Tunza: The UNEP Magazine for Youth, Volume 2, Number 3, 2005 Page: 6
23 p. : col. ill.View a full description of this periodical.
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TUNZA
answers
YOUR
QUESTIONSSI believe in reducing my personal
consumption of valuable resources,
but I don't see how I can make much
of a difference by myself. What is
the point, if most people carry on as
normal?
CECILE BORDIER, FRANCE
A: You have already taken the first
step - being aware of the need to
reduce your consumption. The next
step is to use this awareness in your
daily life. If you follow it through
with action then people will see the
difference you are making in your
community, and by setting such an
example, you will inspire those around
you to change.SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
Do you have questions
on environment and
development issues that you
would like the experts at
UNEP to answer?
Please send them to
cpiinfo@unep.org, and we will
try to answer them in future
issues.SEven if I turn off lights and taps
when I'm not using them, how does
that help someone living half a world
away? How can the energy being saved
benefit them? ORSZI IHASZ, HUNGARY
A: It may sound rather presumptuous
to assume that the action of one
person can affect the state of the global
environment. But the action you take
at home will have an impact in your
immediate environment. If enough of us
do our part, even in small ways, we can
have a significant effect. The message is
simple: 'Think global, act local!'
SThere are so many environmental
groups out there, advocating so many
different issues, that it can be very
confusing knowing where to start!
Which of the problems currently facing
our planet should be our top priority?
JINDRICH VODICKA, CZECH REPUBLIC
A: The problems affecting our planet
are not tied to one single issue or
priority - many interconnected factors
contribute to the deterioration of our
environment. So it is good to have
different organizations with diverse
approaches working on environmental
issues. In terms of priorities, the first
thing to do is look around you and
identify for yourself the environmental
issue that is affecting your own
community the most. Then get involved
and do what you can to address it in a
way that is relevant to local needs.Q Surely people in developing
countries need to consume more?
What have you got to say to them?
PIERRE JEANMOUGIN, FRANCE
A: If we are to solve the inequalities
in the world, increasing overall
consumption is not the solution.
It is more to do with the fair and
appropriate use of available resources
to meet basic needs and improve the
quality of life. Increased consumption
does not necessarily lead to greater
happiness or health. For example,
more cars on the roads will cause
more air pollution, noise and accidents
- and make us less fit. What is
important is to be aware of what to
consume and how.
Q What can I do in my daily life to
help conserve resources? How can
I get my family and friends involved
as well?
NISRINE KADERBHAY, INDIA
A: We all have to make lifestyle
choices and changes. We need to look
for changes we can make to reduce
the use of resources and look after the
environment. Many people say today's
youth are the leaders of tomorrow, but
today also belongs to you. You don't
have to wait to care for the earth. If
you show a sense of good leadership
and stewardship in caring for the
environment, then your family and
friends will follow you.TUNZA Vol 2 No 3
SWhat are governments doing now
to address the problem of resource
inequality? Does the United Nations
have a programme in place to help
coordinate their efforts?
JEN SCHOFIELD, UK
A: Resource inequality is linked to
access to food, water and clean air.
Unfortunately, half the world lacks
access to such basic necessities. To
address this the United Nations, in
partnership with other organizations,
is mobilizing a global campaign to
fight and reduce the level of poverty,
improve lives, ensure sustainable
development and create a better world
by the year 2015.6
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Lean, Geoffrey. Tunza: The UNEP Magazine for Youth, Volume 2, Number 3, 2005, periodical, 2005; Nairobi, Kenya. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc28548/m1/6/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .