Part I: Using Public Participation
Chapter I
Public Participation as an Instrument for Environmental Protection
by Karel van der Zwiep
Introduction
Common Interest
A clean, safe and healthy environment concerns everyone. The fisherman has an interest in clean water and unpolluted seas and oceans; the farmer in unpoisoned soil; the consumer in good products that will not damage his or her health; industry in continuation of its production processes. In short, clean air, clean water, clean soil and careful management of natural resources concerns everyone, everywhere in the world.
Not Limitless
It is a well-known fact that every human activity affects nature and the environment, which has a great regenerative capacity, but is not limitless. In many cases the limits have been exceeded or critical levels reached. Nature, flora and fauna in Europe are visibly becoming impoverished at an increasing rate. A great deal has been lost and has vanished forever. In addition, the number of places where living conditions are bad are increasing. Pollution is accumulating and waste is piling up.
Relations Disturbed
The deteriorating conditions of nature and the environment, in turn, affect human activities and especially human health. In other words, there is an undeniable relationship between humans and their natural environment. All signals indicate that the balance between them has been seriously disturbed. This not only threatens nature and the environment, but also the continuation of social and economic development.
Balance
Therefore, it is essential that control of this balance be restored. Many countries consider this the most important basis of their general policy. The European Union has even made environmental issues a priority of their policy for the next five years. Until recently, environmental management was considered solely the task of the government, a task which mainly implied adopting laws and making sure they were being observed. At best, all kinds of industrial branches were involved. However, gradually there has been a growing awareness that the government, industry and the population as a whole are jointly responsible for the well-being of the environment. All members of society play a vital part in some respects and at certain times as:
- consumers of goods and services;
- individuals who are concerned about the quality of nature, the environment and their health;
- individuals who cause pollution and environmental damage as employees, producers, tourists, etc.
Public Role
In many respects this "public role", however, has hardly been recognized and developed. It is a relatively new phenomenon in the whole decisionmaking process. Many countries, therefore, do not know how to develop and encourage "public responsibility" so that it may influence the decisionmaking process.
Key Term
The key term in this respect is "public participation". This concept introduces a variety of problems, especially of a legal and constitutional nature. These problems not only concern the government; in many cases the population also has many questions about this role. However, several countries have learned by experience that the interaction between government and citizens can be fruitful and that there is strong social support for joint responsibility in tackling and solving the problems with respect to the environment. In many cases this participation is considered an important element in democratic development, based on mutual respect and confidence.
REC * PUBLICATIONS * MANUAL ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION * PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
