In discussions and research concerning the links between environment and violent conflict, it is important to be clear about exactly what is and is not being claimed. Research and analysis about the relationship between environmental quality and violent conflict does not assert or assume that environmental protection is the central factor which causes conflict nor is it understood as more important than economic development, poverty alleviation or conflict prevention. In short, environmental cooperation is not being posited as a magic bullet that can resolve long-standing conflicts. What is being argued, however, is that cooperative environmental protection and resource management can play important roles in economic development and conflict prevention. For example, building capable governance institutions has important connections to sharing resources and resource management institutions.
Environmental cooperation connects conflict prevention and other development goals and needs.
These connections include resource-sharing and management arrangements, building cooperative institutions across social cleavages, and building capable states and local bodies. Likewise, there are connections among population and demographics, reproductive health, universal education, and opportunities. Thus, environmental cooperation offers new opportunities for both development and conflict prevention. Dr. VanDeveer is involved in a project, directed by Prof. Ken Conca of the University of Maryland, that looks at the relationship of regional environmental cooperation arrangements to peace-building over time. Some preliminary findings emerged from this study.