French architect DIDIER PROST is an advocate of bioregionalism, which calls for a renewed focus on local people and knowledge to innovate for greener solutions. He speaks to RAJAT GHAI on how bioregional approaches can be adopted to solve India's environmental problems.
![`Bioregionalism Could Become a Global Movement'](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/762/218954/58f5b1a24f973/Bioregionalism-Could-Become-a-Global-Movement.jpg)
What is bioregionalism?
Bioregionalism is a movement that was born in Italy in the early 1970s. It is a revolutionary way to reimagine our surroundings. The concept assumes significance as we are increasingly facing environmental and social problems the world over. Hence, we need to cultivate newer approaches about how we intend to plan and develop our surroundings. For that, we have to connect people with their land, nature and institutions. In short, we have to build a new model of development based on what is known as a “bioregion”. We have to build new borders—not administrative and political ones, but ecological and cultural ones. We have to build what we call “a consciousness of the place” by analysing a particular area, its history and the “global archaeology” of that history. This can be done by eliciting the participation of people from all spheres of society—academia, polity, grassroot communities, non-profits and workers. Using their inputs, we need to develop a plan for that area that will be different from other regular economic development process. Our current development process sucks all the resources and reserves from an area and then dumps the waste in the environment. Bioregionalism, on the other hand, integrated local ecologies in the economy.
Did bioregionalism come about as a response to globalisation?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 16, 2017-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 16, 2017-Ausgabe von Down To Earth.
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![Look Beyond Dust](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/LUcfRhjSO1717500619374/crp_LOOK-BEYOND-DUST.jpg)
Look Beyond Dust
Reinvent National Clean Air Programme to focus on fine particulate matter and trans-boundary pollution
![PLAN THEM COOL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/7f5hMRg3Y1717501540417/PLAN-THEM-COOL.jpg)
PLAN THEM COOL
As urban India turns into a heat trap, the government must focus on improving cities' liveability
![Vision 2030](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/hxj09bnEp1717500184062/crp_VISION-2030.jpg)
Vision 2030
Economic growth must take into account needs of energy transition, climate mitigation, with action aligned as per India's 2030 climate goals
![FIX OUR FOOD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/xMK2FG_n01717502345831/FIX-OUR-FOOD.jpg)
FIX OUR FOOD
Chemical-dependent farming, lax labelling laws, rising anti-microbial resistance must top the agenda
![BATTLE THE CAR BULGE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/1rF6Iqiqk1717502158050/BATTLE-THE-CAR-BULGE.jpg)
BATTLE THE CAR BULGE
Clean, affordable, integrated and accessible public transport the only solution
![CONSERVE NOW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/fnXeqrw561717502067483/CONSERVE-NOW.jpg)
CONSERVE NOW
Disregard for biodiversity conservation over the past two decades needs immediate redressal
![SCRAP THE DUMP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/agByyU0zV1717501748303/SCRAP-THE-DUMP.jpg)
SCRAP THE DUMP
Disincentivise garbage dumping, invest in behavioural change
![THINK LONG-TERM](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/GUd91olKI1717501199219/THINK-LONGTERM.jpg)
THINK LONG-TERM
India needs continued emphasis on flagship programmes, aligned to long-term planning that focusses on water security and circular economy in a climate-risked era
![OVERHAUL OVERDUE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/saIOJR5k01717500839449/OVERHAUL-OVERDUE.jpg)
OVERHAUL OVERDUE
Hold polluting industries accountable for public health risks, environmental hazards, climate change; provide them support for green transition
![IT'S NOW OR NEVER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/762/1719707/u8HQXylCV1717500436337/ITS-NOW-OR-NEVER.jpg)
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
Clean energy sectors need demand-driven markets and domestic industries that can cater to the entire value chain