The Stimson Center’s Environmental Security Program is diving into some pressing environmental issues. Here’s a closer look at three critical stories shaping our world today.
Health Risks and Climate Change
According to a late 2025 survey from the Climate Opinion Research Exchange, over 80% of participants from Brazil, India, Japan, and South Africa are worried about climate change. They want governments to take action on health risks linked to this issue.
Feedback from this survey shows that what’s worrying people changes by region. For example, in South Africa, water scarcity tops the list of concerns, while in Brazil, mental health issues related to climate change are significant. In Japan, extreme heat is the main worry.
While there’s a growing push for political action—80 nations supported a climate plan at COP30 to strengthen health sector resilience—real change often slips through the cracks. At recent events like the Santa Marta Conference, health concerns were largely overshadowed. This highlights the need for local messaging, tailored to specific community concerns, to inspire public action.
Nickel Production in Indonesia
The nickel boom in Indonesia is linked to serious health and human rights violations. The Komnas HAM, Indonesia’s national human rights commission, reports that workers in areas like Morowali and Central Sulawesi are facing health crises. At the PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, many workers live just 50 meters from industrial smoke, significantly increasing their cancer risk.
In 2024, there were over 305,000 respiratory infections reported in Central Sulawesi, marking a 26% rise from the previous year. Disturbingly, unexplained worker deaths have also been noted, suggesting a troubling pattern rather than isolated cases.
This situation raises urgent questions about labor rights and health standards in industrial sectors globally. The need for better regulations and protection for workers is clear.
Informal Settlements in Peru
In Ayacucho, Peru, thousands are living in informal settlements on steep slopes vulnerable to landslides. Between 2007 and 2026, these settlements exploded from 316 to over 30,000. Unfortunately, two-thirds of the Mollepata neighborhood now falls into a high-risk zone for natural disasters.
Residents face severe threats from changing weather patterns. Rainfall has decreased drastically since 1984, and the loss of glacial snowpack compounds the risks of floods and landslides.
In Latin America, one in five individuals lives in such unplanned areas, often unable to afford safe housing or relocation options. Although Ayacucho has a new urban planning initiative aimed at improving safety, the estimated cost is nearly five times the city’s annual budget. These realities leave officials and residents in a challenging position.
Understanding these issues is vital for shaping a healthier, safer planet. Each region’s challenges offer lessons for us all in addressing the climate crisis. For more detailed insights, you can refer to sources like Climate Change News, Mongabay, and The Guardian.
