betsyphoto credits: betsy-jean79

The cause of climate crisis lies with the its external focus bring about false solutions such as introducing nuclear power and biofuels which are ironically non-sustainable instead of focusing on correcting internal problematics of consumption behaviour and flawed ideologies.

Since the industrial revolution, people have related progress with production and consumption, leading to an increment of fossil fuel usage to supply demands, destroying earth at an alarming rate regardless of the rights of other species and the welfare of future generations to come. Vandana Shiva, author of Soil Not Oil- Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis, believes that what it means ‘to be developed is to be industrialized’ within this fossil fuel paradigm . (Alternatives Journal, Pg 23) The consumption of fossil fuel parallels to the held idea of modernity equating to prosperity. Here, Shiva reinterprets the idea of ‘the developed’ in a reversal:

In the biodiversity paradigm, to be developed is to be able to leave ecological space for other species, for all people and future generations of humans. To be underdeveloped is to usurp the ecological space of other species and communities, to pollute the atmosphere, and to threaten the planet.-Alternatives Journal, Pg 23

In order to establish a renewable economy based on biodiversity, she emphasizes the first and foremost need to change attitudes towards consumption before tackling larger world issues, criticizing the “shop till you drop” mentality- a dangerous form of greed which automatically overrides our basic connection to the earth. In this warped sense of Equity, developed, industrialized societies would need 5 planets to sustain itself due to its non-sustainable consumption practices. Eco-imperialist response to this problem only adds oil to the flames- big corporation-run trade laws bully people out of their rights, freedom  and resources, sometimes resorting to militaristic violence.

cviewphoto credits: Viamoi

In contrast, Earth Democracy and ecological equity do not deny the fact that earth’s resources and its capacity for renewability are limited. Earth Democracy is also in line with Gaia laws of renewability, conservation, entropy and diversity and prides all peoples, beings and communities as equals- entitled to equal rights to all of earth’s resources. Earth Democracy also promotes Climate Justice ensures the right to replace non-green economies with green ones- whereby the people and the climate are duely protected. (Alternatives Journal, Pg 22)

Shiva lists Earth Democracy and ecological equity solutions in Soil Not Oil that requires the ridding of:

1. Mechanistic assumptions ( life of peasanthood or a non-industrialized way of life as “undignified”)

2. Industrial methods (production of goods with high energy and resource costs)

3.  Market Mechanisms (making high-cost products appear cheap on supermarket shelves)

- Alternatives Journal, Pg 19

By breaking free of these globalized trends of commodification and consumerism, we free up possibilities for eco-friendly changes in our daily lives, such as consumption of local produce, carbon- free or reduced commutation, responsible purchases, thus enriching our lives without impoverishing others. It enhances spiritual well-being, sense of community, contribution and preservation of cultural knowledge and skills all while bringing humanity towards a more moral and sane kind of progress.

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photo credits: ecstastist

Another challenge is debunking industrial myths that chemical agriculture is superior to ecological farming and that automobile-minded cities are more efficient that pedestrian or cyclist-minded cities. Biodiverse ecological farming produces higher grade crops in abundance compared to tainted and unsustainable chemical-based agriculture while city designed for cars may not necessarily mean faster or more efficient mode of travel when other factors such as traffic, accidents and alternative routes come into play.

A Biodiversity economy is a practical and intelligent approach to living; seeing to the welfare of local farmers and communities being free from WTO regulations and World Bank structural adjustment programs, cutting down on fuel emission, thus protecting our precious habitat from the treachery of climate change and its adverse effects.

Works Cited:

Shiva, Vandana, “Soil Not Oil: Environmental Jusitice in an Age of Climate Crisis,” Alternatives Journal 35:3 Pg 19-23

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Filed under: Being Raw • Environmentalism

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