When Protecting Nature Helps Build Peace

May 25, 2023 | Vanessa Bauza
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Over the past 60 years, more than 40 percent of civil wars or armed conflicts have been linked to competition over resources. And that’s expected to grow as climate change and environmental degradation exacerbate existing clashes, experts say.

At its core, most conservation involves transforming relationships between people, nature and resources. When done with care, this can strengthen social cohesion, promote collaboration and support communities’ livelihoods — all of which contribute to positive peace.

The first step is to look at the root causes of the conflict and try to figure out what we can address and what we can’t. Some communities we work in face power asymmetries for historic reasons, including colonialism. Conservation International offers training and other resources to help Indigenous communities negotiate fair agreements that are aligned with their needs and priorities, rather than simply reflecting the interests of outside organizations.