Theory Card: HI2, Environmental Issues Behind Conflicts

Otaniemi Upper Secondary School – Sustainable Future Project

Course code, full name, and status (C/EC/OP)

HI2 International relation  (C) 

Topic

Environmental Issues Behind Conflicts

Duration

30-75 min

Objectives (directly from the National Core Curriculum):

The objective of the module is that the student

  • are familiar with the basic concepts, operating methods, and key developments of international politics
  • are able to utilise diverse sources of information and recognise propaganda associated with communication in different times
  • are able to analyse the significance of ideologies and economic conflicts of interests in the history of international relations, and are capable of evaluating their impact on the present day and the future
  • are able to analyse the causes and impact of international cooperation structures and confrontations as well as possibilities of resolving them
  • follow the media actively and are able to examine international questions critically
  • are able to analyse and evaluate the use of history as an instrument for politics.

Content (directly from the National Core Curriculum):

The basics of international politics

  • international politics as a research topic and its key concepts
  • political ideologies and their impact on societies and international relations

Eurocentric international system

  • imperialism as a political, economic, and cultural phenomenon
  • causes and effects of the world wars
  • confrontation between democracy and totalitarianism
  • human rights issues, the Holocaust, and other genocides

From a bipolar to a multipolar world

  • arms race between the superpowers during the Cold War and its conclusion
  • the significance and effects of decolonisation
  • world politics and the changing power balance

More detailed description of content if necessary

Climate Change as a Security Threat Natural Resources as drivers of Conflict (Water, Food, energy) Examples:

  • Competition over the Arctic region
  • Oil wars
  • Climate refugees
  • International treaty system on environmental issues

Key concepts

climate change, natural resources, energy crisis, green transition, international cooperation, security threats, population movements, structures of global trade, neocolonialism, globalization, protectionism, competition for hegemon…

Connections within the subject

HI01, HI03; YH01, YH02, YH03

Possible model pathways related to the content

Agenda 2030: 17 Partnership for the Goals peace, migration, energy, natural resources, international cooperation