Earth Summit - Agenda 21

Agenda 21 is an action plan for sustainable development for the world in the 21st century.  It was drawn up at the U.N. "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, a gathering of 179 heads of state and government.

What is Sustainable Development?

There are many definitions but a good one is "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs".

At Rio an undertaking was given that local councils would produce their own plan - a Local Agenda 21.  This would involve consulting with the community, because it is the people in the area who have the local knowledge needed to make sensible decisions for their future.  The Year for the Environment 2000 is an important part of Birmingham's own Local Agenda 21, which incorporates subsequent developments such as the Seven Key Concepts for children's learning, an outcome of last year's Holland Report.

Key Concepts

In 1999 the Holland Report made proposals to the Government on sustainable development.  These included seven key concepts for children's learning.  Teachers have found these useful as a planning tool for schemes of work, as a framework for evaluating science and geography work, and as part of a whole school development plan.

The Seven Key Concepts

• Interdependence
  Understanding how people, the environment and the economy are inextricably linked at all levels from local to global.
  
  
• Citizenship and Stewardship
  Recognising the importance of taking individual responsibility and action to ensure the world is a better place.
  
  
• Needs and rights of future generations
  Understanding our own basic needs and the implications for the needs of future generations of actions taken today.
  
  
• Diversity
  Respecting and valuing both human diversity - cultural, social and economic - and biodiversity.
  
  
• Quality of life
  Acknowledging that global equity and justice are essential elements of sustainability and that basic needs must be met universally.
  
  
• Sustainable change
  Understanding that resources are finite and that this has implications for people's lifestyles, and for commerce and industry.
  
  
• Uncertainty and precaution
  Acknowledging that there are a range of possible approaches to sustainability and that situations are constantly changing, indicating a need for flexibility and lifelong learning.