Experts point out that the destruction of the natural environment poses a major risk to national security

Environmental destruction not only harms people's health but also affects the economy , and various other issues are being considered, such as the warning by US government agencies that climate change will be a spark for global conflict. Experts explain how ecosystem disruption and environmental destruction can actually have a strong impact on social and political instability, economic conflict, and national security.

Ecological disruptions are a risk to national security
https://theconversation.com/ecological-disruptions-are-a-risk-to-national-security-248754

One example of the relationship between ecosystems and international conflicts is marine fisheries. For example, between 1958 and 1976, there were three conflicts between Iceland and the UK over territorial waters and exclusive fishing zones, known as the 'Cod Wars.' These disputes led to the establishment of the current exclusive economic zones .

In addition, as China continues to overfish in its coastal waters, an incident occurred in 2016 in which it blew up more than 40 Chinese warships for depriving Indonesia of its profits. In recent years, collisions with China Coast Guard vessels have become commonplace as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom crack down on illegal fishing in the Pacific Ocean, and Chinese fishing fleets have expanded their activities off the coasts of Africa and South America, depleting the marine resources of these regions and causing political instability.

Other known ecological threats to national security are public health issues. The best-known example is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted from animals to humans as a result of close contact between humans and wild animals. The new coronavirus is also considered an example of a zoonotic disease, and has been highlighted as an international issue of ecological importance because epidemiological and genetic studies suggest that it was transmitted to humans from wild animals sold in markets.

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In addition, environmental crimes, such as poaching and illegal trade of wildlife and forest resources, are one of the world's largest crime sectors, accounting for $258 billion (approximately 38 trillion yen) per year. The destruction of the natural environment clearly increases national security risks, with rare wildlife specimens and body parts being traded at exorbitant prices on the black market to fund terrorist groups, drug cartels, and criminal organizations, and illegal logging being an important source of income for terrorist organizations.

'National security is not just about military power; it also depends on a nation's ability to maintain productive and stable ecosystems, resilient biomes, and sustainable access to natural resources,' said Bradley J. Cardinale, professor of ecosystem science and management at Pennsylvania State University. 'The natural world plays an equally important role in social and political stability and we believe it deserves increased consideration in national security planning.'