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ESD", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 11 Iss 4 pp. 391-403 <a
href="https:// doi.org/10.1108/14676371011077603">https://doi.org/10.1108/14676371011077603</a>
(2015),"Sustainable campus: engaging the community in sustainability", International Journal of Sustainability in
Higher Education, Vol. 16 Iss 1 pp. 57-71 <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-07-2013-
0080">https://doi.org/10.1108/ IJSHE-07-2013-0080</a>
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Chrysanthus Chukwuma Sr
Department of Limnology and Environmental Protection, University of
Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Argues that a sound and change which are capable of limiting the
efficient approach and policy for Introduction development of society; to configure usable
the protection of the knowledge regarding these limits and alter-natives
As we enter the twenty-first century, it is high time
environment and restoration of for obviating or abating them; and to determine the
we took stock of our environment/soci-ety, with
natural recources must include scientific research, institution or technology needed
respect to the 1987 report of the World Commission
essential features which reflect in the immediate future to augment freedom of
on Environment and Development (WCED), Our
the harmoniza-tion of national action for sustainable development[2].
Common Future, which states that “sustainable
and global strategies expected
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Globally, forests are the most severely endangered Unless there is a reduction in pollution levels, the
lands, with special reference to our tropical forests food resources of riverine areas may become
and their abundant species. The near dissipation of severely diminished to the dis-benefit of future
our forests has exacerbated a crisis for both the generations. All pollution sources are liable to
timber industry and the various species which rely contaminate our natural reservoirs from which
on these forests. Also, the appropriation and surface and arterial water sup-plies are obtained.
management of reserve areas is of perennial interest, Inasmuch as surface water pollution is controlled in
with a variety of interests and oppor-tunities for several countries, few still have to conduct full
citizen involvement. hydrological surveys required for the conservation
and protection of this most fundamental of
Major research for forest management must resources[5].
include environmental impacts of forest cutting and
cultivation, as well as losses of soil materials,
nutrients and organic carbon to watercourses. Main research areas must include biodiver-sity,
landscape ecology, habitat loss investiga-tion and
Living organisms rely on fresh water, a environmental monitoring, environ-mental factor
renewable resource that includes surface waters investigation governing biodi-versity in various
like streams, rivers and lakes as well as spatial and temporal scales, investigation of the
groundwater. Fresh water constitutes less than 0.01 impacts of inten-sive land use on species and
per cent of the overall available global water. ecosystems as well as abating and corrective
Groundwater is a renewable resource like surface approaches to control biodiversity loss.
water, but the re-generation of the former is more Development meth-ods must be in place for
prolonged. Water cycle intervention by man occurs studying and moni-toring temporal changes both in
in two ways: the environ-ment and in biota as applicable in
terrestrial ecological monitoring and recreational
1 the withdrawal of enormous amounts of nature use. Ecosystem studies must be cen-tred on
water rivers, aquifers and lakes; and nature reserves involving surveying of invertebrates,
2 clearing vegetation from land. plants and fungi to acquire information on the
Natural land conversion and deforestation decrease effectiveness and ef-ficiency of conservation
natural seepage into underground aquifers, leading to measures applied and estimation of the need for
accelerated surface runoff, and resultant soil erosion. further man-agement procedures[6].
There is uneven worldwide distribution and
consump-tion of fresh water; however, countries
with an abundant supply are presently experienc-ing
scarcity and pollution with an increase and
expansion in population, agricultural and industrial Agriculture/food crisis
activities. Conservation efforts which include For more than five centuries, the industrial-ized
reduction in water consump-tion by big users, countries have exploited the non-indus-trialized
increased efficiency by agricultural irrigation, and countries, in return for which the latter were given
the cleansing and recirculation of wastewater are a specific amount of finan-cial aid and assistance in
more reliable in combating water scarcity. Water the development of their administrative systems.
pollution results mainly from agriculture, Exports at rock-bottom prices steadily flow from
deforestation the
[6]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma poor to the affluent countries: timber from ardent focus on the environment in develop-ment
Sr Perspectives for a dwindling rain forests, medicinal plants, exotic co-operation defined at the local level without
sustainable society crops, minerals, fossil fuels and fish. These excessive natural resource exploita-tion[7]. From
Environmental products serve the sustenance of the rural poor in the foregoing, the rural poor should be encouraged
Management and Health tropical climates. Imports from industrialized to promote growth of natural resources, have
7/5 [1996] 5–20 countries are either without adequate quality economic and social equality with sustainable use
assurance or priced at exorbitant rates, guided in of natural resources and environmental protection.
their search for unmitigated profits.
