L

Lecture 9

Non Traditional security: Water Crisis, Energy

Crisis and Environmental Issues

Nosherwan Adil
 Introduction
• Non-traditional security threats, also known as non-traditional or transnational security
challenges, have become increasingly prominent in the field of International Relations (IR)
and global security. These threats transcend traditional state-centric security concerns and
often have global implications. Some key non-traditional security threats in IR include:

Global Health Crises

• Pandemics: Events like the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated the global nature of
health security. The spread of infectious diseases can have far-reaching economic, social, and
political consequences.

Climate Change
• Environmental Degradation: Climate change leads to a range of security concerns,
including extreme weather events, displacement of populations, resource scarcity, and
conflicts over access to water and arable land.
• Rising Sea Levels: Coastal areas are vulnerable to sea-level rise, affecting cities and
communities. This could lead to large-scale population displacement and conflicts over
resources.

Cybersecurity
• Cyberattacks: State and non-state actors can launch cyberattacks that disrupt critical
infrastructure, compromise national security, and undermine economic and political
stability.

Terrorism
• Transnational Terrorism: Terrorist groups often operate across borders and pose security
challenges that require international cooperation to combat.

Energy Security
• Resource Competition: Competition for energy resources, such as oil and natural gas, can
lead to regional and global conflicts.
 Food and Water Security
• Food Scarcity: Issues related to food production, distribution, and access can result in political
instability and conflicts.

• Water Scarcity: Access to clean water is essential for human survival, and disputes over water
resources can lead to tensions and conflicts.

Migration and Displacement

• Forced Migration: Conflicts, environmental disasters, and economic hardship can lead to large-
scale forced migration, creating humanitarian crises and security challenges.

• Refugee Flows: The movement of refugees and migrants across borders can strain resources and
impact the stability of host countries.

Transnational Crime
• Drug Trafficking: Illicit drug trade is a global issue that poses security concerns and fuels
organized crime.
• Human Trafficking: The trafficking of people for forced labor or exploitation has security
implications and violates human rights.
Nuclear Proliferation
• Non-State Actors: Concerns about the acquisition of nuclear materials or technology by non-state
actors raise global security issues, as seen in efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism.

Cybercrime and Espionage

• Cyber Espionage: State-sponsored cyber espionage and the theft of sensitive information can
have significant diplomatic and security repercussions.

Human Security
• Violence against Civilians: The protection of civilians from violence, conflict-related or
otherwise, is a fundamental aspect of human security.

• Addressing non-traditional security threats often requires international cooperation, the development of new
norms and treaties, and the involvement of non-state actors, such as international organizations, non-
governmental organizations, and the private sector. The recognition of these threats underscores the need for a
comprehensive and multifaceted approach to global security in contemporary international relations.
 Water Crisis
• A water crisis refers to a situation in which the availability of clean, safe, and reliable water
for various uses, including drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry, is inadequate to
meet the demands of a population or ecosystem. Water crises can manifest in various forms,
and they are a pressing global issue. Here's an overview of the key aspects of the water
crisis:

Causes and Drivers

• Population Growth: The world's population is increasing, and the demand for water is
rising as a result, particularly for agriculture and domestic use.

• Climate Change: Altered precipitation patterns, droughts, and increased evaporation due
to global warming can disrupt the availability and distribution of water resources.
• Water Pollution: Contamination of water sources by industrial, agricultural, and domestic pollutants
can render water sources unfit for consumption or use.

• Over-extraction: Excessive pumping of groundwater and unsustainable use of surface water can
deplete water sources faster than they can naturally recharge.

• Urbanization: Rapid urban growth often leads to increased water demand and pollution, straining local
water resources.

• Inefficient Water Management: Poor water governance, mismanagement, and inadequate

infrastructure can result in water wastage and the inability to meet growing demands.

Types of Water Crises

• Water Scarcity: This occurs when the total amount of available water resources is insufficient to meet
the demands of a region, leading to water shortages.

