Search Results (112)

Conflicts over natural resources reveal the inseparability of issues such as ecological degradation, structural injustice, human dignity, and peace. This article examines the Catholic Church’s pastoral role in such conflicts through the case study of Juan Antonio López, a Honduran lay Catholic leader, environmental defender, and Delegate of the Word who was killed in September 2024 after years of advocacy against extractive projects threatening local communities and water sources. Drawing on political ecology, development theory, biblical reflection, and Catholic Social Teaching, the article argues that conflicts over natural resources cannot be adequately addressed through legal, economic, or institutional frameworks alone. They also require moral, cultural, and pastoral responses capable of sustaining communities in their pursuit of justice and peace. First, the biblical narratives of disputes over wells in Genesis illuminate both the necessity and fragility of legal agreements when fear, domination, and unequal power shape access to life-sustaining resources. Then, in dialogue with the Church’s social magisterium, especially the tradition of integral human development, the article claims that the Church’s distinctive contribution lies in pastoral accompaniment: walking with vulnerable communities, defending the common good, encouraging the development of just societies by raising just individuals, denouncing structures of injustice, and finally witnessing to a just peace rooted in human dignity, fraternity, and care for creation. Full article

When the global energy transition is analyzed through economic lenses, the constraints imposed by the laws of thermodynamics are often overlooked. This study addresses the Latecomer’s Dilemma—the predicament of semi-peripheral nations compelled to decarbonize without the capital stock accumulated following the example of the countries of the Global North during their more than two hundred years of industrial development associated with the saturation of the atmosphere with carbon dioxide. A novel phase space model of the Anthropocene is constructed, synthesizing the political concept of ecological debt with the biophysical reality of entropy debt. The application of the laws of systems ecology and non-equilibrium thermodynamics enables the mapping of national development trajectories against the saturated “atmospheric bathtub”. The analysis identifies a critical Injustice Gap—a region of phase space physically foreclosed by historical emissions. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that a circular economy powered by low-density renewables functions as an entropy trap, converting material debt into radiative debt without achieving a closed loop. Consequently, the Polish correction vector is proposed as a stabilization mechanism. This study’s findings indicate that addressing the emerging phenomenon of adaptation apartheid necessitates the implementation of a high-density energy flux, namely Generation IV nuclear reactors, which would be funded by a retroactive ETS3 mechanism. This approach fulfills the thermodynamic condition for material closure, thereby substantiating the notion that energy justice constitutes a physical necessity for planetary stability. This study quantifies the historical radiative debt of a single early-industrialized hub (Manchester) at approximately 142.8 billion EUR. The novelty lies in the synthesis of biophysical laws and the Latecomer’s Dilemma through the proposed ETS3 mechanism. Full article

Poverty has continued to be a huge challenge in the post-apartheid South Africa, despite some interventions from the government, civil societies and religious organizations. The persistent increase in poverty raises critical questions about how interventions to address this challenge have been effective. Among other things, the country’s poverty situation reveals that something is missing in its approaches to addressing it. This article investigates the theological and ecclesial implications of the poverty crisis, arguing the need for the church to critically reexamine its role and witness in combating the problem. Drawing on the Confession of Belhar, mainly from Article 4, which asserts God’s solidarity with the poor and the oppressed, the article argues for the need for the church’s engagement with poverty to be rooted in renewed theological conviction. Article 4 of the Belhar Confession calls the church not only to solidarity with the poor but also to prophetically acting against systemic injustice and social–economic marginalization. The article discusses the causes of poverty in post-apartheid South Africa and argues that the church must look back to the Belhar Confession not just as a historical document but also as a guide for addressing all forms of injustice in a changing context. The article encourages the church in post-apartheid Africa to reclaim its prophetic identity and renew its commitment to economic justice. Full article