An extremely important dimension con-cerning
Industrial wastes, biocides and other com-plexes global food production entails reserves. For some
hazardous to the environment and the health of the time now, the non-indus-trialized countries have not
fauna and flora are dumped in poor countries, where been able to harness increased agricultural
enforceable legal instruments are lacking and technology to cope with their food problems. North
protests are subdued. Thus, both imports from and America, as well as Australia and New Zealand, to a
exports to the affluent world have steadily caused lesser extent, has maintained sufficiently sustainable
ecological decline in deprived nations. A trail of grain production by making provision for a
clear-felled forests, poisoned and unproductive soils, comfortable grain reserve. The percentage of non-
eroded and traumatized landscapes, and over-fished producing land, the land bank, has increased
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waters remain, resulting in the exacerbation of steadily, resulting in the disappearance of this valu-
poverty, for the nation as a whole and the rural poor able reserve from 100 days’ reserve in 1960 to 25
in particular. days in 1975[8]. If crop disasters occur in those
countries with reserves, as are liable to occur once
or twice every century, the global food reserves
Poverty and environmental degradation are would disappear within
inextricably interrelated; they both form a vicious
circle from which there is appar-ently no escape. The
poor nations impact on their own environment a year.
through over-population and poverty as well as A substantial amount of the world fish
ignorance and greed, leading to excessive catch is consumed by human beings, and it
exploitation of available natural resources. Within constitutes a fundamental protein source in the diet.
many non-industrialized countries, the extent to Overexploitation of certain fish stocks has been
which differences exist in terms of power and taking place for a long time, causing the depletion of
income is considerable, especially between the urban several fisheries[9]. Conservation of wildlife
and rural areas. diversity and plant genetic stocks is crucial for the
maintenance of the development potential of new
Among the rural poor, the need for domes-tic and improved varieties beneficial for both human
firewood accelerates deforestation, soil erosion beings and the environment. More-over, wild
results from cattle grazing, igno-rance leads to species provide food, fibre, wood and other raw
inappropriate farming tech-niques, overuse of materials for the sustenance of several productivity
chemical fertilizers and pesticides augment the trace needs including industry and medicine. As a
element concen-trations in soils and plants to toxic consequence, protection of wildlife resources has
levels, and inadequate waste management or reached the development stage of both the species
perturbation of limited water resources lead to and ecosystem.
environmental health problems. Pesticide usage has
aided in the reduction of crop losses due to various
pest organisms, but pest resistance and food chain The needs of conservation are the advoca-tion of
accumulation of toxic components of pesticides pollution prevention, pollution con-trol by
resulting in adverse environmental effects have comprehensive “cross-media” approaches, and
caused many of the severely toxic and persistent willing co-operation and intermediary mechanism
chemicals to be phased out. Increasing awarenesss of between industry and environmentalists in solving
the adverse impact of pesti-cides has made it environ-mental problems. Its attendant focus is on
necessary to disseminate more and better expenditures and regulatory programmes regarding
information. environmental quality, and food conservation.
