Papers
Barbara Adam and
Gabriela Kütting
Time to Reconceptualize 'Green Technology' in the
Context of Globalization and International Relations
Abstract
The
focus on time is used to demonstrate that Newtonian
conceptions of reality underpin the push for ‘green
technology’ and its associated.International Relations. It
brings to the surface the rationale of this technology and
shows its limits and future potential by exploring underlying
assumptions and principles: ‘Green Technology’ it is
argued, is not achievable on those terms and such an approach
to environmental problems is unlikely to lead to relevant
action and suitable solutions. It is not simply a matter of
finding the ‘right’ technical, economic and political
solutions but, crucially, about reconceptualization and the
restructuring of knowledge. Thus, conceptual revision is
necessary if appropriate responses are to be found to the
hazards of the industrial way of life; focus on the temporal
dimension of technology and globalized political processes
offers a first point of departure from the Newtonian tradition.
Ilmo Massa
Historical Approach to Environmental Sociology
Abstract
Focusing
on the problem of so-called exploitative or pillage economy
(Raubwirtschaft in German), the article explores the potential
and the limitations of sociology as a method of environmental
research. The term ‘exploitative economy’ designates the
over-exploitation of nature and natural resources by
industrial societies, in disregard of the interests of future
life and future needs. Traditional sociology has responded
inadequately to environmental problems, and attempts to
develop a new, environmental sociology have remained sporadic
and marginal. The present article addresses the problem of
exploitative economy in the context of the tradition of
historical sociology and suggested that this tradition would
gain from environmental sociology, environmental history and
institutional environmental economics, with their new views of
economic and industrial development.
Sonja
Boehmer-Christiansen
Reflections on the Politics Linking Science,
Environment and Innovation
Abstract
Green
technological innovation is the subject of much current
research because it is expected to serve 'competitiveness' and
'ecological modernisation'. Research needs to be extended to
cover institutional innovation and the combined
socio-political impacts of the new environmentalism. One entry
into this area is to examine the links between science,
environmental protection, innovation and the distribution of
political power. It is argued that institutionalized science -
or the research-cum-consultancy enterprise - thrives on the
claim that it is able to solve 'fashionable' problems,
especially future ones, by technological progress. There is
little historical reason to reject such claims. However, these
claims make science, and especially the environmental sciences,
of immediate interest to those seeking new powers or defending
existing privileges or markets. Proposed solutions tend to be
threats to vested interests and distributions of wealth and
influence. But the power of science reaches beyond responding
to the concerns of the day, it strives to select those
problems for society which create markets for planned research
agendas and technologies still on the computer screen. The
research enterprise, at the root of much technological and
technical innovation, is not likely to succeed in imposing its
choices on society without support in the market place or from
government. It therefore becomes an important, if neglected,
political actor, influencing and persuading not only with
appeals to rationality, but also with promises of enhanced
security, health and wealth. Having identified and selected
problems, these are presented to society with pleas for
remedial or preventive action. This paper reflects on the
impact of these pleas on contemporary world politics. It is
concluded that political systems must learn to evaluate and
judge scientific claims more cautiously because research
networks and the informal influence of science entrepreneurs
on 'the public' tend to turn environmental change into policy
problems. Once technological 'fixes' are offered
simultaneously, potential implementor and enforcers form
alliances demanding state intervention to resolve the alleged
problems. How real is the global environmental problem - the
allegedly ever growing ökologische Problemdruck? Does the
seeking of green competitiveness in the 'North' in the name of
preventing catastrophe, whilst de facto opposing
industrialization and resource developments in the 'South' in
the name of 'sustainable development', represent the essence
of global politics of the 1990s?
Martin Peterson
Environmental Policy in the Context of Swedish
Political Culture
Abstract
The
article describes the development of Swedish environmental
policy by paying attention to the context of Swedish political
culture. It describes the successes and, mainly, the failures
of Swedish environmental policy since the late sixties and
traces its less than satisfactory state to the political
culture of a welfare state which for a long time tended to
view environmental concerns as likely to upset the
socio-economic welfare policies based on cost-effectiveness
and anti-inflationary policies.
Wil Groenveld
Pollution Insurance: a Motivation for Environmental
Responsibility?
Abstract
The
aim of the article is to describe the effects of the evolution
of pollution liability and the general idea of environmental
responsibility in relation to the insurance industry, and how
this influences the relationship between insurers and insured.
It addresses the question of whether it is possible to
regulate behaviour through insurance practices. A comparison
is made of the evolution in the USA and in France. The concept
of ‘mutual regulation’ is studied, by looking at the
relationship between insurer and insured in these two
countries.
Hans
Schnitzer
Environment and Innovation: Introducing Cleaner Production
Abstract
The
paper reviews some innovative pilot projects for promoting
environmental management among small- and medium-size
companies. These projects leave much room for optimism insofar
as they suggest that ‘cleaner production’ is both
ecologically and economically efficient. Significantly they
also show that much can be gained through organizational
changes.
