Abstract: Environmental conflict consists of the conflicts, between human activities and geographical environment in different areas, with different extent and form. It takes place more frequently with the development of economy, improper and excess exploitation of natural resources, and the out-of-order competition among departments and regions. This thesis introduces the devel-opment of the research overseas. Due to its obvious regionalism and inter-conditioning and inter-dependence with elements of physical and human geography, Environmental conflict has pro-found geographical signification handling environmental conflict by the same principle of justice in dealing with inter-regional, inter-department, and inter-generation conflicts, reliably regional sustainable development is essential. Then, the application of environmental conflict analysis in geographical research is tentatively discussed.

Key words: environmental conflict, critical situation of environment, environmental management, geographical signification