Nations can produce and/or import their own food
requirements. As regards food production, the Earth
Sustainable development is an important concept is abun-dantly endowed with agricultural potential
which encompasses certain applica-ble universal and growth. An inordinate number of acres of
principles. The industrialized countries have to be arable land are yet to be cultivated, and food
restrained in their exploitative mechanisms in order production by farmers could supply the daily
to narrow the schism between rich and poor caloric and protein requirements of a
nations as well as the most-affected rural poor,
with
[7]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma global population in excess of ten
Sr Perspectives for a billion, much greater than currently in exis- Pollution
sustainable society tence[10]. The global focus has been on pollution prob-lems
Environmental An outstanding limit to food production is land. and in several countries the response has been
Management and Health The actual cultivated area has slightly declined in the rectification of pollution damage. Numerous
7/5 [1996] 5–20 past few decades, because land losses to erosive instances, however, abound of major pollution
forces, desertification, salt build-up and urbanization which are causes of concern involving air, land,
have to a certain degree exceeded new agricultural aquifers, seas and cities. A major air pollution
land devel-opment[11]. Development of extra land problem, especially in urban environments,
or restoration of eroded land, with no more losses of emanates from vehicle emissions. Lead,
land, and global doubling of yields will definitely hydrocarbons and other toxic chemicals can be
ensure that the Earth’s 5.4 billion inhabitants will generated by heavy traffic in significant amounts to
obtain sufficient food as well as the projected 12.5 endanger the flora and fauna along major
billion inhabi-tants at the end of the year 2100. highways.
However, in the event that there is progressive land The recognition that environmental pollu-tion is a
ero-sion, expansive land development or restora- global threat to public health has resulted in a new,
tion, difficulty in yield doubling, or a slower decline expansive environmental restoration industry. Owing
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in the birth rate compared with World Bank to both economic and ecological factors, biological
projections, there will be food in limited supply both degradation is at present an increasingly acceptable
domestically and globally. The loss of the alter-native for hazardous waste treatment. White rot
agricultural base results from a variety of factors fungi, which is the only organism causing wood
such as desperation and poverty, human settlement degradation, has recently been revealed to possess
expansion, over-grazing and overcropping, ill- characteristic biodegradation qualities. Hazardous
management, unawareness, and instant economic waste remediation con-stitutes a serious financial
benefit for short-run production rather than long-run dilemma for sev-eral companies which have met
management[12]. with failure in sufficiently dealing with pollution
prob-lems at the inception of their activities. Organic
clean-up procedures may markedly decrease the
costs.
Environmental and resource management is
substantially dependent on an unceasing flow of
relevant information from varied data-gathering Moreover, an inordinate number of chemi-cals that
systems. Lacking meaningful field estimations, an are biodegradable are being intro-duced as
effective system for the prudent protection of organisms engineered for toxin degradation. There is
human health and management of the resources of increasing interest in white rot fungi application for
the bios-phere would be almost impossible. Reliable bioremedia-tion of hazardous waste sites because it
expertise and knowledge about the manner in which is expected to be relatively economical; the fungi is
the biosphere has really been responsive to human cultivatable in certain inexpensive agricultural or
actions is a determi-nant for effective social forest wastes (for example, corn cobs and sawdust);
responses to prob-lems of the environment. Without the fungi inocula are mass producable through
such knowledge, a significant obstacle to the design existing techniques for fungal spawn production;
of sustainable development strategies will arise. and it is eco-logically sustainable for environmental
Monitoring systems are essential to detect bio-remediation[15].
potentially irreversible trends and identify
unexpected environmental impacts[13]. Exponential
growth can be in excess of any fixed limit. The In industrialized countries, it is conven-tional
future of agri-cultural development, for instance, is wisdom to apply enforceable regula-tions as a
an interacting system of environments, resources, foundation for environmental health protection. The
institutions and technologies. Suggestively, in the state’s police powers are recognized mechanisms by
immediate future envi-ronmental constraints to which improved and sustainable environmental
agricultural devel-opment will be determined by the quality are achievable by communities. In addition
prevailing resource endowments of various global to government incentives/subsidies, taxes or risks
regions, particularly improvement in pro-ductivity which are externalizable to the general public and
and arable land expansion. In the long run, internalizable in indus-trial costs, the most
technology’s and institutions’ abil-ity will be the conducive kind of influ-ence for pollution mitigation
determinant in a flexible response to changing to the biosphere is the impact of public opinion or
conditions[14]. acceptabil-ity. Apparently, it is a lot to expect that in
the immediate future individual entrepreneurs and
firms will come to grips with the fact that
[8]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma we are all entitled and have the right to clean water, responds only when significant problems or crises
Sr Perspectives for a safe working environments, clean air, etc., and that it arise, to an extensive proactive orienta-tion in which
sustainable society is tantamount to gross negli-gence and preventive measures are used in careful anticipation
Environmental irresponsiblity to infringe that right. The major and perception. A democratic society is more open
Management and Health benefits of government regu-lation and legislation and con-ducive to change, whereas an authoritarian
7/5 [1996] 5–20 are the definitions of what are viewed as desirable one is closed and has a narrow pursuit of goals.
