Raise Awareness (DP IB Geography)

Revision Note

Environmental Civil Society

  • Civil society organisations (CSOs) have become important players on the world stage, successfully promoting social and environmental causes

  • Because of their reach, persistence and creativity, they are essential to shaping and navigating global relations

  • Many CSOs have their roots in local movements, and over the years, they've expanded to tackle global challenges

  • CSOs are usually:

    • Part of larger networks

    • Work with similar groups across borders

    • Champion under-represented communities and causes in global dialogues

    • Engage different stakeholders in effective discussions

  • CSOs use media and digital platforms to highlight issues

  • Conduct workshops, lectures and educational programmes to inform people

  • They actively participate in and organise international conferences

  • CSO's produce and invest in reports to highlight and suggest solutions to problems

  • They work closely with governments to shape policies

  • CSO pilot projects can inspire large-scale implementation of proposed solutions

Challenges faced by CSOs

  • Getting consistent funding can be difficult, as many CSOs depend on donations and grants

  • As CSOs work internationally, advocating change while understanding and respecting different cultures can be difficult

  • CSOs can face resistance from:

    • Governments

    • Regulations

    • Unfair defamation

    • Direct threats

Case Study

Greenpeace

  • Growing from a small group in Canada to a worldwide force since 1971, Greenpeace is a good example of powerful, committed activism

  • It's a leader in environmental action and has 25 regional offices operating in 55 countries

  • Greenpeace has been a leader in marine protection for a long time

  • Their fights against harmful fishing, plastic waste, and oil drilling have changed laws and made people more aware of these issues

  • Greenpeace's reports on illegal logging, especially in fragile ecosystems like the Amazon, have made businesses rethink their supply chains and start using more environmentally friendly methods

  • Greenpeace has done more than just lobby for renewable energy

  • They have helped fund studies into these solutions, which has forced countries to rethink their energy plans

Shell Oil, Niger Delta

  • Water pollution in the Niger Delta is serious due to oil spills from pipeline operations

  • This kills fish and reduces fish stocks for the Ogoni people (occupants of the Niger Delta), who are mainly fishermen and farmers

  • Destroying the land puts pressure on their source of food and income to meet their socio-economic needs

  • Some have accused Shell of ecocide; destruction of the natural environment by deliberate or negligent human action

  • Shell ceased production in Ogoniland in the face of public protests in 1993

  • Although not actively operating, Shell's equipment hasn't been decommissioned or dismantled

  • Shell's own data from shows roughly 250 oils spills occur each year in the Niger Delta

Social Civil Society

Case Study

Amnesty International

  • Because it fights for human rights, Amnesty International has always shed light on the worst parts of society

  • Since its start in 1961, it has used thorough studies to show wrongdoing and bring people around the world together

Changes and Actions

  • Amnesty's campaigns for prisoners of conscience have freed many people from unfair prison sentences, showing how powerful global unity can be

  • Their fight against torture has led to international agreements and stricter tracking systems that stop it

  • Amnesty's efforts have been important in advancing women's rights around the world, fighting against unfair laws, and bringing attention to violence against women

Bodo, Niger Delta

  • After years of work, Amnesty was able to help 15,600 farmers and fishermen get justice

  • Shell revealed a £55 million settlement to help people put their lives and jobs back together after two big oil spills in 2008 and 2009

  • The fight to clean up the environment is ongoing

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