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The Individual
Each of us has a responsibility to learn about and care for our environment this is the message of environmental citizenship. This section describes the practical implications of environmental citizenship for individual Canadians.
Q4.1
What does environmental citizenship mean for individuals?
Individual environmental citizenship can be seen as a three-step process.
Q4.2
Where can we learn about our environment? Canadians have many
opportunities available to them to improve their understanding of the
environment.
Family and friends. Often the best place for the individual to begin is at
home, finding items of
common concern and drawing upon the knowledge of
those immediately at hand.
The education system. More and more schools are integrating the study of
environmental issues
into their curricula, and many provide continuing
education programs for adults.
Think tanks. There are numerous organizations which bring together expert
opinion from different
perspectives on public policy issues, often
holding public seminars or conferences, or publishing reports.
The media. Newspapers, radio, and television regularly broadcast science
and nature programs,
as well as documentaries on specific environmental
topics.
Museums. Museums provide valuable learning opportunities on a wide range
of topics, including
everything from science and technology to natural
and human history.
Environmental groups. 'ENGOs' (environmental non-governmental
Organizations) can provide
information about the environment and they can
also provide advice regarding other learning opportunities.
National and provincial round tables. These organizations are important
sources of information
regarding the environment and environmental
education programs.
Business groups and associations. Many businesses and industry
associations study
environmental questions relevant to their particular
interests, and will provide information upon request.
Public utilities. Public utilities often publish educational materials on
subjects such as household
waste, water use, and energy efficiency; they
are also important sources of information on particular local or regional
environmental concerns.
Governments. Governments at all levels publish information and learning
resources on
environmental issues, and, like utilities, can provide
information on the status of particular current environmental problems.
International organizations. Many international organizations are involved
in research and
education on environmental issues. They can provide
learning resources and information on various environmental topics.
Q4.3
What sorts of action can we as individuals take to improve the
quality of the environment? Individual action can take a number of forms:
Changing everyday habits. Each person can change the way he or she
consumes resources and
disposes of the waste resulting from this
consumption. There are opportunities for environmentally responsible action at
home, at work, and in the community. The Action Guide provides ideas on concrete
steps the individual can take.
Being a responsible consumer. One of the ways individuals influence the
shape of their society is
through their behaviour as consumers. It is
important that all consumers find out about the environmental impact of the
production and consumption of the goods they purchase.
Engaging in public debate. Contributing to public debate on environmental
issues is extremely
important; it helps shape public opinion, influencing
everything from the laws that get passed to the way companies do business. But
before becoming involved individuals must become informed. They should examine
all sides of the issues that interest them. A better informed public will raise
the quality of debate and produce better solutions to environmental problems.
Keeping elected officials accountable. Speaking up can also take the form
of writing to
government representatives. Politicians at all levels
respond to constituents' concerns it's part of their job.
Working with others. One of the most effective ways individuals can take
action, aside from
changing their own daily habits of consumption and
waste generation, is to work together.
Whether by joining an environmental group, or infusing a non-environmental group with a concern for good environmental citizenship, individuals can have a big impact when they act collectively.
Q4.4
How can an individual empower others? Individuals can empower
others by promoting active environmental citizenship. This means helping others
learn about their environment, and encouraging them to take responsible
environmental action. Active citizenship has a 'multiplier effect'; the key is
to harness this effect for the benefit of the environment.
Communities and Organizations
Canadian citizens can be environmentally responsible not only as individuals but also as members of communities and organizations. This section looks at the practical implications of environmental citizenship for Canadian institutions.
Q4.5
What does environmental citizenship mean for communities and
organizations? Action on the part of communities and organizations of all types
and sizes is crucial to spreading the message of environmental citizenship and
to the achievement of environmental goals more generally. Every Canadian
community and organization is invited to do the following:
Q4.6
What are 'environmental citizenship principles'? Environmental
citizenship principles express commitments. Each is a succinct statement of a
particular environmental value, objective, or policy that a community or
organization is willing to endorse. They provide a focus for action, and they
are the tangible demonstration that a community or organization is prepared to
foster environmental citizenship in Canada.
Q4.7
Are there examples of such principles? Yes. The National Round
Table on the Environment and the Economy has developed a set of objectives for
sustainable development. Other examples include the International Chamber of
Commerce's Business Charter for Sustainable Development, and the Principles for
a Sustainable and Competitive Future developed by the Business Council on
National Issues. All of these contain examples of the kind of principles that
could be included in a code of environmental citizenship.
Q4.8
Has Environment Canada developed environmental citizenship
principles? Yes. The principles presented below are based upon the goals of the
Green Plan.
� focus
Principles of Environmental Citizenship and Ecosystem
Management
1. To prevent pollution.
2. To reduce waste.
3. To use water, energy, and other resources efficiently.
4. To manage the production of natural resources prudently.
5. To maintain the diversity of life.
6. To commemorate and protect our natural, cultural, and historical heritages.
7. To support environmental education and training.
8. To support active living and the creation of healthy environments.
9. To support local action and community participation.
10. To seek understanding and progress on global environmental issues.
Q4.9
Must all groups adopt the same set of principles? No. This
would negate one of the key elements of environmental citizenship: its voluntary
nature. The important thing is that communities and organizations have
principles to which they are genuinely committed. This is what will lead to
effective action.
Q4.10
Many organizations have already adopted environmental
principles. Must these be changed? Not necessarily. For communities and
organizations that have already adopted environmental citizenship principles of
one kind or another, the challenge now is to build upon these achievements.
Environmental commitments are not static; they can be revisited and improved at
regular intervals.
Q4.11
In what areas can communities and organizations take action?
Once environmental citizenship principles are formulated, the next step is to
translate them into effective and sustained action.
Specific areas where immediate results can be achieved include:
Environment Canada can advise communities and organizations on how to develop programs in any of these areas.
Q4.12
How can communities and organizations get started? The
following is a simple approach to developing action plans that any community or
organization could adopt:
Q4.13
How can organizations and communities help foster
environmental citizenship? The only constraint is the imagination of the people
involved. The reason why environmental citizenship can achieve significant
environmental results is that it draws upon the creativity and energy of the
society as a whole. Possible ways to foster environmental citizenship include:
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