The “three geos”: a new approach to study environmental security scenarios in the Asia-Pacific

Abstract

The long-standing assumption that environment is static has been undermined with recent changes in the environment (geophysical), such as the rapid retreat of the summertime Arctic sea ice. As environmental and climate change reshapes geography, it is also reshaping geo-economics and geopolitics. There is a need to investigate the inter-linkages between the three “geos” (originally introduced by Cleo Paskal) and resource stress/scarcity, shifting energy policies, vulnerability of critical installations, agricultural practices and food prices, technology development/deployment, investment strategies, among others. This article analyzes how these dynamics affect the geostrategic positioning of major powers like the United States, China, and Japan as well as pivotal players like Southeast Asian countries. For instance, the 2011 Fukushima disaster, besides affecting Japan’s energy distribution and usage patterns, has also had a cascading impact on its economy (reasons include import ban on Japanese fisheries ...