The book presents the dilemma that is sure to dominate the next century: that of environmental breakdown. Ozone depletion, tropical forest destruction, topsoil erosion, cut-and-burn deforestation tactics, and farmland fertility decline are all having devastating effects on worldwide economies, health, and climate. These and a host of other environmental threats point mankind toward 'ultimate security', for they tie in with associated problems such as overconsumption, and wastefulness in the developed world. The book suggests that several wars have erupted and governments been toppled for primarily environmental reasons, so that the future will be more secure through the safeguarding of the environment rather than expenditure on military weapons. The book is divided into four main sections: the introduction provides information on the variety of problems that are faced, and how environmental security would work; this is then followed by case studies of regional examples, including the Middle East, Ethiopia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Philippines, the Indian subcontinent, El Salvador, and Mexico; these are followed by four case studies at the global level, including population, ozone-layer depletion and global warming, mass extinction of species, environmental refugees, and the synergistic connection which summarises the preceeding case studies; the final section examines in more detail the new security, including trade-offs with military security, the policy fallout, and a personal reflection.
Keyword(s)
assessment, case studies, environmental degradation, environmental impact, environmental management, population change, refugees, resource utilization, sustainability, Africa South of Sahara, Developed Countries, Developing Countries, El Salvador, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Middle East, Philippines, Africa, countries, CACM, Central America, America, Latin America, ACP Countries, East Africa, Least Developed Countries, Commonwealth of Nations, South Asia, Asia, APEC countries, North America, OECD Countries, Threshold Countries, West Asia, ASEAN Countries, South East Asia, Abyssinia, environmental effects, Near East, resource exploitation, Salvador, subsaharan Africa, Third World, Underdeveloped Countries, Natural Resources (General) (PP000), Pollution and Degradation (PP600), Environmental Economics (EE150) (Discontinued March 2000)
