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Understanding the nexus of energy, environment and conflict: An overview

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  • Kerber, Samuel W.
  • Gilbert, Alexander Q.
  • Deinert, Mark R.
  • Bazilian, Morgan D.

Abstract

Energy, environment, and conflict are each the subject of significant research efforts. However, their nexus has received relatively little attention, and even less when climatic shifts are considered. Here, we examine existing literature on these individual areas, their overlaps, and elucidate the fundamental gaps in understanding their nexus. Past work has shown that energy and the environment can both be the cause of conflict, or be used as tools in it. Importantly, while many databases have been developed to track conflict, these resources often fail to contain information on the root cause, or target of conflict events. It is also found that databases are not currently available which unify information on energy, environment and conflict. This makes the development of models for how energy, environment, and conflict couple difficult to formulate and test. Further work in this complex space could help inform decisionmakers working on reducing conflicts at the local, national, and regional levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerber, Samuel W. & Gilbert, Alexander Q. & Deinert, Mark R. & Bazilian, Morgan D., 2021. "Understanding the nexus of energy, environment and conflict: An overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:151:y:2021:i:c:s1364032121007541
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111473
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