October 28th 2021

Our October roundtable examined the security impact of environmental degradation and climate change in the lead up to COP26. Threat assessments highlighted potential challenges including resource wars, migration and displacement, food and water insecurity, and worsening public health.

Caitriona Heinl moderated this discussion between Laura Birkman, Senior Strategic Analyst & Head of the Climate and Security Program at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies & Member of the International Military Council on Climate and Security; Alistair D.B. Cook, Coordinator of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Programme & Senior Fellow at the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; John Conger, Director Emeritus at the Center for Climate and Security, Senior Advisor to the Council on Strategic Risks & Senior U.S. Advisor to  the International Military Council on Climate and Security; Mark Nevitt, Associate Professor of Law at Syracuse University College of Law & Former Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Law at the U.S. Naval Academy. Opening remarks were provided by Vice Admiral Rtd. Mark Mellett, Chair of the Advisory Council of the Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy & Former Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces.