Scheidel Arnim, Temper Leah, Demaria Federico, Martínez-Alier Joan
1International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), The Hague, The Netherlands.
2Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.
Sustain Sci. 2018;13(3):585-598. doi: 10.1007/s11625-017-0519-0. Epub 2017 Dec 13.
Can ecological distribution conflicts turn into forces for sustainability? This overview paper addresses in a systematic conceptual manner the question of why, through whom, how, and when conflicts over the use of the environment may take an active role in shaping transitions toward sustainability. It presents a conceptual framework that schematically maps out the linkages between (a) patterns of (unsustainable) social metabolism, (b) the emergence of ecological distribution conflicts, (c) the rise of environmental justice movements, and (d) their potential contributions for sustainability transitions. The ways how these four processes can influence each other are multi-faceted and often not a foretold story. Yet, ecological distribution conflicts can have an important role for sustainability, because they relentlessly bring to light conflicting values over the environment as well as unsustainable resource uses affecting people and the planet. Environmental justice movements, born out of such conflicts, become key actors in politicizing such unsustainable resource uses, but moreover, they take sometimes also radical actions to stop them. By drawing on creative forms of mobilizations and diverse repertoires of action to effectively reduce unsustainabilities, they can turn from 'victims' of environmental injustices into 'warriors' for sustainability. But when will improvements in sustainability be lasting? By looking at the overall dynamics between the four processes, we aim to foster a more systematic understanding of the dynamics and roles of ecological distribution conflicts within sustainability processes.
生态分布冲突能否转化为可持续发展的动力？这篇综述文章以系统的概念方式探讨了一个问题，即为何、通过谁、如何以及何时围绕环境使用的冲突会在塑造向可持续发展的转型过程中发挥积极作用。它提出了一个概念框架，概要地勾勒出（a）（不可持续的）社会新陈代谢模式、（b）生态分布冲突的出现、（c）环境正义运动的兴起以及（d）它们对可持续发展转型的潜在贡献之间的联系。这四个过程相互影响的方式是多方面的，而且往往并非是可预见的。然而，生态分布冲突对可持续发展可能具有重要作用，因为它们无情地揭示了围绕环境的冲突价值观以及影响人类和地球的不可持续资源利用方式。源于此类冲突的环境正义运动成为将此类不可持续资源利用政治化的关键行动者，但此外，它们有时也会采取激进行动来制止这些行为。通过采用创造性的动员形式和多样的行动方式来有效减少不可持续性，它们能够从环境不公正的“受害者”转变为可持续发展的“勇士”。但是，可持续性的改善何时会持久呢？通过审视这四个过程之间的整体动态关系，我们旨在促进对生态分布冲突在可持续发展过程中的动态和作用形成更系统的理解。
