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![CLIMATE CHANGE - CONTEXT
– Thinking positively, it had been thought we could restrict
global temperature increases to 2oC.
– According to the World Bank, if global temperatures
increase by 4oC: “There will be water and food fights
everywhere” [Jim Yong Kim – World Bank President]
– Currently we expect global temperature increases of 1.1oC
- 6.4oC by the end of the 21st century
• We need to act urgently and radically](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/1-190711094348/75/1-introduction-to-Poverty-and-Environment-30-2048.jpg)
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1. introduction to Poverty and Environment
This document provides an introduction and overview of a university course on Poverty and Environment. The course is taught on Fridays from 8:30-11:30 am and covers topics such as definitions of poverty, the link between poverty and the environment, population changes, and case studies of Sri Lanka. It also includes brief summaries of key concepts like the poverty line, undernourishment statistics for Sri Lanka, and the relationship between technological changes, the environment, and human civilization throughout history.
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Introduction to the course on poverty and environment, emphasizing the linkages.
Definition and multidimensional nature of poverty with global statistics and thresholds.
Historical changes in societies affecting environment and emergence of environmental movements.
Progression of environmentalism and global treaties aiming for sustainable development.
Details on the Kyoto Protocol focusing on greenhouse gas emissions and commitments.
Interconnection of population growth, poverty, environmental degradation, and instability.Impact of population growth, intensive farming, and climate change on global food security.
Key factors contributing to poverty, including trade, healthcare, education, and environment.
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1. introduction to Poverty and Environment
- 1. Lesson 1 -Introduction P.B. Dharmasena 0777 613234, 0717 613234 [email protected] , [email protected] https://independent.academia.edu/PunchiBandageDharmasena https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Punchi_Bandage_Dharmasena/contributions http://www.slideshare.net/DharmasenaPb Poverty and Environment Course code: ECON/EMGT 4214 Friday from 8.30-11.30 a.m
- 2. Course Content 1. Introduction 2.What is poverty? 3. Poverty definition and descriptions 4. Environment and population 5. Intergenerational poverty and life cycle issues 6. Environment and its carrying capacity 7. Poverty and Environment: The Linkages 8. Sri Lankan Environment 9. Population changes 10.Population dynamics 11. Sri Lankan environment
- 3. • Poverty isthe lack of basic necessities that all human beings must have: food and water, shelter, education, medical care, security, etc. • A multi-dimensional issue, poverty exceeds all social, economic, and political boundaries. • As such, efforts to alleviate poverty must be informed of a variety of different factors.
- 4. World Status • 4.4billion people live in developing countries. • Of these three-fifths lack basic sanitation • Almost one third have no access to clean water • A quarter do not have adequate housing • A fifth have no access to modern health services • Percentage of people living below the poverty line: Europe and Central Asia - 3.5% Latin America and Caribbean - 23.5% Sub-Saharan Africa - 38.5% Middle East and North Africa - 4.1% South Asia - 43.1%
- 5. How do weknow that one is poor? • The poverty threshold, poverty limit or poverty line is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular area. • The Head count ratio (HCR) is the proportion of a population that exists, or lives, below the 'poverty line'.
- 6. Undernourished due topoverty Sri Lanka 2000 2015 30 % 22 %
- 7. History - TechnologicalChanges and Environment Hunter- Gatherer Societies Survival based by gathering edible plants and killing animals. Little accumulated economic and food surplus. Small numbers, decentralized and little use of resources. Strong linkage with nature. Agricultural societies Produce larger and more stable food supplies. Larger settlements and populations. First major environmental degradation. Decline or collapse of civilizations linked with the degradation of the soils and resource bases. Human domination of nature (anthropocentric view). Industrial societies Substitution of human and animal labor by machines. Urbanization (population outside natural surroundings). Began to change attitudes toward the environment. Exploitation of resources exacerbated (aggravated) many environmental problems and created new ones. Pollution exacerbated by the use of synthetic materials.
