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Environmental Security and Ecoterrorism pp 1–13Cite as

Environmental Security and Its Meaning for the State

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Abstract

Underscoring the critical tension between environmental security and ecoterrorism, the authors present two essential propositions linking environments, states and security. The first is that the praxis of security should be understood as extreme efforts within a state’s larger management of uncertainty about the future. By focusing on a motivation for government action – rather than as a locus of bureaucratic activity – we open the possibility for more nuanced discussions and decisions on security. As such, recognizing the critical relationship between environmental security and ecoterrorism, it becomes possible to consider greater sources of uncertainty and alternative responses. The second proposition suggests that the planning, design, and use of the environment are fundamental aspects of a state’s response to uncertainty and vulnerability. By examining uncertainty, recognizing vulnerabilities, and designing adaptive response measures, will fundamentally improve security.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Architecture, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA

    Allan W. Shearer

  2. Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, USA

    P. H. Liotta

Authors
  1. Allan W. Shearer
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  2. P. H. Liotta
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Correspondence to Allan W. Shearer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Food Engineering Dept., Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06531, Turkey

    Hami Alpas

  2. , Institute of Earth Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Safra Givat Ram Campus, Jerusalem, Israel

    Simon M. Berkowicz

  3. , Inst. of Higher Nervous Activity of RAS, Inst. of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

    Irina Ermakova

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Shearer, A.W., Liotta, P.H. (2011). Environmental Security and Its Meaning for the State. In: Alpas, H., Berkowicz, S., Ermakova, I. (eds) Environmental Security and Ecoterrorism. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1235-5_1

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