Editor: Jan Weaver  

422 Tucker Hall, MU Campus

Environmental Factors Leading to Conflict: Part 2

by Jan Weaver

For the October issue, I discussed the role that loss of livelihood played in fueling conflict and how degradation of natural resources and unsustainable population growth contributed to loss of livelihood. The second way that environmental factors can lead to conflict is when there is a high value natural resource with a restricted distribution or routes of supply. The high value means that there is a market for the resource. The restricted distribution or routes makes it capturable or controllable. The natural resource may be a non-renewable resource, like gold, diamonds, coltan or oil, or it can be a renewable resource, like timber or fish, crops like coffee or chocolate, or even relatively inaccessible land for growing contraband crops like poppies, marijuana, or coca. The high value resource together with a lucrative market provides a motive for the establishment of a criminal enterprise, basically a robber gang.

After motive is established, a gang needs the means to control the resource and get it to market. This requires relative military superiority and lots of foot soldiers. The enormous and unregulated market in small arms makes it possible to put an automatic rifle even in the hands of a child. The loss of livelihood experienced by people whose resources are too degraded to support agriculture or honest industry, provides a stream of rootless young men who gain not only food, clothing, a place to stay, and even sexual partners from affiliating with a gang, but may even get a sense of purpose by the gang identifying itself as religious, military or rebel in its goal. 

The final component required for the successful execution of a crime is opportunity. This is provided by weak but repressive governments. They may crack down on urban populations, but leave large swaths of the countryside open to the control of various armed gangs. The gangs can appear to be governmental, but may answer only to a corrupt politician or general. They can be armed militias publicly or covertly supported by the government. They can be rebel groups and freedom fighters, either democratic, or religious or communist. But after the first honest attempts to protect civilian populations or to secure the rights of indigenous peoples, these organizations take on a structure as permanent and intractable as any government bureaucracy, and the imperative becomes to keep the money rolling in to buy food, weapons and whatever else it takes to keep the troops happy and the leaders in power. 

Under these circumstances, calls for peace have almost no effect, because the groups perpetrating the violence have nothing to gain from peace but loss of control over the resource they are looting. There are however, some tools that might have an effect, and they go to the motive, means and opportunity that makes it possible for these gangs to persist.

Limit opportunity by strengthening governmental institutions. Support transparency in formulating policy, the rule of law in the courts, a free press, and representative government. From the outside, it means regulating our own business and governmental relationships with repressive regimes in ways that encourage stronger institutions, for instance, making bribery illegal instead of treating it as the price of doing business in a developing country. So far 36 countries (including the US) have signed the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials. It may mean considering labor and environmental practices as part of trade agreements or using diplomatic and cultural exchanges to encourage a free press and the rule of law. 

Limit means by gathering and destroying small arms whenever a conflict is resolved. Do not let them flow into the market and lower the cost of violence for some other gang in some other place. At the same time, develop and implement education, job and housing programs that integrate rootless young men into communities that can foster their development into useful citizens, perhaps something along the lines of the CCC in the US during the depression. Call them to a vision of a country with roads, hospitals and schools built by their labor, and chance to learn reading, writing, math and the skills needed to start businesses. Provide small start up loans using the Grameen Bank as a model, so they can go into business.

Limit motive by reducing the market for looted resources. If you must buy diamonds, make sure they have been vetted through the Kimberley Process, a voluntary initiative of the diamond industry and national governments to ensure that shipments of rough diamonds do not come from areas in conflict. If you must buy gold, purchase from the retailers who have signed on to a set of rules (the "Golden Rules") on more responsible gold production. If you must buy lumber or paper, look for the Forest Stewardship Council logo on the product. When you buy food products like coffee and chocolate, buy "Fair Trade" products certified by organizations like Global Exchange. If you must drive, consider what you can do to reduce your dependence on a car. Check out sites like Car Talk's Guide to Better Fuel Economy.

Kimberley Process - <http://www.kimberleyprocess.com:8080>http://www.kimberleyprocess.com:8080/

Golden Rules - <http://www.nodirtygold.org/supporting_retailers.cfm>http://www.nodirtygold.org/supporting_retailers.cfm

Forest Stewardship Council - <http://www.fscus.org>http://www.fscus.org/

Global Exchange - <http://www.globalexchange.org>http://www.globalexchange.org/

Car Talk's Guide to Better Fuel Economy - <http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/fueleconomy/>http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/fueleconomy/

BioRegional Quiz: Fall leaves change color because.....

JOB OF THE MONTH: Horticulturist (Part Time) - YMCA of Greater St. Louis. Assist in the building of food producing, multigenerational gardens and conducting educational/nutritional programs at the YMCA. Responsibilities: daily operation of the gardens, hoop house construction and maintenance, seeding, production and propagation, exemplifying the Y's values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Qualifications:Associate's degree in Horticulture or a closely related field; At least 2 years of experience in Horticulture; ability to speak and translate Spanish highly desirable; experience teaching children a plus; non-profit/volunteer experience; able to lift at least 60 pounds; good problem solving ability ; knowledge of vegetable, herb, flower production and flowering shrubs and of season extension techniques; ability to work with populations of various cultures; excellent knowledge of plant materials, production planning, concise record keeping, competent computer skills, irrigation equipment, landscape maintenance and equipment. Salary: $12.00 per hour; 50 weeks per year. Status: Part-time (20-25 hours per week). Please submit a résumé to: Laurie S. McTearnen, Vice President of Association Child Care Service, Larry V. Alvey Leadership Development Center, 11960 Westline Industrial Dr Ste 232, St Louis MO 63146-3209. Electronic mail: lmctearnen@ymcastlouis.org <http://www.ecoemploy.com/jobs/horticulturist.html>http://www.ecoemploy.com/jobs/horticulturist.html

