A window into what we’re reading at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program 

Mekong River Development Faces Public Outcry (Mongabay) 

The Mekong River flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—and a new development on this waterway near the downstream Thailand-Laos border has triggered protests in Thailand. The Pak Beng hydropower development is a joint project of China Datang Overseas Investment and Thailand-based Gulf Energy Development which is estimated to generate 912 megawatts of power to be sold to Thailand’s state energy company. 

The protests involved over 150 local community members, and occurred in the aftermath of severe floods which may have been linked to the development activity. Community members are concerned about how a dam created for the project will affect water levels in the Mekong basin. Those living in this region are dependent on Mekong’s water for their livelihoods (including farms and fisheries) and they will be severely affected by the Pak Beng development. 

Highlighting the energy project’s exacerbation of negative socio-ecological impacts, protestors have demanded the banks to halt funding for it. They believe that transboundary ecological and social studies are a must before undertaking further developments—which often see floods caused by manmade activities being categorized as natural disasters. Such disproportionate impacts are avoidable and can be mitigated with approaches that include community input in the decision-making process.  

READ | Solving Vietnam’s Mangrove Mystery: Mekong Delta Living Lab 

 

Global Drylands Expand at Unprecedented Rates (The Guardian) 

The UN Science Policy Interface Global Threat of Drying Lands report has revealed that drylands now account for 40% of the world’s land mass, excluding Antarctica. The new study also estimated that three-fourths of these dryer conditions have been created over the last 30 years. These expanding arid conditions are closely linked to climate change, and may create a permanent outcome as part of this worsening phenomenon.  

The new findings underscore the urgent need to address desertification and water security challenges, especially since they disproportionately affect communities living nearby. Droughts, less rainfall, and permanent drying drive human displacement, and exacerbate affected populations’ already poor access to food and water. Such conditions have a substantial impact on livelihoods which creates negative socio-economic realities and increases the risk of environmental conflicts. 

This report’s warning comes as negotiations are underway at this year’s UN’s Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD). The UNCCD receives less media attention compared to the COPs, but these new findings promise a brighter spotlight that may require states to take proactive steps. Saudi Arabia is hosting the summit, and it is one of the most arid countries on the planet. And while that nation played an unfavorable role in last month’s COP29 summit, it might yet successfully navigate member states to cooperate on combating desertification.    

READ | A Conflict Prevention Agenda Should Inform Climate Change Actions in Africa 

 

Syria’s Humanitarian Landscape Changes Overnight (The New Humanitarian) 

Thousands of refugees now are returning to Syria after a rebellion drove its former leader from the country. The end of his oppressive rule (which included a lengthy and devastating civil war) was celebrated by Syrian communities around the world and created newfound hopes for an era of long-lasting peace.  These sudden changes in Syria’s political landscape have left humanitarian organizations uncertain about aid distribution, however. Disasters and political unrest have left civilians in chronic distress.  

Beyond Assad’s authoritarian practices, humanitarian conditions in Syria also worsened due to natural disasters and limits on aid to that nation. The 2023 earthquake which struck Syria and Turkey with a 7.8 magnitude resulted in a devastating loss of life and widespread infrastructural damage. It also exacerbated an already profound refugee crisis and worsened food insecurity and poverty levels.  

Aid groups are still assessing the next steps they will amid the new and different sort of political instability. The transitional government is expected to cooperate with agencies to ensure access to food and water. Returning refugees and improved socio-economic conditions may lead to growing dialogue and a call for states to reconsider sanctions against Syria put in place during the Assad era. 

READ | Shaken to The Core: The Plight of Syrian Refugees After February’s Earthquake