Globalization & Environment 2Globalization & Environment 2

Environmental regimes: most important MEAsEnvironmental regimes: most important MEAs

Int. Whaling Convention 1946Int. Whaling Convention 1946 Convention on Int. Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, 1973Convention on Int. Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, 1973 Montreal Protocol on the Ozone Layer, 1987 Montreal Protocol on the Ozone Layer, 1987 Basel Convention on hazardous waste, 1989Basel Convention on hazardous waste, 1989 UN-Framework Convention on Climate Change, Rio 1992UN-Framework Convention on Climate Change, Rio 1992 Convention on Biological diversity, Rio 1992Convention on Biological diversity, Rio 1992 Convention on Desertification, 1995Convention on Desertification, 1995 Kyoto Protocolo 1997Kyoto Protocolo 1997 Rotterdam Convention on PIC, 1998Rotterdam Convention on PIC, 1998 Stockholm Convention on POPs, 2000Stockholm Convention on POPs, 2000

Assessment according to ”Guide to World Assessment according to ”Guide to World Resources” by UNDP, UNEP, WB & WWIResources” by UNDP, UNEP, WB & WWI

Little effectfullLittle effectfull Single issue approachSingle issue approach Not framed with relation to Eco-systemsNot framed with relation to Eco-systems Lack of specific targets, timetables and Lack of specific targets, timetables and

enforcement provisionsenforcement provisions Financing a perennial problemFinancing a perennial problem

Sach’s interpretation of the Rio-conventions:Sach’s interpretation of the Rio-conventions:

Climate convention:Climate convention:

” ”Who should have the right to continued Who should have the right to continued accumulation at the expense of the carrying accumulation at the expense of the carrying capacity of the Earth ?”capacity of the Earth ?”

Biodiversity conventionBiodiversity convention::

””Which actors, national or international, should Which actors, national or international, should have the right to exploit the biological and genetic have the right to exploit the biological and genetic resources of the South ?”resources of the South ?”

Eco-system

The limited ressource-base and resilience of the planet

Economic system, built-in accumulation

Tecno-system (technology, science & infrastructure)

Production & consumption in society - needs, interests & actors

politics !

solar energy Heat-loss

influence !

The illusion of unlimited sources and sinks

resources waste

Values &institutions

Human society and nature

In the natural ecosystems matter is In the natural ecosystems matter is continouosly circulating, powered by continouosly circulating, powered by solar energy, e.g. carbon & solar energy, e.g. carbon & phosphorus-circuitsphosphorus-circuits..

In the industrialized world the flows are In the industrialized world the flows are straightstraight

At one end resources (”raw-At one end resources (”raw-materials”) are mobilised at materials”) are mobilised at increasing speed and volume, increasing speed and volume, leaving mountains of waste and leaving mountains of waste and destroyed eco-systemsdestroyed eco-systems

After treatment, transport, After treatment, transport, manufacture and consumption, manufacture and consumption, implying pollutionimplying pollution

Matter is piled up at the other end – Matter is piled up at the other end – what is known as wastewhat is known as waste

Flows of matter

The global eco-systemThe global eco-system (Meadows) (Meadows)

EconomicSubsystem(population &Capital)

Sources ofThe planet

Sinks ofThe planet

Raw-Materials& fossilfuels

Waste& pollution

Solar Energy

Heatloss

Low-quality energy

High-quality energy

”The second contradiction of capitalismJ. O’Connors:

An ”unholy alliance” between developers and environmentalists

- an ”Oxymoron”

"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 impacts of ecological stress upon our economic prospects." (Brundtland Report, 1987)

N. Carter: “A bridging concept” “A ‘Meta-fix’ to unite all - “but chameleon characteristics”

Sustainable developmentSustainable development

The logic of ”Developers”The logic of ”Developers”

Environmental problems are real and barriers to growthEnvironmental problems are real and barriers to growth

Humans are enemies of nature and poverty leads to Humans are enemies of nature and poverty leads to environmental degradationenvironmental degradation

So more development to eliminate povertySo more development to eliminate poverty

““Development”, i.e. economic growth, as the disease as well as Development”, i.e. economic growth, as the disease as well as the curethe cure!!

