Tomorrow today; 2010 - unesdoc - Unesco

Image: CEEImage: CEEA major tool for ESD that has emerged in India in recent years is the process ofpublic consultationsParticipation of decision makers in public consultationsis not the case in a modern society. In addition, in most developingcountries, the use of new substances is not accompanied by anyknowledge of how to dispose of the resulting waste, or any awarenessof the impact of improper waste disposal on the environment.CEE launched a major programme to introduce the concepts ofwaste segregation and recycling. As a result of these efforts, severalhousing societies now segregate waste and some compost it. Plasticcarry bags are shredded and woven into new products. Office wastepaper is collected and used to make handmade paper. CEE runs amajor bio-medical waste programme and runs a facility to demonstratehow this can be sustainably and commercially managed.6. ESD and industriesHistorically the word ‘environment’ is a term that has been viewedwith suspicion by industry. Many from this sector felt that protectingthe environment could only mean the curtailing of industrialgrowth. CEE’s campaign started with the intention of changing thisattitude. The campaign did not use the word ‘pollution’, but spokeof ‘waste recovery’. It emphasized the efficiencies created by savingelectricity and other resources through better housekeeping andresource management, as well as the long-term benefits of sustainablepractices for industry. CEE’s programmes in this area not onlyinvolve training industry personnel but also include direct interventionin instituting sustainable practices at the project level.Training of professionals who can initiate and manage ESDprogrammes also needs to be a critical component of ESD efforts in adeveloping country. CEE has partnered with the Gujarat University toestablish a Masters programme in climate change. Several projects todayalso advise industry on their corporate social responsibility activities.7. ESD and public policyESD needs to play a very significant role in policy making. Whileschool and college education will establish the foundation for thefuture, daily resource-use decisions need to be madewith sustainability in mind. Through a number of initiatives,CEE reaches out to key decision makers in thegovernment at the local, regional and national levels.A major tool for ESD that has emerged in India inrecent years is the process of public consultations.Over the last two years CEE has, on behalf of theMinistry of Environment and Forests, Governmentof India, conducted major public consultations acrossIndia on policy issues relating to coastal zone management,the introduction of the genetically modifiedeggplant, as well as on a new Green India Mission.Each of these consultations has attracted tremendouspublic participation and feedback, which has resultedin major modifications in public policy. The success ofthese consultations is in no small measure due to theimportance given to these consultations by the governmentand the personal involvement of the Minister forEnvironment and Forests, Shri Jairam Ramesh.Meeting the challengeESD encompasses a wide variety of initiatives thattogether constitute the overall strategy for sustainabilityat the local, national and global levels. There arenumerous innovative field level approaches, pioneeringprogrammes in the formal and non-formal sectors, andpolicy initiatives to meet the challenge of sustainability.The initial years of the DESD have catalysed numerousprogrammes with very significant findings. It is now timeto put these together to improve networking and learnfrom the experience of others. It is time to plan the lastfew years of the DESD and to create institutional mechanismsthat propel this activity beyond the Decade.[ 71 ]