Environmental change as a source of conflict

Abstract

A number of scholars have recently studied large-scale human-induced environmental pressures may seriously affect national and international security. But here this environmental change is discussed as a source of conflict and these huge environmental changes may lead to conflicts in the future. How might environmental change lead to conflict? Some experts propose that environmental change may shift the balance of power between states either regionally or globally, producing instabilities that could lead to war or as global environmental damage increases the disparity between people. Poor nations may militarily confront or struggle the rich for a greater share of the world's wealth. Warmer temperatures could lead to contention over new ice-free sea-lanes in the Arctic or more accessible resources in the Antarctic. Population growth and land stress may produce such environmental refugees. This may cause recipient's domestic and international stability. Countries may fight over dwindling supplies of water and the effects of upstream pollution. In developing countries, a sharp drop in food crop production could lead to internal strife and finally into conflicts among urban and rural areas. If environmental degradation makes food supplies increasingly tight, exporters may be tempted to use food as a weapon. Environmental change could ultimately cause the gradual impoverishment of societies in the world. Moreover, many scholars indicate that environmental degradation will "ratchet up" the level of stress within national and international society, thus increasing the likelihood of many different kinds of conflict and impeding the development of cooperative solutions. But the time has come to escape from it and “rescue” our environment. It’s all our responsibility to know about these environmental changers and challenges and take possible and serious actions regarding it.