Environmental Change and Security Program
The Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP) explores the connections between environmental change, health, and population dynamics and their links to conflict, human insecurity, and foreign policy.
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Agents of Change Youth Fellowship
2025 Applications
The 2025 application for the Agents of Change Youth Fellowship is now open! Apply by December 15. The theme for next year's cohort will be: water. Calling all young professionals in MENA working on or interested in water issues in their communities to apply!
LEARN MOREFeatured Insights
Program Series
The Shape of Our Future
The Wilson Center’s 'The Shape of Our Future' project focuses on how often overlooked population trends—fertility, mortality, migration, urbanization—are shaping communities’ chances for prosperity, health, and security.
Climate & Migration
In a time of extreme climate stress, explore the nexus of climate change and migration through the lived experience of communities in Senegal, Moldova, and Bangladesh.
Critical Minerals
As the world seeks to transition to a renewable energy economy and further develop the digital economy, skyrocketing demand for critical minerals is heightening environmental, social, and governance risks. The Wilson Center is leading cross-regional, cross-sectoral stakeholder dialogues to build consensus for policies that advance a more resilient supply chain.
New Security Beat
New Security Beat is the blog of the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program, with contributions from the Maternal Health Initiative, China Environment Forum, Urban Sustainability Laboratory, Polar Institute, and Global Risk and Resilience Program.
LEARN MOREFeatured Experts
Lauren Herzer Risi
Program Director, Environmental Change and Security Program
Sharon Guynup
Global Fellow, Former Public Policy Fellow
Jack A. Goldstone
Global Fellow
Sherri Goodman
Senior Fellow, Polar Institute and Environmental Change & Security Program
ECSP in Action
Snapshots from our program's events, interviews, and other engagements
More from the Environmental Change and Security Program
Africa in Transition
The Wilson Center’s Africa in Transition series, co-sponsored by the Population Institute, focuses on how often overlooked population trends—fertility, maternal mortality, migration, urbanization—shape sub-Saharan Africa’s chances for prosperity, health, and security.
Backdraft
Countries around the world are ramping up their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This effort to transition to a renewable energy economy and protect communities on the frontlines of climate change is critical. There is, however, a risk that well-intentioned efforts could have a “backdraft” effect, leading to unintended consequences. If designed or implemented without consideration for conflict potential, unforeseen negative spillover might damage economic development, undermine political stability, or fray the social fabric of communities.
Improving Predictive Capabilities for the Security Risks Posed by Climate Change
In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, the Wilson Center has developed a framework to improve predictive capabilities for the security risks posed by a changing climate. Through private and public convenings with key analysts and decision-makers from across relevant U.S. government agencies and additional related organizations, the project has explored different country and regional case studies to better understand the compound risks posed by climate change and identify entry points for action.
WASH Within Reach
50 years, $400 billion, and a global pandemic later – water, sanitation and hygiene define a moment in human history. WASH Within Reach is a series on the global status of universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene produced through a collaboration between Circle of Blue and the Wilson Center.
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