RIO- DECLARATION (or Earth Summit 1992)

A RIO- DECLARATION (United Nations conference on Environment and development)

NOTE: The Questions May be as

·       Write a brief note on Rio-declaration 1992.

·       Write a note on Earth Summit 1992.

Answer:

·      Introduction

·      Preamble

·      Principles

·      Earth Summit Plus Five, 1997

Introduction

           The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, often shortened to Rio Declaration, was a short document produced at the 1992 United Nations "Conference on Environment and Development" (UNCED), informally known as the Earth Summit. The Rio Declaration consisted of 27 principles intended to guide countries in future sustainable development. It was signed by over 170 countries.

          Earth Summit was largest International Conference in the history of international law held at the Rio de Janeiro from 3^rd to 14^th June 1992.

The need for the conference was due to the fact that industrialized countries degrade the environment by high consumption of resources and intense production of waste and developing countries put extra pressure on earth by rapid population growth.

Preamble:

1.    To establish a new and equitable global partnership.

2.    To work towards international agreements which respect the interests of all and protect the integrity of the global environmental and developmental system.

3.    To recognize the integral and interdependent nature of the earth.

Principles

1.    Human beings are entitled to a healthy and productive life and harmony with nature.

2.    States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources and developmental policies but should not cause damage to the environment of other states.

3.    The right to development must be to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

4.    To achieve sustainable development, environmental protection an integral part of the development process.

5.    All States and all people co-operate in eradicating poverty.

6.    The special situation needs of developing countries shall be given special priority

7.    States shall co-operate to protect and restore the health and integrity of the earth’s ecosystem.

8.    To achieve a higher quality of life for their people.

9.    States should co-operate to strengthen endogenous capacity building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding

10. At National level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment.

11. States shall enact effective environmental legislation.

12. States should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system for sustainable development in all countries.

13. States shall develop National law and cooperate International law regarding liability and compensation of the victims of pollution and other environmental damage.

14. States should effectively cooperative to prevent transfer to the other states of any activities that cause severe environmental degradation.

15. To protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities.

16. National authorities should endeavor to promote the environmental costs and the use of economic instruments.

17. States shall immediately notify other states of any natural disaster.

18. States shall provide timely notification and relevant information to affected States on activities.

19. Women have a vital role in environmental management and development.

20. The creativity, ideals and courage of the youth of the world should be mobilized to forge a global partnership.

21. The environment and natural resources of people under oppression, domination and occupation shall be protected.

22. Warfare is inherently destructive of Sustainable development.

23. Peace, development and environment protection are interdependent and invisible.

24. States shall resolve all their environmental disputes peacefully and by appropriate means.

25.States and people shall co-operate in good faith and fulfillment of the principle embodied in this declaration.

Earth Summit Plus Five, 1997:

          The sessions was held at New York to find out how far the nations have implemented Rio Declarations. The reason that this meeting was held after five years of earth summit 1992 is because more than 170 representatives of various nations participated in the conference.

        The important outcome of the conference is as follow:

1.    The oceans, forests, and atmosphere are in trouble and the population of the poor people is growing.

2.    The Earth Summit objectives are not fulfilled and the results of implantation are sobering

3.    There is increased release of carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere and hence there is global warming

4.    Forest felling is on the increase and deforestation rate has increased from 11000 sq. meter to 15000 sq. m

5.    13.7 million hectares of forests are being cut every year.

6.    The level of Greenhouses gases is increasing at the rate of 2% annually.

7.    It is expected 2/3^rd of world’s population experience water scarcity by the year 2000

8.    1.1 billion People earn less than 1 dollar and hence not able to protect themselves.

9.    The difference between rich and poor nations is widening. There is increase in toxic and hazardous waste, crossing the borders of neighboring nations.

10.The Conference concluded with the finding that there is increase in the overall pollution. However all nations committed themselves to work jointly to meet the needs of the present and future generations.