An Illumination Lightening the Path of Those Who Respect Our Land

Witty, Dr. Richard Byron-Cox, can be described as one. His dry humor could make you laugh hard as well: " I say that in all honesty. So it is impossible to find a good picture of me " he told me when I needed some photos of him to illustrated the interview.

Even though, he thinks his beautiness does not appears on pictures, it must certainly be glowing on his work as the one protecting humanity through environment.

According to Dr. Byron-Cox, his admiration for the late President of Burkina Faso, Captain Thomas Sankara strengths him being the Action Program Alignment and Capacity Building Officer of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) based in Bonn, Germany.

For more than 20 years, he, a native of the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, an archipelago of nearly forty small islands in the Caribbean Sea, has lectured at universities across the global from Oxford in England, to Makarere in Uganda; and from Yonsie University, South Korea to the Kharazmi University in Iran. 

One of the founding fathers at the United Nations of the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality, Dr. Byron-Cox believes that this concept can help countries suffering of floods, droughts, etc. to be self-sufficient. Interview from Bonn by Ramata Soré.

R.S. : How could you define the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) related to flood or drought in a country such as Burkina Faso ?

Richard Byron-Cox (R. B-C.) : LDN means different things to different people depending on a variety of factors including their interests and circumstances. However, I hold to the view that, “LDN is a state whereby the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems.” As regards Burkina Faso, addressing LDN specifically in relation to the two problems you identified must mean a determination whereby the country changes it present relations to the question of land management in such a way that these floods and drought are brought to a minimum if not stop altogether. And, that its international politics must of necessity focus on convincing others that LDN is not just of national importance to Burkina Faso, but of global importance to the world. But what does this mean in concrete and practical terms?

Well it means inter alia that the country as a whole (not just government or farmers and/or foresters), needs to understand the real value of the land, and in so doing begin to treat (relate) to it properly. As far as I have been able to find through my research on this question, Burkina Faso is one of those countries that depend heavily on the productivity of its land not only for economic progress, but also for social cohesion and consequently the wellbeing of the state itself! It is therefore absolutely necessary that this be reflected in its domestic and foreign policy.

R.S. : As regards flood or drought, what are the driving factors behind the increased exposure of Burkina Faso to these natural hazards ?

R. B-C. : This is an interesting question from many stand points. Not least from that of the implied view that this is somehow “isolated” to something in Burkina Faso. The truth is that the environment irrespective of this or that local peculiarity is global. There are no national boundaries when it comes to the environment. Therefore, what is happening in Burkina Faso as regards droughts and floods is directly link to the “carbon economy;” the practice of neoliberal economics; and the limited understanding of all humanity of these basic truths. According to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human activity contributes to climate change which inter alia leads to an increase both in intensity and frequency of these natural hazards.

The question is also interesting because the words “natural hazards” are used. Where is the defining line between natural and manmade hazards these days? It is clear, very clear that these more frequent, longer, and more dangerous droughts and floods are occasioned by human actions. Is it therefore correct to call them “natural’ in the true sense, spirit, and meaning of that word?” Just something to think about.

R.S. : Is there a way to make a correlation between the recurring floods or droughts in Burkina Faso and what is called land grabbing, or city expansion, or development ?

R. B-C. : I don’t believe that one needs to “make a correlation.” This either exists or it doesn’t. I never manufacture anything. I simply speak the truth! Now to answer the question in a very direct manner. People “grab land” to use for commercial purposes broadly speaking. So what does that mean? Well it means inter alia:

- changing the use of the land which among other things leads to destroying the natural ecosystem and therefore the functions of the same;

- having long term effects on the micro climate and weather of that location and ultimately the global climate;

- changes in and on the surrounding environment, not only in terms of water and other important nutrients, but in the very way people live.

It must be said that much of these effects still need to be seriously studied and therefore understood. Land grabbing is an exercise where economics comes first. What do I mean by that? Well in those kinds of circumstances, environment and its protection are secondary. In other words, people are concerned with profit rather than with long-term environmental consequences. 

As regards city expansion and “development” there can be no doubt that these add to greater CO2 pollution in the atmosphere due to the fact that we still have a “carbon economy.” Cities demand more of everything generally speaking, including more water, energy, more chopping of forest and more food. In our efforts to create this more and more, we are doing untold damage to the environment which repays us with more dangerous and deadly floods, hurricanes, and droughts. Cities as we build them now are rather hurtful than helpful to the environment, and therefore to our wellbeing and that of the planet.         

R.S. : When people lose access to land, many become economic migrants, adding to the pressures on resources and governance not only at the local level, but also at a global one if we consider what is happening in Ceuta and Melilla according to the former Malian Minister Aminata Traoré, what is you take on that issue ?

