The United Nations environmental programs are based on a heritage of service to the environment by numerous non-governmental organizations and individuals and FAWCO is committed to supporting the UN and its agencies in actions to safe guard the environment. There is no doubt that on a whole range of environmental issues, the advocacy of NGOs, both in public and private, has helped mould public attitudes and influence government policy.
In 1972, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was established to provide leadership and encourages partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
In addition, goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals calls for environmental sustainability.
Millennium Development Goal 7: To Ensure Environmental Sustainability.
Targets:
* To integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources.
* To reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss.
* To halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
* By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.
FAWCO supports these UN goals and encourages our members to take part in activities to benefit the planet and to have fun while doing it. As David R. Brower 1912-2000, author of CPR for Planet Earth once said; “people want to be part of something fun. It’s exciting to change the world. If you’re in it simply out of worry or guilt, you won’t last and normal people won’t join you. Learning to read the Earth and saving it is fascinating stuff. Put fun in the movement to conserve, preserve, and restore, and celebrate it, and people will run to sign up.”
One of FAWCO's adopted Resolutions and Recommendations specifically resolves to encourage and support FAWCO members by "encouraging and assisting member clubs in projects to benefit the environment, with special attention to global warming and practical guidance on how individuals can contribute". Currently, we are supporting the UN program "Plant for the Planet – Billion Tree Campaign" www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign with a “One Member, One Tree” challenge.
FAWCO's Committee on the Environment seeks to inform members about global environmental issues and to promote informed action within FAWCO at both global and local levels. For information contact
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or visit the committee website at:
Link (http://www.fawco.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=16&id=108&Itemid=386)
