16.8: Resources and References

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Review

Key Points

Environmental degradation exacerbates structural violence, which leads to increased social injustice, which further exacerbates poverty and environmental degradation.
Environmental change acts as a ‘threat multiplier’ because it amplifies scarcities.
Environmental security is the foundation on which human security stands. It requires adequate provisions for adaptation and prevention so that environmental changes exert less impact on well-being.
Conventional ‘weak’ notions of ‘sustainable development’ cannot succeed in increasing human security because they do not recognise the primacy of ecological integrity among the requirements. Unfortunately they show no sign of abating in their influence on governance.
Good environmental governance rests on normative principles and process principles that include all of civil society in the decision-making process.
Good environmental governance is an essential component of Earth democracy, which also requires profound changes in people’s values.
The Earth Charter outlines the major values and principles that can lead to a global democratic regime of good environmental governance.

.Extension Activities & Further Research

In Section 16.3 it was argued that economic security should not be regarded as a ‘pillar’ for the principle of sustainability. In your view, does this also apply to the ‘four pillar’ model of human security? What are the arguments for and against that proposition?
Section 16.4.2 outlines some principles of ‘good governance.’ To what extent does good governance also mean democratic governance?
An important component of the process of Earth democracy will have to be the disenfranchisement of the bloated corporate power groups who currently dominate decision-making processes at so many levels without any mechanism of accountability. Section 16.5.2 leads to the question, “To what extent can a civil society capable of such good governance also be capitalist?” – the corollary being “to what extent does it have to be?” Any suggestions?

List of Terms

See Glossary for full list of terms and definitions.

anthropogenic
Earth Charter
ecological security
ideational
strong sustainability
Three Pillars of Sustainable Development
weak sustainability

References

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Long Descriptions

Figure 16.1 long description: A diagram that aims to demonstrate the complexity and interconnectedness of global problems. This diagram has been turned into an ordered list to allow for self-exploration.

A system of self-assertive values of expansion, competition, oppression, and exploitation lead to uncontrolled growth (see #1), poverty in the so-called Third World (see #2), and a feeling of threat (see #4a).

Uncontrolled growth leads to
1. Unbalanced town planning and increasing traffic, which leads to a growing consumption of energy (see #4) and pollution (see #5).
2. Industrial production, which leads to pollution (see #5) and waste and pesticides that contaminate soil and water and cause diseases.
Poverty in the Third World leads to
1. Poor health care and illiteracy, which results in poor family planning and population growth (see #3).
Population growth leads to
1. A growing consumption of energy (see #4).
2. Excessive agriculture, which leads to the clearing of woodlands, which in turn leads to soil erosion and loss of species and forests dying.
3. A scarcity of provisions.
4. Over-pasturing, which leads to deserts and a decrease in food production (see #6) as well as soil erosion.
Growing consumption of energy, which is
1. Caused by increasing traffic, population growth, and high military expenses due to the nuclear arms race, which both feeds into and is compelled by a feeling of threat.
2. Related to the use of non-renewable energy sources, i.e., fossil fuels like coal and oil, which contribute to pollution, CO₂ emissions (see #4d), and regional conflicts.
3. Related to the use of nuclear energy, which leads to nuclear waste.
4. Related to an increase in CO₂, which is partially caused by the clearing of woodlands and contributes to acid rain.
Pollution, which is
1. Caused by increasing traffic, use of fossil fuels, and industrial production.
2. Responsible for smog, which causes diseases.
3. Responsible for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that deplete the ozone layer and increase UV radiation, which can cause skin cancer and decrease food production (see #6).
4. Responsible for greenhouse gases, which have a greenhouse effect that causes changes in the climate and a rise in sea level, which in turn result in changed rainfall patterns and a loss of usable land, all of which lead to a decrease in food production (see #6).
Decrease in food production, which is
1. Caused by deserts due to over-pasturing, changed rainfall patterns, loss of usable land, and an increase in UV radiation.
2. A precursor to malnutrition and starvation.

[Return to Figure 16.1]

Footnote

The Global Forum at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit is a case in point. It was comprised of the NGOs that were not permitted to attend the Summit alongside State representatives.