On the frontlines of climate conflict – Making sense of violence in the age of global heating
In The Heat and the Fury, Schwartzstein takes us on a journey from the war-torn villages of Iraq, where droughts have been weaponized by groups like ISIS, to the pirate-prone waters of Bangladesh, showing how climate change is exacerbating violence and fueling unrest. Drawing on more than a decade of on-the-ground reporting from conflict zones, he offers a critical look at the global impact of environmental stress—from military conflicts to civilian suffering. His book goes beyond the headlines to show how climate-related conflicts threaten not only vulnerable regions but also Western countries, where some forms of climate violence are on the rise. Crucially, Schwartzstein also shows how little of this violence is inevitable––and how much can be done to stifle it.
The event will be moderated by Sven Egenter, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Clean Energy Wire. It will be followed by networking with snacks and drinks and an opportunity to meet the panelists and continue the debate.
CLEW and Stiftung Mercator look forward to welcoming you at the Community Space of International Alumni Center in Berlin.
Agenda
| 17.30 - 18.00 |
Walk-in |
| 18.00 - 18.15 |
Unpacking Climate Violence. Why It Matters and What to Do About it By Peter Schwartzstein, environmental journalitst and author |
| 18.15 - 19.15 |
Panel discussion with Peter Schwartzstein and Nisreen Elsaim, followed by Q&A with the audience Moderated by Sven Egenter, editor-in-chief Clean Energy Wire |
| 19.15 - 21.00 |
Networking, snacks and drinks |
Location
International Alumni Center (iac) - Linienstr. 65a, 10119 Berlin
If you have questions, please contact event@cleanenergywire.org
Speakers
Peter Schwartzstein is an environmental journalist and researcher who reports on water, food security, and particularly the conflict-climate nexus across some 30 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and occasionally further afield. He mostly writes for National Geographic, but his work has also appeared in the New York Times, BBC, Foreign Affairs, and many other outlets. He is a Global Fellow with the Wilson Center's Environmental Change and Security Program, a TED fellow, and a fellow at the Center for Climate and Security. The Heat and the Fury: On the Frontlines of Climate Violence, which was published in September 2024, is his first book.
Nisreen Elsaim is an environmental and climate activist with over ten years of experience working on issues related to policy, peace and security, migration, adaptation, and different areas related to climate change. She has held numerous positions within the United Nations system, among others as Liaison Consultant of the UN Youth African Delegate Program as well as Chair of the UN Secretary-General Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, advising the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on his Climate Change Strategy. She is also an expert in energy and climate policy, with experience as a junior negotiator with the African Group of Negotiators in technology transfer. Having graduated in physics and renewable energy, she also wrote several policy papers on climate change, renewable energy, and youth empowerment.
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The event language is English.
The event will take place at the International Alumni Center (iac), the address is Linienstr. 65 a, 10119 Berlin.
Yes, the event is free of charge, this includes snacks and drinks.
No, this event will take place offline and there will be no online meeting or recording.
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