LAW 727SEM - Environmental Conflict Resolution

Environmental conflict resolution, or environmental peacebuilding, is a concept based on the principle that our common dependence on natural resources including access to clean water, fresh air, or a healthy environment can provide a pathway to peace for parties in conflict. This seminar examines the idea that cooperation is essential because natural resources like rivers, wind, forests, air, soil, mineral deposits are often transboundary resources. No single country or people group can fix problems as they arise. Our interdependent eco-systems provide something to build upon in working towards long-lasting peace. This concept works even in high conflict situations where there is longstanding ethnic, political, or religious hostility; the parties are encouraged to focus on the interests they have in common, rather than the issues that divide them. This seminar will examine how to use cooperative stewardship over natural resources with an eye toward: Economic stability (the promotion of eco-tourism, responsible manufacturing and industrial use, sustainable power generation, agricultural production, and related businesses); social-cultural stability (the continued enjoyment and recreational use of natural resources, preservation of a traditional way of life; continued sustenance fishing and agriculture, water and food security; biological diversity; historical research, archaeological discovery and preservation) and political stability (security issues, natural boundaries and protection, navigation, migration, population growth, balance of power and access to natural resources.) You will research and write a paper relating to the use of environmental conflict resolution strategies to promote economic, social-cultural, or political stability.

Credits: 3