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The crisis of environmental security: How resource scarcity can ignite the spark of war? Can you imagine?
Since the end of the 19th century, resource conflicts have been one of the important sources of discord between countries. With the rise of industrialization, demand for raw materials has exploded, especially among countries that rely on these resources for development. For example, competition for resources such as water, oil, and minerals often leads to violent conflicts, especially in areas rich in resources but weak in governance capacity. This makes the resource war not just a plunder for material, but also evolved into a game of currency and power.
Historically, resource wars are nothing new. They have always been deeply rooted in every stage of the development of human civilization. From resource extraction in China to blood diamonds in Africa, control of resources has always been an important deciding factor.
Resource wars in history
Jingcha Islands War
The Jingcha Islands War is a typical example of a resource war. In the late 19th century, Peru's Jincha Islands attracted the attention of Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States because of their abundance of seabird excrement. This manure is called "white gold" because it is rich in nutrients that increase crop yields.
The fierce competition between countries for the resource of excrement led to the outbreak of the Jingcha Islands War, and ultimately the tension between Spain and Peru further intensified. In addition, in order to enter the Peruvian market, the United States passed the "Feces Island Act" in 1856, aiming to obtain this important resource.
Analysis of different viewpoints
Geopolitical perspective
From a geopolitical perspective, the fundamental cause of resource conflicts lies in the strategic intention to control resources. Countries with resources will gain economic and military advantages, and the importance of these resources varies from era to era. For example, the demand for timber in the 17th century and the competition for oil in the 20th century have different connotations.
Environmental safety perspective
At the same time, the environmental security perspective believes that resource scarcity is an important cause of conflict. According to the analysis of German political scientist Homer-Dixon, the lack of resources will put pressure on society, especially in the case of overpopulation and uneven resource allocation. This kind of competition will lead to the outbreak of internal conflicts and even wars.
Scarcity of resources not only increases the likelihood of conflict but may also exacerbate the vulnerability of local societies. This phenomenon is often referred to as the resource curse, with resource-rich countries often facing poor governance and economic instability.
The concept of conflicting resources
The concept of "conflict resources" has gradually emerged since the 1990s, especially the so-called "blood diamonds" which are important resources in the financing of civil wars in countries such as Congo and Guinea. Not only that, but different commodities such as oil and gold have also been proven to be closely linked to conflicts.
Considerable progress has been made in discussions on conflict resources in accordance with United Nations General Assembly resolutions. From metals to wood and even cocoa and rubber, these commodities can represent conflicting resources that can lead to social unrest.
Formation of legal framework
The international community has begun to take action to regulate the trade of conflict resources. Many countries and organizations such as the United States and the European Union have established legal requirements for conflict minerals such as tantalum, tin, and gold to reduce the dependence of armed groups on these resources. .
Despite the existence of a legal framework, trading in conflict resources continues to flourish. Especially in countries with weak governance, corruption and violence often become part of the "normal business model."
Globalization and Conflict Resources
In the 2020s, the concept of conflicting resources has expanded to other parts of the world. For example, the Wagner Group's mining operations in the Central African Republic were used to trade "blood gold" to support the Russo-Ukrainian war. This phenomenon shows that the influence of conflicting resources has transcended geographical boundaries.
Looking to the future, as climate change and environmental problems intensify, competition for resources is likely to become more intense. There is an increasingly serious contradiction between the survival and development of individuals and countries. When society faces increasingly depleted resources, will it deal with the problem in a peaceful manner, or will it choose conflict and confrontation?
