PPDC: at Annual meeting:
Climate and Conflict & Preventing Mass Atrocities

Climate and Conflict
Law of the Sea

The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea guides international management of the world’s oceans and can resolve disputes to prevent deadly conflict. It also defines territory for countries 200 miles from a coastline, which is increasingly necessary as rising global temperatures are making the Arctic sea more navigable for shipping, fishing and mining. The treaty is supported by the military, private sector, and foreign governments.

Preventing Mass Atrocities

Unfortunately, years of underinvestment in civilian tools like diplomacy, development, and international cooperation have crippled the U.S.’ ability to help prevent atrocities across the world. In December 2010, the Senate passed a resolution (S. Con. Res. 71) calling for specific steps to improve US capacities to prevent genocide and mass atrocities.

The White House issued a Presidential Study Directive on preventing mass atrocities that establishes a standing interagency Atrocities Prevention Board. This body will coordinate a government-wide strategy for preventing mass atrocities and genocide. Further, it will be tasked with taking an inventory of current government-wide capacities, assess gaps in the system, and propose new tools and strategies.

Read More About Mass Atrocities Prevention.

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