Climate change, energy, justice and security in Myanmar (Burma)
Date
2011
Authors
Simpson, A.J.
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Conference paper
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Proceedings of the 2011 Australian Political Science Association Conference - APSA, 2011, pp.1-16
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2011 Australian Political Science Association Conference (26 Sep 2011 - 28 Sep 2011 : Canberra, Australia)
Abstract
As a country sandwiched between Asia’s two populous and emerging economic giants, Myanmar (Burma) has played host to an increasing number of transnational energy projects, particularly natural gas pipelines and large hydroelectric dams. From an international justice perspective Myanmar, as a UN-‐ designated Least Developed Country, deserves the opportunity to alleviate poverty for its people by fully developing its energy resources. In addition, compared with oil and coal many of the projects currently being undertaken in Myanmar are relatively climate friendly. Nevertheless, as a country characterised by ongoing civil conflict and national elections in 2010 of dubious democratic value almost all the electricity resulting from these projects will be exported to neighbouring countries with the resulting foreign exchange used by the ruling military regime either for the purchase of military hardware or siphoned off for personal enrichment. Building on fieldwork undertaken in Myanmar since the elections this paper therefore compares the international and local implications of these projects and finds that despite relatively serendipitous climate advantages the exploitation of these energy resources tends to exacerbate environmental injustice and insecurity for many local ethnic minority communities. It argues a more balanced approach to energy and environmental justice is required that accommodates the aspirations of poverty stricken communities without endangering the human rights and environmental security of others.
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Copyright 2011 The Author