The Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, and Peacebuilding [1] pursues collaborations and research to predict the potential of climate change in sparking or exacerbating conflict. The Center has pursued this issue from a number of different perspectives.
First, it was a core topic of consideration for the National Academies Roundtable Working Group, and it was clear that any future roundtable would want to include a sub-group focussing on this topic.
Secondly, we've been discussing the formation of an internal USIP working group on climate change and conflict with other USIP programs.
Lastly, we were invited by the World Water Forum - the premier event on the subject of climate change issues, held once every 3 years - to discuss "Alleviating the Effects of Climate Change and Water Availabilty on Armed Conflict," at the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul on March 18, 2009. Joel Whitaker, a senior advisor to the Center, represented us there.
Links:
[1] http://www.usip.org/programs/centers/science-technology-and-peacebuilding