With the constant threat of climate change looming over the world, there is a need for a proposal that can adequately deal with climate change. Current measures seem inadequate to deal with climate...Show moreWith the constant threat of climate change looming over the world, there is a need for a proposal that can adequately deal with climate change. Current measures seem inadequate to deal with climate change. Therefore, a radical change is needed and this can be achieved through degrowth and sufficientarianism. This thesis finds that implementing degrowth in combination with sufficientarianism is better equipped to deal with climate change and the distributional issues it raises, than other proposals such as green growth. Degrowth makes sure that we abide by the earth’s ecological ceiling, while sufficientarianism ensures that everyone has enough and that current resources will be justly distributed.Show less
The study covers the topic of sustainable development and the tourism industry in Egypt with a special focus on environmental degradation. The overarching research question for the study is ‘How...Show moreThe study covers the topic of sustainable development and the tourism industry in Egypt with a special focus on environmental degradation. The overarching research question for the study is ‘How does the tourism industry affect sustainable development in Egypt?’ Three case studies were used in order to demonstrate how the industry has affected the environment of the Red Sea. Based on the analysis of the case studies conclusions have been drawn concerning the effect on environmental degradation and how this subsequently affect the other two areas of sustainable development, social and economic development, in the long – term. The results of the paper show that the tourism industry, although it may have short – term positive social and economic effects, have long – term overall negative effects. The focus on long – term development here is critical for this conclusion, since sustainable development implies long – term development through which the current generation can fulfil their needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to fulfil theirs. If the tourism industry continues their current practices of environmental degradation, it will destroy the very environment on which the industry relies for many of its activities but also the very environment on which humanity relies. Environmental degradation of the Red Sea in particular also affects the fishing industry which is another important sector of the Egyptian economy. A loss of revenue both within the sector itself, and other economic sectors relying on the environment may lead to increased unemployment and thus a decrease in general social well – being. This demonstrates how the tourism industry can have long – term negative economic and social effects on the society as a whole. Lastly, the discussion brings up the issue that political instability causes to the tourism sector and the relationship between them. A faltering tourism industry as a result of environmental degradation can contribute to further political unrest due to increased environmental and economic difficulties, thus creating a vicious cycle of negative effects. This clearly demonstrates the importance of developing sustainable practices within the tourism industry, not just for economic reasons within the industry, but for the stability of the Egyptian society as a whole.Show less
This research provides a comparison and analysis of the economic growth in China and Vietnam with a focus on the environmental aspect so that Vietnam can learn from China's experiences. The...Show moreThis research provides a comparison and analysis of the economic growth in China and Vietnam with a focus on the environmental aspect so that Vietnam can learn from China's experiences. The research found four key aspects important for environmental-friendly economic growth. The first aspect is environmental policies, which need the right implementation and enforcement to work properly. The second aspect is the energy mix, that needs to be diverse with enough forms of renewable energy. With the share of renewable energy growing in the mix, both the energy demand and the environment will benefit. The third aspect FDI raises the human capital level, which has a positive effect on innovation of production processes and a sustainable economy. Lastly, there is ASEAN which promotes regional cooperation in the field of environmental sustainability, to tackle regional cross-border problems. The right implementation of these four aspects is the key to environmentally friendly growth in Vietnam.Show less
This thesis examines the role of the environment in the artworks of Dan Graham and Olafur Eliasson in Inhotim Institute of Contemporary Art and Botanical Gardens, in Brazil. This is done from the...Show moreThis thesis examines the role of the environment in the artworks of Dan Graham and Olafur Eliasson in Inhotim Institute of Contemporary Art and Botanical Gardens, in Brazil. This is done from the perspective of Environmental Aesthetics, which is the theoretical frame that allows the consideration of the environment not only as a subject matter for contemporary art. Rather, the important contributions of philosopher Arnold Berleant and Allen Carlson in the field, acknowledge our understanding and engagement with the environment as intrinsic elements of the aesthetic experience. Therefore, this thesis looks not only to the materiality of Dan Graham’s Bisected triangle, Interior curve (2002), and Olafur Eliasson’s Viewing Machine (2001-2003). It also sees the constitution of the relationship between the viewer, the artworks and the environment in Inhotim Institute as constituent parts of how we perceive them. By emphasizing the active relationality in/with the environment, the scope of this research is extended beyond the traditional foundations of aesthetics as, for instance, the idea of the contemplation of a landscape, the subjectivity of the viewer, and the pleasure associated with beauty. Finally, this thesis shows that when perceiving natural environments in relation to art we are invited to enter a space in which our perception is always in movement between our cultural beliefs, the environmental conditions that affect us and the artwork. In engaging in/with the environment in the aesthetic experience, Dan Graham and Olafur Eliasson offer us ways of disrupting our accustomed view, enlarging our experience in the world, and bringing art closer to the everyday life.Show less
During the past couple of decades China has witnessed a gradual shift in which it increasingly prioritises the environment and climate change as important global issues whereby it subscribes itself...Show moreDuring the past couple of decades China has witnessed a gradual shift in which it increasingly prioritises the environment and climate change as important global issues whereby it subscribes itself a leading role.This thesis explored the motives behind China’s shift regarding these issues, on the basis of Chinese policy documents, and by doing so analysed what the implications are for its role in global governance. It argues that China pursues a more dominant position in global governance, as international reasons for China's policy shift are its main motivation, in contrast to less important national reasons. As China clearly uses the environment and climate change as powerful political tools for pursuing its own interest, its future national and international actions on these topics are very unreliable.Show less
Bachelor thesis | South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)
