Environmental Security, Sustainability and Policy

Abstract

Environmental security and sustainability are complementary approaches to comprehending and resolving environmental problems. In contrast to sustainability, however, environmental security has performed poorly in terms of policy formulation. This is a function of its short history, its interdisciplinary nature, and its ambiguity. It is also a function of disagreements about which environmental problems can rightfully be called 'security' issues. As a way forward, this paper proposes a framework for identifying environmental problems that might reasonably be considered as security issues. Applying this framework, biodiversity loss, climate change, and nuclear power all qualify as environmenta..