The environmental costs of war and the legacies of imperialism
Background
The former UN Secretary general Ban Ki-moon once said: “The environment has long been a silent casualty of war and armed conflict."
The United Nations recognizes the devastation inflicted upon communities and ecosystems by endless war and the role that the climate crisis plays in fueling conflict around the world. The impacts of climate change—witnessed in the form of drought, flooding, changing growing seasons, and displacement due to sea level rise—exacerbate existing conflicts and fuel new ones. This is projected to worsen in the years to come, driving future instability as resources become more scarce and climate migration increases.
The Problem
What can we do to advocate for the environment and its inhabitants during armed conflicts–because our community needs to be more aware and learn how to take action against these abuses?
Collaboration
You will do this project in a group. Your group size can range from 2-4 people.
Task
Your group will choose a contemporary armed conflict to learn about. As your group learns about the conflict, your group will try to evaluate the environmental costs of the conflict, as well as the social, economic, and political costs.
The former UN Secretary general Ban Ki-moon once said: “The environment has long been a silent casualty of war and armed conflict."
The United Nations recognizes the devastation inflicted upon communities and ecosystems by endless war and the role that the climate crisis plays in fueling conflict around the world. The impacts of climate change—witnessed in the form of drought, flooding, changing growing seasons, and displacement due to sea level rise—exacerbate existing conflicts and fuel new ones. This is projected to worsen in the years to come, driving future instability as resources become more scarce and climate migration increases.
The Problem
What can we do to advocate for the environment and its inhabitants during armed conflicts–because our community needs to be more aware and learn how to take action against these abuses?
Collaboration
You will do this project in a group. Your group size can range from 2-4 people.
Task
Your group will choose a contemporary armed conflict to learn about. As your group learns about the conflict, your group will try to evaluate the environmental costs of the conflict, as well as the social, economic, and political costs.