How are the Environment and Security Linked?

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between environment and security risks is critical. Security here is not limited to the classic definition of war but extends to a broader scope, including “military security,” human security, economic viability, and the protection of critical resources. National and global security intertwine through national food/water security, as environmental change (including climate change) affects resources such as water and food. These challenges interact with one another through migration pressures and competing claims over shared rivers, undermining economic and social stability. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14650045.2024.2329940

Several environmental challenges are of particular concern in the geopolitical context, including:

Climate Change & Extreme Weather Phenomena

The escalating frequency of hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires has serious consequences. These events can cause regional instability, forced displacements, disrupt supply chains, and damage critical infrastructure, thereby undercutting security.

Resource Scarcity

Due to the finite nature of natural resources (such as fresh water, agricultural land, and fossil fuels), competition and conflicts arise between state/regional power units. The problem of access to these resources becomes an acute geopolitical concern, particularly with growing populations and consumption rates.

Biodiversity Reduction

A reduction in biodiversity can undermine ecosystems and human livelihoods that rely on local natural resource management systems. It can also lead to a loss of biodiversity that affects global trade, including agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.

Pollution and Environmental Degradation

Pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, and land degradation pose both direct and indirect threats to national and international security. Environmental degradation weakens states’ resilience to crises, causes health problems, and exacerbates social inequalities, further contributing to insecurity.

Environmental Stress and Conflict

Historically, conflict has often been associated with environmental stress, both within populations and between nations. As environmental degradation intensifies, people will compete for fewer resources, heightening the potential for conflict. This section examines how environmental pressures interact with conflict—a relationship that is growing more critical in geopolitical terms.

Water Scarcity and Clash:

Water scarcity is one of the most dominant environmental concerns, leading to clashes throughout the globe. Tensions over cross-border rivers and lakes have sparked conflicts, particularly in arid regions. Disputes over water rights have led to violence, as seen in the Middle East and parts of Africa. For example, Ethiopia’s dam-building on the Nile River continues to cause disputes with Egypt and Sudan, despite years of negotiation.

Land Degradation and Migration

Deforestation, desertification, and poorly managed agriculture are major drivers of migration, as land degradation forces farmers to leave their land. This migration places additional strain on resources and fuels social tensions, sometimes leading to conflict. A clear example is the Sahel region, where desertification and land degradation have led to large-scale internal displacement and clashes for scarce resources.

Armed Conflict and Climate Change

Climate change is one of the “threat multipliers,” increasing the vulnerability of states to armed conflict. The adverse consequences of climate change in fragile political systems often manifest as resource competition and social unrest, which can escalate into violent conflict. The Syrian civil war is often cited as an example, where years of drought and crop failures led to large-scale displacement, ultimately sparking social unrest and violence.

Maritime and Fisheries Disputes

Overfishing, pollution, and shifting marine environments are leading to conflicts over fisheries and maritime boundaries. Competition for fish in the South China Sea, for example, has long been a source of friction between China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian nations. As marine resources become scarcer, the geopolitical significance of controlling these maritime resources grows.

Environmental Diplomacy and International Cooperation:

While environmental stress can fuel conflict, it also provides opportunities for international cooperation and conflict diplomacy. Drawing on the environmental and security nexus, there is a paradigm shift in global challenges, with countries needing to coordinate and work multilaterally over shared natural resources. Addressing environmental security risks requires collaborative responses.

Paris Agreement on Climate Change

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, represents significant progress in addressing the global climate threat through collective action. Recognizing climate change as a security threat, the agreement establishes mandatory emission reduction targets and promotes adaptation efforts.

International Transboundary Water Agreements

Most of the world’s large rivers and lakes are shared by more than one country, necessitating international cooperation for their management. Transboundary water agreements, such as the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, have been vital for maintaining peace and preventing violence over rivers. Most of these agreements include conflict resolution mechanisms and ensure shared participation in water resources.

Environmental Security Arrangements

International institutions, such as the UN, have recognized the necessity of linking environmental security to peace operations and threat prevention. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) assists countries in addressing environmental factors that drive conflict and in building environmental sustainability for peacebuilding.

Climate Security and Conflict Prevention

Development programs for climate change adaptation and resilience are central to preventing conflicts. These programs seek to address underlying environmental vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of violence. The international community increasingly acknowledges the importance of environmental security in peacebuilding and sustainable development.

Geopolitical Implications for Regional Power Dynamics

The environmental and security nexus holds significant geopolitical relevance. Power relations, both within and between regions, are evolving in response to the challenges of environmental change, resource availability, and economic stability. This section will explore the environmental background of regional geopolitics.

Arctic and Resource Competition

The rapid melting of Arctic ice due to climate change has opened two new shipping routes and provided access to untapped natural resources, such as oil and gas. This has sparked competition among Arctic countries, particularly between the U.S., Russia, Canada, and Norway. The Arctic Council plays a crucial role in handling resource disputes and ensuring environmental protection.

Resource Wars in Africa

Environmental degradation and resource scarcity in many parts of Africa continue to fuel conflict. The availability of arable land, water, and mineral resources often serves as the focal point for geopolitical disputes. A classic example is the Democratic Republic of Congo, where resource-rich areas have been embroiled in armed conflict, with groups competing for control of valuable resources like cobalt, gold, and diamonds.https://www.diis.dk/en/research/three-frontlines-in-africas-resource-conflicts

Middle East and Climate Change:

the Middle East is highly vulnerable to climate change, especially due to the expected impacts of extreme heat and water scarcity. Environmental stresses further complicate long-standing geopolitical tensions over water and energy resources, with countries like Iran, Iraq, and Syria facing resource management challenges.

Conclusion:

The environmental and security nexus holds substantial geopolitical significance, as environmental stress intensifies security threats and creates new challenges for states and international relations. The connection between climate change, resource scarcity, migration, and conflict is becoming increasingly evident, highlighting the urgent need for policy coherence across borders. Human-induced environmental degradation may fuel conflict, but it also opens space for multilateral treaty negotiations and diplomacy. As states confront these interlinked challenges, integrating environmental considerations into security policies becomes essential.

https://www.coe-civ.eu/kh/a-new-outlook-on-the-climate-and-security-nexus