Passwords:Passwords:

Rational planningRational planning Environmental managementEnvironmental management Pollution controlPollution control Genetic engineeringGenetic engineering Executive and engineering skills to manage eco-systems and Executive and engineering skills to manage eco-systems and

increase the productivity of natureincrease the productivity of nature

Prerequisites & characteristics of Prerequisites & characteristics of economic globalisationeconomic globalisation

Technological development in:Technological development in:

- Production technology- Production technology - Transport technology - Transport technology - Telecommunication technology - Telecommunication technology

DeregulationDeregulation

Transnationalisation of production (GDLP)Transnationalisation of production (GDLP)

(The fall of the Sovjet empire speeding up the (The fall of the Sovjet empire speeding up the process)process)

The history of the Intergovernmental Organisations and Institutions

ENVIRONMENT &ENVIRONMENT & TRADETRADE FINANCE/FINANCE/ DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC ECONOMIC

SYSTEMSYSTEM1945-

1970

1971

1972

1973

1980s

1986

1992

1995

1999

2001

2002

2003

UN

Earth Day

Stockholm-conference

Bruntland-report

Rio Earth Summit

UN’s ”millenium goals”

Johannesburg summit

UNCTADGATT

Oil crisis

Deregulation of trade

Marrakech, WTO

Seattle-meeting of WTO

Doha-meeting, WTO

Cancun-meeting, WTO

OECD, World Bank, IMF

End of Bretton WoodsSystem

3rd World loans

”Washington Consensus”SAPs Liberalisation of finance-flows Steep increase in FDI

Financial crisis in East Asia

Monterrey-meeting

The ”Rio-bargain” very short:The ”Rio-bargain” very short:

Southern elites taking environment as hostage for Southern elites taking environment as hostage for economic concessions from the North: trade, aid economic concessions from the North: trade, aid and technology transferand technology transfer

The North not giving in on any changes in The North not giving in on any changes in production and consumption patterns, production and consumption patterns,

( ”American lifestyle not for discussion”)( ”American lifestyle not for discussion”)

but with promises on economic assistance driving but with promises on economic assistance driving the South to the deal the South to the deal

””All the world in your hands”All the world in your hands” (Mastercard)(Mastercard)

The expansionist narrativeThe expansionist narrative

Resources for affluent consumptionResources for affluent consumption and production in the Northand production in the North

Profits & Cheap productsProfits & Cheap products

Barriers to human beings Barriers to human beings

Efficient internat. Efficient internat. economic institutionseconomic institutions

Protection of Protection of Intellectual property rightsIntellectual property rights

Unequal exchangeUnequal exchange

Good allies in the local elitesGood allies in the local elites

Capital flows: finance capital, loansCapital flows: finance capital, loans Foreign Direct InvestmentsForeign Direct Investments

Global sourcing & marketingGlobal sourcing & marketing

Localisation of polluting & ressourceLocalisation of polluting & ressource -intensive production in the South -intensive production in the South

The global factoryThe global factory

Cheap labour, energyCheap labour, energy and natural resourcesand natural resources

Lax or no requirements to Lax or no requirements to production and extractionproduction and extraction

Markets for agricultual productsMarkets for agricultual products

Tax- and tariff-free export zones

The neoliberal project!

East Asiacrisis

THE DOGMA THAT DEVELOPMENT EQUALS ECONOMIC THE DOGMA THAT DEVELOPMENT EQUALS ECONOMIC GROWTH MEANS THAT IN THE 3RD WORLDGROWTH MEANS THAT IN THE 3RD WORLD: An outdated model of development is globalisedAn outdated model of development is globalised - Commodities produced by unpaid resources- Commodities produced by unpaid resources - Prices not reflecting environmental costs- Prices not reflecting environmental costs - Extension of the market thus implies environmental degradation- Extension of the market thus implies environmental degradation independent of increases in productivityindependent of increases in productivity

The pressure to open markets has forced/allowed 2. and 3. World The pressure to open markets has forced/allowed 2. and 3. World countries to intensify exploitation of natural resourcescountries to intensify exploitation of natural resources - Liberalisation paved the way for exploiters- Liberalisation paved the way for exploiters - Infrastructure for the pirats (Plan Puebla Panamá) - Infrastructure for the pirats (Plan Puebla Panamá) - Debt has forced to the sell out of "family silver“: - Debt has forced to the sell out of "family silver“:

"Race to the bottom" or “stuck at the bottom” to attract foreign capital"Race to the bottom" or “stuck at the bottom” to attract foreign capital - - Removal of requirements to environment, health, social standards Removal of requirements to environment, health, social standards - Exemption from tax, tolls and tariffs - Exemption from tax, tolls and tariffs - Provision of land, buildings, infrastructure, security, training, etc - Provision of land, buildings, infrastructure, security, training, etc.

FDI IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CONCENTRATE INFDI IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CONCENTRATE IN::

1. Primary resources, including location of resource-intensive industry1. Primary resources, including location of resource-intensive industry

- Overall resource-flow from poor to rich countries (except from grain-products)- Most poor countries dependent on primary resources in their exports- Little added value in the poor, resource-rich countries – the “curse of resources” (J. Sachs)

2. Export-zone industry, “Sweat-shops” (labour-magazines2. Export-zone industry, “Sweat-shops” (labour-magazines))

- No added value to host country - No spin-off effects or transfer of technology - No upgrading of workforce - No/few rules to protect exploitation of (wo)man power - No unions

3. Transport, Infrastructure and Service3. Transport, Infrastructure and Service

- To serve “the global factory” (energy, transport, roads, air travel, finance insurance, shipping, telecommunication, accommodation, office-facilities etc.)

