Progress Can Kill - Essay Example

Progress Can Kill Like everyone else, the discovery of an indigenous population deep in the rain forest of New Guinea aroused my curiosity. I could not help, but marvel over the fact that this population managed to survive and move forward for millennia without the use of technology and in a complete isolation from the outside world. At the same time, I was completely fascinated by the fact that this tribe occupies a territory that is likely rich with untapped oil reserves. However, as an advisor from one of our permanent members to the UN, I also realized that we had a responsibility to proceed with the extreme caution. I know that it is tempting to assume that we can solve the world’s oil shortage problems by exploiting the territory occupied by this indigenous population. However, the main issue is whether or not we can do this without exploiting the rights and dignity of this indigenous population. Let us first consider the rights and dignity of this indigenous population. They have been occupying this territory for centuries, not ten or thirty years. Mostly in the world, when an individual occupies a home or a piece of land for 12 years without an objection from the true owner, the state recognizes and protects the occupant’s right to claim and use the property absolutely as he or she wishes. Can we honestly deny that this indigenous tribe does not enjoy the same right, continued and unmolested, to occupy their territory? I would take this step further and argue that given the long and continued occupation of it by the indigenous tribe, it is not only our legal, but also our moral responsibility to protect and recognize their right to claim and use that territory absolutely and free of outside influences and intrusions. This is not just a question of the right to occupancy. This is also about the protection of the universal human rights. In particular, this tribe has adapted itself to a particular way of living and preservation consistent with their animistic religious beliefs. As members of the UN we have pledged that no state shall disrespect the religious beliefs of the individual. How then can we justify even asking this tribe to move aside and allow us to exploit their territory for the purpose of looking for oil? Let us consider the Holy City of Mecca. What if we think suddenly that the Holy City of Mecca most likely sits on untapped oil reserves. Could we in good conscience approach Muslims in the holy city and talk to them about the possibility of turning their city upside down for oil exploration purposes? I don’t think that we would even consider taking this approach because we respect the right of religious organizations to practice their religion as long as that practice does not involve activity causing harm to others. On the contrary, far from causing harm to others, this indigenous people have preserved the rain forest at the time when concerns about the destruction of the rain forests globally have been a major issue for environmentalists. We should, therefore, be celebrating the fact that this tribe has preserved the rain forest and not think of ways that we can deplete yet another portion of the world’s rain forest. While we are considering the possibility of oil exploration in this particular area, let us also consider the dignity of this tribe. The dignity of indigenous people has been assaulted throughout our history. Colonial and imperial powers have mercilessly uprooted indigenous people, exploited their territories and with the total disregard for their right to self-determination have left them without dignity and without their own system of governance. Unfortunately, history dictates that indigenous people have a long history of exploitation and injustice. Do we want to stop the cycle of exploitation or do we want to re-establish it? The UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights informs that we have a duty to protect the right of indigenous population to self-determination. Similarly, Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 provides that all people have the inherent right to “determine” for themselves what their “political status” should be and to “freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development” (Article 1). Our obligations as signatories to these two international covenants are quite clear. We have a duty and an obligation to respect the right of this tribe to self-determination, and this means the right to continue living in isolation, peace, and in community with nature as prescribed by their religious and cultural norms and beliefs. It may be argued that the rest of the world is in dire need of oil reserves as it can solve a number of problems associated with the high cost of food production and transportation. However, those problems have been created by our choices and how we choose to live. This tribe has chosen a different way of living and not caused our problems; therefore, they should not pay the price for resolving our issues. Moreover, do we even know that oil reserves exist or are we merely anticipating that oil reserves are on this territory? Even if we were certain that this tribe lived on untapped oil reserves, these oil reserves would only temporarily fix the world’s shortage problems, but would permanently uproot and irreparably harm the life of this tribe. We, therefore, need to adopt a solution that is more tangible and long-lasting and does not harm the lives of these people. Let us leave them with their dignity and their right to self-determination and continue to explore and develop policies for alternative energy. We need to realize that eventually we will run out of oil reserves; when that happens we will have no more rain forests and our eco-system will be entirely compromised. I, therefore, suggest that we do not solve one problem by creating a larger and more far-reaching problem. It is the time that we should take alternative energy policies more seriously and dispose the idea of oil exploration is only a temporary answer. I would like to leave you with one thought: let us learn from this tribe. Just as they have preserved their land for future generations, let us find long-term solutions to our energy problems for our future generations. In other words, let us invest all of our resources into developing alternative energy means for long-term solutions that will benefit future generations. We have learned that progress can kill; and this indigenous population has proven that progress is not necessary for survival, peace, and security. Works Cited International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966. Read More