This study investigates tax evasion and the informal economy in Greece through an integrated research design that combines bibliometric analysis with large-scale survey data to examine both the structure of scholarly discourse and public perceptions of economic non-compliance. The analysis integrates a bibliometric analysis of the academic literature with survey data from 1074 respondents, enabling patterns of scholarly attention to be assessed alongside public evaluations of institutional performance and economic behavior. The bibliometric findings indicate that academic research is organized around Greece and the tax system as central reference points, while governance-related themes such as transparency and public policy occupy comparatively peripheral positions within the thematic landscape, suggesting a field structured predominantly around country-specific institutional analysis. The survey results reveal a broadly comparable configuration, with political institutions, corruption, and tax evasion identified among the most salient national problems. Respondents differentiate among distinct forms of economic non-compliance and attribute tax evasion primarily to systemic factors, including high taxation, perceived injustice, ineffective revenue management, and corruption, rather than to individual moral failings. Overall, tax evasion in Greece is thus evaluated predominantly in institutional and governance-related terms. Future research could extend this approach through longitudinal bibliometric mapping, multivariate survey modelling, and sectoral or regional comparative analyses. Full article

Background/Objectives: This qualitative study examines strengths and strains faced by professionals working with young carers throughout the United Kingdom (UK) in the context of society’s youngest carers; young carers in early childhood (YCEC) (0–8 years). Methods: The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) was utilised to map key findings of three focus groups. This conceptual lens offers a narrative-based understanding of ways in which power operates in society. Increasingly applied to explore experiences of individuals, communities, and groups, the PTMF proposes that concepts of distress are founded in broader contexts of injustice and social inequalities. Twenty-four participants were recruited from throughout the UK via the Carers Trust Young Carers Alliance. Results: Findings highlight the strength of legal, ideological, and economic power shaping societal beliefs and policy concerning YCEC. This informs constructs of perceived social norms regarding who young carers are most likely to be, and where they may be found. This power threatens the health and well-being of YCEC, impacting the ability of professionals to provide optimal support. Inappropriate policy formed from these assumptions disempowers those providing services to young carers at the frontline of service delivery. Professionals and adults with living experience of caring in their early childhoods reflect upon silent tensions that exist within society, suggesting that YCEC remain the ‘elephant in the room’. Conclusions: We make recommendations to review the efficacy of statutory mandates concerning the needs assessment of young carers in England, and to align policy concerning early childhood and young carers to embed young carers’ rights consistently, starting in early childhood. Full article

The integration experiences and vulnerabilities of migrants in host states are a critical area of study. This qualitative research, grounded in a human rights and social justice framework, investigates the systemic injustices and integration challenges faced by Zimbabwean migrants in Johannesburg, South Africa. Through in-depth interviews with 16 participants and six key informants, the study employs thematic analysis to uncover the socio-cultural, economic, and political barriers that impede successful integration. The findings reveal pervasive issues such as prejudice, discrimination, xenophobia, and language barriers, which exacerbate the migrants’ vulnerabilities and make it difficult to support their families. They, at times, fail to buy food and pay school fees for their children. Despite these challenges, the resilience and creativity of Zimbabwean migrants are evident. The study’s unique contribution lies in its widening of the genealogy of theories of migration by incorporating African-centred migration perspectives, which are grounded in social justice perspectives. This critiques the Global North-dominated narratives that have historically sidelined the lived experiences of migrants from the Global South. The study offers a comprehensive examination of the interplay between systemic barriers and migrant resilience, offering new insights into how migration involves and affects families. This research calls for the development and implementation of rights-based integration frameworks to address systemic issues and enhance the well-being of migrants so that they can better support their families and kinsmen. Full article

Environmental sustainability in tourism and hospitality has emerged as a critical focus of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national priorities such as environmental stewardship, human health, and future economic diversification. This study examines how perceived leader favoritism influences non-green behavior among hospitality employees, exploring malicious envy as a mediator and perceived organizational injustice as a moderator. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 412 employees across five major hotels in Riyadh. Measures included validated scales for perceived leader favoritism, malicious envy, non-green behavior, and organizational justice. Structural equation modeling tested hypothesized relationships and moderation effects. Perceived leader favoritism was positively associated with non-green behavior (β = 0.39, p < 0.001) and malicious envy (β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Malicious envy mediated the favoritism–behavior link (indirect effect β = 0.17, p < 0.01). High perceptions of organizational injustice strengthened these effects, exacerbating environmentally harmful behaviors. Interpretation: The findings reveal that unfair leadership practices undermine corporate sustainability efforts by provoking negative emotions and unethical environmental actions. Managerial interventions to enhance fairness and mitigate envy are imperative for achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), supporting Saudi Arabia’s goals in environmental sustainability, basic needs fulfillment, and future economies. Implementing justice-centered leadership programs can foster healthier organizational climates, promoting both employee well-being and ecological resilience. Full article

