The latest IPCC report states with high confidence that climate change is causing substantial damage and increasingly irreversible losses to ecosystems. Climate change also has drastic socioeconomic consequences connected with deteriorating natural adaptive capacity. Recent work finds climate-conflict interactions not occurring through direct effects, but if at all, rather indirectly through agricultural dependence and political exclusion. Many conflict regions already witness the burden from climate change. Acknowledging that environmental stress and armed conflict co-occur, we should not only ask if climate and war are linked, but how climate and war shape those affected. In my research presentation I introduce ongoing survey projects that investigate the interplay of climate change and armed conflict in relation to 1) cooperation and 2) measures for mental health. There are relatively large gaps on climate-conflict impacts on mental health but also wellbeing more generally. Understanding health is crucial when considering decision-making of those affected by climate hazards.

Stefan Döring is a researcher at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, and a research associate at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). His research focuses on socio-economic behavioral after environmental extremes, particularly in relation to water. Stefan also conducted field research on environmental impacts in Cyprus and has been a visiting researcher with the University of Michigan and UN Environment in Nairobi. His more recent work also considers health outcomes within climate-conflict settings.

Hybrid Seminar

The talk is held at CMES, Finngatan 16 in Lund. If you are not able to attend in-person, there is an option to attend via Zoom. Please register here for Zoom attendance: https://lu-se.zoom.us/meeting/register/u50oc-murjoqGNFnNhXFACctnpcXx_jHIzUf

This event is part of the spring 2023 CMES seminar series. For more information see the full program: