An Analysis of the Effects of an Absence of Governance & Community Solutions in Combating Environmental Degradation

Effective environmental management requires a coordinated effort between corporations, national stakeholders, and local communities. Such coordination can consider the different information that each party brings, structured in a manner that facilitates clear and complete communication. Using the examples of the Lake Chad and Niger Delta areas, this “model” of coordination is discussed. The successes and failures in those regions and the implications of actions taken are discussed as a guide for future environmental management. For example, environmental changes were leading to the receding of Lake Chad and subsequent impact on the economic livelihoods of persons in that region. Although this change was well-known, the governments did not show foresight in managing it. The lack of land and water management, in part, ultimately led to social and economic instability. This instability was particularly problematic because the region borders 4 countries (Chad, Niger Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria) in the Sahel. Moreover, it is one of a few contributing factors to the growth of extremism and terrorism in the region. In the Niger Delta, environmental degradation occurred due to an expansion of the oil industry, including both off and onshore prospecting, accompanying pipeline construction and destruction by disenchanted youths within host communities. Communities were disrupted and not compensated adequately. The communities’ fishing and farming activities were destroyed. Ironically, the economic development which the oil industry was trying to bring was offset by the economic losses to the local communities. This paper highlights how the reality of climate action, biodiversity/environmental management, and remediation can be integrated within sustainable social strategies by governments for corporate community relationships. Transforming development policy in least developed countries (LDCs) can, perhaps, achieve sustainable impact, spurring the adoption of joined-up governance, coupled with climate, and environmental policies. The participatory governance model being used in India is presented as one promising approach.