CLIMATE SECURITY AND SURVIVAL DISCOURSE: EMERGING ERA OF NON-TRADITIONAL THREATS TO THE NATIONAL STATE SYSTEM

Abstract

The changing climatic trends within just last one decade have compelled the global
security analysts and climatologists, to start discourse on the emerging non-traditional
security scenario. The climate was and would remain the life-line of the inhabitants on the
planet earth that reside inside national boundaries. Broadly, climate change has been
recognized as the broad-spectrum threat multiplier with grave security implications. The
successive extreme events across the globe such as mega-flooding and repeated cyclones
besides tsunamis have raised alarms amongst the security analysts globally. These events
have disastrous impacts on the very survival of many states and call for climate security
focused research work. The policy makers and climate experts thus need to fully comprehend
the climate security implications. The emerging climate security and survival discourse
would be of immense value for national defence and strategic planners. The article argues
that climate change has turned out as matter of existential issue for the survival of the state
and humanity at large as it does not recognize traditional national boundaries. Thereby the
political leaders, policymakers especially strategic planners need to design new pathways to
respond to challenges of future sustainable development and pursue a proactive climate
diplomacy.