Relationship of Environment and Security

Abstract

New definition of national security has emerged. Non-military threats, such as environmental mismanagement, natural resource depletion, overpopulation and the environmental consequences of the Cold War, economic decline, social and political instability, ethnic rivalries and territorial disputes, international terrorism and drugs have been included into the definition of national security. The relationship between environment and security has been under consideration almost two decades. Although nations continue to be central actors in international politics, they increasingly participate and are engaged in cooperation with international and regional organizations to respond to non-traditional security concerns including the environment.

The effort of this presentation is to assess the links between environment and security based on conceptual model. This model will show the different factors, which have the influence on the relationship between the environmental change and security as the triggers, catalysts or interactors.

These factors help to identify the general types of environmental conflicts. According to this typology of environmental conflicts, there is a large potential for local, regional and international collaboration in the various policy arenas in order to establish the coherent mechanisms to environmental conflict.