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EARTH SUMMIT

Need for Global, Regional and National Actions

Dire predictions that we keep on hearing about the emission of harmful gases and the greenhouse effect, rise of the sea-level and other dangers for mankind can be easily attributed to the Western World's industrial and techncJogical policies.

by Shah AMS Kibria
Mankind seems to have put a tot of faith in the Earth Summit being held in Rfo de Janeiro from 3rd June for two weeks In little over two decades — ■Ince 1072 when the Stockholm Conference was held — the International community has travelled a long distance tn recognising the protection of the environment as one of its major concerns. However the linkage between environment fend development has been recognised only tn recent years although this recognition Is yet to be fully accepted in the developed countries. Scholars and experts arc agreed that the two issues are inextricably linked. Indeed these arc seen as two sides of the same coin. Thus we are witnessing a unique event — a Summit conference in which these twin concerns of mankind are being ad dressed at the highest level. A vast assembly of statesmen, diplomats, scientists and scholars, non-governmental organizations and journalists will deliberate for two weeks on Issues which, most people believe, will shape the earth’s future.
The conference will deal with issues of global concern The depletion of the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, the rise tn sea level and consequent climate change are some of the most important problems lo be addressed by the Rio conference. Rapid in crease in desertification, deforestation. Industrial and agricultural pollution resulting in the deterioration of the air and water quality are some of the other concerns which affect us all in varying degrees even in our daily life. These questions are relevant for the whole world — both developed and developing. However, the developing countries face not only the dangers posed by these problems but also ihc challenges of massive poverty.-It is here that the leaders assembled tn Rio will face their biggest challenge Will they rise to the occasion? Will the industrialised North learn the lessons of history and make available the resources necessary for taking urgently needed actions? Wc are eagerly waiting to see the results for what happens next is mon-In the hands of developed countries than ihc countries
of the Third World Resource allocution and determination of priorities are the crux of the whole Imuc AHeviatlop of poverty and environmental protection must be addressed simultaneously If the confer ence Is to have the kind of Impact which we all expect.
The Industrial Revolution which started in Europe some two hundred years ago has taken its toll on global environment. Scientists have documented how the West has fouled up the earth's environ mcnl by its unwise and profligate use of the earth’s resource*. Dire predictions that we keep on hearing about the emission of harmful gases and the greenhouse effect, rise of the sea level and other dan gers for mankind can lx- easily attributed to the Western Worlds industrial and techno logical policies The develop Ing countries have contributed very little lo this degradation of the earths environment. With 78 per cent of the world's population, the devel-
oping countries still consume only 12 per cent of the world s minerals (moat of which are found tn the developing countries) and 18 per cent of the world's commercial energy.
Industry, mostly concentrated in the developed countries. produces environmental problem* ovrywherc. Industry consume* 37 per cent of the world's energy, and emits 50 per cent of the world's carbon dioxide, 00 per cent of the world's sulphur oxide* and all the chcmtcnls now threatening the ozone layer with depletion. Every year it produces 2100 million tonnes of solid waste and 338 million tonnes of hazardous waates.
There is also widespread concern about the disposal of radio active wastes from nuclear reactors. The problems faced by humanity arc Indeed daunting. It has to be recognised however that It is the developed countries which arc today In the forefront of the movement for the protection of the environment as well as for more rational use of the earth's limited resources. Asia-Pacific countries have been slowly but increasingly getting
sensitised about the actual and potential threat posed by the mindless destruction of the environment. While their primary focus ha* been, ever •ince they gained Independence some four decade* ago. on economic development, today they recognise the integral nature of these issue*.
Whoever may be responsible for the plight we arc in. we simply cannot sit back and relax in the belief that after all. we arc not to be blamed for the mess we arc tn. In fact the rapid pace of the Industrial development tn the Asia-Pacific region has lent a sense of urgency to the whole Issue. I have had the privilege to observe and study the economic growth process of this region for more than ten years. In my view. while industrial growth and consequent pollution I* rapidly becoming a serious problem one must also recognise that tn most countries of the region widespread poverty
Is an equally potent agent for the destruction of the environment. One can look around Bangladesh today to appreciate the validity of the point. Poverty and land hunger Is rapidly leading to the settlement of people in our already depleted forest areas Fire wood for cooking alone is enough to destroy ihc few re maining forest* and village wood*. Deforestation, soil ero sion and slltation results In frequent floods. There Is also a steady increase In descrtlfica tlon and the combined result of all this is a fundamental change tn the landscape of the countty.
