Environmental Insecurity Risks in the Indo-Pacific
This transdisciplinary and multi-team project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Defence and managed by Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University.
Areas of research: Natural Hazards, Social, Economic, Politic, Food Security, Climate Change, Conflict, Disease Management
The project focuses on the environmental insecurity risks associated with natural hazards, pests and emerging diseases leading to socio-cultural, economic and political impacts, and the strategic considerations for Australian national security interests. Environmental insecurity is increasing with the potential to challenge social, economic and political stability across the region. This has significant implications for Australia’s national security interests and commitments. Understanding where and how these disruptions will occur now and into the future is imperative for strategic planning.
Three working groups will evaluate linkages between anticipated changes to, and impacts of environmental threats to social, economic and political stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the resulting implications for Defence in terms of planning, emergency response and prioritisation. The working groups are led by Murdoch University researchers and focus on the following themes:
- The changing scale and rate of natural hazards in the Indo-Pacific region, and differential impact to national social, economic, and political stability of countries;
- Increasing food security implications of pests and disease pandemics to plant and animal production in the Indo-Pacific region;
- Emerging diseases and management responses across the Indo-Pacific region;
- Cross-cutting theme exploring the social, economic and political implications.
IPRC academics involved:
- Dr Tobias Ide (Lead Theme 1)
- A/Prof. Rochelle Spencer (Lead Theme 4)
- Dr Ali Hayes
- Indah Larasati
- Professor Jacqueline Lo
Sponsor
