Living beyond the Pale: Environmental Justice and the Roma Minority

Chapter Nine: Trends and Reverting the Trends

CHAPTER NINE Trends and Reverting the Trends I have attempted to provide in the previous chapters picture of the Roma minority vis-à-vis distribution of the environmental benefits and harms, and contexts in which decisions are taken and trends shaped. This chapter takes different approach and discusses how to address the trends and how to reverse various economic, social, and environmental factors that contribute to environmental injustice. In other words, what are the options for addressing current and for preventing future inequalities in the distribution of environmental benefits and harm? The focus is on the ways to challenge the broader economic and social environment that enables the unequal treatment and to look for alternatives that address the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and harm on the local level. “Environmental problems are first and foremost political because they affect social groups differentially and impose different types of cost and burden” (Grant 2001; see also Grant et al. 2000). Solutions to political problems largely depend on political decisions, and these decisions are formed by the conceptual framework we adopt. The key concern is how to shift the current pattern of policies and practices contributing to the origins of cases of environmental injustice. Based on the analyses of different macro- and micro-factors contributing to the present situation there is not much space for optimism, in neither the short nor the long term. It however does not mean that there is no choice. There are potential policy and management changes that are important for the improvement of the environmental conditions in Roma shantytowns. For instance, in development of synergies among environmental protection, natural resource management, and social and economic cohesion. There is however no simple universal solution to the problematic situation of people living in the shantytowns of Eastern Slovakia or elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe. Their problems are a reflection of struc- 184 Living Beyond the Pale tural problems we all face in this time of globalization, falling social standards , and challenging ecological limits of the planet. Nevertheless, there are always some possibilities for how to address the most severe cases of the environmental (in)justice and help the affected people. Empowered, entitled, and stronger Roma communities, able to formulate their interests and bring them into the decision-making processes , is a vision expressed many times by Roma themselves and by people working with the Roma. The environment plays a significant role in this respect. It serves as an argument for mobilization and a search for solutions in the cases of environmental injustice as seen in Rudňany or the Upper Svinka Watershed. The concept and evidence of environmental injustice may provide an additional dimension to the struggle for better living conditions in the communities appraised in the villages in this research , and serve as an inspiration for others facing similar problems. The environment is the problem, but it is also part of the solution. It could play a role as a source of employment opportunities, income, and a place of collaboration between Roma and non-Roma. It could provide much needed opportunities for the development of individual skills and foster cooperation among the social groups through sustainable utilization and management of natural resources. We cannot address environmental injustice without addressing the economic and social situation in the shantytowns and access to justice. Conversely, we cannot address the social and economic situation of the people without addressing their environmental problems. These issues are not parallel processes but different aspects of the same process. It is a process of changing the competition and conflict between the two groups into cooperation, while utilizing opportunities provided by the environment. The question that arises is whether the changes in macro-level of policies and micro-level competition and resulting problematic environmental conditions for disadvantaged groups (together with other social and economic motives) will lead to conflict or to a new form of power relations in the villages. To discuss possible answers to this question, I start with the outline of two extreme scenarios for the future, assuming, that the likely development will be somewhere in between. Doom Scenario: From Competition to Conflict Roma and non-Roma live in close proximity and share the same environmental niche. This proximity coupled with limited resources might further increase tension. Conflict in villages with a Roma minority would proba- Trends and Reverting the Trends 185 bly not take the character of open clashes. The rebellion and looting...