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As of April 2026, major global conflicts include a severe escalation in the Middle East with U.S.-Israel actions against Iran (Operation Epic Fury), the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and fighting in Sudan, Myanmar, and the Sahel. These conflicts are exacerbated by issues such as climate change and conflict, which further destabilize regions like Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, and the Horn of Africa. Efforts toward global peace initiatives and nonviolence education are crucial in addressing these challenges. 

 Pope Leo XIV (2026) is promoting a global "culture of peace" and "unarmed peace," urging world leaders to choose dialogue over military action and rearmament. Disarmament, not just of weapons but of "hearts of hatred, resentment, and indifference". His words emphasize rejecting the "logic of war," specifically condemning the use of religion to justify conflict. He calls for peace over violence, as US leaders call for him to "stay in his lane" - the Pope's lane advocates for the vulnerable and for peace - the basics of Christianity.

In war-torn Iraq, Muslims join together with Christians in celebrating Easter every year, fostering a spirit of solidarity and coexistence amid the challenges posed by climate change and conflict. There are many stories throughout the world where people, estranged by their leaders, come together to celebrate their respect and friendship for each other, contributing to global peace initiatives and emphasizing the importance of nonviolence education. 

There are nearly 13,000 active satellites in Earth's orbit, with commercial entities currently dominating this number. While some military satellites exist, none are reportedly dedicated to space warfare. Nevertheless, discussions around space conflicts have been ongoing within military circles for decades. In the realm of space, conflicts will not be solely determined by the destruction of one asset versus another. Instead, victory could hinge on positioning military assets strategically and cloaking them behind civilian operations, before an adversary has the chance to counter or react. This strategic positioning is increasingly relevant as the intersection of climate change and conflict becomes a pressing issue for global peace initiatives, highlighting the importance of nonviolence education in fostering a collaborative approach to security.

ACLED’s Conflict Watchlist highlights 10 countries and regions projected to face armed conflict, political unrest, and humanitarian emergencies in 2026. Each country and regional report assesses the state of conflict, analyzing prospects of conflict escalation and resolution, particularly in the context of climate change and conflict. Other think tanks also analyze geo-politics, such as The Council on Foreign Affairs, which produces Conflicts to Watch in 2026/Preventive Survey Results; The United Nations; The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute; the International Crisis Group; the Conflict and Environment Observatory; and the Lowy Institute, all of which contribute to global peace initiatives and emphasize the importance of nonviolence education.

A national security assessment commissioned by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, or DEFRA, indicates a high likelihood that "every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse," creating a cascading effect that could significantly threaten the nation’s food security. The Times reported that this assessment omitted some inconvenient truths, including the overwhelming mass migrations driven by climate change and conflict, the rise of increasingly polarized and populist politics, NATO conflicts stemming from collapsing food production in Russia and Ukraine, and escalating tensions between China, India, and Pakistan that could potentially lead to nuclear war. These issues highlight the urgent need for global peace initiatives and emphasize the importance of nonviolence education in addressing such complex challenges.

China and Russia are beginning to militarize the Arctic, and US strategy is following suit. As the Arctic transforms into a fully militarized zone, it will likely escalate global tensions over shipping routes and the vast untapped resources, potentially exacerbating climate change and conflict. This shift would accelerate the construction of bases, increase naval patrols, and raise the risk of direct conflict. Meanwhile, global militaries often consider themselves exempt from the environmental damage resulting from their actions, undermining global peace initiatives. If past military practices predict the future, all Arctic life will be in peril; the now pristine waters could become dumping grounds for waste, leading to the destruction of an entire ecosystem. To counter these trends, investing in nonviolence education is crucial for fostering a more peaceful approach to international relations.

Unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather events can trigger competition for food and water; declining agricultural output can lead to a loss of income for a broad segment of the population. Droughts, floods, storms, and sea-level rise are already causing more than 20 million people to leave their homes and relocate each year. Climate change intensifies resource scarcity and exacerbates existing social, economic, and environmental factors for all populations, particularly in the most vulnerable nations. Countries like Yemen, Mali, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia, which are already grappling with conflict, are also ranked among those most susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Addressing the link between climate change and conflict is essential for global peace initiatives, and promoting nonviolence education can help build resilience in these regions.

The connection between climate change and conflict is an undeniable reality. The security-related risks associated with climate change are most pronounced where two critical trends intersect: the severe impacts of climate change combined with weak governance that struggles to manage the escalating tensions these impacts create. Mali has been grappling with a climate crisis for over half a century, facing a future characterized by rising temperatures. The country has endured both droughts and flooding, affecting approximately 400,000 people and resulting in an annual loss of about $9.5 million USD in crop revenues. These extreme climate crises have not only contributed to but also exacerbated Mali’s complex civil war, which began in 2012, by fueling recruitment and generating revenue opportunities for militant groups, including jihadists. To address these pressing issues, global peace initiatives and nonviolence education are essential in mitigating the effects of climate change on conflict.

Yemen is in its twelfth year of civil war, fought between the Yemeni government, Houthi forces, and international proxies. This conflict has led to one of the largest global humanitarian disasters since 1945. Localized conflicts primarily revolve around access to water and land, where the impacts of climate change and conflict are critically reducing the availability of natural resources. This scarcity undermines social cohesion and fuels further conflict. The ongoing environmental and climate crises are perpetuating this turmoil and severely hindering global peace initiatives and long-term peace efforts, highlighting the need for nonviolence education as a vital component in resolving these issues.

The ongoing Sudanese civil war, which erupted in April 2023, is primarily driven by a violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. Even before 2023, Sudan was facing a severe humanitarian crisis, leaving 15.8 million people in need of aid. Currently, the situation has worsened, with 33.7 million people—about two-thirds of the population—requiring assistance. Contributing to this turmoil is the impact of climate change and conflict, as approximately 65% of Sudan's land is affected by desertification and climate-driven degradation. Recurring droughts, heatwaves, and flooding are not only creating food shortages but also destroying vital infrastructure. To foster stability, the implementation of global peace initiatives and nonviolence education is crucial in addressing the underlying issues of this crisis.

As we face the challenges posed by climate change and conflict, it is essential to explore global peace initiatives that promote stability and cooperation among nations, by addressing the root causes of conflict. 

One effective way to foster a culture of peace is through nonviolence education, which equips individuals with the tools to resolve disputes without resorting to violence. 

The Peace Game  is built around 7 actions that empower people to live in harmony with self, each other, and the Earth. Learn more about its creator and the Empowerment Institute.

Peace Education and Action for Impact  is a global peacebuilding and leadership program that brings together youth-led, intergenerational, and cross-cultural learning, dialogue, and action to create change at local and global levels. 

The One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership  is a joint initiative of more than 30 multilateral organizations helping countries to achieve climate change action both through general climate literacy and applied skills development. 

Climate Reality, recruits, trains, and mobilizes people of all ages and backgrounds to work for just climate solutions through 11 international branches and network of 4.5 million, to speed the global transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.