Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Human security, a paradigm shift from traditional state-centric security, emphasizes the protection of individuals and communities from critical and pervasive threats to their lives, livelihoods, and dignity. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 1994 Human Development Report broadened the scope of security beyond military threats to encompass economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community and political security. Rapid environmental degradation, driven by anthropogenic activities, is increasingly recognized as a ‘threat multiplier’, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and creating new ones, thereby posing a serious and complex threat to human security globally. The recent IPCC reports (AR6, 2021-2023) underscore the escalating risks associated with climate change, highlighting the urgent need to address this challenge.
Environmental Degradation and its Impact on Human Security
Environmental degradation manifests in various forms, each with distinct implications for human security:
1. Economic Security
- Resource Scarcity: Depletion of natural resources like water, arable land, and minerals leads to economic instability, unemployment, and increased poverty. For example, desertification in the Sahel region of Africa (due to overgrazing and climate change) has resulted in widespread economic hardship and displacement.
- Climate Change Impacts: Extreme weather events (floods, droughts, cyclones) cause significant economic losses through damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. The 2011 Thailand floods caused an estimated $45 billion in economic damage, disrupting global supply chains.
- Loss of Livelihoods: Degradation of ecosystems like forests and fisheries directly impacts livelihoods dependent on these resources. Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest threatens the livelihoods of indigenous communities and impacts global carbon sequestration.
2. Food Security
- Climate Change & Agriculture: Changing rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and extreme weather events reduce crop yields and livestock productivity. The Horn of Africa is currently facing a severe drought (2022-2023) leading to widespread famine and food insecurity.
- Land Degradation: Soil erosion, salinization, and nutrient depletion reduce agricultural productivity. Intensive agriculture in the Indo-Gangetic Plain has led to soil degradation and declining wheat yields.
- Fisheries Decline: Overfishing, pollution, and ocean acidification threaten fish stocks, impacting food security for communities reliant on fisheries. The collapse of cod fisheries in Newfoundland, Canada, in the early 1990s is a stark example.
3. Health Security
- Air & Water Pollution: Exposure to pollutants increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and cancer. Delhi, India, consistently ranks among the most polluted cities globally, with severe health consequences for its residents.
- Vector-Borne Diseases: Climate change expands the geographic range of disease vectors like mosquitoes, increasing the incidence of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.
- Water Scarcity & Sanitation: Lack of access to clean water and sanitation increases the risk of waterborne diseases. Many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa face chronic water scarcity and inadequate sanitation, leading to high rates of diarrheal diseases.
4. Environmental Security
- Biodiversity Loss: Extinction of species disrupts ecosystems and reduces their resilience to environmental changes. The ongoing sixth mass extinction event is driven by habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
- Deforestation: Loss of forests reduces carbon sequestration, increases soil erosion, and contributes to climate change. Indonesia and Brazil have experienced significant deforestation rates in recent decades.
- Desertification: Expansion of deserts reduces arable land and increases the risk of dust storms and droughts.
5. Personal, Community & Political Security
- Environmental Displacement: Environmental degradation and climate change can force people to leave their homes, leading to displacement and migration. ‘Climate refugees’ are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable population. Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate-induced displacement due to sea-level rise and increased flooding.
- Resource Conflicts: Competition over scarce resources like water and land can lead to conflicts within and between communities. Conflicts over water resources are common in the Middle East and North Africa.
- Weakened Governance: Environmental degradation can exacerbate existing political tensions and undermine governance structures.
| Environmental Threat | Human Security Dimension Affected | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change | Economic, Food, Health, Environmental, Personal/Community | Increased frequency of cyclones in Bangladesh leading to displacement and economic loss. |
| Deforestation | Economic, Environmental, Political | Illegal logging in the Amazon rainforest fueling conflicts and undermining governance. |
| Water Scarcity | Economic, Food, Health, Political | Conflicts over water resources in the Nile River Basin. |
Conclusion
Rapid environmental degradation poses a multifaceted and escalating threat to human security, impacting all its dimensions. Addressing this challenge requires a holistic and integrated approach that combines mitigation and adaptation strategies, promotes sustainable resource management, and strengthens governance structures. International cooperation, particularly through frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, is crucial. Investing in resilience-building measures and empowering vulnerable communities are essential to safeguard human security in the face of environmental change. Ignoring this interconnectedness will only exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and lead to increased instability and human suffering.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.