Environmental Security and the Role of Law

Abstract

This paper considers the concept of environmental security and the role that law can play in enhancing such security. Specifically, this paper elaborates on how law can be used as a tool to address environmental security threats. First, the paper provides a brief background on the concept of environmental security. Second, it provides a brief overview of the role of law in addressing environmental security threats, including a description of the ‘rule of law’ concept. Next, the paper gives three examples of countries that have enhanced their efforts to address different environmental security threats by integrating legal changes – to help protect a population of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros in Nepal; to help indigenous people obtain recognition of their rights to land and natural resources in Nicaragua; and to decrease deforestation rates in the Atlantic forest in Paraguay. Lastly, the paper concludes with a call to expand the use of law as a tool to address environmental security threats.

Keywords: environmental security, role of law, law, rule of law, environment, security, environmental security