Global Conflicts Arising From Natural Resources, Essay Example

According to Michael Klare, fossil fuels have caused constant conflicts’ across the globe. The desire by various groups to run these oil and gas resources has contributed to historical tensions in countries such as Iraq/ Syria, Ukraine, the South China Sea, and Nigeria. These countries have experienced rising conflicts that have taken the form of religious, ethnic, and national aggression. Still, in the real sense, they are fueled by fixation and struggle to control their energy reserves (Klare, 2014). Klare warned that having control of gas and oil assets is an essential aspect of gaining and maintaining national power.

The conflicts witnessed globally are mainly connected to the control of natural resources. For instance, in Iraq and Syria, the (ISIS) and the Sunni groups are organized armed rebels that have controlled most parts of northern Iraq and western Syria. Their main aim is to establish an Islamic rule, develop the nation and form an active government. However, engaging in activities such as funding their militia, maintaining infrastructure, and acquiring weapons are costly (Klare, 2014). Hence, ISIS is fighting to control various oil reserves, which will enable them to fund their projects and achieve their ruthless aims. In addition, the energy factor is the primary cause of the crisis faced in Ukraine currently, where Russia had to use the military to take the Crimea, hence increasing its offshore borders around the Black Sea, where it’s believed to contain large amount of oil and innate gas (Klare, 2014). This and many other cases are evidence that the global conflicts are directly connected to the ownership and control of natural resources.

Oil and gas are valuable products and are the primary income generators for institutions that run the extraction process. Therefore, conflict resolvers should move with speed in developing alternative sources of energy, mainly the renewable sources of energy which may eventually reduce environmental conflicts and minimize conflicts that may arise due to historical rivalry among tribes, sects, and people.

Reference

Klare, Michael, T. (2014). Twenty-First Century Energy Wars: How Oil and Gas Are Fuelling Global Conflicts. Retrieved from https://energypost.eu/twenty-first-century-energy-wars-oil-gas-fuelling-global-conflicts/