In this volume security specialists, peace researchers, environmental scholars, demographers as well as climate, desertification, water, food and urbanisation specialists from the Middle East and North Africa, Europe and North America review security and conflict prevention in the Mediterranean. They also analyse NATO’s Mediterranean security dialogue and offer conceptualisations on security and perceptions of security challenges as seen in North and South. The latter half of the book analyses environmental security and conflicts in the Mediterranean and environmental consequences of World War II, the Gulf War, the Balkan wars and the Middle East conflict. It also examines factors of global environmental change: population growth, climate change, desertification, water scarcity, food and urbanisation issues as well as natural disasters. Furthermore, it draws conceptual conclusions for a fourth phase of research on human and environmental security and peace as well as policy conclusions for cooperation and partnership in the Mediterranean in the 21st century.
From the reviews:
"In substance, this is a reference book on a subject of high quality; therefore, the editors, together with the contributors, should be praised for their production. ... One merit of the book is its success in blending views of scholars and practitioners. ... In our view, the book fulfills its scope, which is to sensitize the readers to the challenges and risks ahead. It thus contributes to a better understanding of the issues and possible resolutions of various problems associated with the Mediterranean." (Yannis N. Kinnas, Journal of Environment & Development, Vol. 13 (4), 2004)
"Security and Environment in the Mediterranean boasts an impressive roster of Mediterranean specialists and scholars in security, social, and environmental studies addressing conflicts and cooperation, theoretical approaches and methodological challenges, and political and economic developments ... . I would recommend this book as an important addition to any library on environmental security. ... On the other hand, scholars and graduate students ... will find this a great collection of conceptual clarifications, important data, methodological considerations, hard-to-find references, historical trends, and succinct summaries ... ." (Evan Vlachos, ECSP Report, Issue 10, June, 2004)
"‘Security and Environment in the Mediterranean – Conceptualising Security and Environmental Conflict’ is the collaborative effort of many of the region’s leading experts on desertification, climate change, water scarcity and rapid urbanization, and examines non-military threats to population growth and development. ... The research and findings have caught the attention of world leaders ... . This volume of work is certain to become a necessary reference guide to understanding the relationship between security and environment in the region." (Firas Al-Atraqchi, IslamOnline, November, 2004)
