Q 1(c). खाद्य एवं पर्यावरणीय खतरों के संदर्भ में गैर-पारम्परिक सुरक्षा संकटों की व्याख्या कीजिए। (UPSC 2025,10 Marks,150 Words)

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Non-Traditional Security Threats encompass challenges like food and environmental crises that transcend national borders and require global cooperation. According to Thomas Homer-Dixon, these threats arise from complex interactions between human and natural systems. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports that over 820 million people face hunger, highlighting food insecurity as a critical issue. Similarly, environmental degradation, exacerbated by climate change, poses significant risks to global stability, demanding urgent attention and innovative solutions.

Food Security Threats

- Climate change impacts on agriculture, leading to reduced crop yields and food shortages.

- Water scarcity affecting irrigation and food production, exacerbating food insecurity.

- Disruption of food supply chains due to geopolitical tensions or pandemics, causing food access issues.

Environmental Security Threats

- Biodiversity loss affecting ecosystem services, which are crucial for food production and environmental stability.

- Pollution and contamination of natural resources, impacting food safety and environmental health.

- Deforestation and land degradation reducing arable land, affecting food production and environmental balance.

Interconnectedness of Food and Environmental Crises

- Feedback loops where environmental degradation exacerbates food insecurity, and vice versa, creating a cycle of non-traditional security threats.

Non-traditional security threats like food and environmental crises pose significant challenges to global stability. According to the FAO, over 820 million people face hunger, exacerbated by climate change and resource scarcity. Amartya Sen emphasizes the role of governance in addressing these issues. A sustainable way forward involves international cooperation, innovative agricultural practices, and robust policy frameworks. As Ban Ki-moon stated, "Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight."