An appeal to the Iron Curtain of Climate Security

Abstract

Climate security and to that extent environmental security, has been demarcated by security scholars to a relatively contemporary time period. As climate change and the environment become ever more important security issues in our society, so does the history of the subject. A history that has largely been left alone due to perceived irrelevance by security scholars. This Paper begs the question of how justified such a limited demarcation is. Through a comparative discourse analysis, supported by a contextualization, this Paper shall investigate if comparatives in securitization can be found. Specifically, comparing the 2008 Working together with Water and the 1989 National Environmental Plan. While climate change through the NMP was not securitized, there is evidence for security moves that carried political consequences. Therefore, the demarcation is not wholly justified, suggesting a further search and clarification concerning the demarcation to be appropriate.