Conflict Exercises –
Week 9 & 10
Visit the website of the news program Democracy Now and explore the topic of climate
change (
Links to an external site.
) or select another reputable news source covering climate change. You can also find
several case studies related to environmental issues in the Peace Science Digest
Links to an external site.
(I’ve asked you to subscribe for the duration of the course)
Environmental conflict has long been a focal point in conflict resolution, and climate
change significantly contributes to this arena. Both climate change and broader
environmental conflicts encompass intricate issues intertwined with economics, politics,
inequality, gender, race, etc.
Reflect on the implications of climate change in terms of conflict, focusing on
environmental justice considerations. Numerous examples of conflicts related to climate
change abound. Choose one case and construct a brief conflict case study. Then,
propose an approach to constructive transformation or resolution of the conflict. Select
one conflict resolution approach, referencing the readings and lecture notes.
Incorporating external sources can boost your arguments. You’re conducting a miniature
case study on environmental conflict and its resolution.
A word of caution: we aim not to debate climate change’s existence or human-made
nature. The scientific community reached a consensus on this matter long ago.
This conflict exercise merges weeks 9 and 10 with a maximum credit of 50
points—thus, expectations are elevated accordingly. I’m implementing this for several
reasons: environmental conflict is a pressing contemporary issue warranting our
attention; we’re nearing the term’s conclusion, and I want to see you apply your
analytical skills alongside knowledge gleaned from readings and lectures to address
conflict resolution; I aim to provide you with ample time to concentrate on your final
poster. If you complete this assignment promptly, you’ll have more time to dedicate to
the final project—while the submission deadline is generous, the sooner you submit, the
sooner you can shift your focus to the poster.
- Conflict Exercises – Week 9 & 10
