Abstract

Fossil fuel exploration and extraction can and have contributed to human insecurity on many dimensions – economic, health, community and environmental. This NTS Alert examines the human security threats arising from dependency on the oil and coal sectors in particular. It is argued that these threats are due to over-emphasis on economic rather than human security aspects in the development of the oil and coal industries, as well as mismanagement and complacency in those industries. Addressing these are vital as they have significant long-term implications for sustainable development.