EGS1003: Section on International Environmental Justice and the Climate Change ChallengeMary Lawhon (marylawhon@gmail.com)

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Environment- generally focused on concerns for ecology

Development- generally focused on concerns for economic growth, quality of life

Though some overlap around “brown” environmentalism

Unsustainable definitions of development? (e.g. Smokestacks = progress = good)

Unrealistic expectations of environmentalists?

By Sean Wilson/ SEI

Blame environmental problems on the South: population, desertification, rainforest destruction…

Opposition from the South of environmental regulations seen as neo-colonial environmental protection as

preventing/anti-development

Growing recognition by South of limits Capital formation Skilled workforce AND long-term availability of natural

resources Recognition of need for “efficient

management of natural resources”

“We have in the past been concerned about the impacts of economic growth upon the environment. We are now forced to concern ourselves with the impact of ecological stress… upon our economic prospects” (Bruntland Report 1987)

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Bruntland Report 1987)

1987 World Commission on Environment & Development (Brundtland Report)

1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment

1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development

Increasingly “sustainability” is replacing SD…

“Agreement at Rio was achieved at some cost, in terms of the clarity of this concept” (McNeill, 2001)

What does it really mean?

Can it be used to evaluate options?

How to weight competing components: social, environment, economy?

CAG consultants

A more theoretically sound alternative, although also diverse views/definitions

Developed in Germany in 1980s

Primarily exists in Europe/Japan

Environmental problems could be dealt with by government

Character of environmental problems was understood

End of pipe tech is adequate Pollution control stands to BALANCE

environmental and economic demands

Technology is a key cause of the problem

Environmental problems can’t be dealt with by just the government New coalitions Changes in institutional structure of society,

new forms of political intervention Character of environmental problems is

complex End of pipe tech is not enough Pollution control is good for BOTH

environment and economy Technology is a key solution to the

problem

Clean Environment is Good for Business

Eco Mod has “potential to break the political stalemate”

Environmental protection is a source of economic growth

By Sean Wilson for SEI By Sean Wilson for SEI

Happy, healthy workers are more productive

Green products are a new market Pollution = Wasted resources Cheaper to tackle problems now

(ounce of prevention…) Pollution clean ups, tech

investments, included in GDP calculations

Value added to products

Regulations Proper incentives Reconceptualisation by business &

govt & society North should transfer technology to

South for environmental protection Powerful public commitment to

science Strong environmental consciousness

Ecological problems are rooted in social problems

WarLack of options

Lack of freedom

Greed

CapitalismArrogance

Ignorance

Power

Racism

Inequality

Changes relationships to market exchanges

Market grew from subservient to human needs to having needs of its own

Key to & measure of success becomes amoral “profit”

Need to recognise heterogeneity of societies- some already have solutions in place

Change needed is more than just economic, but need for spiritual/attitude change

Need to question institutions Empowerment/reduce inequality

McNeill, J.R. 2001. Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth Century World