This paper discusses ″environmental security″ as an essential domain of ″human security″,followed by considerations on the possibility of ″environmental cooperation for peace″.″Human security″ refers to facilitating transition from state security to security which places importance on human,from military security to security by sustainable development,hence ensuring ″freedom from fear″ and ″freedom from want″.Since the late 1980's,global environmental issues became a major problem and surfaced as an agenda of international politics.As a result of promoting development based on the paradigm of development for security,environmental destruction is caused,and regional conflict triggered.In such a paradox of development and security,the Brundtland Commission in its report of 1987(″Our Common Future″)proposed the concept of ″sustainable development″,which was accepted as the central idea at the 1992 Earth Summit.From the late 1980's,discussions on environmental security attracted attention....更多Jessica Matthews argued that environment should be added as an important element of security.The reason for this was that environmental destruction were becoming more serious,causing regional disputes and threats to security.The on-going global environmental problems cross-national boarders and mutually related in a complex manner.In order to solve such problems,transnational,regional and global cooperation is essential.It is required that each country set a diplomatic model based not on narrow-minded national interests,but on environmental and human security as a common interest of humankind.It can be said that environmental cooperation might breed mutual trust which would contribute to peace building.Ecological interdependence is becoming increasingly deeper.Military security is a zero-sum or minus-sum game.On the other hand,better environment resulting from environmental cooperation will give merit to all parties.Environmental cooperation requires long-term viewpoints.Also,what is important is not only a top-down approach led by the government,but also a bottom-up approach.Since it is the local people that are affected by the global environmental problems,it is essential that they can participate in the decision-making process,and to promote civil society cooperation.In the East Asian countries,there are large differences in their political systems and economic conditions,while ecologically it is made like a single joint-less textile.Therefore,for environmental measures,an approach that may be called an ″East Asian Environmental Community″ is necessary.As discussions on the East Asia Economic Community are developed,it is necessary to consider along with this discussion on a framework for cooperation and joint action in the field of environment.We have come to a stage where a concept on an East Asian Environmental Cooperation Mechanism that would ensure the participation of each country and collaboration with the civil society must be immediately developed,in order to comprehensively and promptly tackle the environmental problems in East Asia.