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Northern Warning Lights: Ambiguities of Environmental Security in Finland and Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Hakala

    (Global Security Programme, Finnish Institute of International Affairs, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
    BIOS Research Unit, 00170 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Ville Lähde

    (BIOS Research Unit, 00170 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Antti Majava

    (BIOS Research Unit, 00170 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Tero Toivanen

    (BIOS Research Unit, 00170 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Tere Vadén

    (BIOS Research Unit, 00170 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Paavo Järvensivu

    (BIOS Research Unit, 00170 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Jussi T. Eronen

    (BIOS Research Unit, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
    Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme & Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

As the literature on environmental security has evolved and widened, knowledge of the full range of potential consequences of environmental change for different societies remains scattered. This article contributes to a more comprehensive approach to the implications of environmental change by providing a three-level framework of the security impacts. In particular, it will address gaps in knowledge by pointing out the relevance of geopolitical and structural factors behind environmental security impacts. The article will focus on the cases of two countries, Finland and Sweden—both seen as stable, high-income democracies that are well equipped to adapt to climate risks. Yet even under these conditions, preparedness to threat-prevention will not follow without a recognition of the full range of risks, including ones that are linked to socio-economic and geopolitical factors. On the basis of the Finnish and Swedish cases, the article proposes an analytical framework of three categories of environmental security impacts: local, geopolitical and structural.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Hakala & Ville Lähde & Antti Majava & Tero Toivanen & Tere Vadén & Paavo Järvensivu & Jussi T. Eronen, 2019. "Northern Warning Lights: Ambiguities of Environmental Security in Finland and Sweden," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:8:p:2228-:d:222479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Helmi Räisänen & Emma Hakala & Jussi T. Eronen & Janne I. Hukkinen & Mikko J. Virtanen, 2021. "Comprehensive Security: The Opportunities and Challenges of Incorporating Environmental Threats in Security Policy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 91-101.
    2. Marek Wieruszewski & Katarzyna Mydlarz, 2022. "The Potential of the Bioenergy Market in the European Union—An Overview of Energy Biomass Resources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Helmi Räisänen & Emma Hakala & Jussi T. Eronen & Janne I. Hukkinen & Mikko J. Virtanen, 2021. "Comprehensive Security: The Opportunities and Challenges of Incorporating Environmental Threats in Security Policy," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(4), pages 91-101.
    4. Emma Hakala & Ville Lähde & Antti Majava & Tero Toivanen & Tere Vadén & Paavo Järvensivu & Jussi T. Eronen, 2019. "A Lot of Talk, But Little Action—The Blind Spots of Nordic Environmental Security Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, April.

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