Tsurugajo in an autumnal dusk
by panÓptiko
This provocative title was the center of the controversy on our third seminar this term. The presenter was Mr. Asayama, first year master student of the graduate school of environmental studies. Axis to the discussion was the article ”Bangladesh's climate change refugees", by Donatien Garnier, published in Le Monde Diplomatique in May of this year.
Central questions brought by the author was "Is there environmental justice?". Around it were problems of science uncertainty, inequity and climate change outcomes. From the discussion three points are to be highlighted:
- The unpreparedness of international law to cover displaced people in cases of environmental tragedy and the question of how such a convention could be.
- The value of local knowledge and empowerment, specially when analysis of disasters could overlook affected people agency.
- The difficulties on liability from uncertain causality.
Sorry for the delay on posting, we are working on it.
Comments (3)
In fact, 2007/2008 Human Development Report launched on 27 November in Brasilia is focusing on climate change. According to UNDP, the report shows that climate change is not just a future scenario. Increased exposure to droughts, floods and storms is already destroying opportunity and reinforcing inequality. Meanwhile, there is now overwhelming scientific evidence that the world is moving towards the point at which irreversible ecological catastrophe becomes unavoidable. Business-as-usual climate change points in a clear direction: unprecedented reversal in human development in our lifetime, and acute risks for our children and their grandchildren. The report can be downloaded at http://hdr.undp.org/en/.
Other interesting publications related to climate change are:
International Alert’s new report entitled “Climate Change and Violent Conflict (http://www.international-alert.org/publications/322.php) : The report finds that the consequences of climate change will fuel violent conflict, which itself hinders the ability of governments and local communities to adapt to the pressures of climate change. The report identifies a total of 102 countries at risk (http://www.international-alert.org/climate_change.php), with 46 countries at risk of violent conflict and a further 56 facing a high risk of instability as a result of climate change.
Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Guide launched on 20 November at the 16th Session of the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The guide presents five years of experience from more than 30 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies on the effect of climate change on humanitarian work. http://proventionconsortium.org/themes/default/pdfs/RCRC_climateguide.pdf
Posted by CS | December 3, 2007 11:36 PM
Posted on December 3, 2007 23:36
Increased exposure to droughts, affecting nomads of arid and semi-arid regions with high death toll of animals
Posted by tt | December 10, 2007 9:48 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 21:48
Hi. This is really interesting post. Thank You! I have just subscribed to Your rss!
Best regards
Posted by Forexman | June 5, 2008 6:30 AM
Posted on June 5, 2008 06:30