ABSTRACT
In both theory and practice there are obvious tensions between climate security and national economic security. This chapter examines the limitations in the mainstream perspective of environmental security. Climate security can be couched either in military security terms, or more comprehensively viewed in terms of human security. This latter perspective would bring climate security into a wider frame of reference that considers social and economic change, and the political challenge of governing such processes. Climate security has entered political discourse as a strategic goal. However, the corresponding political mechanisms are underdeveloped, and perhaps incoherent. Climate security plays to an existing set of assumptions about international politics being defined essentially in terms of a condition of security, and consequent political relationships and political issues defined in terms of security. Security is central to understandings of the responsibilities of states. While instrumental short-term adjustments may advantage some actors, it is necessary to appreciate the deeper political significance of the climate scenario.
