Global Peace and Security without a Healthy Environment?

Abstract

The Article argues that we must broaden our understanding of global peace, security and welfare to include ecological resiliency and climate justice in the Anthropocene. Society must recognize that climate change, as well as the current pandemic and ongoing racial injustices, are sustainability and security crises. The three pillars of sustainability— environmental, social and economic welfare — essentially define “security.” Environmental law and policy face significant challenges in accounting for large scale disruptions due to climate change and environmental degradation including mass migration, food insecurity, natural disasters, inequality, access to clean water, and the breakdown of the civil society. More specifically, how can significant global security risks be accounted for and peace promoted when making environmental law, broadly defined (food, energy, land use, natural resources law)?

Keywords: sustainability, peace, security, environmnet