Securitizing e-Waste: Framing Environmental Issue as a Threat to Human Security

Abstract

The issue of electronic waste (e-waste), as an effect of the rapid development of electronic technology and often view products from the commercial side regardless of its end-cycle, evolved its existence as a global problem because of the implemented disposal and reuse practices are often not heeding the dangers that may be resulted. This is especially a concern in the global south due to general perspective that pollution and waste is seen as the price of development, which also linked to the view that the management of electronic waste is a costly, difficult, and impractical practice as well as assumption that the environment and society can be maintained in the future. The omission of e-waste issue from public concern raises an impending threat to human security dimension. This paper argues that preventing e-waste from becoming a major security issue may benefit from securitizing the issue as a threat to human security. This paper will start by identifying the global issue of e-waste and how it can harm human's health and security in general. Securitization framework will then be implemented using the comprehensive concept of human security in explaining the e-waste phenomenon since it explores the normative realm of politics while also a multi-faceted approach, enabling multidimensional understanding and solutions.