Energy and the Environment

Energy security cuts across geopolitical, environmental, and economic sectors, to name a few. The serious policy challenges in each individual sector are compounded by those faced in developing a coherent long-term strategy to tackle these interrelated issues. This discussion group will focus on the geopolitics of energy; encompassing both producers and consumers across regions; and how supply and demand exigencies impact national and foreign security policy. We will examine the economic factors that play into energy strategies, portfolios, and sustainable development (i.e., resource curse, stabilization funds, sovereign wealth funds, the role of national and international oil companies). Finally, we will look at environmental issues and the impact of the global climate change debate on energy strategies, and the special benefits and risks these decisions carry (i.e., nuclear power for civilian use vs. nuclear proliferation risk, alternative fuels, efficiency).

Discussion Group Chair: Evie Zambetakis