Climate change, worst-case analysis and Ecocolonialism in the Southwest pacific
Titel:
Climate change, worst-case analysis and Ecocolonialism in the Southwest pacific
Auteur:
Edwards, Michael J.
Verschenen in:
Global change peace and security
Paginering:
Jaargang 8 (1996) nr. 1 pagina's 63-80
Jaar:
1996-05
Inhoud:
Threats to human security frequently have no military component and cannot be addressed through military force. One such threat is climate change resulting from the enhanced anthropogenic greenhouse effect. Because the impacts of climate change could be severe there is an urgent need to address the threat. Indeed, some have suggested worst-case analysis, a methodology borrowed from Strategic Studies, would be a useful and 'powerful' tool to employ in the fight against climate change. This paper looks at worst-case analysis and some of the consequences of adopting the approach in the island states of the Southwest Pacific. While worst-case analysis may be a useful tool for encouraging industrialised countries to take action to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases, island states are advised to be wary of this approach. Indirectly, it has the potential to increase resource exploitation, divert attention away from other pressing threats and increase the dependency of island states on industrialised countries, particularly the governments of Western powers. Indeed, if care is not taken, worst-case analysis may become an integral part of a new strand of colonialism - ecocolonialism.
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