Climate Change, Pandemics and International Security

Emerging threats to global security, with special emphasis on climate

change and pandemics as major security threat multipliers. The nexus

between climate change and epidemics. Key lines of national and

international responses to climate change- and pandemics-related

challenges

The course aims to raise awareness of emerging threats to global security, with special emphasis on climate change and pandemics as major security threat multipliers. We’ll look at the biophysical impacts of climate change and their socio-economic and political consequences, such as rising food and water insecurity, health risks, forced migrations, social unrest, violent conflicts, political instability, etc. Further, we’ll familiarize ourselves with the foundations of infectious disease epidemiology to better understand global security threats associated with pandemics. We’ll analyze major factors affecting the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases with pandemic potential and try to identify the nexus between climate change and epidemics. Then we’ll move to assessing selected national and international strategic documents addressing climate change and pandemics through the lens of security challenges. Against this background, we’ll examine the military and security implications of climate change, such as force structure, basing and training, operations and strategy, key capabilities, domestic and regional relief missions, etc. Subsequently, we’ll discuss key lines of national and international responses to climate change- and pandemics-related challenges. In this context, we’ll focus on efforts made by states and international bodies to mitigate those threats. We’ll also look at the role of business in managing climate change risks and at the power of climate activism (NGOs, grassroots movements). Finally, we’ll discuss the perceptions of climate change and pandemics as security threats, considering various factors affecting those perceptions (including public campaigns and fake news).

Reports and documents by: UN Specialized Agencies, NATO, EU and

other international organizations, selected national governments, think-

tanks and NGOs.

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Evaluate and assess traditional and non-traditional threats to

national, regional and global security.

2. Demonstrate understanding of fundamentals of climate science,

natural and human-induced climate change, as well as of threats

and opportunities of climate change.

3. Demonstrate understanding of basics of infectious disease

epidemiology, emerging infectious diseases with pandemic

potential, and of pandemic risks, impacts and mitigation.

4. Interpret how different environmental and socio-economic settings

impact infectious disease epidemiology.

5. Identify the nexus between climate change and epidemics.

6. See climate change and pandemics as major global security threat

multipliers.

7. Refer to key international and (selected) national strategic

documents addressing emerging security threats, including climate

change and pandemics.

8. Evaluate and assess national and international efforts in mitigating

climate change, as well as identify key international actors in this

field.

9. Understand the role of business, NGOs and grassroot movements in

addressing climate change.

10. Understand and interpret perceptions of risks associated with

climate change and epidemics.

80% Final exam

20% Active participation in discussions

2 absences are permitted during the course.