There are currently around 56 armed conflicts on this planet. That’s the highest number of countries engaged in conflict since World War II. And many of these crises are both the consequence and cause of environmental destruction.
The recent crisis in the Red Sea - where Yemen’s Houthi rebels sinking of ships has led to vast leaks of oil and fertilizers into fragile marine ecosystems - is a stark example of how human conflicts directly impact our ocean.
As environmental communicators, these events concern us gravelly. And yet…many of us find ourselves hesitant to speak up. Caught between the urgency of ecological preservation and the sensitivity of ongoing humanitarian crises.
Common reasons for staying quiet include:
🪖 Fear of appearing partisan: In a polarized world, taking a stance on environmental issues linked to conflicts can be misconstrued as taking sides in the dispute itself.
📚 Lack of political knowledge: The complexity of geopolitical situations can make communicators feel ill-equipped to comment on the environmental ramifications of conflicts.
💔 Concern about minimizing human suffering: There's a worry that focusing on environmental impacts might appear to downplay the immediate human toll of conflicts.
🗺️ Navigating sensitivities: The risk of offending or alienating audiences by linking environmental concerns to politically charged situations can be daunting.
These apprehensions are all valid but can hold us back from addressing the intricate but important relationship between conflict and environmental degradation. But we must.
Keys to mindful conflict communication
For ocean advocates looking to navigate these murky waters, it’s important to focus on facts, not blame. We can present objective information about the environmental impacts of conflicts and insist on the shared value of nature without assigning guilt to specific parties. It is also crucial to humanize the environmental impact. Explaining how ecological damage affects local communities can help connect the dots between environmental and humanitarian concerns.Remember: by addressing the environmental impacts of conflicts, we're not diminishing the importance of human lives lost or affected. We're broadening the conversation to include the long-term wellbeing of both people and the planet.
And if you feel unsure about your knowledge, remember you can always reach out to experts. Collaborating with policy professors, local environmentalists or conflict resolution specialists to ensure a well-rounded understanding and presentation of the issues.The path to peace is inextricably linked to the path of environmental stewardship. By breaking down the silos between these issues in our communication, we can foster a more effective approach to these global challenges.
[ This is an abbreviated version of our newsletter, which also contained 8 expert tips on how to mindfully communicate in times of conflict. If you want the freshest ocean communication insights delivered directly to your inbox, subscribe below ]
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