Environmental issues are about security

Though most people are aware of the drastic effects climate change poses to our planet, very little view this in terms of national security. However, the threats of climate change are influential to the point where the environment should now be included in our national security policy. Why?

Climate change has been shown to aggravate or create conflicts (even violent conflicts) due to resource scarcity, increasing the strain on social systems, and minimizing nation’s ability to cope with these issues. A growing human population already increases the demand for resources, and coupled with climate change the ecological systems that everyone relies on in this world for sustenance are being pushed over their limit. This resource scarcity has already been shown to lead to conflict, particularly in developing nations whose citizens tend to rely more heavily on their immediate environment for survival.

Also, climate change can greatly impact economic growth, creating instability within a state. These risks don’t just affect developing countries either. Climate change affects the whole globe, and the United States may not be adversely affected yet, but to protect ourselves down the road and to help prevent conflict stemming from environmental scarcity, we must instate policies that place the environment as a security issue.If one wants to learn more about environmental security, you can visit http://www.millennium-project.org for current in depth information.

JENNY VAN OOYEN

Sandpoint