and acceptable by the community and the Nonetheless, in several communities and nations,
minimization of the price or economic advantage there have been adoptions of stringent controls by
which can be obtained by industries by cost and risk referendums or other popular majorities. When the
exter-nalization of the pollutants they generate[16]. necessary situ-ations arise, pluralism and flexibility
in administration, including economic activi-
[9]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma The goal of environmental health strategies at
Sr admits and articulates its non-material needs Rio clearly states that “Human beings are at the
Perspectives for a centre of concerns for sustainable development.
sustainable and discovers non-material means for its They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in
society satisfaction would need lesser material and harmony with nature”. The attainment of this goal
Environmental
energy source and offer higher human of healthy people in a healthy environment goes
Management
and Health fulfilment levels[12]. beyond the application of medical technology or the
7/5 [1996] 5–20 mutually exclusive overall efforts of health sectors.
Integrative and collaborative efforts by all sectors,
organizations and individuals are needed for the
Health provision of a sustainable and humane
Environmental health decisions are associ-ated with socioeconomic development that will ensure a basis
a country’s political, historical and economic for sound health. Within such collaboration and co-
features, and impact of environ-mental health operation, health professionals exhibit marked
exposures. Usually, environ-mental health problems leadership, advisory capacities, support functions
occur due to inatten-tion and not intention. The and relevant informative sources for the future[20].
inattention that affords the opportunity for chance
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[ 10 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma regulations and controls, will eventually result in decision-making capacity[23]. Sustainability
Sr Perspectives for a increased toxic trace element dis-charge rates. becomes evident in a donor-supported health project,
sustainable society for instance, if desired output produc-tion promotes
Environmental Furthermore, the local populations are more the recipient to make provision for time, resources
Management and Health susceptable to toxic poisoning from their and political support for its sustenance for the
7/5 [1996] 5–20 environments because of poor health, nutrition and achievement of longer term outcomes[25].
hygiene conditions, increased population density
and a population of innu-merable children and
pregnant women, who are significantly more
vulnerable to environ-mental poisoning. Toxic elements and wastes
Also, lacking sufficient and proper food The global trace element contamination of air, water,
preservation locations, non-industrialized countries foodstuffs and soils gives cause for concern. Only a
have the propensity to consume a great percentage limited carrying capacity exists for trace elements in
of foods locally cultivated in trace element- an individual environmental compartment. At the
contaminated areas. Several endemic health prevail-ing rate at which industrial trace element
problems are capable of influ-encing the pattern and discharge is occurring, the abilities of several
magnitude of elemen-tal poisoning including the ecosystems to accommodate toxic element pollution
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medical profes-sional’s ability to accurately are undergoing rapid depreciation and the
diagnose trace element-induced health environmental safety margin for certain fauna and
problems[21]. It would be extremely erroneous to flora is fast vanishing. Previously, non-industrialized
assume that the problem of environmental trace countries gen-erated substantial amounts of industrial
element pollution is confined solely to the industrial- trace element emissions and toxic trace element
ized world; a phenomenal devastation may occur in waste and this has increased. For instance, the non-
non-industrialized nations if noth-ing is done to industrialized countries’ much higher population
effect changes in trace element generation. growth rate in comparison with that of industrialized
countries suggests a potentially expansive demand
for services and metallic goods. Population growth
The prevailing concern in the long-term existence has been mainly concentrated in urban areas, which
of externally-aided health projects[22] is principally have been the conventional nerve cen-tres for trace
a result of the current global economic recession element pollution. The typical unplanned urban
and the imposed structural adjustment policies on growth of non-industrial-ized countries is usually
poor nations. It is, nevertheless, a fact that aid followed by augmented traffic and energy
agencies are very concerned about enhancing the consumption, unfavourable industrial sites,
recipient’s capacity to deal with problems and their accompanied by trace element pollution[26-28].
