Visualizing Natural Resources, Population, and Conflict

Eye On

Visualizing Natural Resources, Population, and Conflict

March 4, 2010 By Julia Griffin

Environmental problems that amplify regional security issues are often multifaceted, especially across national boundaries. Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the natural resource, energy, and security issues facing a region is not fast or easy.

Fortunately, the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) has created highly informative, easy-to-understand maps depicting environmental, health, population, and security issues in critical regions.

Published with assistance from the United Nations GRID-Arendal, these maps offer policymakers and the public a snapshot of the complex topography of environmental security hotspots in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, and the Southern Caucasus.

Some that caught our eye:

• Environmental Issues in the Northern Caspian Sea: Overlaying environmental areas and energy production zones, this map finds hydrocarbon pollution in sturgeon spawning grounds, seal habitats in oil and gas fields, and energy production centers and waste disposal sites in flood zones.

• Water Withdrawal and Availability in the Aral Sea Basin: Simple and direct, this combination map and graph contrasts water usage with availability in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan—which stand in stark comparison to the excess water resources of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

• Environment and Security Issues in Belarus: In addition to noting the parts of the country with poor water quality and potassium mining, the map also delineates wildfires that occurred in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl explosion, thus threatening downwind populations.

Maps: Illustrations courtesy of the Environment & Security Initiative.

Topics: climate change, conflict, conservation, demography, development, energy, environment, environmental security, Eye On, flooding, military, natural resources, population, security, water
- Anonymous
  
  The interesting thing about the Aral Basin water basin, or rather the shortcoming of the map, is the real security issue, mainly that of the role of Afghanistan. About 70% of the Amu Darya steems from Afghanistan and travels across it's territory long before reaching Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. If/when Afghanistan ever stabilizes and shifts from opium farming, you can be sure they will consume a lot more water then they currently due. Afghanistan has never been included in the dialogue (or even map) of water issues in Central Asia, yet it is central to the question.
  
  The map would also benefit with an overlay of hydro electrical energy production. That is were you will also see significant differences between upstream and downstream states.
  
  I. Small