ENVGEO362 Lecture 1 Fall 2024 PDF

Natural resource management 1. Introduction Review of – Course syllabus – Textbook and additional readings What are natural resources? = aspects of the natural environment that we value and use to produce goods and services How do we label different types of resources? * renewable vs non-renewa...

Natural resource management 1. Introduction Review of – Course syllabus – Textbook and additional readings What are natural resources? = aspects of the natural environment that we value and use to produce goods and services How do we label different types of resources? * renewable vs non-renewable: – regenerate vs cannot be regenerated in short periods of time – renewable resources can give continual benefits if managed well (vs poor management e.g. erosion, pollution, … can change a renewable resource into a non-renewable one) * mobile vs non-mobile: – mobile resource management is often complicated * ownership of resources: privately owned vs government owned vs common property... Question Evaluate how responsibly you (on a personal level) are using natural resources at present. 1) Choose between the following options: very responsible – somewhat responsible – not very responsible – not at all responsible 2) Provide arguments/examples to explain your choice. Natural resource management: a definition? Example 1: Natural resource management is the management of natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals, with a particular focus on how management affects the quality of life for both present and future generations (stewardship). … Natural resource management specifically focuses on a scientific and technical understanding of resources and ecology and the life- supporting capacity of those resources. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resource_management (Note: please don’t use this as your main / only source of information...) Natural resource management: a definition? Example 2: Natural resource management is about people managing landscapes to sustain the needs and values of communities, within the biophysical limits of our natural systems. This becomes a balance between maintaining, restoring and protecting landscapes and how we use them to support people’s aspirations.... Natural resource management also recognises that environmental and social conditions are constantly changing. Therefore, we need access to the best available knowledge and to help communities adapt to change in ways that support their long-term well-being. Source: https://www.nrc.nsw.gov.au/ Natural resource management: a definition? Example 3: “Committed to improving the quality of life of Canadians by ensuring the country’s abundant natural resources are developed sustainably, competitively and inclusively.” Source: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/home Case study on conflict and uncertainty Ontario’s Ring of Fire: 5,000 km2 of “critical” minerals: chromite, cobalt, nickel, copper, platinum Source: https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/Beneath_the_Surface_web-1.pdf Case study on conflict and uncertainty PROS ? – “critical minerals like these play a role in the future of low- and zero-emission vehicles and transportation, and help support the transition to a cleaner, sustainable global economy.” Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-ring-fire Note: Key minerals in an EV battery? See: https://www.mining.com/web/the-key-minerals-in-an-ev-battery/ – “creating jobs, generating revenue, building infrastructure, bringing prosperity to communities across the north, including First Nation communities” Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-ring-fire Case study on conflict and uncertainty CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL CONFLICT ? – high investments needed: very remote, no permanent roads, very boggy – some First Nations in favour of development, others very concerned (due to lack of consultation, potential impact on their hunting lands etc.) – located in the James Bay Lowlands: peatlands aka “breathing lands”: large complex of wetlands, store carbon (more than forests); disturbance might release significant amounts of carbon Source: https://wwf.ca/stories/protecting-the-breathing-lands/ Case study on conflict and uncertainty STAKEHOLDERS ? – mining companies looking for deposits (not mining as yet) e.g. Wyloo (holding the majority of mining claims in the area) – provincial government (Ontario) – federal government – First Nations (e.g. Webequie and Marten Falls) At present, environmental assessments are happening e.g. regarding potential permanent roads to the Ring of Fire. Also, exploration activity is underway. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-ring-fire https://globalnews.ca/news/10573072/first-nations-deal-ontario-ring-of-fi re/ Natural resource management: a complex Canadian context Resource extraction has played (and still plays) a large role in the development as a nation, and many specific settlements. Examples: – fur trade in Quebec, Ontario, prairie provinces,... – fisheries in the Maritimes (e.g. cod) and the West Coast,... – forestry in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, New Brunswick, British Columbia,... – tar sands nowadays in Alberta, natural gas in Saskatchewan and other provinces,... Source: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/mb/yorkfactory Natural resource management: a complex Canadian context Ownership, proprietary rights: – provinces: all Crown lands and natural resources not given to private ownership – federal government: north of 60 degrees (until territories are equivalent to provinces), sea beds within Canadian coastal waters Legislative authority: Also a potential source of conflict (federal – provincial – municipalities) e.g. water within provinces falls under the jurisdiction of the provinces, but the federal government can set water pollution targets Natural resource management: a complex Canadian context Aboriginal groups: – section 35 of the 1982 Constitution Act formerly recognized the treaties and rights of aboriginal peoples – this implies that aboriginal peoples have special collective rights outside of the framework of provincial/federal resource legislation (e.g. rights of aboriginal peoples to fish out of season) – gives aboriginal demands validity to participate in resource management decisions Source: https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca /landmark-agreement-signed-over -ring-of-fire-1.6184408 Natural resource management: a complex Canadian context Interest groups: – promoters: those for it usually want less regulation, streamline for economic growth and profit – conservationists: those against it usually want regulations, control, avoid wasteful exploitation – technologists: those on the side Agree with resource management, but through best management practices. This mix of interests and perspectives gives potential for conflict Natural resource management: a complex Canadian context Other competing interests, factors: – the issue-attention cycle (see textbook p. 19) – globalization: some aspects are “bigger” than Canada, e.g. through trade agreements – economic crises/downturns Conflict and uncertainty Conflict: As can be seen in many cases (e.g. the Ring of Fire project, pipeline construction …), a major natural resource development project can be very complex, full of conflict and uncertainty. Much of natural resource management involves conflict, yet not all conflict is the same. There are 4 potential types of conflict in this context; resource management should be aware of (causes of) different types of conflict and recognize them; being aware of the causes of conflict is a first step towards developing a solution. 