linked economically, ecologically and with other
shared interests across national boundaries.
The concept of natural security overlaps with en-
vironmental security (Table 1), and the two terms may
be used by some as interchangeable. Brigadier Gen-
eral (retired) Chris King offered, in a talk to the NATO
Security Science Forum, the following definition for
environmental security: “Environmental security is a
process for effectively responding to changing envi-
ronmental conditions that have the potential to reduce
peace and stability in the world” (King 2008). While
King’s characterization is a process to monitor, alert,
and respond to, Burke’s definition is focused on the
state of resources—being sufficient, reliable, afford-
able, and sustainable.
Natural Resource Scarcity Pathway
What are the pathways that natural resources is-
sues link to conflict? One concern is scarcity or the
perception of scarcity. Is there enough of a resource
to meet the needs of a population? The Limits to Growth
by Meadows et al (e.g. the Club of Rome) has been
widely viewed as a Malthusian approach, presuming
a “fixed” supply divided among ever-growing human
populations (1972). Yet, while the global population
now approaches seven billion, global food supplies
continue to be sufficient, despite localized episodes
of food shortages, and caloric consumption for many
has increased. So, if humans have been able to expand
the pie through technologies and innovations, is scar-
city primarily a local and temporary phenomenon?
This issue is still being debated, but one of the costs
of increasing food and energy production, to meet
rising demands, is the growing degradation of lands,