Energy, imperialism and global environmental crises: A systematic overview on sustainable development

In our present post-consumerist society ruled by fear of scarcity, resource disparity and the overruling interests of the elite, desperation, crisis and shocks to the global environmental and financial systems in operation are central to redefining the interests of society. These issues have come about through continual failings of economic growth and environmental destruction, the rise of capitalism and western interests, and the growth in affluence for the wealthy, and in spite of solutions to reverse these having been proposed, the urgency of the situation, as well as the fear of losing income gained to the wealthy through capitalism thus failing to support their vested interests, these have been backtracked on, with immediate and unsustainable fixes having been put into place.  development globally.

For many geostrategically important nations within the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, the reasons in which they are so popular for investment in by influential Western neo-colonial expansionist superpowers is in fact largely down to their plentiful oil reserves. Having a rich expanse of unspoilt resources and low cost labour along with a bygone sense of reality and comparative inability to keep up with and advance society in a way akin to what the Western World has developed into are two of the main things that the West associate with the Global South. These, especially combined with the clear advantage of the helpful geostrategic position of many of the Global South nations, they regard as the core ingredients for a successful business venture in many cases. Sub-Saharan Africa has been no exception. However, for those on the receiving end of these attempts at economic growth, this has not acted as the only problem costing their livelihoods, and, in fact, has arguably merely functioned as a means of further exacerbating existing geopolitical crises, many of which having not been initiated by the actions of these Western colonial powers in question. Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to act as reminders of the issues posed by these situations of crisis, and the constant abuse and exploitation of Western colonial and neo-colonial influence on a global scale. This appears to have further been advocated for through the strong advocacy for the Bretton Woods agreement and the creation of the Marshall Plan after the Second World War amongst many within the Western World, so as to promote social change and economic prosperity. This in turn further allowed for the power of these neo-colonial expansionist superpowers in question to be increased. Similar patterns with regard to economic and geopolitical interest to support this agenda can be seen with many of the Middle Eastern nations and their hugely oil-driven economy acting as their main means of achieving their core development aims and maintaining their individual sovereignty as core rapidly emerging global economies, alongside preserving the political influence they have with regard to engagement with international geopolitical crises taking place, and assisting alliances with other geopolitically important nations regarding these. An example of this is with the UAE and its close relations with Israel further being preserved through its strong diplomatic ties to other powers with the same neocolonial interests in the region and that find economic potential in collaborating on planning new oil mining sites to be appealing economically. This in turn would also help them maintain a clear stance on international issues and support their global political security and provide for their individual capitalist interests.

What appears to be the main factor by which to observe differences between the conflicts in Sudan with the Israel Gaza conflict is that there are two clear opposing sides with similar yet conflicting values with the war in Sudan, as well as tension as to the provision and redistribution of resources and international aid, as opposed to a settler colonial apartheid regime exploiting and repressing a whole ethnic community for white supremacist ultranationalist aims to preserve western influence through the creation of a western white ethnostate- these aims thinly disguised as religious fanaticism to make them somewhat more palatable. It is, however clear to note the common recurring themes of culture, imperial and neocolonial expropriation of land, and religious values in the instigation of both forms of conflict, this proving important in analysing international players' means of effectively resolving this. It is through this post that predictions of future decolonisation and anti-imperial reactionary activity for these regions will be observed to counter this mentality and effectively reflect on redefining the concept and main features of the present day Global South. These are all major features of the same imperialist movement that exploits and represses many. It is thus through the reducing of reliance upon these elements of failing global imperialist systems, improved intervention in effective resolution of  and ensuring that improved legislation on the unlawful exploitation of people and the environment is put in place and better regulated under international law and order.

These patterns of desperation, continual economic crisis and collapse, all these being further hindered by ongoing global conflicts continuing over long periods of time, have been observed frequently globally, with the UK as it is currently under Burnham being no exception. While some may see his proposal to drill for more oil as being a temporary measure to provide for the people in a time of energy insecurity before widespread use of green technologies become commonplace, it is likely something considerably more permanent and with accelerating continued unsustainable economic growth at its core. Considering the aforementioned major presence of oil within many of the forces driving the economy forward and it still hugely overtaking other forms of energy generation and means of assisting the operation of businesses. In spite of the huge economic potential of investing into green technologies and developing climate related forms of employment, it is for not just the quick and effective resolution of resource scarcity and meeting rising consumer demands that this environmental destruction through continued investment in oil extraction is supported, but also for its geopolitical benefits in preserving the diplomatic relations between nations in geo-strategically important world regions, and using opportunities within these to support their own individual market-orientated aims.

It is cases such as this one, which present the failings of a stable financial system led solely by growth and industrial development as opposed to the needs of the vulnerable population affected by more evident climate crisis, therefore likely pointing towards a new degrowth or sustainable development approach as a largely better plan for development globally. This would involve the reversal of the huge environmental implications of economic growth, redistributing wealth and resources, and providing more sustainable opportunities at assisting socioeconomic stability and maintaining good levels of security.