UNDERSTANDING TURKEY'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS FROM A SECURITY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Environmental problems and climate change have been a growing human-induced challenge that intensively affects our life and our future. Environmental decline like transboundary pollution, resource scarcity, and rising temperature has undesirable impacts on the security of states, communities and individuals. The essence of environmental security is based on the notion that environmental degradation/resource scarcity poses a threat to the security and continuity of nations that carries a risk of violent conflict within a country or among nations. Therefore, this article attempts to examine the applicability of environmental security as a �cause of conflict' in Turkey, where it has experienced environmental decline in the last few decades and environmental sustainability has not been adequately addressed. This article concludes that apart from transboundary water sharing, none of the other environmental problems can be a cause of war between Turkey and neighboring countries. But they may indirectly worsen its relations with bordering countries. This is because resource scarcity, environmental degradation and climate-induced mass foreign migration and asylum seekers can cause political and social disorder and cultural corruption in Turkey. These indirect effects carry the risk of deterioration in Turkey and in relations with neighboring countries through worsening dynamics linked to security.