Lecture to discuss environment, security threats

Dr. Geoffrey Dabelko

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Struggles over water rights and other environmental issues are legendary sources of conflict around the world and can pose serious threats to national security. This year’s Edward Lamb Peace Lecture at Bowling Green State University will address those concerns. Dr. Geoffrey Dabelko, director of the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, will speak on “Threat to Opportunity: Environment, Natural Resources and Security” at 7 p.m. March 30 in 111 Olscamp Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Founded in 1994 in Washington, D.C., the Woodrow Wilson center is a nonpartisan, research-policy forum on environment, population, health and security issues.

For the past 20 years, Dabelko has brought together policymakers, practitioners, journalists and scholars grappling with complex links among environment, population, development, conflict and security. His current research focuses on climate change and security as well as environmental pathways to confidence building and peacemaking, with a special emphasis on managing fresh water resources.

He also teaches as an adjunct professor at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. He has held prior positions with the Council on Foreign Relations, the journal Foreign Policy, and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and has worked as a consultant for a variety of U.S. government departments, United Nations agencies, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations. 

Dabelko writes extensively on environmental issues and is the editor of a number of journals. He is a member of environment and security-related boards and groups, including the U.N. Environment Programme’s Expert Advisory Group on Environment, Conflict, and Peacebuilding and the advisory board for the PBS “Journey to Planet Earth” television series. 

The Edward Lamb Peace Lecture annually brings internationally recognized experts to BGSU to address major environmental issues and how they affect world security. The lecture series began in 1986 in honor of the late Edward Lamb, a prominent Toledo lawyer committed to social justice, civil rights and world peace. It is underwritten by the Lamb Foundation of Toledo.

For additional information, contact Dr. Gary Silverman, chair of the environment and sustainability department, at 419-372-7774 or Jennifer Sobolewski, Marketing and Communications, at 419-372-2618.

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(Posted March 24, 2010 )