Environment Industry, Industry Study, Spring 2008
Abstract
The members of the 2008 Industrial College of the Armed Forces Environment Industry Study (EIS) evaluated a wide range of environmental issues that have implications for U.S national security in the complex, globalized economy. EIS determined that the growth in the World population and global industrialization, coupled with the tangible effects of climate change, has the potential to cause conflict in the future. This paper evaluates the current global environmental conditions and impacts, defines and assesses the current state and conditions of the industry, and most importantly, highlights several key issues that have the potential to impact the future. Research and development, to date, has been crucial to preventing environmental degradation and is still the biggest export the U.S and the European Union give to the developing nations. Yet, it is underfunded by the U.S government. Recycling is an under-used tool with vast potential to reduce waste going into landfills while also reducing the extraction of virgin raw materials in industrial production. Recycling programs need national emphasis and funding to jumpstart that potential. Education is needed to galvanize the collective energy of citizens and businesses in both developing and developed nations on the importance of strong environmental policies. The EIS team spoke with a myriad of government agencies in the U.S, Egypt and Tanzania about awareness, prevention and sustainment issues. We saw first hand how concerned Egyptians are about rising sea levels and the amount of fresh water flowing up the Nile River and how vulnerable poor nations such as Tanzania are to the pressures to improve their national productivity using environmentally insensitive strategies and technologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA519274
Entities
People
- David Diamantopoulos
- Eric Hendrickson
- Janet Florey
- John Kliem
- Linda Fagan
- Maureen Banavige
- Michael Ryan
- Michel Nahas
- Paul Huxhold
- Robert Kerr
- Sergio Fernandez
- Victoria Reed
- Willism Power
Organizations
- Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy