Evolution of Environmentalism Throughout History

Introduction

In the years of 1972, 1987, 1992, 2002, and 2012 the United Nations (UN) environmental conference has been held to discuss and solve issues in relevance to the environment. A UN environmental conference is the gathering of high-level governing officials on a global scale to discuss the current issue at hand (Polunin 1972). Also, these conferences bring enlightenment on how the environment should be managed on a global scale (Polunin 1972).

Each year the conferences were held dealing with different issues for the most part, but some contain similarities. Goals and an agenda are set to stay on track during the conference. These goals were set by what is most prevalent at the time the conference is help. One similar goal that remained a trend in these conferences was sustainable development. Sustainable development is ensuring the environment can help humanity meet its needs in the present, but not jeopardize the ability to use resources in the future (Robert et al. 2005).

1972 UN Conference on Human Environment

The UN conference of 1972 was the starting point to introduce a global response to environmental issues. This conference is known as the “Environmental Manifesto” (Stockholm 1972). The main points from this conference are food, housing, safe water, access to having as big of a family as someone wanted (Brundtland 1987). Preservation of the environment for now and future generations are mentioned in the principles of the conference, but the overall goal seemed to revolve around a very anthropogenic mindset. Other principles mentioned are: restore or renew renewable resources, economic and social development is essential, prevent pollution in the sea to continue use of the ocean, and focus on benefitting the present by preserving air, water, land, fauna, and flora (Stockholm 1972).

These and most other principles talk about the focus with environmental preservation should be aimed at how will this benefit humanity now. Although, this may have been the idea of the environmentalist in this day to allow the grasp of environmental issues on a global scale. This conference just held as the groundwork for the UN (Stockholm 1972). One of the principles that stuck out the most was economic and social development is essential (Stockholm 1972). This shows how environmentalists need awareness of the public and public officials to increase. Without awareness, funding cannot be oriented to these non-profit organizations implementing change.

Another key taking point from all the information discussed is, 'poverty alleviation is key to worrying about the environment' (Stockholm 1972). Poverty is important due to the cost that comes with being environmentally friendly. A country cannot abide by the changes of the UN if they cannot afford it. This was the first time poverty was mentioned to direct environmental issues.

1987 Brundtland Commission

In 1987 the Brundtland Commission conference focused on a common future (Brundtland 1987). Scientists are now mentioning how it is urgent to stop the warming globe that threatens the earth's ozone layer (Brundtland 1987). Another main point included was the survival of species and ecosystems. This is progress from moving from an anthropogenic view to a more ecological view. Besides a more ecological viewpoint, the topics discussed are similar to the 1972 UN conference, such as poverty (Brundtland 1987). Poverty needs to stop to protect the environment, therefore protect future generations (Brundtland 1987).

The most memorable part of this conference is the topic of sustainable development. Discussing how to conserve the environment for present and future generations (Robert 2005). This becomes a common discussion in the following processes because it is detrimental to the existence of the human race. Also, mentioned in this conference is education, social perspectives, and political standpoints (Brundtland 1987). Education is important because without education how are people supposed to support and fund operations. Without the knowledge of what are earth is going through, there is no hope for any species existence. Education can benefit the social aspects by sparking conversations, which can lead to lobbying. Lobbying influences what politicians base their campaigns on. The elected politician can fund the organizations, therefore benefitting the movement for environmentalism.

1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

Comparing to the other conferences, the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development had the most come out of it (Gee 2019). In this conference Agenda 21 was adopted (Rio 1992). Agenda 21 is a blueprint for protection and sustainability for the environment (Rio 1992). This plan was not implemented, but an action plan (Rio 1992). Agenda 21 will lead to implementation in the future. What this has down is put a plan together so that environmentalism is not just a discussion. At this point, just having the action plan is not a lot, but it something (Gee 2019).

Climate change was brought up in the 1987 Brundtland Commission, but it was this conference that lead to the plan to slow down global heating of the earth. Another key additive to this conference is the plan to protect species diversity (Rio 1992). It lowers the focus solely on looking out for humanity, but now for the sake of other species. Also, poverty is discussed again by being described as how demographic stress hinders environmental fore comings (Rio 1992).

2002 Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development

The 2002 Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development talks of implementing what was planned in the 1992 conference (Johannesburg 2002). This conference laid out “concrete steps and quantifiable targets in Agenda 21' (Johannesburg 2002). The 2002 conference mentions much of the same as the previous conferences. The goal of this conference in particular is to look at the challenges and face them with a solution, not just a conversation. Some challenges mentioned are poverty eradication, product management based on natural resources needed for future social and economic benefits, and be on track for sustainable development (Johannesburg 2002).

To obtain sustainable development, this conference seemed to touch a lot of poverty eradication so that all countries and individuals can afford to contribute to this environmental solution (Johannesburg 2002). Also, it is important that they mentioned how the loss of biodiversity needs to be addressed into action (Johannesburg 2002). All countries need to put aside 'race, disabilities, religion, language, culture or tradition' because without the communication between all countries it will be hard to reach the goals set into place (Johannesburg 2002). It is important that when plans are being implemented in one part of the world, the other part of the world follows it to because in reality the earth is shared among every human being (Johannesburg 2002).

2012 UN Conference of Sustainability

This conference reiterates the importance of poverty and sustainable development (Rio 2012). It seems like this conference reversed back to the 1972 conference because this one makes the economy a main talking point. The UN brings up the 'green economy.' This term means to not only focus on sustainable development but do that without the degradation of the environment (Pearce et al. 2013). This is an improvement because in 1972 it seemed to be solely benefitting humans, but now more towards the actual care for the survival of nature. The “green economy” will bring more jobs in the environmental field. This can be a solution for developing countries to work towards sustainable development while lowering poverty levels. Also, these jobs in developing countries will influence more talk on environmental issues. Which in turn can call for change in laws and policies.

Reflection Over the Four Decades of Environmental Evolution

The focus of topics among these four decades of environmental conferences have moved towards only thinking from an anthropogenic benefit to a more ecological understanding that to benefit humanity, biodiversity loss cannot occur. The two common topics in these conferences are poverty and sustainable development. Poverty has been a major topic in all conferences. Sustainable development has been in all the conference’s main topics but the first one in 1972. Repetitive in all the conferences, poverty needs to be eradicated so that environmental solutions can be implemented. Global sustainable development cannot be obtained with the eradication of poverty.

Conclusion

The 1972 conference laid the groundwork for the UN and is known as the environmental manifesto to start the global discussion on the environment (Stockholm 1972). The 1987 conference brought up the concept of sustainable development, furthered the talk on poverty eradication, and further educating the public on issues (Brundtland 1987). The 1992 conference brought forward Agenda 21 which took the discussion into a planned action to make for the sake of the future of humanity (Rio 1992). The 2002 conference discussed implementing the actions that need to put into place based on what was mentioned in Agenda 21 (Johannesburg 2002). The most recent conference in 2012 discussed more on sustainable development, poverty, and brought forward the concept of a “green economy” (Rio 2012). For the future 2022 conference, the main topics that should be focused on is sustainable development, poverty, overfishing, greener energy solutions, climate change, polar ice caps, and air/ water pollution. These topics will be of discussion because they are most prevalent in this day in age. The root discussion for all of these is climate change and it would not be out of line if that is the most prevalent topic 2022 conference discussion.