A World Sustained (by Eric Kam)

Entering the twenty-first century, there exist severe environmental problems that threaten sustainable development, such as air and water pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. The industrial revolution has led to drastic changes in the manufacturing process and resulted in increased stress on the natural environment. However, sustainability requires that all citizens of the world maintain a high quality of life without destroying the environment or endangering the future well being of people and the planet. A heightened concern over environmental degradation and the welfare of future generations has caused people to be more active in their communities. In order to maintain and improve societal and environmental conditions, non-governmental organizations must play a vital role at the grassroots level and collaborate with all levels of government.

The environmental movement has grown considerably in the past decade, with many groups of different sizes, character and importance. Yet, even though it has been growing, environmentalism has not been as successful as it could be since sustainability is often seen as a lack of will from governments, businesses, and citizens. Sociologists would argue that the way society is organized must be changed because sustainable development is not solely a matter of will. A stronger social movement towards sustainability brings about social change that would gradually alter social structure, culture, and behaviour patterns for the better.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provide a way in which people can organize themselves to fight environmental degradation and promote sustainable development in society. Although most NGOs are concerned with humanitarian issues, NGOs with an environmental agenda will prove to be essential in the sustainable development of the world. NGOs organize citizens at a local level and work towards a common goal that benefits all of society. According to Palmer and Birch, the quality of social learning in environmental matters promoted by governments or businesses is low because they have key interests in national or global economies regardless of the cost. Palmer and Birch then argue "the freedom of NGOs lies in that they are well placed to act outside traditional politics and national government". Since NGOs are not-for-profit organizations, they are not accountable to anyone and only aim to contribute to the common good. Therefore, NGOs can make a substantial difference in sustainable development in ways that governments and companies cannot.

One of the major tasks that governments cannot tackle alone is communication to a wide audience. NGOs can play a role in this endeavour by using the media to spread information to ordinary people. In this manner, citizens are educated about the environmental crisis and what they can do to make an impact. In addition, NGOs can mobilize public support and enable people of different political views to achieve change in the environment. This aspect of NGOs is extremely valuable in the effort to further sustainable development, as society must fully comprehend the problems in order to find and participate in the solutions.

The influential role NGOs have on public authorities is integral to determining the outcome of public policy and thus to the success of the sustainable development movement. This is particularly relevant in democratic societies where citizens are given an option to elect their governments to power, but public support alone is not enough to make a difference. Public opinion and the social movement together are powerful in today's society such that they are able to cause social change towards a sustainable future. A recent poll conducted in January 2006 clearly shows that energy and environmental issues in general have reached a "tipping point" at which public concern among Americans can no longer be ignored and policy makers must pay heed. Thus, the social movement led by environmental groups, combined with public opinion, seeks to influence environmental decision-making by lobbying government departments and agencies and local authorities.

The United Nations, being an international organization not affiliated with a particular government, recognized the need for NGOs in the worldwide goal of sustainability. The first significant manifestation of sustainable development becoming popular in society was at the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development (UNCED), also called the Earth Summit, in June 1992. This Conference allowed NGOs to be more involved in important political developments that deal with the environment. The following is taken from Agenda 21, which is the action plan for sustainable development derived from the Summit:

27.4. To ensure that the full potential contribution of non-governmental organizations is realized, the fullest possible communication and cooperation between international organizations, national and local governments and non-governmental organizations should be promoted in institutions mandated, and programmes designed to carry out Agenda 21. Non-governmental organizations will also need to foster cooperation and communication among themselves to reinforce their effectiveness as actors in the implementation of sustainable development. (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Division for Sustainable Development)

The UNCED has also provided an opportunity for NGOs to initiate communication with a multitude of groups, such as governments and researchers. After the Earth Summit, with the intention of implementing Agenda 21 and its recommendations, some NGOs became engaged in dialogue with governments and researchers. This strategy is advantageous because it educates concerned policy makers about the state of the resources and about the important roles that citizens play in the sustainable management of the resources. As a result, NGOs provide all the relevant research to policy makers in order for them to make an informed decision.

As noted earlier, NGOs can improve policy and decision-making at both the national and international levels. They are able to accomplish this most efficiently when they work with governments. In the past, collective behaviour through protests and other confrontational methods have frequently led to harassment of those involved without leading to tangible results. Consequently, NGOs must pursue other avenues in their objective to advocate sustainability on behalf of both people and the natural environment.

Some activists within NGOs have links to power structures in the government through a friend or family member, enabling NGOs to use these contacts to lobby public authorities. The more powerful the contact is in the hierarchy, the higher the chance of the NGO persuading the views of politicians. As Garner points out, "gaining access to the executive, or so-called 'insider status', is crucial for pressure groups and the environmental lobby." On the other hand, access does not translate into influence at the governmental level; however, there are some instances in which this somewhat difficult method has worked in creating the change NGOs desire. Influence with access is stronger than influence without access since demands made by NGOs need to generate a high degree of support within various departments in parliament.

Moreover, NGOs can appeal to governments with their expertise and knowledge of their respective issues. Decision-makers are interested in "accurate information and practical solutions to technical problems." NGOs need to support their case with solid, well-supported data in order to convince leaders to make a sound decision regarding environmental problems. This subtle technique has proven to be effective in advocating sustainability, so NGOs should employ more of their resources into this approach.

In addition, the next logical step for NGOs after forming a relationship with governments would be to participate directly in the formulation of policy through dialogue in seminars, roundtables and discussion groups. This would in turn affect the policy that is passed by politicians after thorough deliberation of the key topics regarding the enhancement of sustainability.

Lastly, NGOs need to partner with monitoring institutions for effective implementation and accountability by governments. On a regular basis, NGOs must hold governments to the pledges they agreed to in environmental treaties and conventions. As society becomes more democratic, NGOs are urging governments to follow through with their plans and reminding them of their responsibilities to the welfare of the population.

Public concern about the sustainability of the planet has caused the environmental crisis to rise to the top of the political agenda. However, public opinion and governments alone would not be able to undertake sustainable development without the contribution of non-governmental organizations. Organized collective behaviour among citizens and cooperation with governments has led to and will continue to lead to policies conducive to sustainability. As a result, regardless of one's political views, everyone has a duty to come together to preserve the world for current and future generations. As Andy Warhol once said, "I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want to own."

Sources

Birch, Joanna C., and Joy A. Palmer. “Education for Sustainability: the contribution and potential of a non-governmental organisation.” Environmental Education Research 9.4 (2003): 447-60.

Flory, Mike, and Ron Sparks. “Making Sustainability Work in Today’s Society.” Environmental Protection. 15.6 (2004): 46-51.

Garner, Robert. Environmental Politics. London: Harvester Wheatsheat, 1996.

Lambert, Lisa. “Americans at ‘tipping point’ about energy: poll.” Reuters 30 Mar. 2006.

Lindsey, Linda L., Stephen Beach, and Bruce Ravelli. Core Concepts in Sociology. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada Inc., 2003.

Muntemba, Shimwaayi. “National, regional, and international cooperation for sustainable environmental and resource management: The place and roles of NGOs.” Sustaining the Future. Ed. George Benneh, William B. Morgan, and Juha I. Uitto. New York: The United Nations University Press, 1996.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Division for Sustainable Development. “Chapter 27 - Strengthening the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations: Partners for Sustainable Development.” Agenda 21 15 Dec. 2004.

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