Here's some info of interest from an Australasian e-mail list.
Stefanie Rixecker
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Date sent: 22 Sep 1994 11:51:29 +1000
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From: Andrew Dragun <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: UN Population Conference NGO Statement (fwd)
To: Resource & Environmental Economics List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
/** headlines: 323.0 **/
** Topic: UN Population Conference Environmen **
** Written 1:05 PM Sep 12, 1994 by econet in cdp:headlines **
/* Written 8:00 AM Sep 12, 1994 by [EMAIL PROTECTED] in env.forum */
/* ---------- "ICPD: Environmental Caucus Statemen" ---------- */
~From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
~Subject: ICPD: Environmental Caucus Statement
Statement by Environmental NGOs on Population, Environment and
Sustainable Development for the International Conference on Population
and Development (ICPD) Cairo, September 5-13, 1994
The Environmental Caucus is encouraged by the world's increasing awareness
of the linkages among environment, population and development, as the Cairo
and Rio conferences make clear. At the same time, we must point out that
current global patterns of growth are incompatible with the limits of the
physical world, on which we depend for life.
POPULATION
1) Population is not simply about numbers of people, but about the impact
that human beings have on the earth.
2) Population growth in industrialised countries may appear to be low, but
the impact in terms of resource consumption is far above that of developing
countries. In terms of energy consumption, the 400,000 people added to the
population of Japan each year consume as much as 70 million Ethiopians
would consume.
DEVELOPMENT
1) There is need for new models of development which harmonize with the
environment.
2) Local committees everywhere need to be educated about the environmental
impact of development and must be involved in decisions about development.
3) Industrialised countries should assist developing countries in
obtaining low impact technologies.
4) Donor countries need to review and redirect current policies of
development assistance to assure they are socially equitable and
environmentally sustainable.
5) New patterns of development and communications strategies should
integrate traditional wisdom, cultural, religious and spiritual values,
and the needs of indigenous peoples.
CONSUMPTION
Industrialised nations must take concrete action to alter their
unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. At the same time,
developing nations need to adopt a model of sustainable development.
THE ENVIRONMENT
A healthy environment has value over and above the economic benefit to
humanity. Humans aswell as all other species should be respected as part of
the interconnectedness of life.
The following are some of the major global environmental problems linked to
population pressures.
1) Climate modification
2) Deforestation
3) Loss of biological diversity
4) Depletion of ocean resources
5) Destruction of the ozone layer
6) Degradation of water resources
7) Poor management and conflict over water resources
8) Depletion of the world's finite resources such as fossil fuels and top
soil
9) Over-running the earth's ability to assimilate waste
10) Degraded air quality
11) Proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear waste
12) War as a means of resolving conflict
We recognise that we cannot solve these problems without a stabilised
population. A stabilised population cannot be attained without the
empowerment of women, which includes access to reproductive health services
and education.
We recognise further, that these changes will not be achieved easily. A
large financial commitment, reordering of priorities, and long range goals
pursued with conviction are critical. The Rio and Cairo agreements can only
be successful if they are followed by action.
We beleive that the full participation and contribution of NGOs will be
necessary to carry out the Programme of Action. We urge all environmental
NGOs of every nation to actively and aggressively work for its
implementation.
For more details please contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
** End of text from cdp:headlines **
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