Is Environmental Security a Geopolitical Issue?



Is Environmental Security a Geopolitical Issue?

To what extent is the environment, a source of geopolitical tension and conflict?

The state remains the dominant actor in international politics. States and especially the great powers are fundamental to international power and influence relationships. Meanwhile, not geopolitics - the territorially anchored real politics - the same as before. There are mainly three reasons for this: Firstly, the branches of government, increasingly closely intertwined through economic, political and social processes of globalization (Diehl & Gleditsch, 2001).

Second, states must share space with a diverse set of international actors, on the one hand, regional organizations entails regional integration, common rules, principles and agreements and cooperation between regions and, on the other hand, non-state actors with the ability to set the agenda and influence, which has led to a growing number of transnational challenges that can develop rapidly and have serious consequences.

And third, we are in a historical period characterized by the development of a bipolar, via a unipolar to a multipolar world with a variety of power and influence centres. Overall, the challenge this international order and established bodies and leads to the spread of power. At the same time create new opportunities for cooperation.

Great powers that currently challenge the U.S. position globally, particularly China and India. We see the world that will be reinforced by the global financial crisis. Other powers such as Russia, Brazil and South Africa, also increases their relative power and influence. A special case is the EU, which has evolved to become a regional and global player to be reckoned with, partly by virtue of the Union's economic and commercial weight, common institutions and policies, and partly on the basis of the largest member states' influence (Dalby, 2009).

The aforementioned players represent a significant power base that can be channelled through global and regional organizations such as the UN and NATO. Developments in influential states' views on international issues and (strength) the relationship among Great Powers helps to define the framework for globalization. Today's challenges are far more complex than when the two blocks were frozen in confrontation with each other. This must be reflected in the present geo-political environment (Dannreuther, 1997)t.

The following is a review of the relationship between central government actors, the consequences for environmental and geo political interests and the direct security challenges the world faces as a result.

U.S. is still dominant, but will be challenged

The United States has, next to the Soviet Union, has been the dominant global power in the post-war period, economic, military, political, technological and cultural. The country contributed decisively to the creation of binding international cooperation for the war, and has for most of the post-war period has seen their interests served by active participation in international institutions and regimes. Despite the USA's dominance is starting to decline, the country anyway, at least the next decade, remain the strongest single nation and thus continue to play a significant role internationally. U.S. will not to the same extent as before alone ...