Ten years of local action for sustainability
Filed under: Community Action & Campaigns
We're good at local action
Community action increased 2-3 times in the decade after Rio. It has tackled social, environmental and economic issues using practical action. (see The Quiet Revolution, SBBC, 2002, available free on 0121 248 5900 or www.sbbc.co.uk).
It matters
Environmental impacts of local action are small on a national scale but make a difference where they happen. Social and economic impacts are often considerable. Local action is a good way to create involvement (see Thinking Locally, Acting Nationally, JRF, 2002, £12.95 from http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.php?pubID=435).
External pressures reduce our effectiveness
Inadequate funding regimes, lack of joined-up thinking in government, regeneration schemes for short-term economic benefit, drive to globalisation: all damage local action. We need to find the resources to face up to these problems.
It's not always exciting
Local action is often not very glamorous or newsworthy. We need to get ourselves organised and learn new ways to get better publicity. We need to be very suspicious of hype like "Local is the new organic", and remember that local issues will always be with us: we need to do what is needed, rather than what is most media-worthy or fundable.
Lessons from Johannesburg
Global action is hard. A strong national base is important. We mustn't wait for governments to address local problems.
More to do
People are not supporting the radical changes clearly needed. We need to rebuild awareness, build capacity and support.
Justice and equity
Environmental justice, health equalities and social inclusion require focus on poorest communities living in worst environments.
Sustainability is possible
We need national and global policy, but also stronger transformed communities. Local people feel strongly about where they live and local action takes place in a global context.
Based on a Presentation by Chris Church, Community Development Foundation, London 21 Conference, 20 Sep 2002.
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