Debt vs. Localization: Climate Justice in the New Economy

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:



Debt vs. Localization: Climate Justice in the New Economy
David Korten: Where does the concept of "climate debt" fit into a New Economy framework?

by David Korten
posted May 12, 2010


As the climate changes, the consequences for poor people in low-income countries—those who have had no part in the profligate consumption that created the problem—will be particularly devastating. This fact is bringing climate justice to the fore of the agenda for many progressive groups that deal with international issues. But even among those groups, all proposals for dealing equitably with the climate crisis are not equal. The differences between them highlight an important contrast between Old Economy and New Economy perspectives.

That difference is highlighted by blogs on the issue by two progressive friends and colleagues I greatly admire. A blog by Naomi Klein titled "Climate Rage" spells out the Old Economy’s “climate debt” take on climate justice. A blog by Gustavo Esteva with Juliette Beck, titled "Let's See Ourselves," presents a New Economy take that focuses on localization. The contrast between the perspectives brings to mind the wisdom of Albert Einstein, who observed that a problem cannot be solved within the same conceptual frame that created it.

The underlying values and intention of the two perspectives are much the same: Both recognize the seriousness of climate change and the need for decisive action to address the unjust burden that it imposes on the poor. The solutions they put forward, however, are strikingly different. I urge you to read both articles with the following observations in mind.

The climate debt approach calculates the economic cost, for poor people in poor countries, of the climate disruptions caused by profligate consumption in rich countries and demands compensating financial payment. The moral case is clear and unassailable, but by framing both the problem and the solution in financial terms, it embraces an Old Economy frame in which money is the defining value, power is conceded to those who control money's creation and allocation, and the remediation of environmental damage is simply a financial issue. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/david-korten/debt-vs-localization-climate-justice-in-the-new-economy