Shibaji Bose - Voices from below - a Photo Voice exploration in Indian sundar...
Richard A Matthew
1. 07/11/2012
Overview
Center for Unconventional Security Affairs
(cusa.uci.edu)
Environment, security and Context
development Rethinking Security in the US
School of Oriental and African Studies UNEP and Peacebuilding
October 26, 2012 Earth Security Initiative
Richard Matthew, PhD
Center for Unconventional Security Affairs Conclusions
University of California Irvine
CUSA Research
Center for Unconventional Security Affairs (CUSA)
Environment and Security Research Group (ESRG)
The Center for Unconventional Security Affairs (CUSA) serves as
the hub of a global network of academics and practitioners that Our research uses both field-based case study and statistical analysis to
explore the ways in which changes in complex human and ecological
studies and develops solutions to human and environmental systems affect human security, and our normative work emphasizes
security challenges. Through basic, translational and applied outcomes that are sustainable--ecologically sound, economically viable and
socially fair. Principal themes include:
research, we leverage emerging technologies to better understand
and meet the most urgent needs of current and future generations. • CLIMATE CHANGE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Our innovative education and learning programs inspire, train • CLIMATE CHANGE AND SECURITY
and develop future leaders and entrepreneurs to further this work • ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY
throughout their lifetimes. • FOOD SECURITY
• GLOBAL CHANGE AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE
CUSA Research
Context
Transformational Media Lab (TML) Linking environment and security
Our work is based on the following three basic assumptions: Explanatory
Resource wars
1. Technology and new media are changing how people interact Mediation of nature/society relations
with our natural, built, and social worlds.
Complexity and crisis
2. There are potential opportunities to leverage these changes for Normative
pro- social and pro-environmental benefit. Paradigm shift
3. Psychology and the social sciences provide a rich history and Human security and sustainable development
theoretical base with which to understand this potential. Predictive
IPCC models
The Transformational Media Lab studies how media is (and can
be) used to transform individuals, communities, and systems. Klare vs Wolf
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2. 07/11/2012
Rethinking Security in the US
Context
Securitization concerns Massive security build-up in US after WWII and
Use of force and other extraordinary measures during Cold War
Secrecy
Late 1980s/1990s: rethinking security
Us vs them mindset
Undermine environmental movement and science Our Common Future, Rio and IPCC
collaboration
Somalia, Rwanda, DRC
Need empirical support
Clinton and Gore very receptive to ES perspective;
resulted in substantial policy initiatives
Rethinking Security in the US
Rethinking Security in the US
Trends in freshwater availability from GRACE, 2003-2010
Considerable push-back from elements in DOD
Much dismantled by Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld
2007 IPCC reports rekindled some interest
Today: humanitarian role; operating in extreme
conditions; energy efficiency; three D debate
Latest: NRC Report on hydrological change and
security in Himalaya/Hindu Kush region
Rethinking Security in the US Rethinking Security in the US
Cost of disasters
Natural Disaster Risk
Index: Bangladesh (1);
Indonesia (2); Pakistan
(4); India (11); China
(12)
Development challenges
Security concerns
Conflict, food prices,
water shortages, public
health setbacks,
population
displacement
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3. 07/11/2012
Rethinking Security in the US Rethinking Security in the US
Pakistan August 10, 2009 Pakistan August 10, 2010 21 million people affected
20% of land flooded
2000 deaths
1 million homes destroyed
10,000 transmission lines, transformers and power stations damaged
2400 miles of road damaged
3500 miles of railroad damaged
5 million jobs lost
Longer-term food and disease challenges
UNEP and Peacebuilding
UNEP and Peacebuilding
Peacebuilding involves a range of
measures to reduce the risk of
relapsing into conflict by
strengthening capacity at all levels
for conflict management, and to
lay the foundations for
sustainable peace and
development
UNEP, created after Stockholm
and on the periphery of much
UN activity, saw ES research as a
platform for increasing its
relevance to the security and
development communities by
bringing NRM and CCA into
peacebuilding
UNEP and Peacebuilding UNEP and Peacebuilding
Sierra Leone basic data:
Economy: minerals, agriculture, forestry, fisheries
Population about 6.5 million
Median age 17
Life expectancy 48
Per capita income $808 US; 217/229 countries
Average of 2.9 years of schooling
Ranks 158/169 on Human Development Index 2010
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