The United Nations estimates that the average city of 1 million people requires 625,000 tons of water, 2,000 tons of food and 9,500 tons of fuel, while producing 500,000 tons of waste water, 2,000 tons of solid waste and 950 tons of air pollutants each day! When one considers the inevitability of 400 cities worldwide with populations greater than 1 million and at least 10 with populations approaching 20 million by the year 2,000, you can begin to conceive of the enormity of the waste issue which planners, decision-makers and investors will confront.
Averting disaster will require large investments in technologies, information sharing, and institution-building aimed at developing feasible strategies to address these issues. And while it is hardly beyond our creative powers to discover new technologies, there are many solutions which already exist; some high-tech and some employing rather simple technologies or even traditional knowledge which can be applied to solid waste management. These technologies can be implemented today in developing and transition-economy countries without requiring long waiting periods usually associated with research and development initiatives. Simply stated, cities cannot wait for the "next generation" of solid waste management technologies to begin attacking this problem. As is obvious to many planners and managers, "the future is here" and the picture being painted, is not sustainable.
Japan has been a leader in the development and application of such technologies; witness the transformation in the quality of life as measured by one variable - life-cycle waste management in such Cities as Osaka, Yokkaichi and even Tokyo in the last quarter century. These success stones notwithstanding, the mere existence of technology does not guarantee its adoption or most certainly its efficient management over time.
This effort by the Global Environment Centre Foundation recognizes that technical information must not only be disseminated, but must also be understood, adapted to local conditions and implemented in a cross-cultural and region-wide context if it is to be effective in improving the quality of life in our urban areas. GEC is also cognizant of the need for a commitment by decision-makers - the political will - to attract the investment required to comprehensively address problems as complex as solid waste management in an integrated fashion.
The United Nations Environment Programme International Environmental Technology Centre applauds this effort of GEC to provide high quality information on Japanese technologies available to planners and decision-makers throughout the world, as we would do for any nation's efforts to disseminate information on available technologies. It is only through the combined efforts of all countries that problems of this scope and scale can be adequately addressed.
Richard A. Meganck, Ph.D.
Director of UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre
