The Nexus Between Climate Change and Security

Retired four-star general Tom Middendorp has been dubbed ‘The Climate General’ for his work drawing connections between contemporary conflict and climate change. In this talk, he will take the audience on a journey from the frontlines, showing how our changing climate disrupts fragile regions around the world. Drawing on his own experiences, he shows how extreme drought, water scarcity, and natural disasters accelerate conflict and instability. Middendorp focuses on the need for concrete, actionable solutions, and shows the power of cooperation and innovation. He argues that by joining forces, international organisations, NGOs, scientists, defence practitioners, and companies can contribute to practical action that will address one of the great challenges of our time.

General (Ret) Tom Middendorp served as Netherlands Chief of Defence for five and a half years. He is currently the Chair of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS). Middendorp has extensive operational and strategic experience. Today, he works on building a unity of effort with different nations, governments, companies and other stakeholders in order to deal with a wide range of security risks. He is the author of ‘The Climate General’.

The event will be followed by refreshments.