Issue #20 – Oct 14, 2014

New Library Resources

In the last two weeks, 84 new publications were added to our online library of materials on environmental peacebuilding. Here is a sampling of the new additions:

How to Build Resilience to Conflict: The Role of Food Security

January 1, 2014 | Clemens Breisinger, Olivier Ecker, Jean-François Maystadt, Jean-François Trinh Tan, Perrihan Al-Riffai, Khalida Bouzar, Abdelkarim Sma, and Mohamed Abdelgadir
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

This Food Policy Report explains why there is a need to place even higher priority on food security–related policies and programs in conflict-prone countries, and offers insights for policymakers regarding how to do…

Investing in Collaboration to Manage Environmental Resource Conflict. Policy Brief.

January 1, 2014 | Blake D. Ratner, Clementine Burnley, Samuel Mugisha, Elias Madzudzo, Il Oeur, Mam Kosal, Lukas Rüttinger, Loziwe Chilufya, and Paola Adriázola
Collaborating for Resilience

Conflict over environmental resources endangers rural people’s livelihoods and can increase the risk of broader social conflict. Yet action to sustain shared resources can also be a potent source of community building.

Engaging the Private Sector to Address Conflict in Natural Resource Management: Policy Brief.

January 1, 2014 | Clementine Burnley, Irina Comardicea, Anne Dahmen, and Blake D. Ratner
Collaborating for Resilience

International investments in agroindustry present a growing source of tension for local populations who rely on land, forests, water and fisheries for their livelihoods, particularly where local tenure security is put at risk.

Collaborative Dialogue to Support Local Institutions in Natural Resource Co-Management

January 1, 2014 | Clementine Burnley, Anne Dahmen, Irina Comardicea, and Blake D. Ratner
Collaborating for Resilience

Co-management of natural resources entails sharing authority and responsibility among government agencies, industry associations and community-based institutions.

Conflict-Sensitive Adaptation to Climate Change in Africa

January 1, 2014 | Dennis Tänzler and Lukas Rüttinger (eds.)
Climate Diplomacy Series

Climate change affects and will affect livelihood resources and options in Africa, especially among the poor, through changes in temperatures, rainfall, sea levels and ocean acidification.

Modeling and Data Choices Sway Conclusions about Climate-Conflict Links

January 1, 2014 | John O’Laughlin, Andrew Linke, and Drank Witmer
PNAS, February 11

In an era of growing concern about the human impacts of climate change, the academic and policy communities are paying increasing attention to the possible link between weather anomalies and violent conflict.

Reconciling Disagreement over Climate-Conflict Results in Africa

January 1, 2014 | Solomon M. Hsiang and Kyle C. Meng
PNAS

A recent study by Burke et al.

Can Natural Disasters Precipitate Peace?

January 1, 2014 | Aleksandra Egorova and Cullen S. Hendrix
Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law

Though there is still debate over the specific contribution of climate change to violent conflict, the balance of evidence suggests climate change will likely be politically destabilizing across broad swaths of Africa and…

International News

In the last two weeks, 69 international news items on environmental peacebuilding were posted on our website. Following is a sampling:

Myanmar: Struggling to Save Myanmar’s National Parks

August 19, 2014 | The Seattle Times

Off a remote, glimmering beach in Myanmar backed by a lush tropical forest, Julia Tedesco skims the crystalline waters with mask and fins, looking for coral and fish life.

India: Gang Wars Rage Still, in West UP

August 19, 2014 | The Times of India

Fights over water have led to bloodshed. Water wars claimed at least 25 lives in Kinoni village. Vinod Bawla refused to share water for irrigation with Surender, who owned the adjacent field.

China/Vietnam: Chinese Contractors Abandon Vietnam Hydro Project as Tensions Remain High

August 19, 2014 | GCR

A major hydropower project in Vietnam stood in limbo over the weekend amid reports that the two Chinese contractors building it have abandoned the project and returned home after failing to secure extra…

DRC: la FAO apporte 160 millions FCFA pour booster la filière manioc au Congo (DRC: FAO Brings 160 Million FCFA to Boost Cassava Sector in Congo)

August 19, 2014 | ADIAC

Dans la recherche d’un projet plus efficace, capable d’augmenter sensiblement la productivité en manioc, aliment consommé par 90% de Congolais, le gouvernement vient de mettre sur pied un nouveau projet à travers l’approche Champs-Écoles-Paysans (CEP).…

Iraq/Kurdistan: Iraqi Kurdistan's Largest Producing Oilfield Working to Boost Output

August 15, 2014 | Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters Africa

TAQ TAQ OILFIELD, Iraq Aug 15 (Reuters) - Oil production at Iraqi Kurdistan's largest producing oil field is planned to rise by at least 16,500 barrels per day (bpd) by the end of…

Liberia: Grow but Cherish Your Environment

August 15, 2014 | The Economist

For half a century, Indonesia and Malaysia have accounted for the vast majority of the world’s exports of palm oil.

China/Vietnam: Is Vietnam Spinning Out of China’s Orbit?

August 15, 2014 | Foreign Policy Association

Beijing’s formidable display of aggression this year is backfiring, as its neighbors scramble to beef up their military capabilities and forge defensive alliances both within and outside the region.

Liberia: Sifca Says Exports of Rubber From Liberia Halted on Ebola

August 14, 2014 | Bloomberg

Sifca Group, an Ivory Coast agribusiness company, said its exports of rubber from Liberia have been halted as a result of the closing of land borders, a step meant to control the spread…

India: There Will be Water Wars Soon: HC on Depleting Water Level in Delhi

August 14, 2014 | The Economic Times

The Delhi High Court today said there would be "water wars" soon given the rate water sources is depleting and asked the city government whether it has any policy in place for implementing…

South China Sea: China-US Tensions Heat Up Over Disputed Sea

August 14, 2014 | Voice of America

Chinese state media accuse the United States of inflaming tensions in the South China Sea as Secretary of State John Kerry wraps up his trip to the region during which the U.

Sharing and Posting Materials

The strength of the knowledge platform depends on submissions and suggestions on contents from users. To share publications and information on events, job opportunities, and other announcements, please contact share@environmentalpeacebuilding.org. Please also feel free to share ideas on how the platform can be further improved to meet your needs.

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.

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