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<The Councillor as Guardian of the Environment>

An Essay and Workshop for Local Elected Leaders on Environmental Governance
with Emphasis on Adopting Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs)
- Training for Elected Leadership -

Part I - Essay on the Councillor as Guardian of the Environment
- ESSAY -
Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does
to the web he does to himself. Chief Seattle, Native American Leader, 1857.

Definition and Summary

The councillor, in the role of Guardian of the Environment, supports develop-ment that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

This essay will address one of the most challenging roles confronting local councillors, providing principled leadership in the inevitable confrontation between economic and physical development and protection of the natural environment. The challenge is as old as civilization, but the consequences of competition between these two dynamic, defining forces have never been greater. While the state of planet earth dictates that we all assume the role of environmental guardian, the responsibilities and opportunities to make a difference in this age long struggle is unique to those who hold local elected offices. Degradation of the environment, whether we like it or not, begins in our own back yard.

The same is true of efforts to protect the environment and to remediate past mistakes. Many of the decisions in major investments that local governments make in their pursuit of improved public services and quality of life involve various kinds of technology that have a direct impact on the environment (e.g. waste management, waste water treatment, noise abatement and cleaner air standards.) But, the interrelationship between the use of new technologies and environmental protection is complex. Sometimes efforts to improve local conditions through the application of new technologies involve new environmental risks.

Given this personalized state of responsibility, there are many opportunities for creative leadership by local governments to heal the wounds and support development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Your responsibilities as Guardian of the Environment transcend both physical and time boundaries. Council decisions involving economic and physical develop-ment can influence the quality of life of neighboring communities and the health and safety of their citizens. Equally important, development decisions can jeopardize the quality of life of your grandchildren, and theirs. Being Guardian(s) of the Environment is a responsibility that goes beyond your own political constituents and your term of office. Your development policies and goals must be: (1) sustainable over time; and, (2) responsive to the needs of your neighbors who also worry about their quality of life by the actions you take.

Future generations will ultimately inherit the results of your actions as local leaders. Will your legacy as Guardian of the Environment be worthy of lasting praise? Or, a burden to be borne by those who had no equity in the decision? Likewise, many decisions with environmental consequences have a tendency to affect the lives of those who live in other communities. When we borrow the air and water from “mother nature” for use in our daily lives, we often give it back in much worse condition than we received it. The gift to others becomes tainted by our selfish actions. Unfortunately, neither of these extended constituents can vote for you in the next election. Being a Guardian of the Environment requires leadership based on principles, what respected author and public servant John Bryson refers to as “leadership for the common good.” We will be exploring ways your council can guard and enhance the natural resources of your community without jeopardizing its economic and physical development. We will:

• draw heavily on the experience of local governments that have achieved success in managing these dynamic interfaces in various parts of the world;
  
• suggest ways to bring together divergent, and often conflicting, community interests so a common vision and strategy can be forged to guide and direct sustainable development; and
• concentrate on environmentally sound technology as a valuable ally in your role as Guardian of the Environment.

We will also discuss mistakes (acts of unsustainable development ) made, by local officials and others, that have come to eventually plague their communities. In fairness, many acts of unsustainable development, in which we all have participated, are driven by good intentions and a lack of understanding of the possible long term consequences. For the sake of future generations and preservation of our global common, the role of Guardian of the Environment is your most important public responsibility. It will greatly contribute in defining the heritage of your leadership.

When I think of myself as a GUARDIAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT, the following things come to mind:

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Table of Contents

• Brochure
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• International Year of Forests
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• World Environment Day
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• UNEP Campaign
• 
•