18th July 2024 (13 Topics)
UNEP Foresight Report: Private Micro-environmentalism May Worsen Socio-economic Inequalities, Burden Resources
Context
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.
PYQQ1. With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: (2022) 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside. 3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution: (b)
Q2. Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC): (2017)
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Solution: (b) |
UPSC Mains Questions
Q. "Discuss the socio-economic implications of unequal access to natural resources in India."
Courses
Study
Notes
Home
Resources
More
