Security and the Anthropocene: Law, International Relations and Criminology

Abstract

This article analyses the implications of the Anthropocene for the governance of security. Drawing on environmental law, green criminology and international relations the article analyses the development of environment and security scholarship over recent decades and shown similarities and differences in perspectives across the disciplines. It demonstrates that the Anthropocene represents a significant challenge for thinking about and responding to security and the environment. It argues a rethinking is needed and can benefit from reaching across the disciplinary divide in three key areas that have become a shared focus of attention and debate regarding security in the Anthropocene. These are first, examining the implications of the Anthropocene for our understanding of environment and security; second, addressing and resolving contest across environmental securities through more holistic and integrated thinking and practice; and third, developing new governance responses that mix polycentric and state backed regulation to bring safety and security to the planet.