Climate Change and Political Violence

Policymakers and scholars are increasingly interested in whether climate change could increase the risk of political instability, including violent conflicts within and between countries. In this seminar, we explore such questions as: How could the expected effects of climate change make civil or international conflicts more likely? What evidence is there that environmental factors contribute to political violence, both historically and today? What regions or countries are most at risk from these challenges, and why? In addition to addressing the human and social impacts of climate change, topics include what causes political violence within and between countries and how we can assess the contribution of different risk factors. In addition, methods and data that scholars use to explore the link between climate and conflict.