Posted by Jamie in Green Articles, Green Leaders | 0 Comments
Changing Perspectives: IUCN
A quick historical timeline would point out how man had first worshipped nature, then saw it as a mere industrial resource, before he finally started becoming environmentally aware of his responsibilities as steward. Many organizations, a lot of them from the grassroots level, were founded to address the evidence of mankind’s impact on earth.
The International Union for Protection of Nature and Natural Resources was established in 1948 at Fontainebleau, when it was then named The International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The name-changing paradigm shift in 1956, from mere “protection” to “conservation,” reflects how over the years man has come to view his role in relation to the earth. “Protection” involved taking a mostly defensive stance against the threats of pollution, extinction, and natural resource shortage. Today, “conservation” has come to mean being more proactive in our efforts to make a difference.
This particular community is a distinguished partnership of governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities that share a common vision of a living future for all of us. The name of the game has become “sustainable development,” of not being satisfied with short-term results but instead looking toward change that has a significant effect on the bigger picture. The term itself was introduced in a historical document produced by three of the most influential international environment institutions.
As early as 1982, IUCN worked with the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), to draft The World Conservation Strategy. This was a call for “global coordinated efforts” toward “sustainable development” with the foundation of a strong “will and determination.”
A sequel to the 1982 document was created in October, entitled Caring for the Earth: A Strategy for Sustainable Living. With its 132 actions identified as critical points to take care of the environment, it was clearly geared toward policy and process.
One might question the true value of producing such documents in the face of environmental abuse. Many would beg to differ, and point out that what we need is do something, right NOW. What they fail to consider, however, is that these documents are saying the same thing about the need for immediate action points. The same way a mission-vision is a compass for any organization, the value of these written works lies in its understanding, adoption and implementation.
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