How will the increasing energy needs and conservation of energy influence international peace, cooperation and security? Discuss.

The welfare of individuals, sustainable development of countries, and the life-supporting capacity of the global ecosystem depends on energy resources.

Energy supplies, particularly oil, are strategically important for industrial development and military weaponry. They help to increase national power. A nation endowed with sufficient energy resources can make its will prevail over the others.

Oil is a natural resource which is limited in quantity and is non-renewable in the economic sense. Alternatives to oil are being developed but they are not a viable replacement for oil. This creates economic interdependence between the nations.

The ability to obtain enough energy supplies at a reasonable cost is an important aspect of energy security.

In the future, energy resources may be in greater demand due to population and economic growth. This may lead to more conflicts.

The IEA which consists of 29 OECD member countries plays an important role in international energy cooperation. But its capacity to secure global cooperation is limited because the major developing countries are not its members. So there is a need for more collaboration and open markets in energy policy. Multilateral cooperation is extremely necessary for the stability of energy markets and a peaceful evolution of the international system.

Collaborated efforts to conserve energy in order to meet its increasing demand can go a long way in ensuring international peace and security.