ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between environmental degradation and regional instability in Central Europe, The point of departure is the research of Thomas Homer-Dixon, who examines the potential for environmental degradation to contribute to political and economic disruption, more particularly linkages between "environmental stress" and "acute conflict." It provides an initial investigation into the complex relationship between environmental stress and regional stability in Central Europe. Geophysical, political, economic and socio-cultural factors are key variables affecting the outcome in any case. Obstacles to international cooperation must therefore be sought in the political, economic and social spheres as well. In such an economic setting, environmental issues play a secondary role. The geophysical factor has special reference to the environmental axis, the economic and socio-cultural factors operate primarily along the regional security axis, and the political factor is decisive in defining the points on the war/negotiation axis.
