Climate Change, Disasters, and Security: Unconventional Approaches to Building Stability

Jan 14, 2016 | Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars Environmental Change and Security Program
Washington, D.C.
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Natural disasters are expected to increase in both number and severity as a result of climate change. Many places lack the resources and institutional capacity for disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. As a result, climate-related natural disasters can act as a threat multiplier, undermining the stability of nations and regions and exacerbating insecurity. Recognizing this, the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and their partners are working to strengthen U.S. responses to climate change through increased collaboration and coordination.

Join us for a discussion of whole-of-government interventions to reduce climate change vulnerability. Where are there opportunities to increase collaboration across U.S. agencies? What role can disaster risk management play in building stability? What are the barriers to strengthening disaster risk management? How can U.S. agencies work better with one another and with international partners?

This event is co-sponsored by the Jackson Foundation.

Panelists:

Jeff Andrews
Chief of Environmental Security, U.S. Africa Command

Carl Bruch
Co-Director, International Programs, Environmental Law Institute 

Rene Nijenhuis
Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Joint United Nations Environment Program/Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Environment Unit

Swathi Veeravalli
Research Scientist, Geospatial Research Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Moderated by Roger-Mark De Souza
Director, Population, Environmental Security, and Resilience, Wilson Center