International Environmental Conflict Resolution

Event Details

Preston Scott and J. Martin Trolldalen, directors from World Foundation for Environment and Development, give a forum on international environmental policy. Scott begins his lecture by commenting on Jefferson?s signs of early environmentalism. He continues to discuss environmental issues on an international level the he perceives as precipitating conflict. He argues that in regions were democratic institutions are most weak, environmental destruction is most prominent. Trolldalen in turn discusses how critical environmental issues tend to be overlooked despite their deep impact on international politics. He uses the examples of Turkey?s damming the Euphrates River to the frustration of Syria and Iraq and drought in Libya and Chad that caused massive migration into Sudan to illustrate his point. He concludes by suggesting that the United Nations can help mediate these problems in the future. During the questioning session he discusses economics and environmentalism, the ability of international organizations to resolve environmental disputes, Israeli-Palestinian cooperation, and destruction of the Brazilian Amazon.