This paper advances a novel bio-cognitive framework for understanding how urban peripheries function as disabling environments that systematically undermine human flourishing. Drawing on recent theoretical developments in predictive processing, 4E cognition (embodied, embedded, enactive, and extended), and biology, we propose that marginalization in urban contexts emerges not merely from socio-economic deprivation but from fundamental disruptions to cognitive, physiological, and embodied processes. Our analysis illustrates how peripheral spaces operate as neuro-affective ecologies that constrain agency through the breakdown of sensorimotor coupling, the generation of persistent prediction errors, and the activation of chronic stress responses. We argue that environmental features characteristic of urban peripheries, such as fragmented infrastructure, limited affordances, and unpredictable spatial configurations, create conditions where the dynamic interplay between body, brain, and environment systematically impairs inhabitants’ capacity for effective action and adaptation. This bio-cognitive perspective challenges conventional approaches that frame peripheries primarily through geographic or policy lenses, instead revealing how spatial injustice also operates at the intersection of neural, bodily, and environmental processes. Our framework contributes to emerging debates on spatial justice by providing a scientifically grounded account of how built environments become constitutively disabling, offering new conceptual tools for policy interventions that address the embodied and cognitive dimensions of urban inequality. The implications extend beyond urban planning to fundamental questions about how environments shape human potential and the ethical imperatives of creating spaces that support rather than constrain human flourishing. Full article

Water is a vital resource for human survival, economic development, and environmental sustainability. It is essential to agriculture, energy production, public health, and biodiversity preservation. Efficient water management is even more important in areas that are prone to scarcity. This paper presents a systematic review of the management of water resources in South Africa, a country characterized by significant water scarcity challenges compounded by its socio-economic and ecological needs. South Africa’s limited freshwater resources are under extreme stress due to its semi-arid climate, unequal rainfall distribution, expanding population, and industrial needs. The nation’s water security has also been made more difficult by historical injustices, climatic fluctuations, and decaying infrastructure. Through a systematic review of 60 scholarly articles published between 2011 and 2025 in the Web of Science database, this study discusses the historical context of water management in South Africa, including the legacy of apartheid-era policies and their impact on access to water. It also examines current management practices, governance structures involving national and local authorities, the role of key institutions such as the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), climate change impact on water availability, population growth and urbanization, inequality and access, and challenges in South Africa’s water resources management (WRM). In particular, this review highlights the integration of scientific water quality and biostability assessment into the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) framework in order to produce actionable insights that enhance resilience, sustainability, and equity in WRM. Furthermore, it explores future strategies for sustainable WRM, emphasizing the importance of IWRM, community participation, technological innovation, and climate change adaptation. Through this comprehensive analysis, the paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities and opportunities in ensuring water security for all South Africans. Full article

In this paper, we examine the influence of biblical narratives on the transcontinental migration from Ghana to Europe and the rest of the West. This paper adopts a case study approach and examines how two neo-prophetic churches in Ghana, relying on biblical narratives, incorporate migration into their theology and ministry. This paper shows that biblical narratives, such as the call of Abraham and the exodus experience of the Jews, influence the teaching and ministerial practices of the churches. This paper further sheds light on how coloniality, failed state, and economic injustice, among others, underpin and interrelate with the situation of the migrants, their motivation, and their actions within the migration and religion ecosystem. Under the influence of prosperity theology, these churches reinforce the belief that migration from Ghana to Europe, North America, and the rest of the developed world is a journey to the Promised Land. Full article

This paper examines Krivelj, a copper mining village in Serbia, as a critical yet overlooked node within global extractive networks. Despite supplying copper essential for renewable energy and sustainable architecture, Krivelj experiences severe ecological disruption, forced relocations, and socio-spatial destabilization, becoming a “sacrifice zone”—an area deliberately subjected to harm for broader economic interests. Employing a hybrid methodology that combines ethnographic fieldwork with Geographic Information Systems (GISs), this study spatializes narratives of extractive violence collected from residents through walking interviews, field sketches, and annotated aerial imagery. By integrating satellite data, legal documents, environmental sensors, and lived testimonies, it uncovers the concept of “slow violence,” where incremental harm occurs through bureaucratic neglect, ambient pollution, and legal ambiguity. Critiquing the abstraction of Planetary Urbanization theory, this research employs countertopography and forensic spatial analysis to propose a counter-cartographic framework that integrates geospatial analysis with local narratives. It demonstrates how global mining finance manifests locally through tangible experiences, such as respiratory illnesses and disrupted community relationships, emphasizing the potential of counter-cartography as a tool for visualizing and contesting systemic injustice. Full article

