Parallel Sessions III

D) Environment and Human Rights (Organisers: Wuppertal Institute, germany)

Conveners:

Bernd Brouns, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Energy, Environment, Germany
Wolfgang Sachs, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Energy, Environment, Germany

Chair:

Hermann E. Ott, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Germany

Speakers:

Hannah Owusu-Koranteng , Wassa Association of Communities affected by Mining (WACAM), Ghana
Lyla Mehta , Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, U.K.
Wolfgang Sachs , Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Energy, Environment, Germany
Bernd Brouns, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Energy, Environment, Germany

Abstract:

The panel is designed to develop the theme of international environmental justice as a human rights issue. First, it explores typical situations in which patterns of resource use come into conflict with livelihood rights. In particular, looking at conflicts around resource extraction (e.g. gold mining), water scarcity, and over-use of the atmosphere (e.g. effects of climate change), the panel will focus on the collision between the wants of a transnational consumer class and the needs of nature-dependent local communities in the global periphery. To whom belong natural resources such as water, land, and vegetation? This question looms large behind innumerable conflicts and crises of livelihood. Furthermore, the panel will contrast a human security approach that places local resource conflicts in a global security agenda with a human rights approach that places such conflicts in an environmental justice framework.

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