ABSTRACT
The mismanagement of natural resources not only is ruining every nation’s life support systems but also is increasing the probability of interstate war. There are at least four different ways that natural-resource policies can cause or exacerbate international conflicts. Direct competition for resources like oil or water can pit nation against nation. Environmental degradation resulting from resource mismanagement can create global friction. The vulnerability of a resource infrastructure to sabotage or siege can encourage adversary nations or terrorists to attack. And resource mismanagement can mean lost dollars—and lost opportunities—that otherwise could strengthen national security. Because of the myriad links between natural resources and security, better management of energy and mineral resources can increase both national and international security. US security depends not only on managing its own resources more wisely but also on its helping other nations to do so. Nations that operate their economies sustainably would minimize consumption of nonrenewable resources and be immune to sudden cutoffs.