• Water Stress: Water stress indicates a situation where the available water supply is nearing its limits,
and competition for water resources intensifies.
• Drought: Prolonged periods of reduced rainfall can lead to drought conditions, affecting agriculture,
water supply, and ecosystems.

Impacts
• Health: Lack of access to safe drinking water can result in waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and poor
hygiene, causing illness and death, particularly in developing countries.

• Agriculture: Agriculture is the largest consumer of water, and water shortages can lead to reduced crop
yields, food insecurity, and economic losses.

• Ecosystems: Insufficient water availability can harm ecosystems, impacting biodiversity, wetlands, and
aquatic life.

• Economic Consequences: Water scarcity can disrupt industries, reduce productivity, and lead to job
losses.

• Conflict: In some regions, competition for scarce water resources can exacerbate existing conflicts or
lead to new ones.
 Mitigation and Solutions
• Efficient Water Use: Implementing water-efficient technologies and practices in agriculture, industry, and households
can reduce water wastage.

• Investment in Infrastructure: Building and upgrading water supply and sanitation infrastructure is crucial to ensure
reliable access to clean water.

• Conservation: Protecting and restoring watersheds, wetlands, and ecosystems can help maintain water quality and
availability.

• Desalination: Desalination technologies can convert seawater or brackish water into freshwater, providing an additional
source of water in coastal regions.

• International Cooperation: Cooperation among countries that share transboundary water resources is essential to
manage shared waters and prevent conflicts.

• Waste Reduction and Pollution Control: Reducing the discharge of pollutants into water bodies and improving
wastewater treatment can help maintain water quality.

• Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and precision irrigation, can
reduce water use in farming.
 Energy Crisis
• An energy crisis refers to a situation where the supply of energy resources, such as
electricity, fuel, or other forms of energy, is insufficient to meet the demands of a
population, industry, or other energy consumers. Energy crises can occur for various reasons
and can have significant economic, social, and environmental impacts. Here's an overview
of key aspects related to energy crises:

Causes and Drivers:

• Supply Shortages: Depletion of finite resources, disruptions in energy production (e.g., due
to natural disasters or geopolitical conflicts), and underinvestment in energy infrastructure
can lead to energy supply shortages.

• Growing Energy Demand: Population growth, industrialization, urbanization, and

increased energy-intensive technologies have led to rising energy demands in many parts of
the world.
• Environmental Concerns: Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy
sources may limit the use of traditional fossil fuels, which could disrupt energy supplies in regions heavily
reliant on these sources.

• Geopolitical Factors: Conflicts, trade disputes, and political instability in energy-producing regions can
disrupt the supply of energy resources.

• Aging Infrastructure: Aging energy infrastructure, such as power plants and electrical grids, can lead to
operational inefficiencies and blackouts.

Types of Energy Crises

• Blackouts and Power Outages: Sudden and prolonged loss of electrical power can affect homes, industries,
and infrastructure.

• Fuel Shortages: Shortages of petroleum products, such as gasoline or heating oil, can disrupt transportation,
heating, and industrial processes.

• Natural Gas Shortages: Shortages of natural gas can affect heating, electricity generation, and industrial
processes.
 Impacts
• Economic Consequences: Energy shortages can lead to reduced economic growth, lost productivity, job losses,
and increased production costs.

• Social Disruption: Energy crises can result in discomfort and reduced quality of life, particularly in cases of
blackouts and heating shortages.

• Public Health: Energy shortages can disrupt healthcare facilities and the distribution of medical supplies,
potentially compromising public health.

• Environmental Impacts: Depending on the response to energy shortages, increased use of polluting and
inefficient energy sources can lead to environmental degradation.

• Geopolitical Tensions: Energy crises can exacerbate international conflicts and rivalries over access to energy
resources.

Mitigation and Solutions

• Diversification of Energy Sources: Reducing reliance on a single energy source, such as fossil fuels, and
diversifying the energy mix can increase resilience to supply disruptions.
• Energy Efficiency: Promoting energy-efficient technologies and practices can reduce energy consumption and lower
the risk of shortages.

