ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AS A SECURITYTHREAT

Abstract

Almost all long-term development forecasts agree that environmental
degradation will have in the long-term horizon an extremely adverse impact on
economic, social and security development in the world. To quote UN Secretary
General Pan Ki–mun: „deteriorating environment can threaten much that has been
accomplished by the mankind in the course of the last several decades. It undermines
our struggle against poverty. And finally, it can even threaten international peace
and security“. Degradation of environment will have a negative impact to Europe,
too. Extreme weather fluctuations will be a significant burden on the so-called
critical infrastructure. This means in particular securing sufficient electricity (or
maintaining energy infrastructure) under the conditions of extreme heat, drought or
cold. This issue is directly associated also with the problem of ensuring energy
security of the European Union which is and will be significantly dependent on
supplies of energy from third countries outside of the EU. Also security systems of
individual European countries and the EU as a whole must prepare for a new
European climate reality. In this case, it means in particular investments in efficient
warning and emergency systems. Also security systems of individual European
countries and the EU as a whole must prepare for a new European climate reality. In
this case, it means in particular investments in efficient warning and emergency
systems. The ability to face anticipated higher level of migration from regions heavily
affected by environmental degradation in Europe’s closer or more distant vicinity
(The Near East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa) will be a serious challenge for
Europe. Migration waves can burden social systems of European countries. These
systems will also have to deal with the need for increased care for handicapped
categories of citizens (in particular older people, people with disabilities), for whom
it may be more difficult to cope with extreme weather fluctuations.