Energy equity and human security

Abstract

Security can be defined as freedom from danger and risk, and it encompasses water, food, shelter and a place to call home. The growing problem of the environment and climate change directly affects human security, and it affects developing nations to a far greater degree than developed nations. Environmental degradation brings natural disasters, droughts, famines, floods, landslides, disease, ill health and forced migration. Those affected most are those that cannot help themselves. Water is a critical resource but we see glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau melting rapidly, and these glaciers provide water to half the world’s population in China and South East Asia. Coastal low-lying nations like Bangladesh are at extreme risk of rising sea levels, as well as increasing monsoon rains causing flooding and prolonged periods of drought. The world is on the brink of a food shortage as rice, the staple food for over 3 billion people, doubled in price in several months in 2008.