Continuous environmental pollution, as well as uncontrolled or excessive exhaustion of natural resources and their corresponding risks to human health, safety, security and environment, present great challenges to modern societies. Consequently, innovative and responsible community actions are crucial for achieving environmental security. Effective policy, strategy and measures to control and reduce environmental pollution and preservation of natural resources and ecosystems are of paramount concern in the development process and are synonymous with the achievement of sustainable development goals. However, the achievement of these goals will to a large extent depend on changing the behaviors of individuals, as well as whole societies. With increasing levels of personal and social responsibility, it is the research, development and application of innovative technology and new knowledge that present critical circumstances and tools and that are at the same time the key driving forces significantly contributing to achieving environmental security. Science and innovation will primarily enable a reliable and timely recognition, better understanding and effective reduction of environmental and health risks associated with pollution. On the one hand, this awareness will help in assisting all individuals to reach well-informed decisions about their behavioral choices; the other hand, it may be helpful in recognizing and understanding the importance of challenges and opportunities for ecologically conscious business decisions. Environmental issues are not recognized as a foremost priority in developing countries. Therefore, the scientific community has to accept a full responsibility to act as a leader in building and strengthening the institutional framework by defining the environmental security research priorities as well as initiating, mobilizing, and actively participating in creation and adoption of innovative solutions. It must also aim at raising the general level of knowledge and ethical responsibility within our societies, which will in return enable and encourage policy, science and social dialogue to meet the goals of sustainable development. The challenge may be great, but it is also essential and all the more exciting for it.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.

Willing is not enough; we must do.

—Goethe