Environmentalism in the Middle East

Environmentalism is a continuum of ideologies, philosophies, and movements that range form the most eco-centric like deep ecology to the most anthropocentric such as conservation and shallow ecology. Environmentalism serves as an ideological worldview concerning the environment. It also serves as an environmental purposive action. As an ideological worldview, environmentalism refers to “a broad set of beliefs about the desirability and possibility of changing human relationship with the environment.” (Harper 2001: 347). As a purposive action, environmentalism includes actions intended to “change the way people relate to the environment” (Harper 2001: 347). These actions my include individuals’ and groups’ activities as they form associations and organization to change the way societies deal with the environment.
Environmentalism incorporate four types of overlapping social movements: preservation of the wilderness, conservation of natural resources, control of pollution movements (contemporary environmentalism), and grass roots ecosystem management (Weber (2000). Preservation main objective is to keep nature apart from human activities, urge humans to live in harmony with nature, and save nature for future generations. For preservation, balance of nature is easily destroyed; therefore, human interaction with nature should be restricted or avoided. For conservation, nature is basically a set of commodities that exist to be used by humans. Consequently, sustainable development and the efficient management of natural resources are among conservation main objectives. On the other hand, contemporary environmental movement focuses on fighting and controlling pollution. It is a reaction to “a society in which economic growth dominated the public agenda, consumption was emphasized, and progress was defined in economic quantitative terms” (Weber 2000: 242). Contemporary movement reflects the belief that dealing with environmental problems requires a broader perspective that focuses on degradation of natural resources, pollution control, and views the quality of life as the prime measure of progress. Finally, grass roots ecosystem management movement advocates placed-based grass roots environmental policies. GREM reflects a belief in the ‘win-win-win’ policy regarding the relationship among economy, community, and the environment. This crosscutting holistic ecosystem approach seeks to meld nature with economy and community. GREM contends that due to population growth, information technology, and the growing outdoor recreation, separation between humans and nature is not possible. This movement reflects a belief that issues related to the environment, economy, and community should be decided locally through community discussion on a case-by-case approach (Weber 2000) and through citizens participation in agenda setting, decision-making, monitoring, and enforcement activities (Chertow & Esty 1997).
Environmentalism as an enduring and collective attempt to bring about or resist social change concerning the environment has yet to develop in the Middle East. To emerge as a social movement, environmentalism needs three requirements: (1) structural strain. Social movement arises in situation in which there is some oppression, deprivation, frustration, or contradiction (Wood &Jackson 1982). (2) a generalized belief in the form of “shared target of hostility who are held responsible for hardship, suffering, and oppression.” (Sullivan 2004: 468). And, (3) a mobilization. To exist, a social movement needs to mobilize resources “Leadership must be found, money must be collected, and ways of exercising power must be located.” (Sullivan 2004: 468). In my view, all the needed requirements for environmentalism as a social movement are available in the Middle East region. First, Middle Eastern people (at least some of them) are annoyed by the systematic destruction of the wilderness, bothered by the unsustainable extraction of natural resources like water, and frustrated by the soaring levels of pollution particularly water and air pollution. Second, people are aware of whom to blame and who should be held responsible for the current environmental degradation. And finally, people are not in shortage of leadership or even of money. Therefore, why environmental movement has yet to emerge and what the factors which hinder the development of such a movement in the Middle East?
A wide range grass roots environmental movement that relies on voluntary membership and citizens participation in agenda setting, decision-making, monitoring, and enforcement activities has not yet developed in the Middle East for two sets of reasons. First, many believe that it is the people fault. People are apathetic, not concerned about public issues, and have no particular motivation to take actions. Second, many others think that some people have neither the time nor the resources to work toward gaining power. And, third, many people consider the government as the best protector, defender, or manager of the environment. On the other hand, environmentalism has yet to materialize in the region because of the structure of power, power relation, and struggle for power. Political systems in the Middle East may discourage, hinder, or prohibit many kinds of organization and public meeting. Ruling class possesses, monopolizes, and controls almost all kinds of power. Monopoly of power enables the few to ‘shape the broad social contexts in which others act,..making possible some courses of action and preventing others. [monopoly of power] enables ruling class to structure social situation in particular ways and thus shape the manner in which people view the world and define their interests.” (Olsen & Marger 1993: 5).Wide range grass roots environmental movement, though nonpolitical, may challenge, endanger, and threaten current power structure and elites privileges because of a movement potential political agenda. “People who belong to voluntary association of all kinds are more likely to participate in many forms of political activity.” (Olsen 1993:148). Ruling class in Middle East is skeptic of any wide range social movement because such involvement may lead to political participation and challenge their shaky and [illegitimate] authority. Association membership broadens individuals’ sphere of interest and concern, brings individuals into contact with many diverse people, and draws individuals into a wide range of new activities including politics, and provides those individuals with training and experience in social interaction and leadership skills. Finally, involvement in nonpolitical organization may give people multiple channels through which they exert influence on politicians and the political system (Olsen 1993).
To conclude, the absence of environmentalism as a social movement in the Middle East might be due to public passivity as well as to the oppression of non democratic governments. Public passivity, however, is a product of decades of fears, oppression, and dictatorship. People are frustrated, but afraid. Challenging a government means running the risk of losing reputation, job, freedom, or life. Corrupted, retarded, non democratic and out-dated political systems in the Middle East need to be confronted and held responsible for many of the region’s social, cultural, economic, political and environmental illnesses.
By Dr. Madalla A. Alibeli