"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity
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The "Major Groups" (Women, Youth and Children, Indigenous People, Non-Governmental Organizations, Local Authorities, Workers and Trade Unions, Business and Industry, The Scientific and Technological Communities, Farmers and Fisherfolk)
Participating in Decision-Making Processes
Different Approaches for Different Communities
Governments realize they cannot solve environmental problems on their own. They recognize that communities and community-based organizations have to be involved if the world is to achieve true ecological sustainability and solve the current environmental crisis.
The governments of the world discussed this concern at the Earth
Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June of 1992. Agenda 21, the 800-page
blueprint for a sustainable future that resulted from the Summit,
devotes ten of its 40 chapters to the importance of the community.
Agenda 21 recognizes that the commitment and genuine involvement of all social groups is "critical to the effective implementation of the objectives, policies and mechanisms agreed to by governments in all programme areas of Agenda 21." The objective agreed to by the 184 member States of the United Nations was to "move towards real social partnership in support of common efforts for sustainable development."
Each and every meaning of community is important in our quest for sustainability because it is in our interactions with our communities that we will be most effective in our efforts to help heal the Earth. Working from the perspective of community is important because there is a lot that can be accomplished by a group of people who feel a certain degree of association with or responsibility for other members of their community. This concept is especially important when we take that sense of association and responsibility and extend it from the smallest form of community out to the largest. In this way, an individual may feel a certain sense of association with his particular club, which is a small community, then a sense of belonging at the work place or to his professional colleges, an even greater sense of ties to his neighbourhood, and then to his city and nation. He may feel a sense of belonging to others of his religion or race around the world and consider that his "community." Ultimately, he may come to regard all his fellow members in the community of humanity as somehow related to him, and from there see all of nature, including the trees, the animals and perhaps even the insects as being part of the same community by virtue of sharing the same air, sun and planet.
Communities residing in different neighbourhoods and villages
may have structures and occasions in which they tackle common
issues and problems. These structures offer ideal platforms from
which great contributions can be made to the environment. Organizing
an event or project with one of these groups-with one's chess
club, the people at work or fellow students from school-can yield
immediate results in achieving sustainability at a local level.
The "Major Groups"
To help establish channels of cooperation between the different types of human communities, and to empower those communities to mobilize for the environment, Agenda 21 identifies nine primary sectors of human society. These sectors are called, in the words of Agenda 21, "major groups," and are made up of the following: women, children and youth, indigenous people, NGOs, local administrators, workers and trade unions, business and industry, scientists and academics, farmers, fisherfolk and rural agriculturists.
Most members of a community can identify with one or more of these
groups. The idea is that each group, in its own unique way, can
make an important contribution to the processes of achieving sustainability
and preserving the environment for the benefit of future generations.
Agenda 21 recognizes that a major challenge facing the world community,
as it seeks to replace unsustainable development patterns with
environmentally sound and sustainable ones, is the need to activate
a sense of common purpose on behalf of all sectors of society.
The chances of forging such a sense of purpose will depend on
the willingness of all sectors of society to participate in genuine
social partnership and dialogue, while recognizing the independent
roles, responsibilities and special capacities of each.
There has been much attention in recent years on the role of women in establishing and maintaining sustainable lifestyles in their communities. Although women comprise the majority in many communities, their ability to participate in decision-making processes is often not on par with their male counterparts. It is generally acknowledged that women have considerable experience and insight when it comes to managing and conserving natural resources, although this role has been limited by such barriers as discrimination and lack of access to such fundamental needs as education, land and credit.
The international community has endorsed several plans of action
for achieving the full, equal and beneficial integration of women
in all development activities. These plans include, in particular,
the Beijing Platform for Action and the Nairobi Forward-looking
Strategies for the Advancement of Women, which emphasize women's
participation in national and international ecosystem management
and control of environment degradation. Several conventions, including
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women and some of the conventions of ILO and UNESCO have
also been adopted to end gender-based discrimination and ensure
women access to land and other resources, education and safe and
equal employment. Agenda 21 recognizes that the effective implementation
of all programmes aimed at sustainable development and environmental
preservation will depend on the active involvement of women in
economic and political decision-making processes.