China’s rapid urbanization has driven tremendous socioeconomic development while posing new forms of social–spatial inequalities that challenge environmental sustainability and spatial justice. This study investigates urban park-accessibility patterns across 10 s-tier provincial capital cities in China, examining how these patterns relate to housing-price dynamics to reveal diverse manifestations of social–spatial (in)justice. Using comprehensive spatial analysis grounded in distributive justice principles, we measure park accessibility through multiple metrics: distance to the nearest park, park size, and the number of parks within a 15 min walk from residential communities. Our findings reveal significant variation in park accessibility across these cities, with distinctive patterns emerging in the relationship between housing prices and park access that reflect different forms of social–spatial exclusion and inclusion. While most cities demonstrate an unbalanced spatial distribution of parks, they exhibit different forms of this disparity. Some cities show consistent park access across housing-price categories, while others display correlations between high housing prices and superior park accessibility. We argue that these divergent patterns reflect each city’s unique combination of economic development trajectory, politically strategic positioning within national urban hierarchies, and geographical constraints. Through this comparative analysis of second-tier cities, this study contributes to broader understandings of social–spatial (in)justice and urban environmental inequalities within China’s urbanization process, highlighting the need for place-specific approaches to achieving equitable access to urban amenities. Full article

“Racial Injustice, Violence, and Resistance: New Approaches from Multidimensional Perspectives” is the product of a dialogue among three experts, bridging the disciplines of economics, criminology, and sociology and bringing together expertise in racial inequality, urban sociology, international immigration, Latin America, and Latino/a/x studies [...] Full article

After decades of calls for more sustainable land use systems, there is still a lack of consensus on an appropriate way forward, especially for tropical and subtropical agroecosystems. Land Maxing utilises appropriate, community-based interventions to fortify and maximise the multiple, long-term benefits and interest flows from investments that rebuild all six essential capitals of sustainable development (natural, social, human, physical, financial and political/corporate will) for resource-poor smallholder communities in tropical and subtropical countries. Land Maxing adds domestication of overlooked indigenous food tree species, and the commercialization of their marketable products, to existing land restoration efforts while empowering local communities, enhancing food sovereignty, and boosting the local economy and overall production. These agroecological and socio-economic interventions sustainably restore and intensify subsistence agriculture replacing conventional negative trade-offs with fortifying ‘trade-ons’. Land Maxing is therefore productive, regenerative, remunerative and transformative for farming communities in the tropics and sub-tropics. Through the development of resilience at all levels, Land Maxing uniquely addresses the big global issues of environmental degradation, hunger, malnutrition, poverty and social injustice, while mitigating climate change and restoring wildlife habitats. This buffers subsistence farming from population growth and poor international governance. The Tropical Agricultural Association International is currently planning a programme to up-scale and out-scale Land Maxing in Africa. Full article

This paper explores the tensions between hydropower and sustainable development to critically examine how hydropower, often promoted as a strategy for fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals, may not align with the values and needs of local communities. Research in Costa Rica highlights a key issue: For whom and for what is hydropower sustainable? While hydropower may support global energy and climate goals, it often undermines the autonomy, cultural practices, and ecological relationships of Indigenous peoples. This disconnect raises further questions: what social, economic, and ecological trade-offs are acceptable, and for whom? This paper discusses how these trade-offs—climate mitigation versus the loss of land, resources, and autonomy—are often imposed without meaningful consultation or participation from affected communities. Furthermore, it asks who makes the decisions, and how can these decisions be more just? By analyzing the power dynamics within hydrosocial territories, this paper argues for water governance that applies an environmental justice framework to address power asymmetries and centers marginalized voices to ensure that sustainability efforts do not reproduce the very injustices they seek to solve. Full article