The precious wetlands of Bangladesh in the south arc under serious threat because of economic pressures. The way things arc going wc may not have to wait for the sea level rise Recurrent floods and frequent droughts combined with intense pressure from a growing population on a limited land area may create a most untenable condition tong before the melting of the polar icecaps inundates out shores. People struggling from day lo day for survival cannot be ex
pected lo be worried about the future. What future do they have? They live tn the present and they must derive sustr nance from their surroundings
It is thus not difficult to see why we can effectively address the environment Issue if wc simultaneously take up poverty alleviation as the highest prior lly. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development will fulfil our expectations only if the question of resources for the poor coun tries is seriously considered Most of the poorer countries of the world will not be able to take effective action for the protection of the environment because of lack of funds even if they are fully committed to take such action
The Asia-Pacific region Is going through a period of rapid and dynamic change. 1-ed by Japan the East and South East Asian countries are making phenomenal progress In both Industry, agriculture. Infra*
tructure development and other nation-bulldtng field*. The South Aslan countries are also making some headway though at a slower pace than the rest of the region. This. In my view, is the lime to formu late national policies to integrate environmental concerns in our development strategy How are wc going to utilise out natural resources? What safety measures arc wc going to adopt in out Industrial dcvcl opment policy?
Environmentally safe tech notogy is available thc*c days for most manufacturing pro cess but it costs money. Can wc afford the bill? What alter natives are there? The so-called green revolution In agri culture is based on the extensive use of fertilizer and pesli cldcs Is it not time for u* to take a stock of the situation so as to formulate sound and balanced policies to safeguard our fields and rivers as well a* the air we breathe and the water we drink?
Under the auspices of ESCAP — the UN Regional Commission I had the honour to lead for 1 1 years — a Minis tcrial Conference on Environ
ment and Development was organised in October 1990
sued a declaration and also adopted the basic elements of a regional strategy. Later the regional strategy was further refined and approved by the Commission Dx-se documents constituted this region s tn-puts for UNCED Regional co operation Is naturally one area which was highlighted by the minister*. In a number of vital fields we can take effective ac tlon only when we will act In concert.
An area which deserve our close attention t* Increasing public awareness about the en vironmenL Until the common men and women realize that progress, growth and devel opment can be sustained only If we are wise and prudent In the use of our resources, wc will fail to develop national consensus around these poll cles Indeed development will become counter-productive If the sustainability of such de vetopment can not be assured.
In this vital task the news media can and must play a key role. Recognising the Importance of the news media ESCAP Initiated n programme to organise socially conscious and responsible journalists Into whal is known as the Na ttonnl Forum of Environmental Journalists. I was very pleased al the sucr es* of our initiative As many as 12 countries have set up these National forums and In 1988 an Aslan Regional Forum was established at a conference held in ESCAP headquarters These arc today highly active and dynamic bodies dedicated lo a selfless campaign lo generate public awareness about the impor lance of sustainable develop mcnL Building up public opin Ion tn a non-partisan spirit for the common good Is a mission which deserves all the support and encouragement from all quarters.
The significance of UNCED can be hardly over-empha sized. Global agreements are essential to protect the earth and its finite resources. Ixt us hope that the leaders assembled al Rio will rise to the oc
caston and respond positively to the I win challenges of afie vtatlon of poverty and environmental protection. Their vision of the future, statesman ship and above all their commitment lo safeguard the tn terests of the global community will make a permanent impact on the shape of things in the coming years. As a densely populated country Bangladesh can not afford to stand idly by. We must press those who have done most of tfie damage lo help us tn this task.
The developed countries cannot shirk their responsibll Ity All the preparations for the last two years will be in vain if the Summit ends only wtth a high sounding declaration. There must be more concrete outcome to justify the massive preparations made by the entire International community. There must be a global con sensus as to how the earth's fo lure can be assured and how the resources can be mobilised to implement the programmes.
While Bangladesh can. tn all fairness, expect financial support from the rich countries, wc must not consider our responsibility to have been fulfilled simply by making our needs and requirements known to the devvtoped coun tries. Despite constraints of resources wc must learn from the mistakes of others and do what must be done In our own self interest. Poverty alleviation and environmental protection must be considered as our twin goals around which the entire nation must be mobilised and united. We err tainiy owe this lo our coming generation. Economic growth and development must be sus-lainablc. Wc must protect our rivers, our forests and fields, our sub-soil walers, the coastal eco system as well as the biosphere. We must ensure that development Is sustainable and not achieved at the cost of reckless misuse of precious resources or the future generations.
(The author, a former Foreign Secretary, has recently returned to Bangladesh after serving I I years as Executive Secretary of ESCAP. He started the ESCAP programme of set ting up the National Forum of Environmental Journalists.)