Difference between revisions of "Environmental NGOs"
From NGO Handbook
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==Types of Environmental NGOs== | ==Types of Environmental NGOs== | ||
| − | Environmental NGOs exist in virtually every country in the North and South. They operate on the international, national, or local level. They may work independently, or as part of networks or coalitions. Environmental organizations can be classified according to legal or geographic focus, function, subject and when they were founded(Trzyna 1998). | + | Environmental NGOs exist in virtually every country in the North and South. They operate on the international, national, or local level. They may work independently, or as part of networks or coalitions. Environmental organizations can be classified according to legal or geographic focus, function, subject and when they were founded (Trzyna 1998). |
Environmental NGO’s functions vary, but there are general roles that these NGOs take on as part of their involvement in global environmental governance. Environmental NGOs may act in the following ways: | Environmental NGO’s functions vary, but there are general roles that these NGOs take on as part of their involvement in global environmental governance. Environmental NGOs may act in the following ways: | ||
| − | *Provide up-to-date research and information on critical issues | + | *Provide up-to-date research and information on critical issues |
| − | *Offer quicker response to issues than government bodies | + | *Offer quicker response to issues than government bodies |
*Influence public opinion on environmental issues | *Influence public opinion on environmental issues | ||
| − | *Represent groups and individuals | + | *Represent groups and individuals affected by environmental conditions not covered by policymakers |
| − | *Provide services and expertise to government and operations | + | *Provide services and expertise to government and operations |
| − | *Monitor international agreements, negotiations, and government compliance | + | *Monitor international agreements, negotiations, and government compliance |
*Legitimize quality and authority of environmental policy choices (Yale 2002). | *Legitimize quality and authority of environmental policy choices (Yale 2002). | ||
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*Types of natural environments. Arid and semiarid lands; caves, coral reefs, forests, grasslands and savannas; islands; lakes, rivers and streams; mediterranean-type ecosystems; mountains; oceans, seas, and coastal zones; polar zones; tropical ecosystems; wetlands. | *Types of natural environments. Arid and semiarid lands; caves, coral reefs, forests, grasslands and savannas; islands; lakes, rivers and streams; mediterranean-type ecosystems; mountains; oceans, seas, and coastal zones; polar zones; tropical ecosystems; wetlands. | ||
*Environmental Resources and Problems. Acidification; air quality; biotechnology; climate change; cities and other human settlements; cultural heritage; desertification; hazardous materials; human health and the environment; natural hazards; noise; radiation and nuclear energy; occupational safety and health; offroad vehicles; oil spills; pest management; rural environments; soil erosion and depletion; solid waste and resource recovery; war, terrorism, and the environment; water. | *Environmental Resources and Problems. Acidification; air quality; biotechnology; climate change; cities and other human settlements; cultural heritage; desertification; hazardous materials; human health and the environment; natural hazards; noise; radiation and nuclear energy; occupational safety and health; offroad vehicles; oil spills; pest management; rural environments; soil erosion and depletion; solid waste and resource recovery; war, terrorism, and the environment; water. | ||
| − | *Environmental Strategies | + | *Environmental Strategies. Social and Economic Dimensions; Agriculture and food; architecture and construction; arts and humanities; auditing, environmental; business and the environment in general; Common property management; Communications media; Conflict resolution & collaboration; Consumption; Corruption control; Development assistance; Ecolabeling; Economics; Education & training; Energy; Ethics; Financing mechanisms; Fisheries; Forestry; Gender; Geographic information systems; Governance, policy-making & public management; Human rights; Impact and risk assessment; Indigenous peoples & traditional knowledge; Industrial ecology; Integrative approaches; Landscape approaches; Land-use regulation; Law & legal action; Market-based approaches; Minerals & mining; Monitoring Natural sciences; Planning; Pollution prevention and industrial ecology; Population; Protected areas. Psychology; Religion; Social sciences; Specialized support services; Sustainable development; Technology; Tourism; Trade, international; Transportation; Youth |
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
Revision as of 12:19, 4 August 2008
Contents
Introduction
Recent decades have seen an increase in the number, role, and functions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with an environmental focus. As transnational actors in civil society, these environmental NGOs seek to directly impact and influence environmental issues on the international, national, and local levels. This article will address how the rise of global awareness of the environment led to the creation and development of environmental NGOs in response to these issues, their objectives and roles, and the outlook for their participation and impact on these issues in the future.
The environment emerged as a new critical international issue in the 1970s. Concerns such as the depletion of natural resources, climate change, and harmful pollutants began to gain awareness in the public’s mind. The environmental movement in the United States, for example, emerged from incidents and individuals reacting to governments who were slow or unwilling to address issues and problems.
The UN system played an integral role in the promotion and creation of environmental NGOs. Two important international conferences established a platform for groups to organize, set agendas, and make policy recommendations.
Today, issues such as global warming and sustainable development command world attention. The mandates and missions of environmental NGOs are directed towards promoting solutions, advocating action, and policing agreements and policies, including holding governments accountable for these treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol.
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