necessary solutions. By this means, the pursuance
of realistic development and external reliance in the
long term will be averted[23].
[ 11 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma are, however, costly in terms of money, time and element accumulation and assess their impact on
Sr Perspectives for a manpower, so that their simultaneous achievement terrestrial environments as well as to undertake
sustainable society renders their implementation impossible. As research and plan for environ-mental accidents, such
Environmental previously stated, the major uncertainties are not in as oil and chemical spills. An operational model
Management and Health the scientific ques-tions but in the policy questions, must be devel-oped to combat oil and chemical
7/5 [1996] 5–20 such as priority setting, satisfaction with the level spills and to estimate such spillage objectively,
of “cleanliness” and the degree of spending including monitoring of both short- and long-term
required to restrict the entry of chemicals into the envi-ronmental impact. Moreover, investigation of
environment[30]. fertilizer and pesticide impact on groundwa-ter and
chemical transport modelling in groundwater is
Inordinate tons of solid waste are generated and needed.
discarded by society annually, with spe-cial
emphasis on activities involved in indus-try, mining,
forestry and agriculture. Individ-ually generated
waste is important because: Climate
• distinct from other source of waste produc-tion,
Global changes and warming as well as the
community solid waste is usually discarded at a
greenhouse effect and sea-level rise have joined the
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[ 12 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma the equator and more at the poles – causing the technology and also aims for maturity, com-
Sr Perspectives for a ocean to expand and increase the sea level; at higher passion and wisdom[12].
sustainable society temperatures, the polar ice will melt in substantial In most energy policy discussions, only the
Environmental amounts accompa-nied by increased sea level and, immediate energy situation is taken into account.
Management and Health consequently, flooding[36]. The most adequate energy policy is one that
7/5 [1996] 5–20 provides the possibility of a sustained energy source
The projected global climate change will and supply into future generations. In the
significantly impact on the hydrological cycle, development of a sustainable energy policy, we have
including environmental biological and chemical to under-stand energy consumption patterns,
reactions, with resultant alterations in land use, efficiency concepts and optimum consump-tion of
followed by alterations in mater-ial input. Climate various energy sources. Once these principles are
change research should objectively analyse the grasped, we will succeed in matching energy
impact on the hydrology and ecology of various supplies with our consump-tion of energy as well as
media with methods which comprise empirical addressing how energy supply sustainability is
investiga-tions, such as base-line and historical data associated with other questions, such as conservation
evaluation, experimental studies and mathe-matical in its entirety, population control and renewable
modelling. energy resource development[37].
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[ 13 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma environmental problems. Environmental and planning on 27 November 1973, it was neces-sary
Sr Perspectives for a developmental technologies must be made available to determine:
sustainable society to non-industrialized countries on favourable and To what extent do women compared to men have
Environmental conducive terms which encourage their extensive access to knowledge, to economic resources, to
Management and Health dissemination without constituting an undue political power and what degree of personal
7/5 [1996] 5–20 autonomy do these resources permit? A related and
economic burden to non-industrialized nations.
more quan-tifiable approach is to assess the range
of choices or options available to women as
Optimum standards, rules and regulations, compared to men in the same society (or to women
including other approaches for environmen-tal in different societies or subgroups) in the areas of
quality control, must result from value analyses, in education, employment, political life and other
contradistinction to the tradi-tional procedure which relevant areas. Both approaches are based on the
constrictively cen-tralizes on physical effects and assumption that low status derives from a lack of
objectives. Research concerned with economic control over material or social resources and a lack
of choice in the unfolding of one’s destiny[41].