- 8. Climate change andthe collapse of civilizations Civilization Issue Akkadian Empire (2,170 BC) Established between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Collapsed because climate change destroyed its agricultural base. Cooling of the North Atlantic Ocean influence rainfall in the Middle East. Mayan Civilization (900 AD) Located in the Yucatan Peninsula. Collapsed after 200 years of lower precipitations. Roanoke settlement, North America (1587) First permanent British colony vanished after 4 years. Corresponded to the worst drought on the East Coast in 700 years
- 9. Environmental Movements (1960sand 1970s) Rising affluence (prosperity) Growth of leisure and tourism (pristine environments). Rising levels of education Better-educated people developed greater awareness of environmental problems Environmental organizations Many environmental organizations founded. National Wildlife Federation (1936); United Nations Environment Programme (1972); WorldWatch (1974). Pollution Water pollution, waste disposal and acid rain became the first widely noticed hazards Scientific evidence “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson (1962) and “The Population Bomb” by Paul Ehrlich (1968) Politics Decade when environmental issues began to become politicized. Green parties: Political parties focusing primarily on environmental issues
- 10. Environmental Movements (1960sand 1970s) ■ Legislations • Regulatory laws were passed in the USA and elsewhere. • Enforcement agencies were created: • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the USA was created in the early 1970s. • Most states created their own environmental protection agencies. • Legislation was passed to help correct environmental hazards already created. • Prevent additional problems from arising. • Air quality improved in many areas; cleaner water reappeared.
- 11. Environmental Movements (1960sand 1970s) ■ Environmentalism and the global crisis • Carried the roots of environmentalism beyond local and national scales to the global scale. • Transnational dimensions of many environmental problems: • Many environmental problems do not recognize boundaries. • Acid rain in Western Europe (Sweden) and North America. • First UN Conference on the Human Environment: • Stockholm, 1972. • Creation of the UN Environmental Programme. • Rise of the neo-Malthusian perspective: • Rising concern over population growth. • Formation of the Club of Rome (1972). • Publication of the Limits to Growth and the formation of ZPG (Zero Population Growth). Neo-Malthusianism refers to the belief that population control through the use of contraception (sterility) is essential for the survival of the earth’s human population. It rests on the observation that resources are limited, and that growing populations could rapidly exceed the provision of resources including land and food.
- 12. Environmental Retreat (1980s) ■Retreat (withdrawal) • Retreat for the environmental movement in the USA. • The oil crises helped weaken public support for environmental programs. • Conservative agenda of de-regulation. • Weakening of some environmental controls in the USA: • Onslaught on the National Forests of the USA. • Clear cutting regulations were weakened. • Easier exploitation by timber companies, especially in the Pacific Northwest. • Emphasis shifted from conservation efforts to increased resource exploitation. • Expand drilling into several protected areas.
- 13. Environmental Sustainability (1980s) ■Creation of a sustainable development ideology • Carbon Dioxide was found to cause global warming (1983). • A hole in the ozone layer was found over the Antarctic (1985). • Brundtland Report “Our Common Future”: • ‘Sustainable’ is used for the first time. • Maintenance of life support systems. • Working to reduce the threats to those systems represented by erosion, pollution, deforestation, etc. • Preservation of genetic diversity. • Providing us with insurance for the future by guarding against the ravages of crop diseases. • Investment for future crop-breeding or pharmaceutical development. • Sustainable development of species and ecosystems
- 14. Environmental Ethics (1980s) ■Environmental ethics • “We have not inherited the earth from our parents; we have borrowed it from our children.” • Development is often viewed in materialistic terms. • Focusing on resource utility through conservation. • Environmentalism as a cultured attitude intended to prevent development in the South.
- 15. Environmental Globalism (1990s) ■UN World Conference on Environment and Development • Rio de Janeiro (1992): • Largest such gathering ever (100 heads of state). • Placed the environmental agenda at the center of the world stage. • Development made possible by the end of the Cold War. • Establish “Agenda 21”, a blueprint for action. • Europe and Japan: • World leaders in environmental affairs. • USA: • Role of obstructionist. • Objected to any negative references concerning consumption patterns in the developed countries. • Had the most to lose.
- 16. Environmental Globalism (1990s) ■The Rio Declaration • “development must occur on a sustainable basis to meet the needs of present and future generations.” • Lack of detail and no operational aspects are considered. • Have relatively little meaning. ■ Global Warming Treaty (Agreement) • “Stabilization of the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level which would prevent dangerous interference with climate systems.” • Lacks a specific timetable for decreasing emissions. • No mandatory maximum levels for emissions. • Most countries other than the USA endorsed guidelines to reduce CO2 emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000.
