Rio + 20: two decades further in time

Twenty years ago, the United Nations organised the Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)  from 3 June to 14 June 1992 otherwise known as the 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Rio Earth Summit was focussed on a number of critical global issues such as: patterns of production and the use of toxic substances; alternative sources of energy to reduce reliance and remove the use of fossil fuels; the use of public transport to reduce emissions and the increasing scarcity of water. The Summit also agreed on the Climate Change Convention (preceding the Kyoto Protocol) and opened the Convention on Biological Diversity for signatories of member states.

 

       In less than a month's time the UN is again bringing governments, international institutions and major groups together to seek agreement on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources. The UN has initially outlined the two main themes of the Summit as: "How to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty, including support for developing countries that will allow them to find a green path for development; and how to improve international coordination for sustainable development".

Does the direction have a familiar sound to it ? It does, for the aims of the original Earth Summit are as relevant today as twenty years ago showing that much progress continues to lag behind actual need. In terms of reality, the Conference on Sustainable Development is a Conference on Survivability.