EJOLT Analysis of Environmental Conflicts

Moreover, and to help this purpose, five thematic areas have been identified as needing increased science in society inputs by our EJO partners: some types of biomass and land use conflicts, nuclear energy, mining conflicts, waste disposal (particularly ship dismantling), and oil and gas extraction conflicts together with climate justice.

• Biomass and Land Conflicts: Industrial tree plantations and land grabbing are among the principal causes of deforestation and dispossession of the rural poor. Large-scale monocultures for pulp and paper production devastate landscapes and communities; while rich corporations and countries are hungrily buying up land in poor food-insecure countries for export. Owners of transnational companies, financiers, buyers of the pulp and crops produced are indirectly responsible for serious negative impacts on rural communities who depend on this land and face losing their livelihoods.
• Nuclear Energy: EJOLT will contribute to an improved understanding among European citizens and policy-makers of nuclear power production through raising awareness on various stages of nuclear energy production. A cost-benefit analysis of nuclear power vs. renewable energy sources is being carried out that will help refute one of the most common myths of nuclear energy: its economic viability.
• Mining Conflicts: To study the links between the increased metabolism of the economy and environmental damage, EJOLT looks at mining conflicts (of precious metals & bulk materials)
• Waste Conflicts (especially Ship Breaking): To study the links between the increased metabolism of the economy and environmental damage, EJOLT looks at waste disposal conflicts (ship breaking, e-waste exports and waste incineration)
• Oil and Gas and Climate Justice: