Natural Resources: The Overlooked Link in Peacemaking
Publisher: Human Security Centre
Author(s): Daniel Curwin and Emily Daglish
Date: 2014
Topics: Programming
The latter half of the 20th century, despite being mired in the depths of the Cold War, was a period in which human technological advancements dramatically increased the standard of living for countless individuals around the globe. The drastic acceleration of global industrialisation during this period has been fuelled by natural resource development, often occurring in some of the world’s poorest states. The pursuit of wealth generated from resource development essential for our modern conveniences has significantly contributed to conflict in many regions, several of which are ecologically sensitive areas. Indeed, over 90% of the major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred within countries containing biodiversity hotspots – regions with a significant reservoir of biodiversity under threat from humans – and 80% took place directly within hotspot areas.1 This not only puts short-‐ term human security at risk, but also has a significant impact on the long-‐term security of societies which rely upon replenishable natural resources for survival.