4 types of conflict (relevant to natural resource management), see Dorcey 1986 (textbook p. 13-14). Conflict and uncertainty 4 types of conflict (relevant to natural resource management): – conflict at the cognitive level: results from different understandings of a situation (e.g. because of different data collection, different analysis of the data...) – conflict regarding values: results from different judgements about the ends to be achieved (e.g. protection of individual species vs ecosystem, e.g. environmental protection vs job creation,...) – interest-based conflict: conflict because of different interests regarding responsibility for costs (the distribution of benefits and costs) – conflict because of behavioural aspects: e.g. because of previous and ongoing relationships among those involved in the conflict, lack of communication, mistrust... Question A very contemporary example of these types of conflict can be seen in how countries try to come to a global agreement on how to combat climate change (e.g. the 2015 Paris Agreement: an international treaty covering climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance). Give examples of how these 4 types of conflict (can) play a role in this context. One hint: the US withdrew from the agreement in 2020 (but rejoined in 2021). Conflict and uncertainty Uncertainty: In most situations imperfect knowledge or understanding exists in resource management; e.g. many aspects of ecosystems are not (fully) understood by humans. Nevertheless, decisions must be taken (so, without knowing the full implications or consequences of these decisions). uncertainty ≠ risk Risk: when the behaviour of a system is basically known and the probability of various outcomes can be defined and quantified, e.g. knowing the flood risk for a specific location in a river basin with a long hydrological record. How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices Desirable attributes when a resource or environmental issue is COMPLEX ECOSYSTEM being managed: 1. Vision uncertainty 2. Legitimacy CONTEXT 3. Systems perspective NATURAL 4. Adaptive RESOURCES management 5. Partnerships 6. Impact and risk conflict assessment MANY STAKEHOLDERS 7. Communication How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices 1. VISION = identified desirable future condition (achievable and ideally endorsed by as many stakeholders as possible); and then determine decisions that need to be made between now and then (= backcasting) A vision based on what concept(s)? * Sustainable development = development meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987) * or: Resilience: the ability to cope with shocks and keep functioning in much the same kind of way. Example: “ruimte voor de rivieren”, Netherlands https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=133&v=cCAHgSMauY E&feature=emb_logo How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices 2. LEGITIMACY = to allow outcomes to be achieved, to facilitate the implementation of goals and objectives - Political support - Statutory or legislative base - Explicit and specific administrative arrangements - Financial resources - Widespread support across the continuum of stakeholders The more of these in place, the more credibility and legitimacy. How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices 3. SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE = holistic perspective Different resource agencies can better harmonize respective activities to support rather than conflict each other (compare: a road that is resurfaced by one agency and shortly after that is dug up to replace aging sewerage...) Challenge: identify the appropriate spatial unit for management political/administrative units vs. ecological systems spatial units (typical example: water management per river basin, cfr. Conservation Authorities in Ontario) How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices 4. ADAPTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Resource managers should try to resolve each problem in the spirit of a rigorous experiment (to cope with uncertainty)  “failures” generate new information and insight, leading to new knowledge (Holling et al.) This also leads to more resilience (by learning how to adjust and adapt). How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices 5. PARTNERSHIPS Collaboration can improve decisions through: exchanging information, modifying activities in light of other’s needs, sharing resources, joint decision-making and collective responsibility Challenges: - public agencies often have legal responsibilities and functions (not easy to delegate and still be legally accountable) - Achieving common vision or consensus: often a lengthy process, build respect and trust; not possible to accommodate all interests and needs ( winners and losers) Example: co-management How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices 6. IMPACT AND RISK ASSESSMENT Impact assessment: give consideration to possible negative environmental impacts of proposed policies, plans and projects; consider all of the implications (economic + environmental + social) of any possible initiative/decision Risk assessment: determine the probability of a negative event and the costs of mitigating the consequences Precautionary principle: when risks exist for serious or irreversible damage to the environment, lack of full scientific certainty regarding the extent or possibility of risk shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation (--> err on the side of caution). How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices 7. COMMUNICATION Planners, managers and decision-makers should improve the likelihood of all the stakeholders understanding the problems, opportunities, limitations... How to address conflict and uncertainty: best practices Desirable attributes when a resource or environmental issue is COMPLEX ECOSYSTEM being managed: 1. Vision uncertainty 2. Legitimacy CONTEXT 3. Systems perspective NATURAL 4. Adaptive RESOURCES management 5. Partnerships 6. Impact and risk conflict assessment MANY STAKEHOLDERS 7. Communication Natural resources and worldview Statement to be discussed: "The Judeo-Christian tradition was the cause of our ecological crisis.” (based on the article “the historical roots of our ecological crisis”, by Lynn White, 1967) Guiding questions: – Why do Christians often fail when it comes to creation care? – Which verses in the Bible are central when it comes to creation care? Natural resources and worldview Documents: a) Christians and the Environment: How Should Christians Think about the Environment? (Part 1 authored by Calvin B. DeWitt) http://www.equip.org/article/christians-and-the-environment-how-should-c hristians-think-about-the-environment/ b) Christian Reformed Church Position statements https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/position-statements/creation-care Natural resources and worldview 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. Source: Biblegateway.com Genesis 1-2 (mis)interpreted? Natural resources and worldview Can environmental degradation really be limited to one culture or one religion? Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/03/ how-climate-change-covered-china-in-smog/520197/ Source: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of- change/AralSea Natural resources and worldview Romans 8 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Source: Biblegateway.com - All of creation cries out: the redemptive purposes of Christ are not limited to humankind, but all creation. - As Christians we must play an active role in the redemption of creation, fulfill our call to be stewards, including in natural resource and environmental management