ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the connections between gender and environmental security, analyzing two key issues in detail: water security, and climate change and security. It notes that the study of environmental security issues has evolved from a traditional security approach (focusing on states, stability and armed conflict problems) to a broader human security approach (focused more on resources problems). Even so, too little attention has been paid to the role of gender, and some analysts continue to rely on stereotypical ideas about gender. This has been detrimental to the development of effective policies. Organizations with an interest in environmental security should focus their work on specific environmental resources and stressors. While “environmental security” might be a useful conceptual umbrella for grouping policies and programs, projects and interventions with a more specific focus are more likely to identify and address specific causes of insecurity.
