Elsa Barron

Research Assistant, Community Organizer
Wilson Center Environmental Change and Security Program, Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light
United States

Apr 4, 2023

Elsa Barron is a young professional with a diverse set of skills and experiences in the fields of environmental advocacy, journalism, research, and peacebuilding. Currently, she works as a research fellow at the Center for Climate and Security. In her free time, she organizes with youth and faith communities. She holds a Bachelor’s in biological sciences and peace studies, with a minor in sustainability from the University of Notre Dame. Her academic excellence and leadership qualities were recognized through the Glynn Award and the Yarrow Award, and she was awarded a Kellogg Postgraduate Fellowship. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Interest Group of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association.

As Elsa studied both biology and peace, she noticed the close link between ecological and social systems, including conflict and peacebuilding. Despite COVID-19-related cancellations of her internships and other opportunities, she discovered the field of environmental peacebuilding after graduation. One of her professors encouraged her to volunteer with the Environmental Peacebuilding Association, where she gained valuable experience. Elsa then interned at the Institute for Climate and Peace, a grassroots environmental peacebuilding organization in Hawaii, and later she engaged in community organizing, research, and writing for think tanks. Eventually, her experiences led her to take a full-time role at the Center for Climate and Security, a job she had long been interested in.

Elsa’s passion for environmental peacebuilding is evident through her work as the creator and host of the Olive Shoot podcast, which explores various perspectives on environmental issues ranging from traditional to new approaches. The podcast covers a wide range of topics such as geopolitics, conservation, law, youth activism, faith, and climate change adaptation. These topics are linked to the reality of the environment, and Elsa emphasizes that we cannot separate the environment and peace from human dynamics. She believes that our goals for peace and justice are closely tied to what is happening in the world around us. Elsa's podcast is a meaningful project that engages many people in the process. It provides an opportunity to invite people into a podcast and build relationships, creating cooperation for the future. She hopes to do a second season of the podcast in the future. The backbone of the first season of the podcast was hope, and through the podcasts Elsa highlighted that people who work in environmental peacebuilding are some of the most hopeful individuals for the climate movement. While there is hope in science, technology, and policy, Elsa believes that the main hope lies in the communities with whom these individuals work.

Growing up, she was part of a faith community that was skeptical of some aspects of mainstream science. However, she later studied biology and dove into the world of science, which led her to question whether she had to choose between faith and science. Over time, she came to recognize that both were interconnected, shaped by her personal experiences and spirituality. One of her favorite things to work on is climate education, advocacy, and empowerment within faith communities. She previously engaged in this work in Indiana, and she plans to continue this type of engagement in the future. This work is significant to her because it invests in one of her deepest and greatest identities.

One of the exciting projects that Elsa is working on focuses on telling young people’s stories of "Climate Security in my Backyard.” The project aims to provide policy recommendations and share personal stories related to climate security. As part of this project, young people are encouraged to submit their experiences and policy recommendations as video essays. The goal is to create a lasting network through subsequent policy roundtables guided by young leaders. Elsa believes that the personal narratives of young people in this project can be even more transformative than graphs or statistics.

Another project that Elsa works on at the Center for Climate and Security is related to the "Climate, Peace, and Humanitarian Nexus." This project aims to address how climate change exacerbates humanitarian crises and leads to conflict. It is a significant nexus that requires innovative solutions rooted in case studies. The project seeks to bring together policymakers, practitioners, and local community members to explore this critical and significant topic. Elsa is excited about both the subject matter and the methodology of the project. Elsa is enthusiastic about the potential of this project to bring about innovative solutions and contribute to a more peaceful and sustainable future.

Elsa believes that environmental peacebuilding is about reconciliation. As someone who values working with faith communities, she sees the climate crisis as a spiritual crisis. She believes that our expectations of comfort and lifestyle – of wanting things when we want them and where we want them – are not separate from the challenges faced by communities, which are rooted in colonialism, resource extraction, and land exploitation. According to Elsa, there is a need for reconciliation, and environmental peacebuilding is key to that process. It can help address the root causes of environmental challenges, such as changing systems, managing expectations, and fighting for justice. As a result, Elsa believes that environmental peacebuilding is essential to addressing the challenges facing our world today. She sees it as a way to reconcile our relationships with the environment, with one another, and with our own spiritual beliefs.

Elsa's motivation to join the Environmental Peacebuilding Association was clear. She initially started out as a volunteer and soon realized the potential of the network and its willingness to grow and work together. Elsa's work in the field also inspired her to take a more active role. As of now, Elsa is the Co-Chair of the Young Professional Interest Group, and she has many ambitious plans for the future. Her plans include more projects, collaborations, and research cooperation to support each other. Elsa is enthusiastic about learning and contributing to the community's growth and is excited to see these plans come to fruition.

Elsa emphasizes that many young people are concerned about environmental and peacebuilding issues and care deeply about them. They only need an invitation to get involved, which can be incredibly powerful. She acknowledges that some may feel that asking to participate can be burdensome, but in reality, it provides a pathway for engagement. Elsa believes that the relationship between inviting and involving young people is symbiotic and mutually beneficial. By providing opportunities for young people to engage in environmental peacebuilding, they can gain valuable experience, knowledge, and skills that will prepare them to tackle these issues in the future. Simultaneously, their contributions and perspectives can bring fresh and innovative ideas to the field, propelling the movement forward.