Mining, land restoration and sustainable development in isolated islands: An industrial ecology perspective on extractive transitions on Nauru
Mining, land restoration and sustainable development in isolated islands: An industrial ecology perspective on extractive transitions on Nauru
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DOI：
10.1007/s13280-018-1075-2
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发表时间：
2019-04-01
期刊：
影响因子：
6.5
通讯作者：
Matsubae, Kazuyo
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Clifford, Martin J.;Ali, Saleem H.;Matsubae, Kazuyo
在这个基于经验的角度来看，我们探讨如何，如果管理得当，采矿可能会超越有限的自然资本直接转换为金融资源。我们提出了一个过程，在这个过程中，矿产开采可以作为更多样化增长的催化剂，甚至可以作为恢复自然资本形式的基础。瑙鲁这个小岛国的情况特别具有挑战性，该国磷酸盐开采对社会生态的影响有着非常负面的历史。然而，退化的景观需要资本投资，这可以从恢复土地中获得，利用出口废石尖塔作为品牌家用台面和具有岛屿原产地溢价的铺路石产品所产生的收入。此外，我们使用工业生态学方法来表明，瑙鲁的二次磷酸盐可以被证明比其他来源的磷酸盐对环境的影响更小。这有可能进一步为该岛产品树立绿色品牌。我们认为，采取这种谨慎利用剩余矿产资本的恢复办法，有可能使该岛经济多样化，从依赖采掘业和捐助者转向农林业、渔业和旅游业。提出了一个整体的方法，考虑谨慎使用瑙鲁剩余的矿产资源，以实现生态恢复和经济多样化的议程，使该岛在传统上依赖的磷酸盐耗尽后能够繁荣发展。
In this empirically grounded perspective, we explore how, if managed correctly, mining might go beyond a straight conversion of finite natural capital to financial resources. We suggest a process where mineral extraction could act as a catalyst for more diversified growth and even serve as a basis to restore forms of natural capital' it had previously diminished. The case in pointsmall in scale but significant in consequenceis the particularly challenging instance of the small-island state of Nauru, which has a very negative history of socio-ecological impacts of phosphate mining. Yet, the degraded landscape requires capital investment which could be reaped from restoration of the land using revenues generated from exporting the waste rock pinnacles as branded household counter-tops and pavement stone products with an island provenance premium. Furthermore, we use an industrial ecology method to show that Nauru's secondary phosphate can be shown to be less environmentally impactful than comparable phosphate from other sources. This has potential for further green branding of the Island's products. We contend that implementing such a restoration approach that harnesses the remaining mineral capital with care has the potential, to diversify the island's economy from one dependent on extractive industries and donors to agroforestry, fishing and tourism. A holistic approach is offered that considers prudent use of Nauru's remaining mineral resources towards an agenda of ecological restoration and economic diversification that will allow the island to prosper after the phosphates it has traditionally relied upon are depleted.