Environmental Management: Principles and practice

Political ecology approach to environmental management
Political ecology is the study of the relationships between society and nature (Bell et
al., 1998; Bryant and Bailey, 1997; Low and Gleeson, 1998). Political ecology holds
that radical changes in human social habits and practices are required in order to
counter environmental degradation and achieve sustainable development (Dobson,
1995:17). The political ecology approach implies an interest in cause-effect
relationships, study of the different interest groups involved in using the environment,
of their economy, habits and livelihoods (Chapman, 1989; Atkinson, 1991b;
Hershkovitz, 1993; Oliver, 1994). Scientific study is not enough: social, economic
and political issues must be considered, for example the struggle against logging in
Sarawak can only be understood in the light of the history of local peoples and
present politics and economics (Colchester, 1993); the process of environmental
degradation in Honduras only becomes clear through studying the political ecology
of poverty (Stonich and Browder, 1996).
Political economy approach to environmental
management
An understanding of human—environment interactions can be gained through
examination of how the social relations of power relate to the control and use of
resources and nature—the political economy approach.

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There are likely to be different perceptions of environmental needs and problems
between planners, policy makers, government ministers, various sections of the public,
etc. To deal effectively with environmental management demands an awareness of
political economy. Blaikie (1985) adopted a political economy approach to examine
soil erosion and its control in developing countries. Urging small farmers to control
soil erosion for the national good is unlikely to have much effect if it brings them no
significant benefit. It may require people far removed to pay and alter attitudes so
that environmental management can be supported at the local level.