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The debate

The debate. Environment and security:definitional issues: environmental degradation: scarcity security: whose security? (international, national, societal, human) what kind of security? Wars (combat-related death) comprehensive collective security (war - reduced life chances).

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The debate

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  1. The debate • Environment and security:definitional issues: • environmental degradation: scarcity • security: whose security? • (international, national, societal, human) • what kind of security? • Wars (combat-related death) • comprehensive collective security (war - reduced life chances)

  2. Framing the question • environmental degradation causes war? • indirect, underlying, intervening,contributing • environmental degradation source of human/societal insecurity(short of war)? • Yes

  3. Why linking environment and security? • early 1990s - expanded security concept • institutional reason for new wine in old “national security” bottles • early 2000 - alternative security concepts • human, environmental, sustainable development, health (UN “secure world report”) • security language validates importance • Pentagon 2004 report

  4. Environmental degradation and war(1) • Early 90’s: ED causes violent conflict - major security concern • critics (1) : quantitative approach: no significant statistical links ED and civil war/international wars • [nor with inequality, lack of HR, democracy, ethnic diversity] • civil wars: statistically linked with poverty, previous wars, “bad neighborhoods”

  5. ED and international war • Critics (2) case literature: have quantifiers missed something? • International wars: • “soccer war”(Honduras-El Salvador 1969 • migration • [oil wars - abundance vs scarcity concept]

  6. ED and violent internal conflict • Critics(2): analytical concerns: • “scarcity” poorly developed concept • relevant as underlying or contributing factor, but in itself explains little • (classic case: Rwanda 1994) • malthusian blinders? • Technology • socio-political capacity to adjust

  7. Better explanations (1) • rate and type of ED • time factor (Pentagon 2004 report) • political economy • capacity to adjust (technology, aid) • institutions for conflict resolution (social and human resources) • ex: ED+ failure of intervening variables Guatemala, Nepal

  8. Better explanations (2) • ED produces powerless victims, rather than actors that can threaten others: • ex: “environmental refugees” - pushed back • famine victims - “die quietly” • result: human insecurity,comprehensive collective insecurity, but not “wars” strictu sensu

  9. Policy implications • “Securitisation” of environmental issues • invites threat scenarios and offensive/defensive strategies • invites military involvement • ? Invites national, not international response (Pentagon 2004report) • Strenghtening current international regimes does not require securitisation

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