From national security to environmental security : a historical overview

Abstract

The study attempts to provide a historical approach to the role of the environment in security studies. Contemporary security challenges have shown that the narrow definition given to national security is no longer adequate. Instead, there was the emergence of newer security conceptual frameworks, such as human security, to account for transnational security challenges. In this scenario, the role of the environment in security changed as well. As a non-military threat, environmental degradation comes with its own challenges. These challenges include overcoming the ambiguous nature of the concepts of human security or environmental security and finding ways to scientifically measure these concepts, in order to propel policy and legislative changes to protect environmental security. In this respect, further debate should revolve around the task of operationalizing environmental security.