R. B-C. : There is a serious misconception by many as to the fundamental cause of migration. The cause of mass migration is ALWAYS something called “the absence of opportunity at home.” There are other causes, but mass migration is always when people lack opportunity that threatens their very existence at their place of origin! When there are floods and droughts people very lives are in peril. The land offers little or nothing to eat and more than that, these plagues kill people directly. Aminata Traoré is absolutely right in this regard. The wave of migrants trying to get to Europe, risking all they have, namely their lives, speaks of a reality where there is not a minute hole, much more a door, or window of opportunity for people who simply want to live. Note: I didn’t even say live decently!    

R.S. : Online, there are some nice narratives on LDN, how could this on a pragmatic way be useful to the people mostly those who depend on land to survive ?

R. B-C. : This is a very important question and one that I am consumed with daily. All of the knowledge, experiences, trainings, and the like are important, useful and therefore necessary; however, there are certain very serious limitations to their use, accessibility, and content, these include:

- many people don’t have access to the internet, especially in places where some of this information is really needed.

- Most of this information is “one-sided” in its content. It all comes from the so-called “developed world.” Is it that people in the so-called “Third World” are so absolutely dumb, that they can’t add anything to improve their own conditions?

- We need a system of exchange between farmers and one of exchange between other “direct” land users (please note I didn’t say consultants or bureaucrats like myself). A process that forget about writing consultant paper after consultant paper, but is focused on delivery to the people! Achieving LDN is something that must be done on the ground. The key therefore is putting people front and center of this process. Any other approach will fail. And this is true whether we are addressing LDN in flood and drought prone areas, or any other circumstance.    

R.S. : That said, you seem to admire Thomas Sankara and we all know about his commitment to bring or give dignity to his country and people. You as an expert which of his legacy concerning the land protection could still be useful to Burkina Faso based on what it is going on in the country right now?

R. B-C. : Firstly, I must state that I have no wish to comment on the internal or external political practice of Burkina Faso. This is matter for national politicians. But in all sincerity, I know that Captain Thomas Sankara meant well not only for his country, but for all of Africa. For this I loved him and always will, because I love humanity as a whole. May his soul rest in peace! As regards land, it is my firm conviction that his policy of focusing on preventing famine through agricultural self-sufficiency and implementing necessary land reform, is superlative to anything done before or since. Indeed, Captain Sankara’s (and here I use the word Captain meaning a true leader, not just his military rank) mission, of planting million trees to halt the growing desertification in the Sahel; his land redistribution program, and his defense of women’s rights were all policies that protected land, and of equal importance provided opportunities to the poor of our humanity! His policies in this regard were, are, and will remain an illumination that will light the path of those who respect the environment and in particular our land; believe in the dignity of all humanity, and are concerned for the wellbeing of their neighbor! May the soul of this man who promised humanity so much, rest in peace!!!

R.S. : why do you seem to be ashamed of what is going on in Burkina Faso right now ?

R. B-C. : I will say again, that it is not my place to comment on the politics of Burkina Faso. My task is to assist all peoples where I can in their development. I therefore have an obligation to the people of Burkina Faso in this regard. Like Captain Sankara I have every faith in the people of this land. It was not an accident that he renamed the country “Land of Upright Man". Development is a journey with many challenges at every point. We must commit ourselves to meeting these difficulties and overcoming them! That’s what Captain Thomas Sankara did! That is one of the lessons he taught me!

R.S. : By 2030, LDN aims to, I quote, “combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, droughts, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world” when we all know that a country such as Burkina Faso has many priorities in terms of education, health, etc. how that would be possible ?

R. B-C. : The fact is that it is not as difficult as it seems. If we start from the point of view that many of these other challenges listed here, are first and foremost symptoms and that the disease is what needs to be tackled, then we are already conceptually right. If I may state a simple fact in trying to answer your question: It is known that the average human being can live six minutes without oxygen, six days without water, and sixty days without food. Now which of these three you know that we can have without land? It brings me back to Captain Sankara again. He clearly understood what the disease is. Remember, Captain Sankara NEVER saw foreign aid as the solution, NEVER!! His was a philosophy that preached African self-reliance. NEPAD has now agreed with him that Africa’s answers “lies in its land.”

R.S. : Correct. But, Thomas Sankara was always taking in consideration the mind of his people; however, LDN is a top-down concept which rural people or even those in the cities are unaware of, how could those people and their country that lack the necessary framework, the financial, and technical resources could properly address LDN’s development planning in a sustainable manner?