Since youth comprise
roughly 30 per cent of the world's population, their involvement
in environment and development decision-making and in the implementation
of development programmes is critical to the long-term success
of Agenda 21. The world leaders at the Earth Summit recognized
that it is imperative that youth from all parts of the world participate
actively in all relevant levels of decision-making processes.
Of the objectives concerning youth, the governments of the world agreed at the Earth Summit that each country should, in consultation with its youth communities, establish a process to promote dialogue between the youth community and government at all levels and to establish mechanisms that permit youth access to information and provide them with the opportunity to present their perspectives on government decisions, including the implementation of Agenda 21.
Children are often the victims of unsustainable patterns of living rather than the participants and the cause behind those patterns. Agenda 21 states that "children not only will inherit the responsibility of looking after the Earth, but in many developing countries they comprise nearly half the population."
To ensure that the interests of children are taken into account,
Agenda 21 recommends that different sectors of the community work
with their governments to promote primary environmental care activities
that address the basic needs of communities, improve the environment
for children at the household and community level and encourage
the participation and empowerment of local populations, including
women, youth, children and indigenous people, towards the objective
of integrated community management of resources, especially in
developing countries. It also calls on communities to expand educational
opportunities for children and youth, and to work through schools
and local health centres to promote environmental awareness among
young people.
The term "indigenous people" is one that is often misunderstood, especially in many developing countries where the populations have been relatively stable for thousands of years, such as in Africa or Asia. There has even been much debate at the intergovernmental level as to who are the "indigenous" and whether or not they should be called "people" or "peoples." Nevertheless, Agenda 21 recognizes that indigenous people are a major group and a community that has much to contribute to the cause of global environmental sustainability. Indigenous people and their communities represent a significant percentage of the global population. They have developed holistic, traditional and scientific knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment. As the world searches for ways to live and develop sustainably, there is much to be learned from the wisdom of indigenous people.
Agenda 21 recognizes that the ability of indigenous people to participate fully in sustainable development practices on their lands has tended to be limited as a result of factors of an economic, social and historical nature. In the Rio Declaration, the 184 governments who attended the Earth Summit declared in Principle 22 that "indigenous peoples and their communities ... have a vital role in environmental management and development because of their knowledge and traditional practices."
Foremost among the objectives set out in Agenda 21 that concern
indigenous people is the promotion of "full partnership between
indigenous people and their communities, governments and, where
appropriate, intergovernmental organizations." The document
also declares that in view of the relationship between the natural
environment and the cultural, social, economic and physical well-being
of indigenous people, "national and international efforts
to implement environmentally sound and sustainable development
should recognize, accommodate, promote and strengthen the role
of indigenous people and their communities."
Non-governmental organizations
Non-governmental organizations, or simply "NGOs" as they are commonly referred to, are often considered the backbone for community action in all endeavours to improve the condition of the planet and its people.
Numerous environmental NGOs were formed and mobilized in the years following the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972. Twenty years later, more than 100,000 were actively working on environmental issues when the world convened for the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. At the Earth Summit, NGOs were empowered to actively contribute to policy-making processes of governments, and their opinions and experiences were given an expanded forum for expression. In the years following Rio, the influence of NGOs continues to grow, with unprecedented levels of participation seen at the discussions for a Convention to Combat Desertification, the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen and the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
NGOs may include organizations that are specifically created to address particular environmental concerns, such as the energy conservation crisis, the deteriorating ozone or global warming. Or, they may include well-established community organizations such as Rotary International that have incorporated environmental principles into their existing charters. These groups may be made up of women, youth, teachers, or any other sector of society that feels a common sense of purpose.
Many existing environmental NGOs possess well-established and
diverse experience, expertise and capacity in fields which are
of particular importance to the implementation and review of environmentally
sound and socially responsible sustainable development, as envisaged
throughout Agenda 21. They also are legitimate voices of the community
because their members are often from the community and are supported
by it. Governments therefore recognize that the community of NGOs
offers a global network that should be tapped, empowered and strengthened
in support of efforts to achieve the common goals of environment
concerns.
