CALL FOR RESEARCH SUBMISSIONS
Climate change is not a standalone crisis; it intersects with nearly every aspect of global politics, security, social justice, and more.
It is reshaping national security strategies, driving economic transformations, exacerbating social inequalities, and influencing the geopolitical balance of power. From shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Arctic to the legacies of climate colonialism, from the gendered dimensions of climate vulnerability to the role of religion and culture in shaping climate action, climate intersections demand urgent scholarly attention.
Through this conference, we seek to bring together critical perspectives on the multiscalar effects of climate change, exploring how it intersects with security, economics, energy, gender, human rights, and histories of colonialism. Themes of interest include (but are not limited to):
Our Themes
1
Climate is not Gender-Neutral
Scholarly work has examined gender and climate change in different ways. This entails climate-related displacements, resource conflicts, and disaster responses reinforcing existing gender inequalities, making it crucial to examine the complex vulnerabilities women face before and after environmental crises. In 2015, a UNDP Policy report stated that “climate change is not gender neutral” (UNDP, 2015). From higher physical displacement and mortality rates to an increased susceptibility to water scarcity, environmental crises directly affect women. Stark economic inequalities, and even instances of GBV (gender-based violence), increase following natural disasters. In Vanuatu, “new cases of domestic violence increased by 300% after two tropical cyclones in 2011” (UNDP, 2025). As we become aware of these intersecting injustices, the urgency behind addressing these disparities becomes clear. What would gender-sensitive approaches to environmental degradation look like? How do female-identifying persons define what it means to be safe in the era of climate change? Do patriarchal masculinities/norms influence climate policy? If so, do these norms stall progress towards climate action? Do intersectional feminist approaches present a viable solution to this global and local crisis?
2
Human mobility magnified by climate change
The worsening climate has exacerbated the ability of many people to continue living in their communities, resulting in climate-induced migration. Scholarly research identifies three main areas requiring further research. The first area addresses the cases in which communities face gradual depletion of the environment or sudden climate shocks that forcibly displace populations (Beltran & Hadzi-Vaskov, 2023). New research must explain the trends and predict future migration patterns during increased environmentally displacing catalysts (Schewel, 2023). Secondly, concern about the legality surrounding climate-induced migrants has been debated at all government levels. Investigations on disagreements regarding terminology, case studies, and the positives and negatives of forming legal protections for climate-induced migrants have become essential (Pereira, 2021). Lastly, existing research has suggested that climate-induced migration is a multidisciplinary issue. Climate-induced migration has left many wondering how it interacts with other sectors of society. What are the effects of climate-induced migration? How can people adapt to increased migration? Where are gaps in the existing policy framework regarding people displaced by climate change? Should solutions to climate-induced migration be unilateral, bilateral, multilateral, or universal?
3
The economy within climate
From policy decisions to mitigation efforts, the role of economics has been integral in shaping the planet’s future. Current scholarly work has examined different aspects of economics, whether the financial burden of adaptation, the disproportionate impact of climate policies on marginalised communities, or the role of economic incentives in driving sustainable development. As noted in the Health and Human Rights Journal, "the wealth generation of the affluent has come at the expense of the environment and the climate system,". Additionally, economic policies often fail to protect disadvantaged groups from climate hazards, as inequality "leads to public policies that leave the disadvantaged groups more exposed and susceptible to climate hazards" (UN, 2017). Given that poorer nations bear the highest adaptation costs while contributing the least to climate change, the international community must provide financial support and institutional capacity-building to ensure equitable resilience strategies (IMF, 2022). How do economic systems and policies influence climate resilience and vulnerability, particularly for marginalized communities? How does energy factor into the idea of resilience against climate change? How do we maintain an equitable distribution amidst the climate crisis?
