Environmental Security in Africa

Abstract

This chapter examines all the elements that bring about environmental insecurity, such as deforestation and land degradation, the role of population densities, and pollution of the natural environment that leads to food and resource scarcity. Although these factors are not endemic to Africa, they have been particularly exacerbated in that continent. The chapter addresses how the Security Council has dealt with the potential for conflict stemming from Africa's increasing resource scarcity and natural disasters, particularly as a result of desertification and deforestation. It examines the Darfur crisis as a case study of an environmental conflict, as well as the threats to security and resource scarcity stemming from Africa's illegal exploitation of mineral resources. Given the relevance of climate change to international affairs and the security concerns raised as a result, the chapter concludes with an assessment of how African nations have dealt with climate change and what use they have made of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in order to rid themselves of carbon-based industries, although Africa is by far the least carbon-polluting continent on the planet.