A Sustainability Scientist’s Perspective on the ‘Refugee Crisis’

Today, I was motivated to focus on a more social manifestation of our lack of sustainability: the refugee crisis. In my research I tend to focus on the environmental expressions of sustainability problems. But sustainability is also about social sustainability. My perspectives on the refugee crisis are therefore based on some of the framings I have developed while studying the local and global connections in environmental problems.

**Note: This blog post has been written in anger and disgust, and therefore may not be as articulate as I would like.**

I’m distressed by state of humanity in Western Europe.

• PEOPLE are ‘living’ in appalling camps around Calais, waiting to enter Britain.
• PEOPLE are ‘living’ in over-crowded refugee centres with little sanitation and facilities.
• PEOPLE are suffering danger and exploitation, and arduous journeys to arrive in these camps.
• PEOPLE are drowning as they try to cross the Mediterranean on rubber dinghies.

To…