Sustainability project

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