ENSURING ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY IN VIET NAM: AN URGENT ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED

Abstract

Environmental security has become a global issue which entails cooperation and distribution of responsibility among nations. Environmental challenges pose a major threat not only to human security, economic and food security but also to national security and humankind's survival. As can be seen, environmental issues have never become as urgent as they are in Viet Nam currently. The increase of natural resources scarcity, environmental pollution and degradation can undermine national economy, exacerbate hunger and poverty issue and political instability, and may turn into cause of conflict. There are a number of Viet Namese and international scholars agree on the organic and close relationship between national security and environmental security. This is because that environmental security is fundamentally a component of non-traditional security which is a factor of national security. Assuring environmental security is, therefore, an important part of strengthening national security.