The Environmental and Climate Impacts of Nationalism and Trade Wars – Implications for Canada and the ASEAN

Abstract

This article examines how resurgent nationalism, protectionist trade policies, the scramble to secure strategic resources, stockpiling, and efforts to enhance electric energy production are reshaping and undermining environmental protection frameworks across North America and the Indo-Pacific and establishing the bases for considerable environmental damage while accelerating the effects of climate change. With a focus on the implications for the middle powers of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and Canada, this article reveals the non-traditional security concerns for these countries from these emerging economic forces beyond their capacity to address on their own, compared with traditional security or defence issues.

Keywords: Environmental governance, nationalism, trade wars, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, Canada, sustainability, climate change, policy cooperation.