Peril or Prosperity?

The document, "Peril or Prosperity? Mapping Worldviews of Global Environmental Change," explores diverse perspectives on environmental challenges. While some foresee long-term cosmic dangers, environmentalists warn of immediate crises like climate change, deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss, disproportionately impacting the poor. Key questions revolve around the causes, severity, global responses, regional differences, and political/economic connections of these issues. A holistic approach is crucial for effective solutions and resource allocation.

Four main worldviews offer different approaches:

Four Environmental Worldviews

  • Market Liberals: Advocate for economic growth, guided by neoclassical economics, believing that wealth generates the resources needed for environmental improvement. They support market mechanisms like environmental taxes and tradable permits.

  • Institutionalists: Emphasize stronger global cooperation and institutional frameworks to manage environmental problems, citing failures like the 2009 Copenhagen summit. They advocate for international agreements and aid to developing countries.

  • Bioenvironmentalists: Grounded in scientific concerns about exceeding Earth's carrying capacity, they view population and consumption growth as critical threats (neo-Malthusian). They see globalization as harmful and advocate for curbing economic growth.

  • Social Greens: Link environmental crises to social injustice, inequality, and economic globalization. They often critique capitalism and advocate for radical systemic changes, local autonomy, and ecological justice.

Summary of Perspectives

  • Market Liberals: See no global environmental crisis, trusting economic growth.

  • Institutionalists: Believe a crisis is avoidable through enhanced global cooperation.

  • Bioenvironmentalists: Acknowledge an ecological crisis due to exceeding Earth's capacity.

  • Social Greens: Frame environmental issues as intertwined with social injustices, exacerbated by globalization.

Understanding these varied perspectives is essential for navigating complex global environmental discussions and developing informed views on sustainable pathways.