"In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace"

Wangari Maathai envisions a future where the intricate links between environmental stewardship, resource management, and the prevention of conflict are as widely acknowledged as the current associations between human rights, democracy, and peace. Presently, many accept as fundamental the idea that safeguarding human rights and fostering democracy are crucial for sustaining peace within and among nations. These connections have been reinforced by both history and contemporary global discourse. Maathai suggests, however, that the environmental dimension remains undervalued or only partially understood in similar terms.

She implies that humanity is still in the process of fully recognizing environmental well-being as foundational to societal stability. Resource scarcity, whether of water, arable land, or clean air, has driven and inflamed conflict throughout history, even if such links are sometimes downplayed or overlooked in political dialogue and media coverage. Environmental degradation often leads to food insecurity, migration, and increased competition for diminishing resources; these conditions can serve as tinder for social unrest or outright conflict. As the world faces intensifying climate change, deforestation, and pollution, the pressure on natural resources mounts, making the stakes even clearer.

Maathai forecasts that one day, just as the absence of democratic institutions and respect for human rights is universally linked with instability and violence, neglect of the environment and mismanagement of resources will also be universally acknowledged as root causes of conflict. People in the future, looking back, may wonder at the ignorance or denial of this relationship in earlier times.

By drawing this parallel, Maathai calls for a shift in collective thinking and policy priorities: environmental care should not be seen as optional or secondary but as central to justice and peace. Only by fully integrating environmental considerations into our notions of social well-being and conflict prevention can lasting harmony be achieved both within countries and globally. Responsibility for the environment, she hints, must become a core element of any truly peaceful and equitable society.