Local authorities and the formation of local
Agenda 21s
Because so many of the problems and solutions being addressed by Agenda 21 have their roots in local activities, the participation and cooperation of local communities are an important component of all efforts to achieve environmental sustainability. Local authorities construct, operate and maintain economic, social and environmental infrastructure, oversee planning processes, establish local environmental policies and regulations, and assist in implementing national and local environmental policies. Furthermore, since they often work closely with the constituencies they represent, local governments play a vital role in educating and mobilizing the public around concerns of the environment and sustainable development.
The call for local Agenda 21s is considered one of the most important messages in the Rio document, and has been taken very seriously by many countries. Within three years following the Earth Summit, more than 1,200 local Agenda 21s had been initiated by local authorities in 26 countries.
In Cajamarca, Peru, for example, Mayor Luis B. Guerrero-Figueroa
is promoting a decentralized, participatory and democratic model
for local decision-making to implement a local Agenda 21. The
expansion of local leadership there has improved democracy, urban-
rural communication, and conservation and recovery of natural
resources. In Tanzania, the Project for a Sustainable Dar es Salaam
seeks to improve the standards of living of the city's population,
in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. Solid waste management,
urban renewal, air quality, liquid waste, and the integration
of the informal sector into the urban and coastal economies have
been identified as priority areas. Communities choose their own
priority areas and the government provides the infrastructure.
Since much of the activity to promote sustainable development will require rethinking current methods of production and construction, the workers of the world will be among those who are most affected by the changes. As the representatives of most labour forces, trade unions can facilitate sustainable development in view of their experience in addressing industrial change, the extremely high priority they give to safety in the working environment and the related natural environment, and their promotion of socially responsible economic development.
Many workers around the world may view environmental concerns as a threat to their employment security or prospects of obtaining a better salary. Sometimes, companies may even reinforce this fear among their workers because of perceived threats to their profitability. These obstacles, however, can be overcome when companies realize that good environmental management means good business in the long run.
In addressing the contribution of this community to the cause
of sustainability, Agenda 21 recommends that all governments and
leaders from the business and industry sectors foster the active
and informed participation of workers and trade unions in the
shaping and implementation of all environment and development
strategies. It further states that unions and employers should
design joint environmental policies, and set priorities to improve
the working environment and the overall environmental performance
of business.
Business and industry, including transnational corporations, play a crucial role in the social and economic development of a country. By improving the efficiency of their production processes, and by employing preventive strategies, cleaner production technologies and procedures throughout the product life cycle to minimize or avoid creating wastes, the policies and operations of business and industry can play a major role in reducing impacts on resource use and the environment. Because this sector of society provides most trading, employment and livelihood opportunities, Agenda 21 calls on business and industry to be full participants in the implementation and evaluation of activities related to the environment and sustainable development.Agenda 21
Agenda 21 challenges business and industry to incorporate environmental
considerations into their management and operations. The document
recognizes that some enlightened leaders of enterprises are already
doing this by implementing "responsible care" programmes,
fostering openness and dialogue with employees and the public,
and carrying out environmental audits and assessments. These leaders
in business and industry, according to Agenda 21, are increasingly
taking voluntary initiatives, promoting and implementing self-regulation
and greater responsibility in ensuring their activities have minimal
impacts on human health and the environment. Agenda 21 also recognizes,
however, that much more of this is needed.
The scientific and technological communities
It is important that the role of science and technology in human affairs be more widely known and better understood, both by decision makers who help determine public policy and by the general public. Better communication and cooperation is needed between the scientific and technological communities on one hand, and decision makers on the other. As well, the scientific and technological community and policy makers should increase their interaction in order to implement strategies for sustainable development on the basis of the best available knowledge.
The scientific and technological community includes engineers,
architects, industrial designers, urban planners and other professionals
and policy makers. Agenda 21 calls on these people to make an
open and effective contribution to decision-making processes concerning
environment and development. The document furthermore declares
that scientists have special responsibilities to search for knowledge
and to help protect the biosphere.
