An alternative economy: justice between the environmental and economic aspects
Our region is by no means isolated from the biggest challenge facing our planet… climate change. On the contrary, we are experiencing the effects of this crisis every day, such as the extreme forest fires we have been witnessing recently. The urgency in addressing this crisis requires immediate intervention and raising important questions against the backdrop of environmental ideas and movements happening all around the world.
The COVID-19 crisis has shown us that our current system does not prioritize environmental issues and does not appreciate the depth of their consequences on health and the economy. Capitalism is an economic system that prioritizes profits with little regard to the totality of the needs of individuals and broader groups. What we need today is an economic model that places the needs of people and the environment above narrow economic interests, and raises the importance of health services and the preservation of life. What we aspire to, and is urgently necessary, is an “alternative economy” that is sustainable and depends on clean and renewable energy, and which prioritizes public health.
Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, along with the Arab Forum for Alternatives, raised these topics in a series of webinars that were held during the months of March and April 2021 in which they discussed the challenges and principles of a just and sustainable economic recovery in the region in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinars gathered a number of academics, economists, politicians and social activists representing different organizations and stakeholders.
A series of research papers which tackle the subject comprehensively have been drafted in conclusion. We put these papers in your hands, and we hope that in reaching decision-makers and opening up new spaces for discussion, we can soon implement the plans to see them through. To view the research papers: “A Region in Danger: Justice between Environmental and Economic Aspects”, click here (content is available in Arabic).
The Alternative Economy: Justice between the Environmental and Economic Aspects” Research papers
The series of webinars organized by Greenpeace and the Arab Forum for Alternatives around “An alternative economy: justice between the environmental and economic aspects” have been concluded with a series of comprehensive academic papers around the subject.
We put these papers in your hands, and we hope that, in reaching decision-makers and opening up new spaces for discussion we can see these ideas through.
Introduction: "Environment and Justice in the Arab World"
There is an integrated interrelationship between preserving the environment and ensuring social and economic...
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Chapter I: Social and climate justice in the context of urban planning in the Arab region
Ibn Khaldun considers that urbanization is "what the country ages and improves the situation...
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Chapter II: Water resources and social and environmental justice
Water is an essential "weapon" to keep up with various political, economic and human rights issues...
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Chapter III: Industrial development from a social and environmental justice perspective
Individuals have worked hard to become the fundamental pillar of the system of laws and...
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Chapter IV: energy sovereignty between environment and social justice: the cases of Egypt, Algeria and Irak
No man can deny or ignore climate change and its implications, particularly on the economic, social, and environmental life...
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Biodiversity from a climate and social justice perspective
Biodiversity includes all living beings on Earth and their interaction with each other...
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Chapter VI: Food sovereignty and environmental violations: The case of Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco
Environmental damage, Liberal growth policies in the agricultural sector, exploitation of resources, destruction of the environment, heavy use of chemicals…
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Conclusion: summary and outlook
Human societies have a close relationship with ecosystems and economic and tourism growth which has led to resource depletion and environmental...
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