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"Energy-Resources-Peace": Problems and Answers Remain Unclear

The degradation of natural resources and the impact of climate change together with increasing consumption, population growth and economic development pose serious threats to peace and stability – but a clear answer on how to react to this problem is still missing. Instead, a myriad of possible solutions and approaches exist, which have been discussed by nearly 100 participants during the conference "Energy-Resources-Peace", which took place on 17 September in Osnabruck. The event was organised by the German Peace Foundation, the German Environmental Foundation, the Right Livelihood Foundation and the North-Rhine-Westphalia Foundation. Speakers included several laureates of the Right Livelihood Awards as well as the German Environmental Award.
Several response strategies were mentioned during sessions, including enhanced energy efficiency, further advancements and transfer of technology, a change in lifestyle and a massive reallocation and restocking of funds for renewable energy sources. While those approaches were appreciated by most of the audience, their scope and feasibility were perceived very differently and in some parts heavily criticized. Focussing only on technological solutions, for instance, might have significant negative consequences. Several speakers highlighted bio or agro fuels in this connection. Those fuels contribute little to the reduction of carbon emissions and were even considered an "aggression against biodiversity", as Ernst-Ulrich von Weizsäcker stated. Furthermore, they could cause a sharp increase in food prices, as observed in spring 2007 in Mexico.
However, disagreement not only subsisted with regard to possible solutions, but also when it came to the identification of the core problem: While climate change was dominating the discussions in large parts, issues concerning energy (security), water (scarcity), (loss of) biodiversity and the current global trade system – such as agricultural subsidies – also featured highly during sessions. In the end, participants at least confirmed the fact that all issues require urgent action. (Achim Maas)

Further information is available at http://www.dbu.de/012007 and at http://www.bundesstiftung-friedensforschung.de/Aktuelles/dbuva/dbuva.html  

 

Published in: ECC-Newsletter, October 2007