Since agriculture
uses one third of the land surface of the Earth, and is the central
activity for much of the world's population, the active participation
by this sector of society in environmental issues is important.
Rural activities, such as farming, fishing and timber harvesting,
take place in close contact with nature, adding value to it by
producing renewable resources. At the same time, however, these
activities are vulnerable to overexploitation and improper management.
Agenda 21
Agenda 21 recognizes that the rural household, indigenous people and their communities, and the family farmer, a substantial number of whom are women, are the stewards of much of the Earth's resources. These communities must conserve their physical environment because they depend on it for their sustenance.
Over the past couple of decades, there have been impressive increases in overall agricultural production, yet in some regions of the world these increases have been outstripped by population growth, international debt or falling commodity prices. To improve these situations, and to keep them from getting worse, Agenda 21 recognizes that a farmer-centred approach is important. It is, according to the document, the key to the attainment of sustainability in both developed and developing countries.
The sustainable development of people in marginal and fragile
ecosystems is also addressed in Agenda 21. The key to the successful
implementation of these programmes lies in the motivation and
attitudes of individual farmers and government policies that would
provide incentives to farmers to manage their natural resources
efficiently and in a sustainable way. Farmers, particularly women,
face a high degree of economic, legal and institutional uncertainties
when investing in their land and other resources.
Participating in Decision-Making Processes
Agenda 21 recognizes that one of the fundamental prerequisites for the achievement of sustainable development is broad public participation in decision-making. It calls on individuals, groups and organizations to participate in environmental impact assessment procedures and to know about and participate in political and policy decisions of the community, particularly those which potentially affect the communities in which they live and work.
Throughout this book are numerous references to "pursuing partnership" with government. Ideally, the government represents the people's best interest. Through active communication and partnership, community organizations can let it be known that environmental sustainability is what is in their best interest.
Furthermore, Agenda 21 declares that individuals, groups and organizations
should have access to information relevant to environment and
development held by national authorities, including information
on products and activities that have or are likely to have a significant
impact on the environment, and information on environmental protection
measures. In order to be most effective in carrying out the mandate
of your organization, find out where this information is accessible.
Different Approaches for Different Communities
Aside from the major groups as identified by Agenda 21, there are obvious differences both within and between communities that will necessitate different approaches to solving particular environmental problems. These differences are sometimes identified as being "Northern" and "Southern," but are much too complex to be simplified as such. The key is to identify where your community fits into the spectrum, and then to take the appropriate action for your particular circumstances. As your actions progress, you will see that they will change and be modified in response to new knowledge gained through experience.
There is no doubt that a "North-South" dialogue exists,
and at the inter-governmental level there are governments that
identify as being from the South, while others (markedly fewer)
identify with being from the North. At the community level, however,
the traditional dichotomy is not so clearly delineated. There
are communities in the North that suffer from many of the same
problems as impoverished underdeveloped communities in the South,
just as there are communities in the South that experience the
same
lifestyles, privileges and environmental problems as the most
developed communities of the North.
As well, since many of the environmental problems in the developing world were and are caused by modern conveniences adopted from the North, the approaches to dealing with these problems will be similar. Hence, if the cities of the North find an efficient way to deal with urban pollution caused by automobiles (such as Los Angeles), a city in the same situation (such as Mexico City) could probably learn from the experience. Likewise, Mexico City could come up with a solution that Los Angeles would benefit from.
Thus, many of the suggested solutions in the second part of this
book that may seem to have a "Northern" focus could
indeed be appropriate in a "Southern" context, provided
that the essence of the proposed solution is adapted to the particular
circumstance. Likewise, a "Southern" solution may be
very appropriate in the "North." Each problem requires
a specific solution that must be tailored and adapted to that
specific problem. Rarely is any one solution, such as for one
city in the North, also completely appropriate even for another
city of the North. The idea is to grasp the essence of the idea,
and then to adapt it to your own particular situation.
References
A Primer on Environmental Citizenship, Environment Canada,
1993 - Report of the World Conference to Review and Appraise
the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality,
Development and Peace, Nairobi, 1985 - Agenda 21, chapters
23-32, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development,
Rio de Janeiro, June 1992.
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