1, 2022 | News24 Africa

The plenary meeting of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is under way in Gaborone, Botswana, until Friday and it's expected to decide if Russian diamonds should be declared conflict gems.

Colombia: ELN Operating Massive Cattle Rustling Operation on Colombian Border

November 1, 2022 | Insight Crime

The ELN is involved in all manner of criminal economies along the Colombian-Venezuelan border, but its continuing role in facilitating cattle smuggling may be one of the most overlooked.

Sudan: Pipeline Sabotage in Kordofan Shuts Sudan Oil Refinery

November 1, 2022 | Dabanga

A major section of the Khartoum Petroleum Refinery that processes Nile Blend crude oil has been shut down after sabotage to the pipeline in the area of Kharasana in Keilak, West Kordofan.

Sudan: Sudanese Refinery Resumes Full Operations after ‘Sabotage’

October 31, 2022 | Associated Press

An oil refinery in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum resumed operations following a brief halt due to an act of “sabotage” on one of its pipelines, state-run media said on Monday.

Liberia: Swiss Firm Says FDA Lied in Defending Illegal Permits

October 29, 2022 | Emmanuel Sherman, The Daylight

The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) lied that its Swiss contractor had declined to register logs from a plantation in Nimba County, which led it to award illegal permits, the quality company has said.

Colombia: Colombians Are Occupying Land to Protest Inequality. Here’s the History.

October 28, 2022 | Laura García-Montoya and Isabel Güiza-Gómez, Washington Post

In Colombia, Indigenous, peasant and Afro-descendant groups have escalated land occupations in recent months, seeking to ensure the government carries out long-standing land redistribution promises.

Blogs & Opinion

In the last two weeks, 3 blogs & opinion pieces on environmental peacebuilding were posted on our website.

Arms Are Not Enough: Solutions for the Sahel Must Consider Climate

February 16, 2023 | Sinéad Barry and Janani Vivekananda

A focus on counter-terrorism by Nigeria and international actors operating in the Lake Chad basin is by no means misplaced.

South Sudan’s Oil and Water Give It Bargaining Power – but Will It Benefit the People?

February 12, 2023 | Harry Verhoeven and Francois Sennesael

Much of Africa has spent 2022 facing sharp increases in the costs of energy and food driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the strengthening of the US dollar.

Environmental and Political Reconciliation Needed for the South China Sea

February 8, 2023 | James Borton

More than 625 million people of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) depend upon a healthy global ocean.

Join the Association

The Environmental Peacebuilding Association® (EnPAx®) is the leading global network that brings together practitioners, researchers, and decision makers working on environment, conflict, and peace. EnPAx includes both individual and institutional members. If you have any questions regarding membership, please contact us at membership@environmentalpeacebuilding.org.

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About Our Community of Practice

Environmental Peacebuilding is a knowledge platform and global community of practice on natural resources, conflict, and peace, hosted by the Environmental Peacebuilding Association. The platform unites a global network of researchers, practitioners, and decision makers in sharing experiences and lessons from managing natural resources in fragile states and conflict-affected settings. The platform also helps people to access new publications on the topic, conduct new research, and participate in events to support the growth of the field. As part of our Community of Practice, we bring you biweekly updates on recent developments, including news about our program as well as links to new publications, upcoming conferences and events, and job openings.

Please visit us at www.environmentalpeacebuilding.org for more information.

Compiled by Will Funk, Gaia Ghio, Carrie Hanks, Liz Hessami, Alreem Kamal, Diana Quevedo, Shiri Salehin, Gabrielle Sequiera, Rachel Stern, Major Stevens, Rachel Stromsta, Leslie Terrones, Diego Toledo, Sarah Xu, Leela Yadav, and Julie Yoon
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