• Investment in Infrastructure: Upgrading and modernizing energy infrastructure, including electrical grids,
pipelines, and power plants, can enhance reliability and reduce the risk of blackouts.

• Energy Conservation: Encouraging energy conservation at the individual, commercial, and industrial levels can
reduce energy demand.

• Renewable Energy: Expanding the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, can
provide a more sustainable and diverse energy supply.

• Energy Storage: Developing advanced energy storage technologies can help stabilize energy supply during periods
of high demand.

• International Cooperation: Collaborative energy agreements and trade can enhance energy security by sharing
resources during shortages.

• Energy Policy and Regulation: Effective energy policy and regulation can provide a framework for stable energy
markets and encourage investment in the energy sector.
 Environmental Crisis
• An environmental crisis refers to a situation where various aspects of the natural environment are
deteriorating or being severely disrupted, leading to ecological, social, and economic consequences.
Environmental crises can be caused by a range of factors, including human activities, climate
change, and natural disasters. Here is an overview of key aspects related to environmental crises:

Causes and Drivers

• Climate Change: Rising global temperatures due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases,
primarily carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere is causing various environmental crises, including more
frequent and severe heatwaves, storms, and rising sea levels.

• Biodiversity Loss: Habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation of natural resources, and the
introduction of invasive species have led to a global decline in biodiversity and the extinction of
many species.

• Deforestation: Large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, urban development, and logging is
causing habitat loss, reducing carbon storage, and contributing to climate change.
• Air and Water Pollution: The release of pollutants, such as particulate matter, heavy metals, and
chemicals, into the air and water has adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and the environment.

• Resource Depletion: Overexploitation of finite resources, such as freshwater, minerals, and fossil fuels,
is depleting these resources and causing environmental crises, including water scarcity and pollution.

• Plastic Pollution: The production and improper disposal of plastic waste are leading to widespread
pollution in oceans and terrestrial environments.

Types of Environmental Crises

• Climate Crisis: This encompasses a range of issues related to climate change, including temperature
increases, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification.

• Biodiversity Crisis: The loss of species and ecosystems, often referred to as a biodiversity crisis or the
sixth mass extinction, poses severe ecological and conservation challenges.

• Pollution Crisis: Pollution of air, water, and soil has adverse impacts on human health, wildlife, and
ecosystems.
• Deforestation Crisis: The rapid destruction of forests threatens biodiversity, exacerbates climate change,
and disrupts local ecosystems.

• Resource Scarcity Crisis: Depletion of freshwater, minerals, and fossil fuels can lead to resource scarcity
and conflicts over access to these resources.

Impacts
• Economic Consequences: Environmental crises can lead to economic losses, particularly in sectors
dependent on natural resources, such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.

• Health Effects: Air and water pollution, along with the impacts of climate change, can result in a range of
health issues, including respiratory problems, heat-related illnesses, and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

• Ecosystem Collapse: Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services can disrupt ecological processes, such as
pollination and nutrient cycling, leading to ecosystem collapse.

• Migration and Displacement: Environmental crises, such as sea-level rise, desertification, and natural
disasters, can displace populations and lead to migration and conflicts over resources.
• Social Injustice: Vulnerable and marginalized communities are often disproportionately affected by environmental crises,
exacerbating social inequality.

Mitigation and Solutions

• Emissions Reduction: Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, and
sustainable transportation are critical to combat the climate crisis.

• Conservation and Habitat Restoration: Protecting and restoring natural habitats and biodiversity are essential to address the
biodiversity crisis.

• Waste Reduction and Recycling: Efforts to reduce waste, promote recycling, and transition to circular economies can
mitigate the pollution crisis.

• Sustainable Resource Management: Responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, such as fisheries and
forests, can help address resource scarcity and deforestation.

• International Agreements: International agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity
play a crucial role in addressing global environmental challenges.

• Environmental Policy and Regulation: Strong environmental policies and regulations are essential to enforce and promote
sustainable practices and mitigate environmental crises.