UNEP Foresight Report: Private Micro-environmentalism May Worsen Socio-economic Inequalities, Burden Resources

Privatised micro-environmentalism may exacerbate social and economic inequalities and deepen polarisation, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its 2024 report titled "Navigating New Horizons: A Global Foresight Report on Planetary Health and Human Wellbeing."

Key Highlights of the Report

• Commoditisation of Nature: The report predicts increasing commoditisation of nature and ecosystem services, leading to wealth concentration among the wealthy.
• Private Access and Enclosures: Privatised environmentalism involves creating private access to enclosed and sometimes artificial habitats, providing stable ecosystems to high-paying members.
• Human Rights Impact: This trend threatens the concept of environmental justice, limiting fair and equal access to nature-based quality of life and disrupting shared responsibility for conservation efforts.

Socio-economic Inequalities

• Wealth Concentration: Privatised micro-environmentalism may lead to further concentration of wealth among the affluent, as access to exclusive natural environments becomes a status symbol.
• Access to Nature: Lower-income groups may find themselves increasingly excluded from natural spaces, exacerbating existing socio-economic divides.
• Increased Polarisation: The disparity in access to natural resources can deepen social and economic polarisation, leading to increased tension and reduced social cohesion.

Environmental Impact

• Resource Burden: The creation and maintenance of private, exclusive ecosystems require substantial resources and energy, contributing to resource depletion and increased pollution.
• Neglect of Natural Ecosystems: Focus on artificial and enclosed environments can divert efforts and resources away from conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, leading to further environmental degradation.
• Pollution Increase: High resource demands for maintaining these private ecosystems can lead to more pollution, exacerbating the overall environmental crisis.

Measures to Address Issues

• Inclusive Conservation Efforts: Ensuring that conservation benefits are accessible to all socio-economic groups is crucial for equitable environmental stewardship.
• Sustainable Resource Management: Implementing sustainable resource management practices can prevent resource depletion and reduce pollution associated with private ecosystems.
• Public Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of collective responsibility in environmental stewardship can foster a sense of shared duty towards conservation and sustainable living.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. "Discuss the socio-economic implications of unequal access to natural resources in India."