Major Forms of Environmental Insecurity

The most obvious environmental problem China is facing is extreme pollution throughout the entire country as a result of industrialization. Oil pollution has increasingly become a problem, as well as air pollution with the rising emission of sulfur dioxide. Also with the record amounts of coal China utilizes each year, they emit large amounts of carbon dioxide as well. Deforestation is also a problem in East Asia. Deforestation causes environmental problems such as toxic pollution and acid rain and is responsible for biodiversity loss. There are also adverse affects of deforestation to humans. For the most part, the problems in East Asia are brought on by human activity such as urbanization and industrialization, as well as fluctuation of the economy. Environmental problems can cause interstate tensions because it is impossible to keep such problems within the borders of a single country. This has become a problem between China Japan and South Korea as a result of the air pollution China has produced in recent years. Another problem that affects China the most is the resource scarcity that the people experience which causes migration from areas in China to surrounding countries which has been the cause of some apprehension. The problems are being addressed with state institutions throughout East Asia. For the most part, environmental problems are not linked with security issues because they are not seen as a security issue. Generally and Traditionally, environmental "safety" is not seen as a security problem.