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Foresight for Action | Ecosystem Degradation, Transnational Migration, and Political Instability: Three Main Tipping Points for East Africa
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The Horn of Africa faces critical security and climate risks. Persistent droughts have precipitated the onset of food insecurity and waterborne disease, while heavy rain events such as Cyclone Sagar have caused widespread flooding, mudslides, and wind damage. These challenges are increasing in severity against a backdrop of changing demographic trends—including rapid population growth, increased migration, and urbanization—and power struggles both within and between countries in the region.
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From Caution to Creative Solutions: The Necessary Evolution of the Climate Migration Debate
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Over the years, experts have cautioned against speaking of “climate refugees.” They argue that the term “refugee,” as defined by the 1951 Refugee Convention, only applies to those who flee across borders out of fear of persecution and violence. Furthermore, evidence shows that migration is a complex phenomenon. While climate change may influence decisions to migrate to some degree, it would likely drive internal movement along well-worn migration routes, often rural-urban in nature. Ultimately, experts have argued that policymakers should think of migration as a form of adaptation to climate change, and reject the term “climate refugee.” -
What Changes When We See Women
›To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program, I have a prediction: by ECSP’s 50th anniversary, the idea that one could discuss national and international security without examining the situation, status, and security of women will be seen as laughably naïve. Over the next twenty-five years, I predict that every “Intro to International Relations” and “Intro to National Security” class (and every QDR and QDDR) will begin by examining the critical linkage between what is going on with women and what is going on with nation-states. -
The Environment Has Become a Hostage of Armed Conflict
›This year, 2019, marked a new nadir for the environment that may reflect an ominous trend in warfare: Environmentally sensitive targets are being weaponized and taken hostage. Farmland went up in flames and burning oil tankers dominated the headlines, serving as a stark reminder of conflict’s ripple effects.
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Climate Change, Conflict, and Peacebuilding in Solomon Island Communities
›Meaningful engagement with the social and conflict implications of climate change in Solomon Islands must be firmly grounded within local worldviews—within Solomon Islanders’ physical, economic, political, and social and spiritual worlds. As we note in a recent policy brief for the Toda Peace Institute, when addressing conflict challenges exacerbated or caused by climate change, approaches should be draw upon community understandings of what constitutes peace and justice.
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Upcycling ‘Beach Snow’: Clearing Taiwan’s Oyster Farming Marine Debris
›“If you go to some Taiwan beaches, you can see snow,” said Chieh-Shen (Jason) Hu, Ocean Initiative Coordinator for Taiwan’s Society of Wilderness, a 6,000-member organization similar to Sierra Club. Hu was referring to pervasive Styrofoam marine debris from western Taiwan’s oldest industry, oyster aquaculture.
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Rehabilitating North Korea’s Forests: The Struggle to Balance Conservation with Livelihoods
›Venerated in art and poetry, Korea’s verdant mountain forests hold a special place in Korean people’s hearts. Like their political systems and economies, however, forest fortunes in North and South Korea have gone in very different directions since the country’s division more than 70 years ago.
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Hydro-Nationalism: Future Water Woes Call for Radical New Borders
›International political boundaries are arbitrary creations. Today’s borders are better described as imaginary lines on maps, rather than hard barriers between states. Often using mountains, rivers, or other geographical landmarks, modern borders are entrenched in historic tradition rather than logic and fact. As a result, today’s international borders are poorly equipped to handle modern challenges, in particular climate change, which has already begun to threaten the most important state resource, fresh water.
Showing posts from category Guest Contributor.
Over the years, experts have 
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program, I have a prediction: by ECSP’s 50th anniversary, the idea that one could discuss national and international security without examining the situation, status, and security of women will be seen as laughably naïve. Over the next twenty-five years, I predict that every “Intro to International Relations” and “Intro to National Security” class (and every QDR and QDDR) will begin by examining the critical linkage between what is going on with women and what is going on with nation-states.
