Human Security | Gary Lewis | TEDxKish

Summary

The speaker discusses the concept of 'Human Security,' emphasizing individual well-being and environmental safety as key components. They highlight the impact of climate change, resource mismanagement, and environmental degradation on people's lives, using examples like the drying of the Hamouns wetlands and Lake Urmia. The talk calls for a shift in mindset, urging individuals and leaders to take action for a sustainable future, recognizing the environment as a core security issue.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The concept of 'Human Security' emphasizes individual well-being and safety, which includes access to basic needs like food, water, and healthcare, as well as environmental safety.
• 🌱 The traditional view of security, focusing on state institutions, alliances, and military force, is contrasted with the human security approach, which prioritizes the individual's quality of life.
• 📚 Education, especially for girls, is highlighted as a key component of human security, as it empowers individuals and contributes to their overall security.
• 🏞️ The speaker calls for a reevaluation of security to include environmental sustainability, arguing that a safe and healthy environment is fundamental for human security.
• 🌊 The script discusses the impact of environmental degradation, such as desertification and deforestation, on human security and the need for collective action to address these issues.
• 🌊 The script uses the example of Hossein Keikha, a fisherman affected by water diversion, to illustrate the real-life implications of environmental changes on human security.
• 🌳 The shrinking of Lake Urmia due to increased agricultural water use is presented as a case study of how environmental changes can lead to human insecurity.
• 🌐 The speaker suggests that global cooperation and a shift in mindset towards environmental stewardship are necessary to address the challenges of human security in the face of climate change.
• 🔄 The script emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to solving environmental problems, involving governments, international organizations, and individuals.
• 🌱 The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging everyone to contribute to environmental sustainability through personal choices and collective efforts.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'Human Security' discussed in the script?

Human Security is an idea that emphasizes the well-being of individuals, focusing on aspects such as access to food, water, health, education, and a safe environment for future generations, rather than traditional state-centric security measures like military force and borders.

How does the speaker suggest that environmental issues are related to security?

The speaker argues that environmental problems like climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity can lead to human insecurity by threatening livelihoods, forcing migration, and creating tensions, which in turn can escalate into conflicts and undermine the other four goals of the United Nations: Peace, Human Rights, Justice, and Development.

What role does the United Nations Development Programme play in the concept of Human Security?

The UN Development Programme popularized the concept of Human Security about twenty years ago, highlighting the importance of considering individual well-being and environmental sustainability as part of the broader security agenda.

What is the significance of the story of Hossein Keikha in the context of the script?

Hossein Keikha's story illustrates the human security issues caused by environmental changes. As a fisherman in the Hamouns wetlands, his livelihood and ability to feed his family are threatened by the diversion of water for agriculture, leading to desertification and loss of fish stocks, which is a direct consequence of unsustainable resource management.

How does the script connect the drying up of Lake Urmia to broader security concerns?

The script connects the drying up of Lake Urmia to broader security concerns by showing how overfarming and water mismanagement can lead to environmental degradation, economic instability, and potential migration, which can create social tensions and conflicts, thus affecting human security.

What is the speaker's call to action for addressing human security issues?

The speaker calls for a change in mindset and collective action to address human security issues. This includes working on environmental sustainability, efficient water use, reducing carbon footprints, and engaging in global efforts to combat climate change and protect the environment.

How does the speaker's personal experience influence his perspective on security?

The speaker's personal experience working in drug control and witnessing the effects of environmental degradation on vulnerable populations has shifted his perspective on security from a traditional state-centric view to one that encompasses human security and the protection of the environment.

What are the specific environmental threats mentioned in the script that can lead to human insecurity?

The script mentions desertification, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, ocean depletion, and sea-level rise as environmental threats that can lead to human insecurity by disrupting livelihoods, causing migration, and creating social tensions.

Why does the speaker suggest adding 'securing our home on this planet' as a fifth goal to the United Nations' founding principles?

The speaker suggests adding 'securing our home on this planet' as a fifth goal because environmental security is fundamental to achieving the other four goals of the United Nations. Without a safe and sustainable environment, the other goals of Peace, Human Rights, Justice, and Development become less relevant and harder to attain.

What is the significance of the speaker's mention of his Caribbean island background in the context of the script?

The speaker mentions his Caribbean island background to illustrate the personal and immediate impact of climate change and sea-level rise. It serves as a relatable example of how environmental threats can directly affect communities, their culture, and their future, emphasizing the urgency of addressing human security issues.