Eco-wall or segregation: Rio plan stirs debate

As someone who is concerned about the future of our environment, I usually don't sympathize with people who use their civil liberties as an excuse to pollute or ignore environmental legislation. After all, how can we expect to solve environmental crises if we aren't willing to make collective sacrifices? I was surprised, then, when I found myself sympathizing with the people of Rio De Janeiro in their fight against the Eco-Wall. Authorities in Rio have began constructing a giant stone wall bordering the cities shantytowns. The "Eco-Wall" seeks to prevent the citizens of Rio De Janeiro from expanding even further into the area's rain forests by literally containing them with a giant block wall. It doesn't take a genius to understand why this angers citizens of Rio De Janeiro. Citizens feel "blocked off from the beauty of the rain forest" and that "they are being treated like children."

This conflict serves as a fascinating case study in what is actually a global problem: people don't like it when they are forced to behave a certain way. This becomes a much greater problem when we look at solutions to environmental problems like global warming or, as is the case with the Eco-Wall, the destruction of rain forests. The citizens of Rio resent that they are being forced to stop expanding into the rain forest. Obviously, stopping the destruction of the rain forest is extremely important, but both sides in this conflict have a point. The government claims it has tried to prevent rain forest devestation with laws and regulations and failed. It believes the Eco-Wall to be the only viable alternative. The citizens, on the other hand, feel like their government is being oppressive. (The Eco-Wall does look disturbingly similar to the Berlin Wall). Furthermore, how good is protecting the environment if one can't enjoy the beauty of it?

This begs the question: how will Americans act someday when they are told they cannot drive their SUV because of high carbon emissions? Will they feel like they are being treated like children? Will they accuse their government of being oppressive? The example of the Eco-Wall shows us how difficult it can be to find viable solutions to environmental problems.

There are no simple solutions. The key, I believe, is communication. Governments need to communicate better with their citizens. If the authorities in Rio had explained to citizens that they needed to stop expanding or a drastic measure (like a wall) might be necessary, this whole conflict could have been avoided. Furthermore, if citizens had continued expanding, they could erect a wall with a clear conscience. It is imperative as we move into the Green era that governments effectively communicate with their citizens when developing environmental solutions.

Darlington, Shasta. "Eco-wall or segregation: Rio plan stirs debate." CNN 09 Dec 2009: n. pag. Web. 9 Dec 2009.