GEOGRAPHY 1250
Global Cities - Global Understanding
“Water Bankruptcy” and record-shattering heatwaves are now considered the ultimate national security threats. In GEOG 1250, we work with international partners to investigate the high-stakes reality of how water in the environment ties to environmental security.
We are living in a world where extreme heat and water scarcity aren’t just weather events—they are “threat multipliers.” They trigger everything from global migration to local economic collapses. In this course, we analyze the Water-Security Nexus by looking at water in the environment:
- The 4 Pillars of Water: We don’t just look at “if it rains.” We evaluate Quantity, Quality, Availability, and Accessibility—asking who gets the water and who gets left behind.
- The Heat Multiplier: We explore how rising temperatures don’t just affect our health; they fuel social unrest, disrupt global food supplies, and challenge the very stability of our cities.
- Corruption & Conflict: We dive deep into the “quiet” drivers of insecurity—like how resource exploitation and governance failures can turn a simple drought into a full-scale regional crisis.
Join Dr. Laura Jean Palmer-Moloney this Fall 2026 to see how managing these “wicked” problems is the key to global stability. It’s time to move from understanding the crisis to building a more secure, resilient future.
Meet the Instructor
Laura Jean Palmer-Moloney
“What makes Global Environment truly exciting is how it transforms the classroom into a dynamic, international hub for discussion. In these rapidly shifting environmental times—where record heat and ‘Water Bankruptcy’ are our new reality—we don’t just study these crises in isolation. GEnv allows ECU students to collaborate and engage with global perspectives, connecting our local North Carolina challenges to international security strategies. My favorite moments are seeing students realize that a solution for water accessibility in one part of the world can spark a grassroots movement right here. It’s about more than just geography; it’s about building a global network of problem-solvers who aren’t afraid to tackle the ‘wicked’ problems of our era.”