Arid zones are often characterized by highly variable precipitation—extraordinary droughts are ordinary occurrences—so human and natural communities ought to be adapted to them. Yet there are many strong arguments that droughts have and are precipitating violent conflict in the Middle East region.

This interdisciplinary symposium focuses on contemporary and historical cases analyzing the relationship between climate change and social conflict in the Middle East.

Presentations:

“Climate Change and State Deconstruction in the Middle East and North Africa”
Jeannie Sowers, Professor of Political Science, University of New Hampshire.

“Climate Change and Internal Conflicts in the Middle East”
Hannu Juusola, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, University of Helsinki

Round Table Discussion:

“How to Think about Hot Spots: Historical, Climatological, and Policy Perspectives on Climate and Conflict”
Moderator: Perrin Selcer, Assistant Professor of History, University of Michigan

Panelists:

Rosina Bierbaum, Professor of Natural Resources and Environment Policy, University of Michigan

Richard Rood, Professor of Climate & Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan

Samuel White, Assistant Professor of History, The Ohio State University

Sponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies; co-sponsored by the Department of History, Environmental History Interest Group, International Institute, and International Policy Center at the Ford School of Public Policy

*This symposium is funded in part by a Title VI NRC grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

This event is free and open to the public.