R. B-C. : If you take even a prima facie look at the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations last year, you will see that they are really all about the wellbeing of people first and foremost. This means that as I have said earlier, people must become front and center of the process. In other words, it can’t just be about them. It must also be for them and by them. How this is going to happen depends a great deal on the media and the Civil Society Organizations. It is the media’s responsibility to help spread this to all sections of the community. It is the media’s responsibility to help hold the governments to accountability for carrying out their obligations. It is the media’s responsibility to visit the communities, see what is happening and let suffering be heard!! We all blame governments and rightly so in many instances. But we must ask ourselves: and what is my responsibility? It is time certain sections of the media do some soul searching!!

The raison d'être of Community Based Organizations is the empowerment of local communities. It is their calling!! And, they must ensure that people become the front and center of any process to achieve LDN! Justice can never be gain without a struggle. History has shown that. Now in the same way that Captain Sankara created relevant institutions where they did not exist. In the same way he changed policies. In the same way he got people to work in their own interest, so too we can do it. If the belief is that justice on the ground can be guarantee by some distant overlord in faraway places, then that is an illusion to be pursued but never to be attained! This is why one of the fundamental principles of the UNCCD is using a bottom up approach. In achieving LDN, here too this must be the approach. But we must stop demanding that governments do this. Instead, we must lead by example!!      

R.S. : well, tell me Dr. Byron-Cox where are the local people or rural people and their knowledge as concepts that international organizations think key are the top-down ones always imposed to people and their country ?

R. B-C. : You are right that the mechanisms to allow for full and effective participation in this process by rural and local people and in particular the Poor are really non-existent. And here again is where I see where the serious media and the CSOs must play a significant role. Their job in this case is to speak for the voiceless, to let suffering speak!! In the UNCCD process there are many NGOs who take this task very seriously indeed. Thanks to their efforts more attention is being paid to this question. But your question has another very serious side to it, namely the reforming (for want of a better word) of the international decision making process. This is a cardinal question which I am prepared to answer in an interview solely dedicated to this question. The reason is, the answer is not a short one and requires its own space. So I am at your disposal if you so desire!!  

R.S. : Sure. As you are a Man of truth, I accept your offer and wish you unravel the mystery. Meanwhile, what could be the news means used by journalists to help positively shift the mindset of 99% of our populations who live in rural areas, who can't afford using social media, ICTs tools, yet deserve to have an access to decent and sustainable livelihoods and a better LIFE ?

R. B-C. : Yes, it is a challenge for the news media to reach some sections of a country or community. This is the reason for them to be innovative! This is the reason for them to show commitment in getting the message out! These are the circumstances where serious media takes up the challenge and get the job done. I am not a trained media person, but I am totally committed to change for the betterment of all humanity. That commitment drives me each and every day to find new ways to bring it alive. This is the challenge I know put to the media. I dare them to meet it!

R.S. : And you, could you dare to predict the future of your child, the LDN as you are one of the fathers of this concept ?

R. B-C. : Firstly, thank you for this acknowledgement. I am deeply humbled. This is so for it is extremely rare when my work is recognized. So thank you again. Being black is always a challenge under any circumstance including at the United Nations!! As regards the future of LND I think the three important things that need to happen are:

-it should become a compulsory principle of international law making it legally incumbent on ALL nations to achieve it.

- People have to be placed front and center in any efforts to achieve LDN. Without this the process will become an exercise in futility.

- National targets must be set, mechanisms and resources put in place to achieve them, and a credible monitoring must be put in place. 

R.S. : But why should LDN become an international environmental law in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) ?

R. B-C. : Being a lawyer by training I know there are different definitions of law. The one I like most is that related to governments behavior. In making achieving LDN a compulsory principle of international law we will be demanding a particular behavior from all states. As regards achieving the SDGs, if you take a serious glance at them you will realize that about 13 of them cannot be achieved without addressing the question of land. This means more than 75% or ?. I think this fact point to the elementary truth that protecting land will be crucial going forward. As a matter of facts several reports including from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that by 2030 (in 14 years) we are going to need 50% more food and 30% more water. Can you see us achieving these without achieving LDN? Is so, please let me know how!!   

R.S. : so, you do think that coercion is better than cooperation ?

R. B-C. : As I have insisted throughout this interview, I prefer to leave the politics to the politicians. But as regards this issue my study and understanding of history shows that both have their place depending on time and circumstance. I know in many situations without the use of force good would not have prevailed. I also know of situations where coercion forced cooperation. The ideal is always cooperation, and we must always aim for the ideal. But while doing so, we must of necessity live the real!! This is a world where power speaks and determines. Justice, fairness, humanity, peace and everything else must subject themselves to power. This is the reality!! And I am simply one little back boy from an unknown place in the Caribbean. My only merit is a love for humanity!!! End.