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Chapter1 Eco Turn

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Chapter1 Eco Turn

Uploaded by

Vimalan Jay
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Chapter 1-Ecological Turn in

Development Studies

1. Development as Modernization and Its Problems

Concept: Development as modernization refers to the


belief that economic growth, technological advancements,
and industrialization are keys to progress. This paradigm
dominated the 20th century but faced criticism for its
environmental and social costs.
Key Examples:
1. The Dust Bowl (1930s, USA):
○ Over-farming and poor agricultural practices led
to massive soil erosion and dust storms in the
American Midwest.
○ Shows how short-term economic gain ignored
long-term ecological impacts.
2. The Virgin Lands Scheme (1950s, USSR):
○ A Soviet agricultural program to convert
grasslands into farmland.
○ Resulted in temporary increases in grain
production but caused severe land degradation
and erosion.
3. The Green Revolution (1950s–60s):
○ Introduced high-yield crop varieties and synthetic
fertilizers.
○ Increased food production but at the cost of soil
depletion, water scarcity, and loss of biodiversity.
4. Three Gorges Dam, China (1994–2006):
○ This hydroelectric project displaced over a million
people and caused ecological disruption.
○ A classic example of prioritizing industrial goals
over ecological balance.
5. Nuclear Arms Race (1940s–90s):
○ Highlights the environmental costs of
military-industrial pursuits, including radiation and
nuclear waste.
Problems of Modernization:

● The burning of fossil fuels since the


Climate Change:

Industrial Revolution has led to long-term temperature


increases and unpredictable weather patterns,
causing rising sea levels, intense droughts, and
biodiversity loss.
● Over-Reliance on Technology: Modernization often
prioritized short-term gains, neglecting long-term
ecological consequences.
2. Transcending the Nature-Human Dichotomy

Historically, development approaches treated humans and


nature as separate entities. This perspective has shifted,
with ecological studies emphasizing interconnectedness.
Ecological Integration:

● Humans are both shaped by and influence


ecosystems, creating a reciprocal relationship
between built environments and nature.
● Aldo Leopold’s View: In A Sand County Almanac
(1949), Leopold advocated for seeing land as a
community we belong to, promoting respectful and
sustainable use of natural resources.
Influential Thinkers and Works:

1. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (1962): Highlighted the


environmental dangers of pesticides like DDT.
2. Paul and Anne Ehrlich’s The Population Bomb
(1968): Raised concerns about overpopulation and its
strain on resources.
3. Lynne White’s Historical Roots of the Ecological
Crisis (1967): Critiqued Western Christianity for
promoting human dominance over nature.
4. Garrett Hardin’s The Tragedy of the Commons
(1968): Warned of resource overuse in shared
environments.
5. Barry Commoner’s The Closing Circle (1971):
Called for making peace with nature and repairing
environmental damage.

3. Revisiting Economic Growth

The 1972 report The Limits to Growth challenged the


assumption that unlimited economic growth is sustainable.
Using computer models, it projected ecological crises
under business-as-usual scenarios.
Key Insights:

● Predicted severe ecological


Scenario 1: Business as Usual:

crises in the 21st century due to unchecked


consumption and pollution.
● Scenario 2: Technological Interventions:
Suggested that technology could delay crises but not
eliminate underlying ecological pressures.
Can technological innovation alone solve the problems of
overconsumption, or does humanity need to fundamentally
rethink its relationship with nature?

4. Revisiting Technology
E.F. Schumacher’s Small is Beautiful (1973) introduced
the concept of intermediate technology, advocating for
solutions tailored to local needs and ecological harmony.
Key Ideas:

● Development should focus on small-scale,


human-centered technologies rather than capital- or
energy-intensive systems.
● Intermediate technologies prioritize local resources,
cultural traditions, and simplicity, making them more
accessible and sustainable for disadvantaged
communities.
Reflection for Students: How can Schumacher's ideas
be applied to address the challenges of global warming
and resource scarcity today?

5. The Sustainable Development Paradigm

The sustainable development framework emerged as a


response to the ecological and social failures of traditional
development models. It seeks to balance the needs of the
present with those of future generations.
Key Milestones:

1. 1972: UN Conference on the Human Environment


emphasized the global nature of environmental
challenges.
2. 1987: The Brundtland Report (Our Common Future)
defined sustainable development as meeting present
needs without compromising future generations.
3. 1992: The Earth Summit introduced Agenda 21, a
comprehensive action plan for sustainable practices.
4. 2015: Adoption of the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), integrating environmental, social, and
economic objectives.
Critical Question: Is sustainable development achievable
in a capitalist system that prioritizes growth over ecological
balance?

6. Political and Economic Perspectives

Development studies increasingly incorporate political and


economic analyses to address environmental challenges.
Political Ecology:

● Examines how environmental changes are shaped by


power relations, resource access, and externalities.
● Example: Disparities in urban heat distribution in Los
Angeles highlight how income levels influence
environmental vulnerability.
Economic Perspectives:

1. Mainstream Economics: Views environmental problems as


externalities caused by improper pricing. Solutions
involve market-based mechanisms like carbon
pricing.
2. Ecological Economics: Recognizes that all
resources originate from nature and that waste
returns to nature. It contrasts the "empty world"
scenario of abundant resources with the "full world"
scenario of resource limits.
.

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