Competition over resources

In the environmentally constrained but more populous world that can be expected over the course of this century, there will be greater scarcity of three key resources: food, water and energy. Demand for all three resources is already beyond that which can be sustained at current levels. Once population growth and the effects of climate change are factored in, it is clear that greater competition for such resources should be expected, both within and between countries, potentially leading in extreme cases to conflict.

A New Strategy for the US: From the Control Paradigm to Sustainable Security

Schuyler Null | The New Security Beat | May 2011

Issues:Climate change, Competition over resources, Global militarisation, Marginalisation

Writing for the New Security Beat, Schuyler Null discusses a recent event on creating a new national security narrative for the US held at the Woodrow Wilson Center. The event was based on a white paper by two active military officers writing under the pseudonym “Mr. Y” (echoing George Kennan’s famous “X” article). In “A National Strategic Narrative,” Captain Wayne Porter (USN) and Colonel Mark Mykleby (USMC) argue that the United States needs to move away from an outmoded 20th century model of containment, deterrence, and control towards a “strategy of sustainability.”

Image source: LizaP.

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Posted on 5/05/11

Sustainable Security and Environmental Limits

Rachel Tansey | Quaker Council for European Affairs | May 2011

Issues:Climate change, Competition over resources, Global militarisation, Marginalisation

The Quaker Council for European Affairs publicises a briefing on the topic of Sustainable Security, specifically highlighting environmental concerns:

"The treatment of the natural world by humankind has contributed towards the two related major trends that are likely to drive insecurity in the coming decades: climate change and competition over natural resources."

Article source: Quaker Council for European Affairs

Image source: kretyen

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Posted on 4/05/11

Human Security and Marginalisation: A case of Pastoralists in the Mandera triangle

Abdul Ebrahim Haro | Exclusively written for sustainablesecurity.org | May 2011

Issues:Competition over resources, Marginalisation

This paper seeks to bring out the relevance of human security in pastoral areas of Mandera triangle and the relationships and contradictions that exist between it and national security. The “Mandera Triangle” encompasses a tri-border region of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya that exemplifies, in a microcosm, both a complex and a chronic humanitarian crisis that transcends national boundaries. The resident Somali pastoral population is highly vulnerable to periodic droughts and floods; high levels of poverty; long-term disruption to the traditional systems of livelihood; ongoing inter-clan conflicts and border tensions between states. 

Image source: TURKAIRO

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Posted on 4/05/11

World Not Prepared for Climate Conflicts

Laurie Goering | AlertNet | May 2011

Issues:Climate change, Competition over resources

Accelerating climate change and competition for limited supplies of water, food and energy are poised to ignite long-simmering conflicts in fragile states, monopolising the world's military resources and hampering development efforts, security experts say. Defusing these new 21st century conflicts – or at least preparing governments and citizens to cope with them – will require a broad range of innovative interventions, a gathering at Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) heard earlier this month.

Image source: Images.Defence.Gov.au

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Posted on 4/05/11

The Arab World's Next Battle: Water Supply and Population Growth on Collision Course

Lester Brown | The Guardian | April 2011

Issue:Competition over resources

Population growth and water supply are on a collision course. Hunger is set to become the main issue writes Lester Brown for the Guardian.

Image source: UN Photo. 

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Posted on 27/04/11

How the Competing Security Needs of Caribbean Community Members have Crystallized Through Multilateralism and Consensual Decision-Making

Serena Joseph-Harris | Exclusively written for sustainablesecurity.org | April 2011

Issues:Competition over resources, Global militarisation, Marginalisation

In a paper exclusively written for sustainablesecurity.org, Serena Joseph-Harris (former High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago) focuses on competition over natural resources, the role of maritime routes in the Caribbean, and the importance of multilateral approaches to finding sustainable solutions in the Caribbean.

Image source: Len@Loblolly

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Posted on 26/04/11