Eco-justice Versus Development is an ongoing
controversy. Many argue for the right to development as well as every human
being the right to be a consumer. “The “Rio Declaration on Environment and
Development” from 1992 specifically talks of the “right to development” and the
“sovereign rights [of states] to exploit their own resources” (Bowers, C. A.
1995) and warns that environmental concerns should not restrict “international
trade” (Principle 12) (quoted in Johnson 1994, 118, 120).” Development and
economic enthusiasts argue that “the economy as currently organized is the most
important overall factor […] financial capital will replace any amount of
natural capital (Carey, Alex. 1997). Previously stated clearly identifies one
perspective of the argument between Eco-justice Versus Development. On the
contrary of the mentioned statement, Environmental sustainability enthusiasts
argue that there is no life without nature as the support system, no economic
activity of whatever sort. This means that the economy is always a sub-system
of nature, and not the other way
round, as the dominant discourse would have it. E. F. Schumacher (1993).
Schumacher as well as many Eco-justice enthusiasts and myself encourage this
statement.
With
being said that the economy is a sub-system of nature E. F. Schumacher (1993) I
think that it is compulsory that more civilians specifically students should be
brought to awareness of this statement and educated of the practices of Eco-justice
education. Essentially nature supports our lives and livelihoods and is the
primary source of sustenance (Shiva 1992, 192) therefore there should be
alternative approaches to how we as a society deal with development and
economics with consideration of environmental sustainability. And which better
way to start this approach than to educate our future generation of adult consumers
with knowledge of how to achieve and maintain a sustainable environment, in
order for us as a whole to sustain life on earth. Throughout the article Eco-justice Versus
Development, Rolf Jucker presents his research and thoughts in a very
articulate manner as he discusses whether it is possible to Reconcile Social
and Economic Equity, Ecological Sustainability, and Human Development. Jucker
precisely identified the contrast between these terms as well as provides the
reader with a critical perspective of the controversy that lies. Juckers
opinions that persist throughout his article, specifically concerning his
outlook on the Earth’s sustainability are relatable to those of which are
mentioned in one previous class discussion on the article of Understanding the
Earths Systems of Malawi: Ecological Sustainability, Culture, and Place- Based
Education. Essentially, the correlation between the two articles is the Earth’s
sustainability. Mentioned in the Malawi article is the dilemma of the effect
that inconsiderate economists and developers have on the Earth’s sustainability
(Bowers, 2001) asserts, however, that economic development without
consideration of ecological sustainability has had a devastating effect on the
environment. The disputations of this situation are apparent; however there is
a solution that Jucker has mentioned that has the potential to essentially
benefit or fix these problems. Jucker suggests that educating people of
Eco-justice and sustainability can revolutionize the outlook everyone has on
the environment that is of course if it’s done properly. Educators first have
to educate themselves with regard to Eco-justice and sustainability before they
can think of empowering their students (Forbes, Jack D. 1992). If we desire
[that] change, we must first change ourselves (Ghandi, 1999, Vol. 24, 22). I
agree with Juckers outlook and suggestion of how to properly educate in order
to be successful. He mentions that indigenous societies do fulfil most of the
parameters crucial to sustainable societies and therefore provide important
educational material for us which we should research carefully, rather than
reject out of hand (Jucker, Rolf. 2002). Which is also mentioned in the article
of Understanding the Earth Systems of Malawi; as indigenous people are directly
dependant on the resources that nature provides for survival through sustenance
living, they subsequently have knowledge of […] the natural world (Mayer, V. J.
1997).
In
conclusion Rolf Jucker the author of the article Eco-justice versus Development has fluently elaborated on the many points concerning
the controversy between Eco-justice and development. He presented his readers
with articulate information which has specifically resonated with me. Points in
particular from his article that I comply with are many; Jucker discussed how
the economy is always a sub-system of nature, and not the other way round as he discussed the actions and
consequences of economists and developer enthusiasts. He also mentioned and
elaborated on an alternative solution which will better and help the
environment substantially in the long run. He suggested Eco-justice to be
taught and for students and civilians to be educated on sustainability which he
then discloses this idea can revolutionize the outlook everyone has on the
environment. Jucker stresses that it is crucial that if this should be done it
should be done right for it to be effective. He provided us with his theory
that educators first have to educate themselves with regard to Eco-justice and
sustainability before they can think of empowering their students. If we desire
change we must first change ourselves.
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