USING THE FRAMEWORK ANALYSIS FOCUS: POVERTY

CONCERN Why do we care? So what? 46 PERCENT OF WORLD POPULATION CANNOT MEET BASIC NEEDS FOOD WATER SHELTER HEALTH EDUCATION SAFETY AND SECURITY POVERTY IS FOUND IN REGIONS WITH HIGH INCIDENCE OF CHILDHOOD DEATH WIDENING GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR (UNEQUAL WEATH DISTRIBUTION)

CAUSES THESE ARE THE GEOGRAPHICAL/ HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT HAVE LEAD TO THE CURRENT CONCERNS THAT WE SEE TODAY. Can involve hundreds of years of history – ie. Colonialism Can involve a short time frame. – ie. Rise of Al Qeda and 911 / Terrorism

CAUSES Geographical and Historical Roots? THE GEOGRAPHY OF POVERTY The location of the country or region has direct bearing on wealth and development… WHERE? AND WHAT IS THERE?? Coastal vs. Inland Temperate vs. Tropical Good soils vs. Desert Resources vs. None

Case Study THE GEOGRAPHY OF WEALTH: EUROPE   Location: on the North European Plain with fertile farmland along the coastline Proximity to water (rivers and ocean): transportation, trade, fishing power, exploration, and colonization potential (Canada is an example!) Climate: temperate (not too cold or hot) moderating effect of the water; Atlantic storms encouraged people to be adaptable. Relatively few diseases. Mountains: settlement in the lower elevation along coastlines and rivers Peninsulas: it is a point of land surrounded by water – this lead to a longer coastline and forced water travel as ‘short cuts’ between coastal communities

CONSEQUENCES OF GEOGRAPHY

Case Study THE GEOGRAPHY OF POVERTY: CHAD Location: Northern African interior – Sahara Desert Proximity to water (rivers and ocean)- Inland and Landlocked. Lake Chad is drying up and disappearing. Climate: tropics… hot with little rainfall Desert: dry with poor soils for agriculture Peninsulas – Africa has few if any natural harbours. Europe at 1 /5 the size of Africa has twice the coastline of sub Saharan Africa

CAUSES Geographical and Historical Roots? 2. THE POLITICS AND ECONOMICS OF POVERTY How historical events by countries and companies shaped wealth Poorer countries exploited by colonial systems Developing countries indebted to developed countries and financial institutions (World Bank, IMF) Globalization of the world economy is dominated by wealthy countries High population growth in countries who can least afford it

POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS Poor people often disenfranchised; lack the political power and ability to change their condition Many poor countries have an illiterate populace and are easily exploited for the gain of corrupt governments and dictators.

IMPLICATIONS THESE ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CURRENT SITUATION BROKEN DOWN BY TOPIC AREA. THEY MAY INCLUDE FUTURE IMPLICATIONS NOT YET REALIZED, OR ARE AS OF YET UNKNOWN.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS Lack of sanitation causing higher incidence of disease Poor people living in squalor along city margins in slums without any infrastructure Poor people have less access to safe drinking water. Desperate people (and lack of gov’t regulation) use poor agricultural, logging, hunting, and mining practices that degrade the environment

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS Poor people have access only to marginal land or pay excessive rent Poor people migrating to cities and living in squalor leads to desperate decisions – slavery, prostitution, begging Children have less access to education and literacy – especially girls (gender inequality) Poor people have larger families as children are viewed as an asset

ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS Developing countries owing US $2 trillion to richer countries and financial institutions Meanwhile most citizens earn so little and therefore governments collect so little in tax revenue, that repayment of loans is impossible (Chronic Debt)

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Create better educational opportunities for poor people Prioritize empowerment of women Aim for lower birth rates through investment in education and health care Reduce under 5 mortality rates Aid in the form of micro credits to women vs. bailouts to governments