Natural Resource Competition

The expansion of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies is increasing global demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. As production capacity adjusts, concerns are emerging around environmental impacts, labor practices, and supply reliability.

Oil, coal, and natural gas continue to dominate the global energy landscape, even as the world moves toward renewables. Rising consumption and uneven distribution of these resources are fueling international tensions and revealing long-standing conflicts of interest.

Freshwater supplies are under growing strain from climate change, pollution, and overuse. As shortages spread, concerns over water security, inequality, and cross-border tensions are rising on the global agenda.

Climate disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and economic shocks are exposing the fragility of global food supply chains. As disruptions grow more frequent, regions around the world face heightened risks of food crises, insecurity, and hunger.

Rivalries over control of resource-rich regions are intensifying international tensions and drawing in outside powers. The strategic importance of the Arctic, Africa, and South America is reshaping global alliances and competition.

Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are placing growing strain on marine life, leading to reduced fish populations and weakening ocean ecosystems. These changes threaten the food security and income of communities that rely heavily on the sea.

Accelerating population growth and industrial-scale farming are eroding soil health and reducing the availability of fertile land. With desertification on the rise and agricultural land under pressure, the competition for arable territory is becoming a global concern.

Deforestation driven by agriculture, mining, and urban expansion is accelerating climate change and fragmenting ecosystems. As forest loss intensifies, biodiversity declines and environmental stability is increasingly at risk.