Customer Reviews

Ecoviolence: Links Among Enviroment, Population, and Security

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The main focus of the book was to give evidence supporting the thesis; "there is a connection between environmental scarcities and the rise in violent conflict." The book was a very interesting topic to learn about. There was a connection that could be made to every argument the Thomas raised. When the author made a statement it was followed up with an example from one of the five countries that were focused on throughout the book. The author did a good job of giving complete overview of all five places. Chiapas, Gaza, Pakistan, South Africa and Rwanda were the cases presented in the book. Thomas proved the thesis to be true by offering countless examples of historical events resulting directly from an environmental scarcity. Through the definitions provided by the author the book explained how there are three different scarcities that lead/ cause violent conflict within these countries. With environmental scarcities including deficit of water, soil erosion due to overuse of land, lack of forest, cropland, fisheries and global warming.
Thomas gives environmental scarcities the following definition; the scarcity of renewable resources. Thomas argues "By making some people poorer and weaker and others richer and more powerful, and by causing people to move to new locations where they are often not wanted, and by weakening key institutions such as state, environmental scarcity boosts grievances." (p11) He is stating that this ultimately leads the rebellion against government and persons. Thomas gives the example of mal-distribution of natural resources especially land in Chiapas, Mexico. He states that the population continues to grow but it is simply the wealthier percentage of the population that continues to see the increased amounts of land. Which leads to the uproar amongst the poorest of the population, causing destruction to whatever they can to bring attention to them. Makes connections throughout the book that support his defenses of supply induced, demand induced and structural environmental scarcities. Very interesting book to read it will give you a different perspective on the environment and violence.