Manfred Steffen *

Environmental problems are directly related to the system of life that is based on constant growth. Although academia has been warning for decades that we have already reached the limits of the planet’s resource use, increasing consumption is still the measure of success.

The fragility of our environment only hits the headlines when a disaster or supply disruption occurs. As soon as “normalcy” returns, we’re back forget the crisis and their possible lessons. But the earthquakes are not going to stop.

Politics and environmental conflicts

Rethinking the development model of our societies and including matter is inevitable ecological on the political agenda. The impact on ecosystems essential to human life has been documented, and more frequent and intense extreme weather events are expected. Prolonged droughts will be followed by floods, as can be seen, for example, in regions of Italy. Frequency of access conflicts scarce waterlike in Mexico. Exploiting resources like lithium will require huge amounts of energy and water. politics should not run after problems. There will be conflicts that cannot be resolved with patches. It is necessary to predict crises to come.

Political parties must call the problems by their names and work on sustainable strategies to solve them. There will be a water crisis, resources that are considered infinite will disappear and new pandemics will be possible. If the problems are not solved in time from the political institutions, if the democratic parties are not capable of leading, authoritarian and populist proposals will gain support.

Keys to environmental protection policy

Some keys for political parties and their approach to responsible environmental management:

Political parties are indispensable for democracy. The progress of populism and charismatic leadership is not an option. Political parties have voting legitimacy and are accountable to the electorate for their governance.

However, parties they are not only thanks to their voters. As managers of public affairs, they are also responsible for the welfare of future generations. It is not ethically acceptable to implement policies at the expense of those who will come later. Therefore, the challenge is great, there is no time to waste.

* Manfred Steffen He holds a master’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of the Republic of Uruguay. Dipl. Ing. Fachhochschule für Druck in Stuttgart. Konrad Adenauer Foundation project coordinator, Montevideo office.

This text was originally published in Political Dialogue.