Issue #22 – Nov 11, 2014

New Library Resources

In the last two weeks, 157 new publications were added to our online library of materials on environmental peacebuilding. Here is a sampling of the new additions:

Extreme Temperatures and Violence

January 1, 2014 | Clionadh Raleigh, Andrew Linke, and John O’Loughlin
Nature

“In his book Civilization and Climate, Ellsworth Huntington (1876–1947) noted that “Almost any American or European who has travelled or resided within the tropics will confess that he has occasionally flown into a passion, and…

Identifying Hot Spots of Security Vulnerability Associated with Climate Change in Africa

January 1, 2014 | Joshua Busby, Kerry Cook, Edward Vizy, Todd Smith, and Mesfin Bekalo
Springer

“Given its high dependence on rainfed agriculture and its comparatively low adaptive capacity, Africa is frequently invoked as especially vulnerable to climate change.

The New Kings of Crude: China, Oil, and Civil War in Sudan and South Sudan [Video]

January 1, 2014 | Luke Patey
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Luke Patey, senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, discusses his book The New Kings of Crude: China, India, and the Global Struggle for Oil in Sudan and South Sudan and this topic.…

Report: 93 Percent of Mining, Oil & Gas, Logging, Agriculture Developments Involve Inhabited Land

January 1, 2014 | Science Codex
Science Codex

In an analysis of almost 73,000 concessions in eight tropical forested countries, more than 93 percent of these developments were found to involve land inhabited by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Tackling Conflict Minerals: How a New Chinese Initiative Can Address Chinese Companies' Risks

January 1, 2014 | Global Witness
Global Witness

A Chinese government-affiliated body, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for Minerals, Metals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC), published this month ground-breaking Guidelines for its mining and mineral trading companies operating overseas.

Land Administration Challenges in Postconflict States in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from Rwanda and Liberia

January 1, 2014 | John Bruce
World Bank

The six case studies in this book were prepared as background studies for a synthesis report on land administration and reform in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Communities as Counterparties : Preliminary Review of Concessions and Conflict in Emerging and Frontier Market Concessions

January 1, 2014 | Andrea Alforte, Joseph Angan, Jack Dentith, Karl Domondon, Lou Munden, Sophia Murday, and Leonardo Pradela
The Munden Project

From a business perspective, the risk posed by conflicts between concession operators and local populations in emerging or frontier markets concerns more than just companies with ground-level operations. It also interests investors.

Climate and Conflict

January 1, 2014 | Marshall Burke, Solomon M. Hsiang, & Edward Miguel
National Bureau of Economic Research

Until recently, neither climate nor conflict have been core areas of inquiry within economics, but there has been an explosion of research on both topics in the past decade, with a particularly large body of…

Reconciling Climate-Conflict Meta-Analyses: Reply to Buhaug et al.

January 1, 2014 | Solomon M. Hsiang, Marshall Burke, & Edward Miguel
Climatic Change

A comment by Buhaug et al. attributes disagreement between our recent analyses and their review articles to biased decisions in our meta-analysis and a difference of opinion regarding statistical approaches.

International News

In the last two weeks, 48 international news items on environmental peacebuilding were posted on our website. Following is a sampling:

Conflict Minerals: Online Resource for Industry Takes On the Challenges, Regulations, and Best Practices behind Conflict Minerals Reporting

September 11, 2014 | MFR Tech

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.

Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan/Uzbekistan: Water Pressures in Central Asia

September 11, 2014 | International Crisis Group

Political rivalries, economic competition, heightened nationalism and mistrust hamper the search for a solution to the region’s growing water and energy needs.

Cambodia: Environmental Group Blasts Forest Council for Certifying Tainted Vietnam Company

September 10, 2014 | Radio Free Asia

Environmental advocacy group Global Witness on Wednesday criticized an international forest management council for giving recognition to a Vietnamese state-owned rubber company accused of grabbing land from villagers in Cambodia and Laos.

Somalia: War-Torn Somalia Faces Starvation

September 10, 2014 | Allan Olingo, The East African

Somalia is staring at a fresh food crisis due to delayed rains, rising food prices and persistent conflict.

Myanmar: VP Nyan Htun Contemplates Burma’s Energy Needs

September 10, 2014 | Binny Mary Paul, Democratic Voice of Burma

Burmese Vice- President Nyan Htun has raised concerns about energy consumption in Burma.

South Sudan: Juba Sacks 14 Nuer Oil Workers Over Alleged Rebel Links

September 10, 2014 | Sudan Tribune

(JUBA) – A group of South Sudanese men of Nuer origin, who were employed by several oil companies, have been denied salary payments and dismissed from their positions by the South Sudanese government,…

India/Pakistan: In Srinagar, Floodwaters Recede, but Anger Remains

September 10, 2014 | Betwa Sharma and Nida Najar, The New York Times

SRINAGAR, Kashmir — As people waited here for rescue on rooftops and balconies, fear was giving way on Wednesday to anger and resentment over what some saw as a slow response to flooding…

Myanmar: Japanese-Led Projects Risk Fueling Conflict in Burma: Activists

September 9, 2014 | Yen Snaing and Saw Yan Naing, The Irrawaddy

RANGOON — Dozens of Karen civil society groups are calling on Japan’s international development agency to halt plans for development projects in southeastern Burma.

China/Japan: China Sends Warships to Escort Oil Rig to Waters Claimed by Japan Near Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands

September 9, 2014 | China Daily Mail

China’s qianzhan.

Israel/Palestine: New Emblem of an Elemental Conflict: Seized West Bank Land

September 9, 2014 | Isabel Kershner, The New York Times

WADI FUKIN, West Bank — At the edge of this small Palestinian village, an asphalt road turns into a dirt path that winds through a fertile valley where natural springs irrigate lush plots…

Sharing and Posting Materials

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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.

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