THE SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT THE SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT Chapter IX Development and Social Change – A Global Perspective Philip McMichael Cornell University Burenjargal. B SungKongHoe University 2015.08.14
THE SUSTAINABILITY THE SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTPROJECT
Chapter IXDevelopment and Social Change – A Global PerspectivePhilip McMichaelCornell UniversityBurenjargal. BSungKongHoe University2015.08.14
• Climate changeClimate change• Stabilizing ecosystemsStabilizing ecosystems• Centrality of agricultureCentrality of agriculture• Feeding the worldFeeding the world• Global land grabGlobal land grab• BiofuelBiofuel• Green technologyGreen technology
• Discussion questionsDiscussion questions
CONTENTCONTENT
Environmentalist’s Paradox• Why, despite resource depletion and the degradation of ecosystems, is average human
well-being improving globally?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YtYmbreq0g
• More than ever before, the world’s SURVIVAL depends on developing a different set of international protocols.
UNFCCC – COP (the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) • NAPA (National Adaption Programme of Action) – LDCF , GEF, WB • CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) – Adaptation Fund• UN offset fund
a. Initially targeted emission reductionsb. Abused by chemical, wind, gas and hydro companies
• As a result NO CHANGE in emissions
CLIMATE CHANGECLIMATE CHANGE• “Global warming is no longer
threat at all. It is our reality”• Climate change security
concerns by individual state forms geopolitical power relations and woven into developmental policies
CITIES and CLIMATE CHANGECITIES and CLIMATE CHANGE
70% of 70% of
emissionemissionss
2 billion 2 billion slum slum dwellers
dwellers by 2030by 2030
Threats on Threats on basic basic services services
Physical risk
Physical risk
of climate of climate
changechange
THE STERN REVIEW and GRASSROOTS THE STERN REVIEW and GRASSROOTS INITIATIVESINITIATIVES
• DRR (1$ in DRR = 7$ in reduced damage)
• Grassroots experience via resilience
• Farmer-based strategy for Climate Change and adaptation
• Local adaptive practices largely by women
The report is prepared for the UK
government.
• WB projects maximum yield rather than resilience.
• Preserving infrastructures - “Assistance”.
• Force to adapt prescribed biotech • Peasant knowledge is not adaptive
Local wisdom - Yogurt and dairy (milk) products
• Good for throat
• Skin care• Beauty
• Main meal for summertime
• Rehabilitation to support immunization
for kids
• Use of cream
MA (UN - The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment)•Key findings:
Discounted local resilience and no significance on ecological base Ecosystems are managed by poor by development agencies WEF focuses on ecosystem with tension of business risk and
profit loss•Suggestion
Use of relevant forms of knowledge and information in assessment and decisions making (inclusive of locals and women)
Effective ecosystem management “place-based” knowledge Centrality of Agriculture to ecosystem
management
STABILIZING ECOSYSTEMSTABILIZING ECOSYSTEM
Reduce carbon in the atmosphere
and regenerate nature in the
process.
Rebuilding soil Rebuilding soil of carbonof carbon
Expanding Expanding carbon sink carbon sink
via agro-via agro-forestryforestry
IAASTD (In’l Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development)•UN and World Bank sponsored. •Multifunctional role for agriculture in reducing poverty and issues.
STABILIZING ECOSYSTEMSTABILIZING ECOSYSTEM
Full cost accounting-Triple bottom line:
Energy, Health and Environmental cost
FEEDING THE WORLDFEEDING THE WORLDOrganic farming:•In global North produces 92% of conventional agr yield•In global South produces 80% more than conventional agr yield
THE AGRO-ECOLOGY PROJECTTHE AGRO-ECOLOGY PROJECT
Criticism: Expensive and Great labor requirement
WB World Development ReportWB World Development Report• New opportunities for
transnational value-chain agriculture Biotech fortified fertilizers Supplemented Asian diet Genetically modified seed
• “Feeding the world” through GMOs
• In contrast, successful witness of Organic agriculture including indigenous vegetables. 114 projects doubled of
yields organic agriculture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpqXVjUAM9
The Global Land GrabThe Global Land GrabColonialism
Land grabbing with food/energy/climate crises
land offshore in the name of addressing food shortage and alternative energy
BIOFUELSBIOFUELS• Biofuels are energy
sources made from living things, or the waste with expectation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
HOPE ?• Productions and decisions are made in
boardroom financial calculus• “Republic of Soy” – “Crime against humanity” &
“Responsibly destroying the world’s peasantry• Heavily subsidized by governments for marketing
expansion
BIOFUELSBIOFUELS
GREEN TECHNOLOGYGREEN TECHNOLOGY• In order to “solve” climate change issues and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in efficient and cost effective way, • Environmental markets were promoted which converted into “Green Capitalism”.• Cities are moving in this direction of the “greening”. • Key targets are alternative power resources:
Offshore wind project Renewable power “super-grid” Chinese firm Suntech Power, invented solar home system
• China is a global leader in solar energy in over 80 countries.• Essential item “ENERGY” missed in the MDG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GmmYJcfVr0
Thanks for your attention
1. How does the Sustainability Project set in your society? E.g. efforts on climate change, country diet, Biofuel issue, and green technology etc
2. What are positive and negative impact of “Green Technology” in your opinion?
3. What would be your personal contribution to in the sustainability project?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONSDISCUSSION QUESTIONS
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YtYmbreq0g• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35cGlRPbDls