Special Events/Programs/Classes/Talks

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE - Nov 4-5, MU Campus. Keynote Address Sat Nov 5, 8 am Lobby Life Sci Center - Jim Cain The Power of Play. Sessions on climate change, biofuels, karst, maps, Monteverde, religion, population, lead, field trips, plastics, evaluation, Mo science stds, birds, herps, outdoors, facilitation, grants, fundraising, play, Project WET, Project Learning Tree. Field trips on wastewater treatment and solid waste & recycling. Registraion ($80, students $30) includes Fri reception, Sat lunch & breaks. <http://muconf.missouri.edu/eecampus2006/index.html>http://muconf.missouri.edu/eecampus2006/index.html

MIDTERM ELECTIONS: Tuesday Nov 7, various polling stations. Hopefully you are registered - Don't Forget to Vote!

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT (LID) ON THE GROUND: ECONOMICS AND LOGISTICS: Tuesday Nov 7, 10 am to 1 pm, Courtyard by Marriott, 3301 Lemone Ind Blvd. Cassie and Brian Burton, Developers of Oakbrook in KD, Dan Dutcher, VP Land Dev Hubbell Realty in Des Moines, Jim Holtzman, Miracle Design/ Build, St. Louis. $15 Registration info at <http://www.showmeboone.com/PB/Watershed/documents/LIDseminarflier.pdf>http://www.showmeboone.com/PB/Watershed/documents/LIDseminarflier.pdf

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: Wednesday Nov 8, 6:30 pm Missouri Theatre - Special reduced rates - $2 for adults, $1 for students 15 and up at any school/college/campus and free for students and children under 15. Doors open 5:30, tabling by local environmental groups, audience discussion following the documentary. 

CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS OF PEAK OIL: Thursday Nov 9, 4 pm 106 Lefevre, MU Max Christian, U MD.

COLUMBIA VISIONING MEETINGS: Tuesday Nov 28, 6:30 -8:30 Lela Raney Hall, Stephens, 6 North College Ave and Thursday Nov 30 6:30-8:30 Rock Bridge HS Aud 4303 S. Providence.

Organization Meetings and Contact Information

AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, Unitarian Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd.

BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: <http://smartgrowth.missouri.org>http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Weds 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.

CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or <http://peaceworks.missouri.org>http://peaceworks.missouri.org/

CHOUTEAU GROTTO: <http://chouteau.missouri.org>http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, The Casteel Building, 1518 Business Loop 70 East

COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or email <mailto:hendricksonm@missouri.edu>hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.

COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or <http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW>http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW

CITIZENS WATERSHED COMMITTEE: (573) 526-8916, Third Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Daniel Boone Bldg

COMMUNITY GARDEN COALITION: 875-5995 or cgardenc@yahoo.com or <http://cgc.missouri.org>http://cgc.missouri.org

ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: <http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/>http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/

FRIENDS OF BIG MUDDY: friends@friendsofbigmuddy.org or <http://www.friendsofbigmuddy.org>www.friendsofbigmuddy.org

FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or <http://rockbridge.missouri.org>http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.

GREENBELT COALITION: 442-4789, gbelt@coin.org or <http://greenbelt.missouri.org>http://greenbelt.missouri.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE: 815-9836, drop off or buy gently used doors, windows, hardware, tools, cabinets, appliances, unopened paint, fixtures - Mon to Fri 8:30 to 3:30, Saturday 8:00 to 1:00 pm, 1906 Monroe St. Columbia

MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: <http://www.meea.org>www.meea.org

MO NATIVE PLANT SOC.: <http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org>http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org/, 2nd Mon, odd months, 7 p.m., UU Church, 2615 Shepard

MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 573-256-2602 or <http://www.moriver.org>www.moriver.org or <mailto:moriver@coin.org>moriver@coin.org

PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or <http://www.pednet.org>http://www.pednet.org

RIVER RELIEF: <http://www.riverrelief.org>http://www.riverrelief.org/

ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or <http://rockbridge.missouri.org>http://rockbridge.missouri.org

SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or <http://www.mostreamteam.org>www.mostreamteam.org

SIERRA CLUB: 875-2916 or <http://sierra.osage.missouri.org>http://sierra.osage.missouri.org Meet 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Foundation, 1107 University Ave

WILD ONES: 573 882-9909, ext 3257 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, <http://wildones.missouri.org>http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays.

Answer to BioRegional Quiz - The yellow color in leaves is always present, but masked by the green of chorophyll. When that breaks down, the yellow becomes visible. The red and purple colors are from sugars that form during sunny days and then get trapped in the leaves on cold nights. The more sun, the deeper the color, so leaves at the top of a tree will be redder and leaves in the shade, yellower. The same goes for the effect of night time temperatures, the colder it is the more the color develops. Ideal conditions for fall color are bright sunny days and cold clear nights. Want to get to know your leaves better - check out "Leaf Invaders" at <http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/seasons/fall/swleaf/>http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/seasons/fall/swleaf/. (you will need To play Leaf Invaders, you'll need Shockwave and a web browser compatible with Netscape Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer with Netscapes' plug-in architecture.) The faster you identify the falling leaves, the faster they fall. I scored 22 out of 30. See how you do!

Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (<mailto:envstudy@missouri.edu>envstudy@missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.

Interested in an Environmental Career? For information on courses, majors, and careers in the environmental  field, contact Jan Weaver at envstudy@missouri.edu, or visit <http://www.missouri.edu/~esiwww/index.html>http://www.missouri.edu/~esiwww/index.html