If you want to make enemies, try to change something Dr. Woodrow Wilson

Transcription

1 If you want to make enemies, try to change something Dr. Woodrow Wilson Slide courtesy: Giampietro, Summer School 2004

2 A scientist s dilemma after the tsunami Challenges for sustainability science Simron Jit Singh Institute for Social Ecology, University of Klagenfurt, Vienna

3 Social metabolism meaning that societies organize (similar to organisms) material and energy flows with their natural environment: they extract primary resources and use them for food, machines, buildings, infrastructure, heating and many other products and finally return them, with more or less delay, in the form of wastes and emissions to their environments.

4 Basic epistemological model of society-nature interactions natural sphere of causation Ecosystem metabolism Society s biophysical compartment humans, livestock, artefacts, labour communication, economic transactions Socioeconomic system cultural sphere of causation material world human society Fischer-Kowalski & Weisz, Advances in Human Ecology 8, 215.

5 Social metabolism MFA model FHF Air, Water Water Vapour Imports Exports Immigrants Economic Processing Emigrants TMR DMI DE DPO Stocks TDO DHF DHF Domestic Environment Source: WRI., 2000 (slightly modified)

6 1 Port Blair ANDAMAN S NICOBARS 24 Islands (1841km²) 12 Inhabited Indian territory Population (65% tribal) (pre-tsunami) Protected by the tribal regulation act since 1956

7

8

9 Extracts from my notes

10 From my notes, 1999

11 Material Flows on Trinket (tons/cap/yr) IMPORTS 0.35 EXPORT S 2.4 Minerals 0.2 Biomass 0.1 Fossil fuels 0.04 Products 0.01 INPUT S 5.8 Biomass 2.3 Minerals 3.5 DMI 6.2 DMC 3.8 Socio-economic System and its Physical Compartments Human Population Livestock population Artefacts (huts, government buildings, wells, boats, pathways, etc.) OUTPUTS Sand 2.3 Copra 0.13 * All data in tons per capita/yr * Domestic Environment includes the coast of Trinket Deliberat e disposal Wastes, emissions

12 Energy Flows on Trinket (GJ/cap/yr) IMPORTS 8.9 DEI 39 DEC 35 EXPORTS 3.5 Biomass 1.1 Fossil Fuels 7.8 DOMESTI CEXT. 30 Biomass 3.7 Biomass 17 Biomass 6.2 Solar 0.09 Fuelwood 3.0 PRIMAR YENERG Y Food Processing 2.82 Livestoc k Copra Production Solar Panels FINAL ENERGY Human Nutrition Electricit y Diesel Fuelwoo d USEFUL ENERG Y Human Labour Light Mechanical Energy Proces s Energy OUTPUT S Part of this Work Applied alters the Environme nt Heat Dissipated or lost Copra 3.5 Heat Dissipated & Outflows of Energy Rich Materials Heat Dissipated & Outflows of Energy Rich Materials

13 From my field diary

14 The tsunami of 2004 changed the order of things

15 28th December, 2004 Central Nicobar entirely washed out; do something as soon as possible was Rasheed s desperate message. Map Schueler

16 Map Schueler From my field diary, 21st Jan. 2005

17 Disaster strikes. Hundreds and thousands die. Aid organisations from the world over rush to the scene. Billions are donated. Much is at stake. The situation is shrouded in chaos. The ignorance about the affected place and the people, together with the fact that a lot of money must be spent in a short time with practically little information, leaves everyone negotiating their own moment of truth. The situation is a nebulous ball clouded in mystery.

18 While on the one hand the situation would greatly benefit with professional help, on the other, professional help carries with it a certain coldness and objectivity so inappropriate in a context drenched with human suffering. It hurt me greatly to observe how a non-routine traumatic experience is juxtaposed with a routinised, sometimes to the point of callousness, attitude of relieving this suffering Singh, S.J. (2006): Cultural choices in the aftermath of the tsunami

19 2 Aid for rehabilitation of the islands Most rehabilitation work is state controlled (direct or indirect) NGOs compelled to contribute to infrastructure & material costs and not so much involvement in processes! cash compensation (for missing/dead, crop & land loss, household articles)! free supply of rations (free food)! permanent housing + facilities + boats! revival of basic services (edu, health)! cash for work scheme in agriculture! intensification of welfare schemes (for orphans, widows, old-age, handicapped)

20 It is not the time to think...it is time to act!! For years the Nicobarese had participated in my scientific agenda, helping me to learn about their islands. Now they had questions, and wanted my participation

21 The dilemma of field work Field work is a process where two logics come together, of creative misunderstandings one driven by the culture of science (generating objective knowledge, theoretical advancements), and the other may be a culture of strong personal / human relationships (trust, obligation, reciprocity).

22 The dilemma of field work In anthropological research, stepping into another culture (to draw on a body of knowledge) may give the impression of us accepting their cultural logic and (unspoken) societal rules This can be misleading unless expectations are clarified at the outset. But then we may risk losing their participation if the terms of trade are not mutually beneficial ( I have an agenda, please participate! )

23 Which way? A constant tension Science Knowledge production, theory development, publications (language, selfreferential, seemingly objective) Expert Understanding realworld situation and suggesting practical solutions (different language, interplay with power & deal with conflicts

24 From my field diary

25 Development or new sustainability problems?

26 Development or new sustainability problems? Social! impact on the political structure, change in preference of leadership! Nick name: tsunami captain the once who can use incoming aid for their own benefit (change in land ownership, black market, etc.)! social stratification on the rise! disintegration of the joint family system Social conflicts! increase in the number of household and intergenerational conflicts (over money and land)! Polarization between traditional values and material/consumption orientation

27 The metabolic trap DMC Extraction Metric tonnes/cap Fundamental change - high workload Aid Socially frustrating t

28 Nicobar Island as a case of complex disaster?! The original affluence of the Nicobarese with their limited wants and unlimited means seems to be replaced by a condition of unlimited wants and insufficient means; from abundance to scarcity.! The Nicobarese now tread on a ceaseless quest to overcome a state of permanent scarcity, the starting point of all modern economic activity.! For the moment we can only observe the hopelessness of the Nicobarese with their bourgeois impulses and Palaeolithic tools as they attempt to pull themselves out of a complex disaster.

29 From my field diary