valua-tions related to environmental management
has made substantial advances but has started to
reveal several complex problems. Even prudently
estimated valuation-based standards, rules and
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regulations influencing individual, industrial and In non-industrialized nations, women’s health status
local governmental decisions often cannot acquire has remained relatively low and, in the 1980s,
optimal envi-ronmental quality management. What poverty, malnutrition and general disability in
is frequently indicated is the need for extensive women were ever-increasing. Many women in non-
direct and explicit concerted action on a more industrial-ized nations still lack adequate basic
expansive scale – for instance, by state or federal educa-tional opportunities, the means for health
promotion and improvement, responsible control of
government. Institutionally, society is not well-
their reproductive lives and improvement of their
equipped to implement the relevant management
socio-economic status with particular attention for
systems and approaches sug-gested by economic and
the provision of pre-natal care for ensuring healthy
engineering analyses and yet adequately designed
babies.
research for proper institutional and organizational
con-figuration has not even started.
Human resources development for the health of
children and women entails rein-forcement of
educational institutions, promo-tion of interactive
methods of health educa-tion and enhanced mass
The impact of technology, new disease risks,
media use for infor-mation dissemination to target
pollution, etc., are all newsworthy, but news
groups. This necessitates the training of additional
headlines do not often offer the optimal input to an health and health-related workers, social scientists
intricate community decision. The community has to and educators as well as the education of mothers,
obtain information by other mechanisms including families and communities and the undergirding of
radio, newspa-pers and television. A vast majority of ministries of education, health, etc. It is necessary to
jour-nalists have the notion that mortality figures are promote:
more exciting than morbidity incidences, and are not
interested in being notified about pollution in the • the organization of local and international
community. Thus, the media’s influence may result symposia and other meetings for informa-
in the distortion of judgement; but tion exchange among agencies and groups
oversimplification or exag-geration of interested in the health of children,
environmental problems is a nec-essary risk if it youths, women and local inhabitants; and
commands a better commu-nity response to issues of • women’s organizations, youth groups and
environmental protection and development. local organizations for the facilitation of
health and consultation on the creation,
amendment and enforcement of legal
frameworks in order to ensure a healthy
environment[41] for the vulnerable groups
Women and children in focus.
Recognition of the overwhelmingly impor-tant role Development co-operation must provide for
that women play in humanity’s development has structural-functional institutions which have
not necessarily been ade-quately translated into economic, environmental, political and
planning practice. According to the UN administrative sustainability, i.e. their exis-tence
Commission’s special rapporteur appointed by the should not be dependent on external aid or
Secretary-General, for a study on the intervention. Within market economy conditions it
interrelationship between the status of women and means that economic factors are undistorted by aid
family or detract from the
[ 14 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma recipient’s vital production and absorption new conceptual codifications which have to be
Sr Perspectives for a capacity. incorporated meaningfully into existing laws and
sustainable society governmental procedures as well as traditional local
Environmental laws[42].
Management and Health Environmental In recent years, there has been a gradual shift in
7/5 [1996] 5–20 protection institutions interest in the environment from the sole concern of
There is no ideal blueprint in existence for special-interest groups to the focus of the public.
environmental institutions, but a formal high-level The response has been tremendous with the growth
agency for policy setting and implementation in all in numbers of citizens involving themselves in
areas should markedly lead to environmental various environmental efforts and an ever-increasing
management improve-ment. The administrative number of established organizations. The
capacity for the analysis and implementation of environmental movement is representative of a
policies has often been outpaced by policy making, massive radical social change which opposes the
how-ever. With an inordinate increase in laws, there dominant western global exploitative view and its
come into existence extensive contra-dictory three assumptions that:
regulations which overwhelm the enforcement
capabilities of governments and their agencies. The
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resultant effect is scepti-cal perception of laws and 1 possibilities and benefits exist for
the environmental commitment of government as unrestricted economic growth;
well as emer-gent corruption. The gap between 2 technology is the solution to several
policy formulation and implementation has to be perplexing problems; and
bridged as in the reformation of government 3 a market economy and some state inter-
machinery as regards environmental ques-tions. vention can mitigate environmental and social
Institution building is a long-term process that is problems.
