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Article 18169SECURITY AS A DEFINING MOMENTThe quest for sustainability will be one of humankind’s defining moments, comparable to theagricultural and industrial revolutions. A defining moment is one that shapes our lives, even though,initially, it often appears to be insignificant. Both individuals and human society can have defining moments.The agricultural revolution began with a few plants and domesticated animals. Seemingly unimportantwhen it began, it shaped human society for generations and continues to do so. The same istrue for the industrial revolution. The modest world stage appearance of sustainable development(United Nations World Commission on Environmental Development, 1987) initially made only a fewripples on the ‘global pond’. My copy of the report, a thoughtful gift from a colleague, sat on my deskfor over a week before I got around to reading it. Even when I read it, I did not recognize the enormousimpact it would have on my life. Eventually, years later, I realized that reading that report had been adefining moment for both my professional and personal life. I realized that, on a finite planet, exponentialgrowth of population and use of resources was unsustainable, even though some economists(e.g. Simon, 1981) asserted that humans are not limited by resources as are other species. Simon’sbook was a defining moment in the quest for sustainability because, if resources are not limiting,sustainable use had already been achieved. Daly (1985) has pointed out the fallacies in Simon’s reasoning,but the controversy remains. Whenever one side prevails, it will be a defining moment.Undoubtedly, there will be many defining moments on the path to sustainable use of the planet.Arguably, the most important is to accept that war and sustainability are incompatible, not onlybecause of resource waste but because sustainable use of the planet requires the strong supportof nearly all persons. A small number of non-violent dissidents can probably be tolerated, but terroristdestruction of resources cannot. If the planet is at full carrying capacity, this would meanfalling below subsistence levels for some people. If not, then the quality of life would still beimpaired. War disrupts the beneficial flow of matter through a closed system essential to sustainability.War is a false goal because, on a finite planet that is approaching or is already at carryingcapacity, it wastes resources.Individual cannot control defining moments, such as being born. Humankind cannot yet controlearthquakes, hurricanes, and other episodic events, but it can make a significant difference aboutengaging in war, especially preemptive war.Another positive defining event on the path to sustainability will be the recognition that the ‘freelunch’ at the expense of natural systems is over. Sustainable use of the planet requires stewardshipof natural capital and ecosystem services, not exploitation. Positive, defining moments are thosethat result in long-term benefits. Negative, defining moments are those that result in long-termproblems. War is definitely in this latter category.CONCLUSIONSWar is an unsustainable practice on a finite planet with finite resources. Natural capital is diminishingat an unprecedented rate at a time when it is most needed. This reduction means the loss orreduction of the ecosystem services that natural capital provides. Arguably, loss of or damage tothe planet’s ecological life-support system is the greatest security threat of all time to humans. Toprovide a habitable planet for future generations, the ecological life-support system must be cherishedand its health and integrity preserved. War is an unsustainable practice, which, if continued,will deplete natural capital to the point that famine, disease, and other factors will have an evengreater effect on humankind. Sustainable practices defend humankind from these scourges to thedegree that the human species stays within the planet’s carrying capacity.