- To profit from privatised public services, Expanding into Public Common Goods (pension, telecomm., energy, water and sanitation, education, health) i.e. new monopolies formed without state supervision or public participation

The finiteness of the planet’s sources and sinksThe finiteness of the planet’s sources and sinksThe ecological - and social factsThe ecological - and social facts

Increased polarisation, ”Fort Europe”Increased polarisation, ”Fort Europe”

Global climate changesGlobal climate changes Oil-depletionOil-depletion

Migrants/refugees/nihilism?Migrants/refugees/nihilism?

UnemploymentUnemployment

Social desintegrationSocial desintegration

Loss of cultural baseLoss of cultural base

Loss of means of subsistenceLoss of means of subsistence

Conflicts on scarce water/landConflicts on scarce water/land

Famine and environemtally based diseases Famine and environemtally based diseases

Abolishment of traditional livelihood-formsAbolishment of traditional livelihood-forms Price out of small farmingPrice out of small farming

Loss of access to natural Loss of access to natural resourcesresources

Chemical agricultureChemical agriculture

Local climate Local climate changeschanges

Pollution of water, soil, Pollution of water, soil, foodfood

Loss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversity

Environmental & social vulnerabilityEnvironmental & social vulnerability

Droughts, desertification, erosion, floods,Droughts, desertification, erosion, floods, landslides, collapse of eco-systemslandslides, collapse of eco-systems

Sustainable development?

The global middle classThe global middle class

North20 % of w.population

80 % ofWorld pop.:

80 % affluent

20 % marginalised

20 %rich

South

80 %poor

””The globalised rich”The globalised rich”(Z. Baumann)(Z. Baumann)

””The localised poor”The localised poor”

Share of ressourceuse: 80 %

20 %

World Watch 2003-report: ”Global consumer class of 1.7 billion, while 2.8 billion live in absolute poverty”

Parallels between what happened in the developed countries 100-200 years ago Parallels between what happened in the developed countries 100-200 years ago during industrialisation and in the 3. World after 1950during industrialisation and in the 3. World after 1950

- The enclosure of the commons - The enclosure of the commons

- Forced rural migration to feed mines and new industries with labour- Forced rural migration to feed mines and new industries with labour

- Small farmers fighting against cattle ranching & big farming- Small farmers fighting against cattle ranching & big farming

- Transformation of land, agricultural products & workers into commodities- Transformation of land, agricultural products & workers into commodities

- Workers forming unions and political parties to protect health and reproduction - Workers forming unions and political parties to protect health and reproduction

- Organisation of societies of paid workers and consumers everywhere- Organisation of societies of paid workers and consumers everywhere

In the history of the West the inherent social and ecological conflicts were overcomeIn the history of the West the inherent social and ecological conflicts were overcome through class-reconcillience, Bismarck’s ”Social-State”, economicthrough class-reconcillience, Bismarck’s ”Social-State”, economic growth (a bigger cake) and abundant resources from the South.growth (a bigger cake) and abundant resources from the South. In the South the distribution conflicts are unsolved In the South the distribution conflicts are unsolved

””The ecological distribution conflict”The ecological distribution conflict” (Martinez-Alier)(Martinez-Alier)

Zizek:Zizek:

””The explosive growth of the slum in the The explosive growth of the slum in the megacities of the 3rd world from Latinamerica to megacities of the 3rd world from Latinamerica to Africa, India, China, the Philippines and Indonesia Africa, India, China, the Philippines and Indonesia is perhaps the most important geopolitical fact of is perhaps the most important geopolitical fact of our time.”our time.”

Meadows 3 (2004):Meadows 3 (2004):

Global grain-production peaked in the 80’sGlobal grain-production peaked in the 80’s Catch from ocean-fishing is decreasingCatch from ocean-fishing is decreasing Costs connected with natural disasters are increasingCosts connected with natural disasters are increasing More frequent and violent conflicts on the distribution of scarce More frequent and violent conflicts on the distribution of scarce

resources, especially fresh water and fossil fuels resources, especially fresh water and fossil fuels

” ”If growth continues resource exhaustion is unavoidable. First industrial If growth continues resource exhaustion is unavoidable. First industrial production will decrease, then the volume of food and next lifetime and production will decrease, then the volume of food and next lifetime and population. A collapse beginning within a decade.”population. A collapse beginning within a decade.”

Johannesburg: Privatization of Sustainable Johannesburg: Privatization of Sustainable developmentdevelopment