dependent on local conditions, political factors, Competing environmental paradigms assert that:
availability of finance, man-power facilities and
other infrastructure including logistics. It is often less • limits should be set to growth;
difficult to enhance existing structures. In practical • science and technology should be
terms, the structure of environmental admin-istration restrained; and
is not as vital as the ability to accomplish a given • humanity must respect the delicate bal-ance
task. All government agencies need the capacity for and finite resources of nature[3].
the setting of priorities, co-ordination and resolution
of conflicts, as well as regulation and enforce-ment. It is evident that regulations for the protec-tion of
The key is defined statutory powers to resolve employees from on-the-job hazards are not as strict
intragovernmental tussles and the ability to provide in most non-industrialized coun-tries in comparison
continuity during adminis-trative changes. Policy to industrialized coun-tries. Generally, working
implementation is usually carried out by states conditions in indus-trialized countries are negotiated
systematically and administratively monitoring as a part of collective bargaining agreements
environ-mental problems, backed by local between labour and management. Workers usually
government representation. Local capacity has been demand conditions perceived to be safer than those
weak, but, in Nigeria for instance, a provision exists, provided under prevailing standards and guidelines
from a 1988 decree, for the establish-ment of local or that make provision for protection against
environmental protection units. The majority of these unregulated hazards. Representatives of the various
local governments have a limited capacity to handle environmental groups, trade unions and other
environmental management responsibilities. To interests need to be especially active in this area. At a
pursue effective decentralization in the country, a mini-mum, they should stress the concern that
corresponding transfer of finance and man-power has existing laws and regulations which are meant for
to occur to obviate the creation of a policy vacuum environmental and human health protection from
where the centre sheds responsibilities and exposes industrial and agricultural practices in developing
the inability of local government to function countries are not attenuated.
effectively. The legal basis for environmental and
resource management may require the repealing of
established or outmoded laws in line with
As a domestic tool, EIA needs to be applied to
proposed projects for the determination of probable
effects subject to a final decision by a competent
local authority and participant decision making.
Broad adaptation to local circumstances and
demands is essential for effective, efficient and
sustainable
[ 15 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma development. This is achievable with active It is not actually known how much family
Sr Perspectives for a community participation in the determina-tion of planning programmes really result in decreased
sustainable society environmental and developmental needs and fertility and birth rates.
Environmental priorities resulting in a durable and fruitful result. 2 The development approach asserts that
Management and Health development per se slows population growth by
7/5 [1996] 5–20 The most effective use of natural resources is the offering women of childbearing age alternatives
allocation of a larger portion of expen-diture to for social wellbeing, satis-faction and security
community-based sustainable devel-opment. Efforts and is favoured by multilateral lending agencies.
for the solution of resource shortages by the The demo-graphic transition theory which stems
mobilization of extra funds must ensure equity, from this approach is universally inapplicable
efficiency, effectivity and quality of environment and inconsistent.
and development programmes. For the achievement
of sustain-able goals, effective and efficient manage- 3 The resource approach entails a wider ecological
ment is essential. Managers should under-take needs context in effecting a relation-ship between a
assessment and set priorities, organize sustainable population and the sup-porting resource base. A
programmes responsive to the environment and population is not overpopulated if it can be
development needs of the population, maintain the sustained with-out depletion of the resource base
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[ 16 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma performance of the public sector relative to the under prevailing conditions and sustainable both in
Sr Perspectives for a private sector. the short and long run. It is dependent on the
sustainable society Therefore, there is the implication that clarification of the existing functional linkages
Environmental environmental and developmental improve-ments between the various levels in the economic, political
Management and Health are achievable in societies if social, political, and social system which were intended for the
7/5 [1996] 5–20 economic and technical resources are mobilized. The preparation, revision and approval of plans.
