Towards A ‘Just Transition’
BY PHILIP MAXSON
The tendency to commit to a one-size-fits-all approach has informed conservation initiatives that will, as a consequence, fail to achieve their desired results. Instead, conservationists must look to create a just and equitable future for conservation— one that prioritizes the well-being of Indigenous peoples and local communities and addresses the shortcomings of past projects.
BY GIHAN ELHADIDY
Climate change is known to have a detrimental effect on women, as they account for the majority of the world’s poor, are more reliant on natural resources that are affected by climate change, as well as the social, economic and political barriers that hamper their ability to cope. These effects are more intense in conflict-ridden regions like parts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Yet, the gender, climate, and conflict nexus in the Middle East has not received sufficient attention. Women can play a crucial role in ushering in a just transition by engaging them in environmental peacebuilding, a conflict resolution theory arguing that despite conflict, communities that come together to protect common natural resources, can also build a foundation for peace.
BY CARTER HANSON
The green energy transition has two components, politics and policy, and climate change mitigation must engage both to be effective. The challenge is not a shortage of policy solutions, which are abundant, but the election of climate-conscious governments and, therefore, the expansion of local support for mitigation policy. Bottom-up activism and persuasion are essential to shifting public will, but these strategies must harmonize with top-down policy solutions. For this reason, justice must be treated as the essential political imperative of the sustainable transition.
On Wednesday, Nov 8, SAIS Perspectives hosted an event to launch our 2023-2024 theme: “Towards a Just Transition”. We were honored to welcome Chen-Chen Tung and Shiyana Gunasekara, two SAIS alumni, to speak about their careers and to answer questions from the audience. Johannes Urpelainen, SAIS Professor of Energy, Resources and Environment and the founding director of the Initiative for Sustainable Energy Policy, led the panel discussion.
BY MARILEN MARTIN
As Poland grapples with the necessity of a comprehensive and equitable phase-out strategy for coal workers, it also has to mitigate the high economic and social costs of delay. The recent elections in Poland present a unique window of opportunity for a more near-term pivot towards renewable energy sources. If Poland’s opposition parties move the energy transition forward with more urgency, they could foster a more just and sustainable future that takes into account the long-term welfare of the entire population.
BY NOAH MARTIN
Maharashtra, the second most populous Indian state and the third largest in land area, has enormous potential for solar energy capacity that could include all customers in the green transition. However, in order to avoid the vicious cycle of the “utility death spiral” among customers and electricity suppliers, access to solar panels must be rethought.
BY SOPHIE EGAR & JOSEPH BOUCHARD
Beyond the Amazon region lies Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest. Despite the remarkable biodiversity and ecological importance, less than 10 percent of the Atlantic Rainforest’s original cover now remains. Located within this region is Minas Gerais, a state with deep ties to the mining industry. While mining in this state has been profitable, its success has not been achieved without substantial detriment to the environment. Nor have the local communities shared equally in the generated wealth and power. The Brazilian government has contributed to the negative impacts on local communities through its poor helmsmanship of mine licensing.
BY ANNE-CHARLOTTE FROTTÉ
Native American Tribes have long faced energy insecurity, with about 14% of Tribal households having no access to electricity. Meanwhile, Tribal lands account for around 6.5% of the United States’ renewable energy potential. This article will evaluate the benefits of select cases where tribes have actively engaged in the creation of renewable energy projects, shedding light on the path towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient future. It will also discuss the challenges facing Native-led renewable projects and call for further reform.
BY XINGYU PU
Among the various mechanisms available to countries seeking to restructure their debt, a distinctive approach intertwines debt relief with specific development objectives. This approach is embodied by the debt-for-nature swap (DNS) process, which has garnered widespread attention at the global level. At its core, the DNS embodies the notion of using debt relief to champion environmental conservation and sustainable development, and has the potential to simultaneously address global inequality and promote environmental justice.
BY EVELYN DAN EPELLE
Language as a crucial aspect of culture can become exclusionary. An example is how pertinent climate adaptation and mitigation information has become increasingly inaccessible to indigenous populations. Indigenous people, who have long been stewards of their lands and ecosystems, possess unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural practices that can also contribute significantly to successful global climate action. This piece will explore accessible solutions to challenges in climate communication.
