CEOBS’ STEM schools programme for 2020-2021
We have received funding from the British Ecological Society to develop STEM teaching materials on the environmental dimensions of armed conflicts that are suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 students.
Time to move beyond Yemen’s SAFER oil tanker blame game
The fate of the hazardous SAFER oil tanker moored off Yemen is becoming increasingly politicised, in this blog Doug Weir reviews recent developments and considers whether the UN Security Council could help break the current impasse.
Exploring environmental governance in eastern Ukraine
How does environmental governance function in areas that are governed by non-state actors during conflicts? Olga Shashkina has explored this question in eastern Ukraine, where two new republics declared themselves when the Ukrainian government lost control of the region.
Geodiversity also needs protection during armed conflicts
Geodiversity provides the habitat upon which biodiversity is dependant, and it often also underpins the livelihoods of those living in conflict zones. In this blog, Dr Kevin Kiernan argues that we need to do more to protect it before, during and after conflicts.
COVID-19 shows why protecting water in conflict is vital
The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the vulnerability of people in conflict-affected areas without access to water. In this blog, Dr Mara Tignino and Tadesse Kebebew argue that strengthening the norms protecting water infrastructure is more vital than ever.
Are abandoned mines flooding in Ukraine’s Donbas region?
This blog investigates a potential case of mine water flooding in eastern Ukraine, at a coal mine close to the location of an experimental nuclear detonation in the 1970s. Many mines have been closed during the conflict and with water pumping stopped there are widespread risks from pollution, methane leaks and subsidence.
From ENMOD to geoengineering: the environment as a weapon of war
Could geoengineering technologies that can modify our climate pose a threat to peace and security? And could they join other environmentally risky civilian infrastructure in becoming a target or hostage during conflicts? Gabriela Kolpak investigates.
Members urge states and the IUCN to address conflicts and biodiversity
Armed conflicts pose a threat to biodiversity and hamper conservation efforts. New legal norms intended to protect the environment in relation to armed conflicts could provide greater protection for biodiversity hotspots and are the subject of a motion ahead of this year’s World Conservation Congress.