4
​Climate Change as a threat multiplier
Coined in 2007 by the Center for Naval Analyses Military Advisory Board under Sherri Goodman, the term captures how climate change can interact and exacerbate pre-existing threats and other drivers of instability that can contribute to security risks. The intersection between climate and security is often debated and understated. As Cullum (2024) puts it, this framing constitutes a ‘dismal and limited worldmaking project’ that envisions incrementalist perspectives as opposed to the transformative change needed to address such issues. Cohn and Duncanson (2022) further postulate that this causes securitization of the climate, silo-ing climate change activities to violent conflicts and resource wars as opposed to addressing the core issue of climate change. Given these critiques, several questions emerge: In what ways does framing climate change as a "threat multiplier" limit or enhance global governance strategies? Can transformative climate action be effectively pursued within existing security institutions, or do new paradigms need to emerge? How does the "threat multiplier" framing affect vulnerable communities and their access to climate resilience resources? What are other avenues of climate security that are yet to be explored?
5
Stewardship in a worsening climate
Evidence of Humanity’s negative impact on the climate has caused people to look at the many ways humans can adapt practices to reduce environmental damage. Traditional religious and cultural methods of sustainability and nurturing the Earth have resurfaced in the call for new mitigation practices. “Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous spiritualities, share a fundamental principle: the Earth is not just a resource but a sacred trust” (Alexander, 2023). Multiple religions advocate for people to be stewards of the Earth on behalf of a higher power (Smidt, 2024). Religious literature oftentimes expresses practices to remain sustainable during production and spending. While climate change has gotten worse researchers have embraced the support of religious communities that want to limit the damage to God’s creations (Mormon Stewards, n.d.). Global initiatives to adapt to and mitigate climate change require advocacy and solidarity amongst numerous stakeholders. How do divine literature and lessons about the sanctity of the environment lend themselves to climate mitigation and adaptation? Can traditional methods of stewardship apply to communities in the modern era? How can faith lead to climate change solutions or problems?
6
Historical injustices in the climate world
The legacy of colonialism continues to shape contemporary climate inequalities, as historical patterns of extraction, land dispossession, and exploitation have left formerly colonized nations disproportionately vulnerable to climate change. Nixon (2011) describes the "slow violence" of environmental degradation in the Global South as a direct result of imperialist economic structures prioritizing resource extraction over ecological and human well-being. These issues are also local. In the U.S., Bullard (1993) documents how environmental racism exposes communities of color to higher levels of pollution. Indigenous communities in Australia and Canada resist extractive industries that threaten their lands, as Whyte (2017) highlights how settler colonialism persists through resource exploitation and climate inaction. Pulido (2018) argues that racial capitalism and colonial legacies reinforce environmental injustices. Given these dynamics, several questions arise: How do colonial histories continue to shape global climate governance and responsibility? What role do reparations and historical accountability play in contemporary climate negotiations? In what ways can environmental justice movements challenge and disrupt these entrenched inequalities?
7
Humans in a changing climate
As climate crises continue to increase in frequency and intensity, our fundamental human rights are directly being threatened, from the right to life, to the right to food and housing. Yet we all experience climate change differently, whether it be indirectly through the struggles of adapting to the changing temperatures, or directly, through the experience of watching climate disasters destroy homes and livelihoods. The levels of vulnerability to climate change vary widely depending on many factors, including socioeconomic status, nationality, gender, race, and physical health. Climate action must take into consideration the diverse factors that harm human well-being, requiring an intersectional approach (Jackson & Humphrey, 2022). For the impacts of climate change we can’t prevent, ensuring support and inclusion from those experiencing climate change is vital to the protection of the most vulnerable and the preservation of communities and cultures at risk. Therefore, a few questions to consider: How does climate change impact you and your community? How do we frame climate change as a human rights issue and create an appropriate response strategy? How can we foster widespread collaboration when it comes to climate action and compel governments to act urgently?
How to submit extended abstracts
The extended abstract must be no longer than 2 pages long and should include the title, author information, abstract, and references used.
Submissions must be emailed to ccc@du.edu by 18th April, midnight MST.
*Students out-of-state are eligible for stipends to help with travel and accommodation.
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