The environment in the “hands” of terrorists – an analysis of terrorist activities with profound environmental impact

Abstract

This paper takes two basic concepts – security and environment – and brings them into relation through the phenomenon of terrorism. We analyze terrorist activities in which the environment was considerably affected, with the goal being to endanger human health and existence and destabilize political systems. Rather than focusing on more conventional means (firearms, bombs, explosives) and targets (humans and material property), we examine single-act terrorist attacks that used less conventional means (biological and chemical weapons, arson), and those that target environmental resources (energy and natural sources), both of which leave more profound and long-term consequences as a result. The empirical analysis includes all terrorist attacks from 1970 to 2018 recorded in the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) and related to biological and chemical weapons, as well as arson / fire attacks, but also those terrorist attacks whose targets include water supply, food supply, oil tankers, and gas, oil, and electric entities. Empirical evidence suggests that there have been many terrorist attacks since 1970 that meet the research criteria. Arson / fire attacks are most commonly used, with a total of 4200 such terrorist attacks recorded worldwide in the last fifty years, and with a significant increase evidenced in the last decade. This paper emphasizes that while the accessibility and effectiveness of environmental tactics such as starting fires or using chemical or biological weapons, contaminating water supplies, soil, etc., is less conventional, it presents a greater threat to human, national and global security.