CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION: A SERIOUS THREAT TO GLOBAL SECURITY

Climate change and environmental degradation are significant threats to the survival of humanity. However, existing research focuses on the nexus between climate change and environmental degradation, highlighting the causes that strengthen the relationship. Despite experts expressing strong sentiments about the two phenomena being risks to global security, the assertions have drawn inadequate attention from scholars and practitioners, who prioritize illustrating the causes and impacts of climate change and environmental degradation instead. This narrative review aims to fill the gap by presenting evidence that affirms the theory about climate change and environmental degradation being primary security concerns for contemporary society. Climate change and environmental degradation cause security concerns through threats to military infrastructure and installations, depletion of resources leading to conflicts over disputed claims, and displacement of people, causing migration and refugees. Therefore, mitigating the causes of climate change is the most plausible strategy for reducing the threat to national and global security.