- 17. Environmental Globalism (1990s) ■Biodiversity Convention • Guarantees the protection and conservation of plant and animal species threatened with extinction. • Declares who has the right to develop and market products based on such species. • The USA opposed this treaty (biotechnology sector). Loris
- 18. Environmental Globalism (1990s) ■Agenda 21(Blueprint for Action) • Commitment to sustainable development through a set of four program areas. • 1) Promoting sustainable development through trade. • 2) Making trade and environment mutually supportive. • 3) Providing adequate financial resources to developing countries: • Committed to 0.7% of GNP. • Currently stands at around 0.5% of GNP (Gross National Product) for most European countries, Canada, and Japan. • Just 0.25% for the USA. • 4) Encouraging economic policies conducive to sustainable development
- 19. Environmental Globalism (1990s) ■Kyoto Protocol • The Global Warming Treaty was not working. • 2000 goals would not achieved. • High profile meeting in Kyoto in 1997. • 160 nations formally adopted the protocol: • Legally committing industrial countries do reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions. • Reduce climate-altering gases by 5.2% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. • Developing countries, mainly China and India, objected: • Meeting the target would cripple their economies leaning on coal. • Developing countries were thus exempted.
- 20. Characteristics of theKyoto Protocol Issue Characteristics Commitments Reductions of 60 to 80% below 1990 levels are required to stop global warming. Developing countries not included Flexibility Consideration of “carbon sinks” such as forests. Does not address CO2 emissions CO2 trading Nations can trade CO2 allowances (1990 levels) with other nations. Russia, Ukraine (sellers) and the US (buyer) are candidates. Ratification Treaty in force if ratified by 55% of countries responsible for emissions. The US did not ratify (2001).
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- 22. • More childrento compensate high mortality. • More children to help domestic tasks and cultivation. • Lack of protection in view of disease or old age. • Lack of education plays against family planning. • Women status and poverty forbid access to education. • Unemployment and low incomes, dilution of gain. • Division of property among several children. • Overburden of health and social services and utilities. Population Poverty The Vicious Circle
- 23. The Vicious Circle ■Increase of pressures over marginal land, overexploitation, and deforestation. ■ Erosion and floods. ■ Increase use of fertilizers, pesticides and water. ■ Migration to shantytowns. ■ Erosion, salination and floods lower agricultural yields, employment and incomes. ■ Overpopulation increases health problems and lowers productivity. Population Environment
- 24. The Vicious Circle ■Short term needs are a priority and forbids environmental protection. ■ Development wins over environmental issues. Poverty Environment
- 25. The Vicious Circle ■Fall back of democracy, repression and dictatorship. ■ The army takes most of public spending. ■ Bad investment environment, loss of tourism incomes. ■ Disorganization of health and education services. ■ Disorganization of trade and limited development opportunities. ■ National and international resources towards urgencies. ■ Social divisions and political problems. ■ Refugees. ■ Terrorism? Instability
- 26. THE GLOBAL FOODSITUATION • According to the United Nations, the world population reached 7 billion on October 31, 2011. The world’s population is forecast to reach 9.3 billion by 2050. - UN Dept. Economic & Social Affairs, 2012. • Food prices rose rapidly after 2006 and peaked in 2012. • Rising food prices have driven an estimated 44 million people into poverty - World Bank, 2011.
- 27. CONTRIBUTORS TO FOOD INSECURITY Agrowing population Intensive farming Climate change and severe weather events
- 28. POPULATION GROWTH – Theworld population continues to increase but this growth is slowing – Population growth = demand for more food making it harder to feed everyone – The planet has been unable to feed its growing population – Threat of food insecurity – The rich have been over eating while the poor have been starving
- 29. INTENSIVE FARMING • Intensivefarming practices were designed to produce sufficient food for a growing population. • Produces high-yield crops, using fertilisers and pesticides. • Food production is increased but there are unwelcome side effects: • Land degradation • Soil erosion due to deforestation • Environmental pollution • Reduced biodiversity due to growing limited crop varieties • Potential harm to health • We need to increase our use of sustainable production methods – but this will produce less yield - so how do we feed a growing population?
