Climate Change and Conflict in the Pacific: Challenges and Responses

Shibata, Carroll and Boege address the various dimensions of the climate change–conflict nexus and shed light on the overwhelming challenges of climate change in the Pacific Islands region.

This book highlights the multidimensionality of the problems: political, technical, material, and emotional and psychological. Written by experts in the field, the chapters highlight the centrality and importance of opening up a dialogue between researchers involved in the large-scale global modelling of climate change and the local actors. Both scholars and civil society actors come together in sharing about the complexities of local contexts and the conflictdriving potential of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies on the ground. The book brings together indigenous Pacific approaches with broader international debates in the climate change–security discourse. Through various accounts and perspectives, current gaps in knowledge are bridged, contributing to the development of more grounded, conflict-sensitive climate change policies, strategies, governance and adaptation measures in the Pacific region.

An important resource for students, researchers, policymakers and civil society actors interested in the multi-faceted issues of climate change in the Pacific.

Ria Shibata is a Research Fellow at the Toda Peace Institute in Japan. Her research explores the nexus between climate change, loss of land and identity amongst youth in the Pacific diaspora communities in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.

Seforosa Carroll is a Lecturer in Cross Cultural ministry and theology at the United Theological College in Australia. She previously held the position of Programme Executive for Mission, specifically Mission from the Margins with the World Council of Churches based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Volker Boege is a Senior Research Fellow for Climate Change and Conflict at Toda Peace Institute. Dr. Boege has worked extensively in the areas of peacebuilding and resilience in the Pacific region. He is an Honorary Research Fellow, School of Political Science and International Studies at The University of Queensland.