Interview with Christophe Hodder, the United Nations Climate Security and Environmental Advisor to Somalia, United Nations Environment Programme

Abstract

This is an interview with Christophe Hodder, the United Nations Climate Security and Environmental Advisor to Somalia, United Nations Environment Programme. In the interview, Hodder explains why it is so important for conventional security practitioners to build environmental considerations into peacebuilding. He explains how natural resource conflicts between groups are key sites of contestation in Somalia, more salient as the country experiences climate change. He talks about how militant groups use resource and resource conflicts to their advantage. Resolving natural resource conflicts is also important entry points for action, for addressing sources of conflict and building a foundation for peace. In the current moment, even as Somalia is beset by a difficult drought, it is important to work on long-run peacebuilding efforts through environmental restoration. Hodder provides examples of river bank protection programs and water catchment as areas ripe for cooperation.