The Stockholm Declaration began by highlighting the need for a common outlook and for common principles to inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment. But 50 years later, finding a common outlook, principles and agenda for our common future remains elusive.
Today June 5 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the first UN Conference on the Human Environment, held in 1972 in Stockholm.
The secretary general of the conference, Maurice Strong, was a Canadian who went on to become the founding executive director of the UN Environment Programme that was established as a result of the conference. In this and many other ways, the Stockholm conference helped launch the modern environmental movement.
This is also almost exactly 30 years since the opening of the Rio Earth Summit on June 3, 1992, which began to lay out an agenda for sustainable development. The Rio Summit was based on the work of the UN Commission on Environment and Development, whose 1987 report was released 35 years ago this year.
So in this and the next three columns, I will revisit these important conferences and reports, reflect on the success and mainly the failings in implementing the environmental and sustainable-development agenda they outlined, consider where this leaves us, and contemplate the future we face and what we need to do to meet the challenges it poses challenges that are far greater and more acute than they were 50 years ago.
One challenge that was not even on the agenda at Stockholm, surprisingly, was climate change. There was no reference to it or global warming anywhere in the declaration, and only two minor and oblique references to CO2 emissions among the 109 recommendations for action.
This may seem odd, but, climate change wasnt getting the attention it could have, and there was a lack of urgency in discussions throughout the 1960s, according to Alice Bell, co-director at the U.K. climate-change charity Possible, writing in the Guardian in July 2021. Indeed, it wasnt until around 1977-1978 that the issue began to be taken seriously.
However, there was specific reference in the Stockholm Declaration to dangerous levels of pollution in water, air, earth and living beings; major and undesirable disturbances to the ecological balance of the biosphere [and] destruction and depletion of irreplaceable resources.
If we look at just those three issues pollution, changes to the biosphere and resource depletion it is clear that things have gotten a lot worse since 1972.
For example, plastics pollution was not even mentioned in the conference report. Our World in Data, which is based at Oxford University, reports that global plastics production in 1972 was 44 million tonnes, but reached 381 million tonnes in 2015.
The Living Planet Index, which measures the abundance of vertebrate species, declined 68 per cent between 1970 and 2016, the World Wide Fund for Nature reports, while we did not fully meet any of the 20 Aichi targets on biodiversity, established in 2011, and only partially met six of them.
When it comes to resource depletion, 10 per cent of the worlds fish stocks were over-exploited in 1974, but by 2017, that had risen to 34 per cent, Our World in DataWiD reports.
The Stockholm Declaration began by highlighting the need for a common outlook and for common principles to inspire and guide the peoples of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment.
But 50 years later, finding a common outlook, principles and agenda for our common future remains elusive. Indeed, in remarks to the UNs Economic and Social Council in March, following up on Our Common Agenda, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres noted a fundamental lack of solidarity in todays world and in the mechanisms that are relevant for the global economy and the global financial system.
The participants at Stockholm were clear: Through ignorance or indifference we can do massive and irreversible harm to the earthly environment on which our life and well-being depend. Conversely, through fuller knowledge and wiser action, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in an environment more in keeping with human needs and hopes.
Obviously, the conference participants expected we would choose the latter course. I think they would be bitterly disappointed that we have largely chosen the former, acting with indifference and well, not so much ignorance as ignore-ance deliberately ignoring the evidence where it conflicted with short-term benefit and profit. It wasnt supposed to be this way.
