In a review of the Earth II Summit by Derek Osborn of the United Nations Enviro n ment and Development UK Committee (UNED-UK) and Tom Bigg also of the UNED-UK, several prominent global figures comment on the environmental/energy crisis fa c ing the planet. As might be expected, the views on the crisis and the summit vary tremendously. Two dramat i cally different views are offered by Wangari Maathai of the Women's Environmental and Developmental Organization and Bill Jordan, General Secretary of the International Co n federation of Free Trade Unions, both of whom addressed the General Asse m bly Plenary Session.
It is possible for poor countries to demand that international companies and governments refrain from testing nuclear techno l ogy, dumping toxic mat e rials in other people's neighborhoods, that they do not exploit human and mat e rial resources, that they practice fair and just trade, respect the culture and values of host communi ties and they compensate those they aggrieve.
It is possible and re a sonable for such companies and governments to reinvest some of the profits in communities where they operate and therefore contribute to sustainable development instead of contributing to poverty and dehumanization of marginalized groups. - Wangari Maathai A massive education drive must explain to people why consumption patterns have to change drastically, in domestic life and in the workplace, and how it can be done.
The Workplace Eco-Audit, which we have been promoting since 1993, is getting the message through bringing the workers and employers together to tackle a host of production problems, including the reduction of CO2 emissions. It also provides a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating progress, and feeding into the national reporting process called for by the CSD.
Self-Evident Questions
1. What position is held by Maathi ? How accurate is her take on the crisis? Explain. What position is held by Jordan? How accurate is his take on the crisis? Explain.
2. What organization does each speaker represent? Explain how the speaker's affiliation matches his or her opinion.
3. Which view seems to be have been adopted by the international community and by most Nongovernmental International Organizations like the UN? Explain.
4. Which view seems to be supported by most Americans? Explain. Which view seems to be in line with American energy and environmental policies in the twenty-first century? Explain.
5. Which view is morally correct? Explain