Environment and Security is a new journal published by the Environmental Peacebuilding Association and SAGE Publishing. The journal represents the evolution of a field of study that began in earnest in the 1990s and has emerged today—in an era increasingly defined by climate change—as an issue area of paramount importance. ECSP spoke with the journal’s editorial team about what sparked its launch and what readers can expect.

ECSP: There are a lot of academic journals focused on issues related to environment and security, but Environment and Security will be the first to deal specifically with the intersection of environment and security. What prompted its development? Why now?

Editorial Team: In our increasingly interconnected world, the necessity for a dedicated journal addressing the nexus of environment and security has never been more pronounced. Traditional concepts of security no longer suffice to confront the multifaceted challenges faced by nations and societies. While international conflicts have somewhat diminished, civil wars, human rights transgressions, and internal strife have surged. Geopolitical tensions persist, often exacerbated by factors such as climate change, resource scarcity, and widespread human migration. The environment and security have become inextricably intertwined on a global scale. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion now pose existential threats to our planet’s stability. Environmental degradation can serve as a catalyst for conflicts, evident in disputes over water and land resources. Furthermore, climate change amplifies existing insecurity, acting as a “risk multiplier.” In this context, a journal centered on environment and security fulfills a crucial role. It provides a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to dissect the intricate relationships between environmental challenges and security imperatives. Such a journal responds to the evolving nature of security, recognizing that genuine security cannot be attained without addressing environmental sustainability and considering the role of natural resource management.

ECSP: What do you hope to achieve with the journal?

Editorial Team: The launch Environment and Security constitutes a timely and imperative response to the intricate interplay of environmental and security issues. It offers a forum for advancing our comprehension of these challenges and facilitating innovative solutions essential for a more peaceful and secure world. The demand for this journal is underscored by the mounting interest among scholars and practitioners in these domains. Climate change and resource scarcity are increasingly acknowledged as pivotal in foreign policy. International organizations, including the United Nations, are actively engaging with environmental and security concerns. Simultaneously, the academic community generates a wealth of research on these topics, necessitating a dedicated outlet for dissemination.

The journal, with its interdisciplinary approach, also aims to foster collaboration among scholars from diverse fields such as political science, geography, economics, and anthropology. It aspires to cultivate an environment conducive to cutting-edge research and innovative methodologies. Moreover, the journal’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity seeks to ensure a global perspective, mirroring the international nature of these challenges through a gender and geographic balance in its editorial operations.

ECSP: Who should read the journal? 

Editorial Team: Environment and Security aims to reach a diverse audience, including researchers, decision-makers, practitioners, and students interested in the intersections between environmental issues and peace, conflict, development, and security. Researchers from various disciplines, including anthropology, environmental studies, economics, geography, law, political science, sociology, and others, are the primary target audience. The journal is open to a wide range of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches.

The journal aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications, especially in light of the growing importance of environmental and security issues in global policymaking. Decision-makers and practitioners at various levels, including government officials, international organizations, and NGOs, are encouraged to read the journal to stay informed about the latest research and insights on how environmental challenges impact security and peace.

Readers of Environment and Security can anticipate an in-depth and comprehensive exploration of intricate and urgent issues at the juncture of environment and security. In a world where conventional notions of security are rapidly evolving, this journal serves as a vital platform for delving into the complexities of our increasingly globalized reality. The journal delves into pressing challenges arising from the depletion of critical resources, emphasizing the far-reaching implications of climate change on livelihoods, public health, and economies at all levels. Furthermore, it sheds light on socio-economic disparities shaping nations’ responses to environmental issues, highlighting the precarious situations faced by regions vulnerable to climate-related risks. Environment and Security does not merely acknowledge these issues; it critically examines their implications for global peace and security.

ECSP: What should readers expect in the first issue?

Editorial Team: The inaugural issue of the journal encompasses a wide range of critically important topics within the realm of environment and security. Each contribution engages with current theoretical and empirical debates within this dynamic field. The editorial sets the stage by explaining the interconnected challenges we face today and elucidating the rationale for a dedicated journal focused on exploring the intersections of these critical issues.

A few highlights:

Tobias Ide, a leading researcher in environmental peacebuilding, analyzes sampling biases in environmental peacebuilding research. He finds that scholars of environmental peacebuilding do not shy away from examining difficult cases, but also identifies clear regional research gaps regarding Pacific regions and Latin America. 

Michael Bothe, a global authority on public and international law, reflects on more than 50 years of progress in building the international legal framework protecting the environment in relation to armed conflict. He emphasizes several developments, primarily attributed to the efforts of the Red Cross and International Law Commission, which have strengthened the legal protection of the environment during conflicts. He also takes note of deficiencies in norms and practices, notably in the context of the Ukraine conflict.

Kyle Beardsley and Jessica Beardsley, researchers of repute in international conflict and peace processes, examine the relationship between food insecurity and conflict. Through an analysis of demographic and health surveys from Côte d’Ivoire, they find that the deployment of peace operations can help mitigate malnutrition in conflict-affected countries. They further underscore the importance of empowering women in conflict-affected countries. 

Catherine Wong, a policy specialist in climate and security risk at the UN Development Programme, considers progress in integrating considerations of gender into climate finance, particularly from vertical funds. She also examines the gaps in accessing climate finance in fragile and conflict-affected situations and sets forth an approach for benchmarking progress.

In the Practitioner Insight section, Joshua Busby, a distinguished scholar of international security and former senior advisor for climate at the US Department of Defense, interviews United Nations Climate Security and Environmental Advisor Christophe Hodder, who details how resource scarcity contributes to conflicts in Somalia and how UN peacebuilders deal with such climate-related conflict risks.

Environment and Security book reviews provide an opportunity for dialogue and critical evaluation of new research by scholars working on the peace and conflict implications of human pressure on the natural environment. We hope that reviews will help advance contentious debates, sharpen scholarly consensus in the field, and become the premier place for authoritative assessments of new research in this rapidly expanding field. In the first issue, Rita Floyd, a highly regarded scholar in conflict and security, reviews three books that explain and evaluate contemporary as well as traditional, critical environmental security studies.