- 30. CLIMATE CHANGE -CONTEXT – Thinking positively, it had been thought we could restrict global temperature increases to 2oC. – According to the World Bank, if global temperatures increase by 4oC: “There will be water and food fights everywhere” [Jim Yong Kim – World Bank President] – Currently we expect global temperature increases of 1.1oC - 6.4oC by the end of the 21st century • We need to act urgently and radically
- 31. CLIMATE CHANGE &SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS • Climate change has increased carbon dioxide levels, which has increased desertification and caused water-supply problems. • Rising ocean levels could flood low-lying farmlands with salt water and affect rice/wheat production. • Extreme weather events like floods, hurricanes, storm surges, and tsunamis have increased - extreme flooding could affect global distribution of food. • Some food-producing regions could become too hot to grow conventional crops, affect livestock growth and increase crop contamination. • Agricultural prices will be affected by climate change – reduced food supply will increase prices.
- 32. FOOD POVERTY: Globally •The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 795 million people of the 7.3 billion people in the world, or one in nine, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2014-2016. • Direct action against hunger is essential • Increase in the need for Food Aid.
- 33. Why Poverty? …??….??? • ... In 1997 the richest fifth of the world’s population had 74 times the income of the poorest fifth. • ..The top three billionaires have assets greater than the combined GNP of all least developed countries and their 600 million people. • Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of him/(her)self and his/(her) family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services... Everyone has the right to education. - Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- 34. Causes of thirdworld poverty • Trade - Third world countries lose out through unfair trade agreements, lack of technology and investment, and rapidly changing prices for their goods. • Work and globalisation - Better communications and transport have led to a “globalised” economy. Companies look for low-cost countries to invest in. This can mean that, though there are jobs, they are low-paid. • War or conflict - When a country is at war (including civil war) basic services like education are disrupted. People leave their homes as refugees. Crops are destroyed.
- 35. Causes of thirdworld poverty • Debt Third world countries have to pay interest on their debts. This means they cannot afford to spend enough on basic services like health and education; nor on things like transport or communications that might attract investment. • Land If you have land you can grow your own food. But many people in the Third World have had their land taken over by large businesses, often to grow crops for export.
- 36. Health Affordable or freehealth care is necessary for development. In poor countries the percentage of children who die under the age of five is much higher than in rich countries. HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on the Third World. HIV is now the single greatest threat to future economic development in Africa. AIDS kills adults in the prime of their working and parenting lives, decimates the work force, fractures and impoverishes families, orphans millions... - Callisto Madavo, vice-president of the World Bank, Africa region 1999 Causes of third world poverty
- 37. Food and education Affordable,secure food supplies are vital. Malnutrition causes severe health problems, and can also affect education. Without education it is difficult to escape from poverty. This becomes a vicious circle – people who live in poverty cannot afford to send their children to school. Gender When we measure poverty we find differences between the level experienced by men or boys, and women or girls. Women may be disadvantaged through lack of access to education; in some countries they are not allowed to own or inherit land; they are less well paid than men. Causes of third world poverty
- 38. Environment • A childborn in an industrialised country will add more to pollution over his or her lifetime than 30-50 children born in the Third World. • However, the third world child is likely to experience the consequences of pollution in a much more devastating way. • For example, annual carbon dioxide emissions have quadrupled in the last 50 years. This contributes to global warming, leading to devastating changes in weather patterns. • Bangladesh could lose up to 17% of its land area as water levels rise. Causes of third world poverty
- 39. Poverty Targets 2015 povertytargets Members of the Organisation for Co-operation and Development (OECD) agreed these after the 1995 Copenhagen summit. They aim to reduce poverty in third world countries by at least one half by 2015. 20/20 initiative At the same summit some governments agreed that 20% of aid and 20% of the budget of the developing country receiving that aid would be spent on basic services. ·
- 40. Aid Access to basicservices for everyone would cost approximately $US40 billion more per year than is spent now. This is 0.1% of world income. World military spending is $US780 billion per year. US$50 billion is spent on cigarettes in Europe every year. Fair trade Fair trade guarantees higher, more stable prices for third world producers. Look out for products with a Fairtrade Mark.
- 41. “The amount ofmoney the UK spends On chocolate each year could make Africa NOT live in poverty”