strategy is not merely technology- or process- Inasmuch as there has been movement towards
oriented but a combi-nation of both. Technology organizational change within government, the
creates the condi-tions for achievement of desired essential forces for change are the resultant influence
ends with expansive efficiency and effectiveness of the more expansive economic and political
while taking into consideration the consumptive environmental operative mechanism of government.
acceptability and effectivity of the inputs and
outputs of technology. Several non-industrial-ized
countries have embarked on large-scale economic There has been an inordinate documenta-tion of
reforms with the commitment to structural several problems of domestic resource management,
adjustment programmes which have entailed an with anecdotal information on the documentation of
emphatic change, rather than a distinct social and access or quality improvement through domestic
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economic struc-tural shift for most of these management of resources culminating in increased
countries[48]. access or better sustainability outcomes. This area
needs further technical support for imple-mentation
Sustainable development does not address the and improved experiential docu-mentation is a
means by which the economies of indus-trialized matter of urgency. Administra-tive and political
countries can expand in the face of ever-decreasing
realities in poverty-ridden nations contradict the
space for human-generated products and wastes;
successful operative mechanisms of such a
and it presumes the need for non-industrialized
schematic pattern and hence signal the immediate
countries to progress along different lines from
need for progres-sive exploration of alternative
indust-rialized countries. However, it provides for:
solutions.
1 ecological economics that integrate envi-
ronmental matters and economics in pol-icy
development resulting in the internal-ization of
Discussion
environmental costs; and
2 financial support for non-industrialized At present, global threats to the basic condi-tions
countries to slow population growth and and necessities for life are evident, such as
practise soil protection, degraded land increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide
reforestation, energy efficiency enhance-ment, concentration, ozone layer dissipation, soil and
renewable energy development and debt water acidification from sulphur emis-sions, non-
reduction by establishing: renewable resource exhaustion and environmental
• an international environmental facility to contamination. Society must set out with
assist work co-ordination of existing agencies determination to discover a new, healthier lifestyle
and lending institutions on conservation by changing behav-iour, attitude and habits of
projects; consumption to articulate fully the principle of
• investments for sustainable resource sustainable development. Sustainable development
consumption by the private sector by means means that, in the fulfilment of needs, features that
of a pilot “Ecovest” programme; would undermine or be deleteri-ous to the quality of
• innovative approaches for debt reduc-tion life for present and future generations must be
and debt-for-nature swap schemes and avoided.
bilateral debt-conversion programmes; and
A key element essential to sustainability is social
• a global environmental trust fund to reduce
mobilization through mass media. By means of
the build up of greenhouse gases and assist in
mass media, social change is being effected very
the maintenance of the ecosystems in non-
quickly; however, this is being negated by
industrialized nations[49-52].
commercialized promotion of poor health
practices[53]. Society also needs to create political,
The persistent schism separating planning and economic and social insti-tutions to take
implementation implies that focus has to be on the multifaceted approaches to dealing with domestic
perquisite conditions for plan implementation and sustainability prob-lems, including the development
achievement of sustain-able development targets, as of skilled manpower to address the problems for
well as the set-ting of goals and targets which are our environment in order to propose and
achievable
[ 17 ]
Chrysanthus Chukwuma implement solutions as well as monitor the rationale and moral human perspective and
Sr Perspectives for a progress of endeavours made. threatens the progress and security of any nation.
sustainable society Another key strategy for sustainable devel- The major aims of development within society
Environmental opment is the education of society to alter must include:
Management and Health objectively its perception of the environment and to • large-scale poverty minimization as well as its
7/5 [1996] 5–20 encourage less materialistic tendencies and more ultimate elimination;
deeply rooted pragmatism. Besides efforts to alter • obviation of domestic and global environ-
attitude and behaviour, a gov-ernmental role in mental threats by the enhancement of
planning, directing and monitoring policy environmental improvements; and
implementation and resource allocation becomes • the promotion of democracy, equality and the
pertinent. respect of human rights within society.
The immediate future will demand optimal
government competence in both foreign and
domestic affairs and will require political References
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