People are becoming increasingly concerned about the state of the global environment. It’s because of this concern that pollution, global warming, and habitat and species loss have increasingly figured on the global political agenda.
At the Rio de Janeiro ‘Earth Summit’ in 1992 world leaders recognised the need for action and made a commitment to sustainability by signing an action plan called ‘Agenda 21 – The Worlds’ Agenda for the 21st Century’. It set out global strategies for halting our wasteful use of the Earth’s resources and proposed ways in which we can live in harmony with the natural environment.
1.2.1) What is sustainability all about?
Sustainable development is development that delivers environmental and social benefits at the same time as economic returns. It intentionally sets out to place the environment and social needs at the heart of the development process, so that we will pass onto our children a world that is as rich and diverse as one which we inherited from our parents.
Sustainable development can be described as:
‘The need to develop and provide for our own needs, without compromising our children’s needs’
In other words we must all think about what effect our activities are having on our local environment but also to remember that our actions can have an effect on the world and its future. Remember, ‘Think global act local’.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved without the priorities of Agenda 21 filtering down to a local level. Every local authority, including Sheffield, now has a Local Agenda 21 process in place, working with communities to deliver sustainability at the grass roots. This can only work with the continued co-operation and participation of local communities and individuals.
Useful publications on the subject include:
From Rio to reality: A beginners guide to Local Agenda 21
Friends of The Earth (1997) Video cassette. Author/Title code: FRIE-FROM
The way forward: beyond Agenda 21
Felix Dodds (Ed.) (1997) Earthscan , UK, ISBN 1-85383-437-8
A Guide to Agenda 21, Theodora Carroll-Foster (1993), USA ISDN 0-889936-687-X
It is worthwhile embracing the concept of ‘local plans for the 21st century’ as our future well being is in our own hands. If your community group needs advice or information on the local agenda 21 process contact:
Rachel Wileman
Agenda 21 Officer
Sheffield City Council
2-10 Carbrook Hall
Sheffield
S9 2DB
To summarise, the document is split into four sections. These are:-
• social issues— dealing with combating poverty, human health, human population figures and sustainable development.
• conservation— sewage waste, biological diversity and combating deforestation are included in this section, together with related subjects such as protection of freshwater resources and preserving our oceans and seas.
• people empowerment— relevant to us all, as it deals with the empowerment of women, involving youth in decision making and strengthening the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• implementation— financial resources, education and the need to develop sustainability indicators are covered here.