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Tolak Reklamasi Teluk Benoa”, freely translated as “reject the Benoa Bay reclamation”, is the slogan which can be seen on many posters and banners on the streets of Bali nowadays. Balinese locals...Show moreTolak Reklamasi Teluk Benoa”, freely translated as “reject the Benoa Bay reclamation”, is the slogan which can be seen on many posters and banners on the streets of Bali nowadays. Balinese locals are protesting against the Benoa Bay reclamation project, which is seen as the biggest mass tourism project in Bali. According to those who oppose the project, the reclamation endangers the physical and cultural landscape of the Balinese. Since 2013, the protest has turned into the largest civil protest, since the Reformasi era, against tourism development. Thousands of people have been protesting the $3 billion reclamation project at the offices of the Bali provincial government in Denpasar. In order to realize the Benoa Bay project, more than 700 hectares of water will be drained out of the former environmental protected zone. Many specialists argue that draining the bay will cause environmental, socio-cultural and political problems in Bali, so how and why is the project still in the running? what is the significance of the Benoa Bay reclamation project, and what are its implications?Show less
This thesis examines the incentive structures pertaining to palm oil conflicts in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The author has adopted a historical perspective in order to explain the development of the...Show moreThis thesis examines the incentive structures pertaining to palm oil conflicts in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The author has adopted a historical perspective in order to explain the development of the current ownership arrangements that are argued to foster land ownership disputes. Other themes include deepening issues involving increased resource scarcity, and negative externalities imposed by palm oil companies. Three case studies have been selected to support Abram et al.'s hypothesis that proximity to rain forests contributes to an increased likelihood in palm oil related conflicts.Show less
Much is still unknown about the relationship between the environment and childhood health during the Maya classical period. In this study two archaeological sites located in different environments,...Show moreMuch is still unknown about the relationship between the environment and childhood health during the Maya classical period. In this study two archaeological sites located in different environments, will be compared in terms of childhood health. The sites are Xcambo, which is located on the coast and the Petexbatun area, which is located on the Maya lowlands. Three skeletal lesions that only form during childhood are used and compared from adult skeletons. This includes dental hypoplasia, porotic hyperostosis, and cribra orbitalia. First the dental hypoplasia data is compared between the sites. The prevalence in the Xcambo sample was very high, 99%, only one individual did not have dental hypoplasia. Also the mean number of hypoplasias per individual per tooth was quite high; more than three for most teeth. The individuals of the Petexbatun area had a 59% prevalence of dental hypoplasia and a mean number of hypoplasias per individual per tooth less than one. This is a significant difference; the individuals of Xcambo possibly suffered from more and more severe stressful periods. The prevalence of porotic hyperostosis is also very different between the sites. From the Xcambo individuals about 19% had porotic hyperostosis, against 63 % prevalence in the Petexbatun area. The prevalence of cribra orbitalia was remarkably similar between both sites; around 16%, but preservations issues mean that the Petexbatun might not be representative, and could have been higher. There were a lot of differences between the sites in terms of childhood health. The difference in the amount and type of animal protein consumed, could be a good explanation for the difference in porotic hyperostosis. The high number of physical stresses the population of Xcambo endured during childhood, could be caused by infections, which were very common in the environment.Show less
In this thesis I examine the ethnographic record of recent arid-zone Australian hunter-gatherers to consider how prehistoric populations may have responded to climate change in similar climatic and...Show moreIn this thesis I examine the ethnographic record of recent arid-zone Australian hunter-gatherers to consider how prehistoric populations may have responded to climate change in similar climatic and ecological settings. The archaeological record of population presence and absence indicates that pulses of territorial abandonment and reoccupation correspond with periods of significant climatic variability, with the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the on-set of modern El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycles during the mid-Holocene being identified as significant periods of increased environmental stress and associated habitat abandonment. However modelling such population processes at a fine-grained level is constrained by the differential preservation of archaeological material, dating limitations, issues with chronological control at some sites, and differences in research intensity. As a result the archaeological record is unclear as to whether such population processes involved habitat tracking to more favourable areas, or alternatively resulted in extinction of local groups in areas that became unviable for continued occupation. My thesis addresses this lack of clarity by relating recent hunter-gatherer drought responses to prehistoric population process evident from the archaeological record. I start with an examination of the Arandic and Western Desert societies to provide a background for establishing how desert hunter-gather groups responded to serious drought in the recent past. I look at the cultural and economic strategies developed by these tribal groups in response to distinct but connected environments, and discuss how differences in social organisation between groups occupying distinct ecological regions shaped drought responses. I investigate the socio-cultural and behavioural mechanisms of desert hunter-gatherers that facilitated habitat tracking and develop a framework based on behavioural ecology models to consider how subsistence and mobility strategies enabled range shifts to neighbouring areas during periods of resource depletion. Where drought forced local group extinction is evident, I identify the constraining factors acting on populations that limited their capacity to respond to changing environmental conditions. I argue that water availability is the major constraint to occupation of arid environments, with access to reliable water sources and foraging areas available from water points being a precondition of occupation for both recent and prehistoric arid-zone hunter-gatherers and the main factor limiting population distribution. I propose that extensive social and economic networks linking groups, who were dependent on one another for access to water and resources, were crucial for successful occupation of the Australian desert during the historical period and relied on critical population size, particularly during periods of climatic instability. While the precise social organisation and subsistence strategies employed by prehistoric hunter-gatherer groups is invisible in the archaeological record, I hypothesise that such social and economic networks were likely equally crucial to the survival of prehistoric hunter-gatherers. In the event that critical population size dropped below the threshold for maintaining such networks, continued occupation of marginal environments was unviable.Show less
