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LANDLESSNESS, SQUATTING AND ENVIRONMENTALREFUGEES IN JAMAICA:A Role for Environmental ProfessionalsBarry A. Wade, PhD, OD, JPChairman, Environmental Solutions Ltd.December 3, 2012http://westorlandonews.com The Jamaica Gleaner http://www.trust.org

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Introduction“The Achievement of Sustainable Human Development andEnvironmental Integrity cannot be realized without theconsideration and application of concepts of Community, LandTenure and Environmental Justice.”http://www.breadbasketministries.com

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Introduction1. LandlessnessThree Critical Environmental ProblemsEnvironmental Solutions Limited

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Introduction2. Squatting2. Squatting2. SquattingVeritas Jamaican BlogThree Critical Environmental Problems

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Introduction2. Squatting2. Squatting3. Environmental RefugeesThe Jamaica GleanerThree Critical Environmental Problems

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Community“I am because we are; andbecause we are therefore Iam.”“Africans are particularly tied totheir land because it is thewww.trainedparrot.comJohn Mbiti (1969)

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“We are at peace…as long asour land is under ourcontrol.”African Proverb“As long as we are on our ownland, bread is like steak.”African Proverb“To remove Africans from theirland is an act of such greatinjustice that no foreignercan fathom it.”John MbitiLandlessnesswww.about.com

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• Environmental Justice is fair treatment andmeaningful involvement of all people with respect to thedevelopment, implementation and empowerment ofenvironmental laws.• Environmental Injustice occurs when vulnerablepeople are taken advantage of through environmentallyrelated actions.Environmental JusticeFood for The Poor Images

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“The earth is not a gift from our parents;it is a loan from our children.”Kenyan ProverbCopyright Amanda Hunthttp://www.roguegenecollective.com/image-amanda-hunt__p918__African+Sunset+Elephants.html

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• Native Peoples worldwide are in spatial andcultural retreat leading to their fragmentation anddecline.• This has led to loss of land, a struggle for scarceresources, and the introduction of unsustainableland use practices, such as:• Forest removal, Slash and burn farming, Stripmining.Landlessnesshttp://eufin.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/the-climate-change-may-explode-the-number-of-environmental-refugees/

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• Native Peoples worldwide are in spatial andcultural retreat leading to their fragmentation anddecline.• This has led to loss of land, a struggle for scarceresources, and the introduction of unsustainableland use practices, such as:– Forest removal– Slash and burn farming– Strip mining.Landlessnesshttp://www.idausa.org/campaigns/vegan/deforestation.html

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In Jamaica the problems of Landlessness, Poor Land UsePractices, Low Productivity, and Lack of CommunityWholeness are a direct result of our colonial past.They began on August 1, 1838.Landlessnesshttp://pers-www.wlv.ac.uk/~le1810/news%20of%20emancipation.jpg

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In 2000, the Government of Jamaica institutedTHE LAND ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENTPROGRAMME (LAMP)• To implement an efficient system of land titlingand administration• To provide land tenure security• To alleviate poverty• To enhance economic growthLandlessness

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After ten years LAMP hasachieved:* 15,000 land titles* 150,000 are neededLandlessness

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New Approaches to Land TenureReclaiming the Commons: Vesting substantialtracts of land in the care of discrete communities foruse and management by legitimate communitymembers.Land Trusts: Corporate ownership of land with longterm right to use the land under agreed conditions.Landlessness

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• Squatting is the Illegal orUnauthorized Occupation ofHousing or Land.• Squatting is an example ofDead Capital.• 90% of population in somecountries live on squattedland.• Squatting worldwide occupiesland worth US $9.3 billion.Squattinghttp://www.smartyoung.comhttp://www.wired.comhttp://www.kaieteurnewsonline.comhttp://www.worldnews.com

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In Jamaica:* 754 squatter communities* 0.6-0.9 million squatters* 33% of population* 76% squatting on Government lands* 38% squatting on arable land* 10% squatting on environmentally fragilelandSquattingJamaica Gleaner

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* Provides Shelter* Creates a measure ofCommunity Living* Allows for CommonAmenities (Legal/Illegal)* Provides CommunitySecurity.-Squatting – Positive Featureswww.worldstogethertravel.com

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* Destroys Land Use Options* Enables/Encourages Rural-Urban MigrationSquatting - Negative Features* Engenders DysfunctionalCommunities (Crime and Violence).* Damages EnvironmentalResources•Creates Poor Public HealthConditions• Encourages Garrison Communities

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Necessary Approaches to the Squatting Problem:1. Identify the local nature of squatting (history, causes,location, people etc.).2. Analyse the relationship between squatting andlandlessness.3. Transform dysfunctional squatter communities intoviable, functional, supportive communities byimproving infrastructure and providing socialamenities.4. Build and provide affordable housing solutionsSquatting

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Squatting will not be solved by legal enforcement.Screaming newspaper headlines as below are notthe solution:Squatting“Squatting epidemic: EnforcementUnit to be implemented”“Government gets tough onsquatting”“Senator wants squattingcriminalized”“Trelawny moves against squatting”“MP wants zero tolerance tosquatting”

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SQUATTERS IN KINGSTON CRY MERCY“We are only squatters but …we are still humanbeings”.Squatting

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• Environmental Refugees arecreated when persons have tomove by edict or by forcedenvironmental circumstancesfrom their place of residence tosome other location.• The human displacement in Haitifollowing the 2010 earthquake isour nearest and most recentexample.Environmental Refugeeshttp://www.telegraph.co.ukhttp://sfbayview.com

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THE NIMBY PRINCIPLE - “Not In My Backyard”Environmental Refugees

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To Provide Multi-disciplinary Skills:• Environmental and Agricultural Sciences• Social Sciences• Resource Economics• Environmental LawThe Role of Environmental Professionals

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To Study Nature and Extent of Landlessness,Squatting and Environmental Refugees:• Impact on Community Development and Welfare• Public Health Impacts• Ecosystem Damages• Government Policies and Legislation• Environmental Refugee OccurrencesThe Role of Environmental Professionals

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Priority Land Issues:• National Land Use Policies• Resources Assessment• Settlement-Creep on Sugar Cane and OtherAgricultural Lands• Economic Impacts of Land Misuse, Abuse and IdleLands• Economic Justification for Various Land Uses• Development of National Spatial PlanThe Role of Environmental Professionals

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The Challenges - Technical:• Development and Leadership of Multi-Disciplinary Teams• Increased GIS Capability and UseThe Role of Environmental Professionals• Impact Assessment of Specific CrisisSituations*Hillside Settlements - eg. Flankers*River Bank Settlements - eg. Hope River*Coastal Settlements - eg. Portland Cottage*Inner City Settlements - eg. MonaCommons• Need for Environmental Law andEconomics

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The Challenges - Governmental:• Fragmented Ministry Portfolios andInterests• Shortage of PublicSector Specialists• FinancingThe Role of Environmental Professionals

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The Role of Environmental ProfessionalsThe Challenges - JIEP:• Broader Membership Base – To attract moreEnvironmental Economists , Lawyers, SocialScientists• Commitment to PublicEducation and Advocacy• Partnering with Others inthe Cause ofEnvironmental Justice

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“WHAT GOT YOU HERE WON’T GETYOU THERE”ConclusionWe Need:New ThinkingNew ParadigmsNew PoliciesNew Actions

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THANK YOUhttp://www.kenyanurse.com