A global south perspective on ‘ecological security’

Abstract

In Ecological Security: Climate Change and the Construction of Security , Matt McDonald delves into a normative analysis of climate security using a framework that has been less explored in security studies – ‘ ecological security ’ . Built on the foundation of environmental security studies – developed over the past two to three decades – this book adopts a counterintuitive approach towards ‘ security ’ in order to carve out a space for consequential discussion on climate change through an ethically framed ‘ ecological security ’ lens. The author ’ s defence of ecological security hinges on several factors: (1) viewing ‘ ecosystems as the referent object of security ’ ; (2) recognizing ‘ the connectivity and interrelationships between human communities and the so-called natural world ’ and (3) acknowledging ‘ the arrival of the Anthropocene ’ (p. 7). The book does not stop at normative discussion, as it also examines the practical implications of the ‘ ecological security ’ framework, as well as the means of achieving it. McDonald speci fi cally focusses on three principles – dialogue, re fl exivity and humility. He however argues: Taken together, these principles also suggest that the function of ecological security is less a program of action than a sensibility that should inform how we make sense of the world and act in it. But it is a sensibility that clearly encourages signi fi cant changes in the way we view the world, existing institutions and practices, and the nature of ethical responsibility (p. 196). In the following review,