Dr. Trevor Hancock is a retired professor and senior scholar at the University of Victorias School of Public Health and Social Policy
See original here:
Trevor Hancock: Fifty years after Stockholm, it wasn't supposed to be this way - Times Colonist
- Resource Based Economy | The Venus Project [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- About RBE | THE RESOURCE BASED abundance ECONOMY [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- resource-based view - Create Advantage [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- The Venus Project [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Resource Based Economy | The Future We Want [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- 4. Resource efficiency and the low-carbon economy ... [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- circular economy news, closed loop, resource efficiency [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2016]
- Will a Resource Based Economy Work? [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2016]
- The Informal Economy and Decent Work: A Policy Resource ... [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2016]
- Sustainability - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2016]
- Economy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2016]
- Resource Based Economy Anonymous Medium [Last Updated On: November 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 16th, 2016]
- Recruitment - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2017]
- Resource-based economy and pay-it-forward | The Moneyless ... [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2017]
- A Resource Based Economy - worldsocialism.org [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2017]
- Attention economy - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2017]
- From Amcor to Dow to Veolia, what the 'New Plastics Economy' means - GreenBiz [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Trump's Flawed Logic Regarding US-Mexico Relations - Fair Observer [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Economic freedom achievable through knowledge based economy, innovative technical skill development - President - Asian Tribune [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Younger generation inheritors of knowledge-based economy: President - Lanka Business Online [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Kevin Gallagher's The China Triangle - Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Thunder Bay's population experiencing low growth - Tbnewswatch.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Can Russia project power while battered by economic woes? - Asia Times [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Substantial investment in agriculture needed to ensure enough food for all - Daily Nation [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- When will Russia finally break its 'resource curse'? | Russia Direct - Russia Direct [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- TEA & TWO SLICES | On Giant Snow Penises And Christy Clark's Shudder-Worthy Interview - Scout Magazine (blog) [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The 'Dutch disease' reexamined: Resource booms can benefit the wider economy - USAPP American Politics and Policy (blog) [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Siemens backs Qatar''s economic ambitions with innovation - MENAFN.COM [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Charles Lawton: Here's a proposal to create real equality of job opportunity - Press Herald [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- India can't write-off coal-based energy so soon: World Coal Association - Economic Times [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Financially empowering urban local bodies, and holding them accountable - Economic Times (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 10th Biennial Nehalem Bay Estuary Cleanup set - Tillamook Headlight-Herald [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Howard gives Barnett a hand on hustings - The West Australian [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Balanced fiscal plan, stable taxes needed - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Kentucky Main Street Program Communities Contributed $110M to State Economy in 2016 - WMKY [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Forging a new consensus for the future economy - The Straits Times [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Steve Robitaille: Removing dam would revitalize economy - Gainesville Sun [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- The difference between Malcolm Turnbull and Justin Trudeau - The Australian Financial Review [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- DENIM SPIRIT: An economy based on abundance - Finger Lakes Times [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- The Venus Project Plans to Bring Humanity to the Next Stage of Social Evolution. Here's How. - Futurism [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Best returns since 1900? Resource based countries, including Canada, lead the way - Financial Post [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Government of Myanmar unveils new plan to protect marine wildlife and resources - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Energy as a Model for US-Mexico Economic Partnership - RealClearEnergy [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Science and Technology: Minister says FG will harness natural ... - Pulse Nigeria [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Event promotes innovation and technology expansion - News - Castlegar News [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Economic growth projected for Saskatchewan in 2017 | Regina ... - Regina Leader-Post [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Steve Robitaille: Removing Rodman dam would boost economy - Ocala [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- The future of WA's economy: Life beyond mining - WAtoday [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Verdant Zeal set to celebrate decade of providing media solutions - Guardian [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Lessons from Canada's scientific resistance - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- St Ann can do better Earl Jarrett - Jamaica Gleaner [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Firm canvasses technology strategy - The Nation Newspaper [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Mandryk: Next Saskatchewan boom needs to be from our heritage fund - Regina Leader-Post [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Bank of Canada channels Al Gore - Toronto Sun [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Australia's economy is on a 25-year winning streak, and China will determine how much longer it goes - Quartz [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Nehalem Bay Estuary Cleanup - North Coast Citizen [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- State's high-tech hits $1 billion economic milestone - Daily Inter Lake [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Prime Minister Trudeau, no fan of the middle class - Hill Times (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Prime Minister Trudeau, no fan of the middle class - The Hill Times ... - Hill Times (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Pipelines to be a 'fundamental' issue for NDP leadership race: Julian - Hill Times (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Finally, Democrats Have A Pro Wrestler In Their Corner - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- WA election: Death threats, One Nation legal action, stadium stoush campaign trail action - ABC Online [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- WA election: Labor outlines campaign costings and debt reduction ... - ABC Online [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Russia, Israeli firm agree to invest $100 mln in Russia's dairy industry - Reuters [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Jobs, education focus of Gov. Brown's Prineville visit - KTVZ [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Maine deserves a chance to capitalize on the North Woods monument - Bangor Daily News [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- MAN, RMRDC, others to promote resource-based MSMEs,funding - The Nation Newspaper [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- HIKE NETARTS BAYOCEAN SPIT - North Coast Citizen [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Jobs versus or for the environment? - Budgeeter News [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- We are taking steps to overhaul economy through knowledge-based ... - TheNewsGuru (satire) (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Art of Growing Oysters in Tillamook County offers FREE tour of ... - North Coast Citizen [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Onu: Diversification into Agriculture, Solid Minerals Can't Take ... - THISDAY Newspapers [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Singapore provides an example for the UAE to match - The National [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Will the Gig Economy Make the Office Obsolete? - Harvard Business Review [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- ICT can sustain Nigeria's economy- Adebayo Shittu - Vanguard [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- There's no doubt: Walls need to stay down - Bonner County Daily Bee [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- How the City of Shawinigan reinvented itself as a smart city - IT World Canada [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- ICT can sustain Nigeria's economy, says minister - Daily Trust [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- Viewpoint: What kind of budget? - Saskatoon StarPhoenix [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- Taxes impact Saskatchewan across the board as spending gets cut to combat deficit - Regina Leader-Post [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]