Fijian Charm and National Security Policy Under the Palms
SUVA, Fiji – Amid the occasional roar of heavy November rains and the frequent calls of local myna birds, 64 participants from 18 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries gathered in Suva for a three-day workshop on national security policy development. Hosted by the PIF at its historic conference center in the hills overlooking the city and Walu Bay, the event was conducted in collaboration with the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. The workshop focused on how the Pacific’s security landscape has evolved, enabling participants to exchange perspectives on issues ranging from climate-induced migration to transnational crime. There was earnest and honest interaction from all corners of an audience that are usually quite reserved, professionally.
Addressing the Diversity of Water Challenges in the Indo-Pacific: Need for Broad Cooperative Approaches
Water security is a pressing issue in the Indo-Pacific region, impacting everything from individual survival to national and international stability. In his latest article, “Addressing the Diversity of Water Challenges in the Indo-Pacific: Need for Broad Cooperative Approaches,” published in the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, Dr. Ethan Allen examines the diverse water challenges arising from climate change, geography, population growth, and other factors across the region.
The article highlights that collaborative, cooperative approaches combining technological/scientific and political/governmental perspectives are crucial to addressing threats to water security and resilience at various scales.
Key Takeaways:
- Water challenges manifest along axes like scale, time, causation, quantity, and quality, giving rise to internal tensions within nations […]
Climate Adaptation: Building Partnerships for Resilience in South Asia
Climate adaptation and building climate literacy were the focus of a workshop hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The workshop titled “Climate Adaptation: Building Partnerships for Resilience in South Asia” was held August 21-24, 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Maj. Afua Boahema-Lee publishes climate change article
“Comparative Study on Climate Change in Thailand, Vietnam” is the latest article by U.S. Army Maj. Afua Boahema-Lee, published in Liaison, a journal of civil-military disaster management and humanitarian relief collaborations.
Boahema-Lee presents a comprehensive, comparative study on climate change’s impact in the Indo-Pacific region, exploring significant security challenges particularly in Thailand and Vietnam. It investigates various climate change-induced phenomena, including floods, droughts and rising sea levels, and their negative economic and health consequences.
Thailand and Vietnam have implemented policies and strategies to combat these challenges, engaging stakeholders such as nongovernmental organizations and the military. The article underscores the need for joint […]
Mongolian Sand and Dust Storms’ Impacts on Asia-Pacific Environmental Security
“Mongolian Sand and Dust Storms’ Impacts on Asia-Pacific Environmental Security” is the latest research paper for Security Nexus, DKI APCSS’ academic journal.
The author, Dr. J. Scott Hauger, is an environmental expert and former faculty member at DKI APCSS. According to his research, although sand and dust storms are familiar phenomena in Northeast Asia, extreme storm events in recent years have a strong impact on issues related to human security, including food, health, and infrastructure. Because major sand and dust storms do not adhere to national boundaries, countries in the region need to cooperate in preparing for their impact and […]
The U.S. Government & Climate Security: History and Prospects
There is a timely opportunity to initiate new projects between the U.S. and partner nations to prepare for and manage the impacts of climate change.
U.S. Command and Control across the Spectrum of Gray-Zone Operations in the East China Sea
“U.S. Command and Control across the Spectrum of Gray-Zone Operations in the East China Sea” is a new essay by DKI APCSS professors Dr. John Hemmings and Prof. Wade Turvold published by the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) in its special report, “Murky Waters in the East China Sea Chinese Gray-Zone Operations and U.S.-Japan Alliance Coordination.” The essay examines the role of the U.S. in gray-zone contingencies in the East China Sea in the context of alliance coordination with Japan.
China’s Manipulative Use of Climate Change
“China’s Manipulative Use of Climate Change” is the title of a paper by Dr. Deon Canyon for Security Nexus. This article details how China, through the use of irregular warfare tactics and outright deception, continues in their leading role of producing greenhouse gas emissions that exceed the emissions of all developed nations combined.
Summary
China’s initial reductions in emissions and rapidly growing renewable energy activities have cast it as a global leader in climate change. However, its manipulative economic climate strategy has taken advantage of other well-meaning nations even as it has progressively extended its lead as the worst global producer […]
Health Security in Hawaii by 2050: The Physical Effects of Climate Change
Abstract: The World Health Organization defined climate change as the most important issue for the 21st century. In 2014, the State of Hawaii called climate change “a matter of security” that directly threatens “economic systems – food, water, energy, biodiversity and health” and has called for “actionable information for local decision making.” According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the burden of human morbidity attributable to climate change is relatively small although not well quantified. Nevertheless, generic climate change impacts are often used to justify actions without adequate supporting local evidence.
Effects of Climate Change on Volcanic Emissions and Health Security in Hawaii by 2050
“Effects of Climate Change on Volcanic Emissions and Health Security in Hawaii by 2050” is the latest paper by Dr. Deon V. Canyon and Dr. James R. Campbell.
According to the authors, not only will climate change modify the weather, it is also predicted to influence volcanic emissions directly. This change impacts air quality in Hawaii as well as quality of health for those who are sensitive to vog and/or allergens.
“While the rate of vog production in Hawaii is natural, unavoidable and unmodifiable, weather-related climate changes do impact on vog distribution,” states Canyon. “Decreasing trade winds have already […]
Forecasted Impact of Climate Change on Infectious Disease and Health Security in Hawaii by 2050
Dr. Deon Canyon co-authored an article titled “Forecasted Impact of Climate Change on Infectious Disease and Health Security in Hawaii by 2050,” published by the Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal. Canyon and coauthors Rick Speare and Frederick Burke, discuss the potential impacts of climate change on the study of infectious and vector-borne diseases in Hawaii. They consider scenarios based on the anticipated effects of higher average temperatures and weather extremes on disease distribution. Their conclusions recommend a resilience model to increase adaptive capacity for all climate change impacts rather than one focused specifically on communicable diseases.
