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Environmental Issues in the AsiaPacific Region: Theoretical Foundation, Securitization and Driving Forces of Cooperation |
Shanxi University |
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Abstract Abstract:In the AsiaPacific region, there are concrete environmental problems such as climate change, marine environmental destruction, and peatland transformation. AsianPacific countries apply different methods to securitize these environmental problems as respective policy targets. The developed countries promote their geopolitical security strategies while the developing countries achieve the goals of concrete developmental strategies. The interactive relationship between environment, security, and development can serve as the solid theoretical foundation for resolving these three major environmental problems in the AsiaPacific region. The relationship between environmental protection and development is dialectically unified and complementary to each other. And from the national perspective, AsianPacific countries should take great efforts on economic development and environmental protection to move towards a better resolution.
From the international perspective, developed countries should actively support developing countries with the adherence to the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” to realize the interaction between environmental protection and sustainable development. Therefore, four dynamics are involved in the process of environmental security governance: 1) the development and engagement of China in the environmental security governance; 2) the support of developed countries providing economic vitality for environmental security governance; 3) the cooperative partnerships between AsianPacific countries building a sense of principle for environmental security governance; and 4) the consensus of the blue economy guaranteeing common interests in environmental security governance.
These different strategic priorities for environment, security, and development determine the different goals of AsianPacific countries. However, the focus of all parties should be on developing the blue economy, while the effective means should be the construction of environmental agreements and regulations for the foundations of promotion of the cooperative partnerships. This leads to solutions to sustainable development of all AsianPacific countries. This is the continuous debate regarding the issues of environment, security, and development.
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