Local Governments and Their Role in the Solution of the Environmental Problems

Our Planet is in danger. Every day and every hour the Earth is sending us signals to which we must pay attention -and it’s not only the so called “global warming”: ecological catastrophes are in increasing numbers, natural resources are depleting, animal and plant species are disappearing…

Environmental issues are complex, far from fully understood and open to a variety of approaches. Only one thing is absolutely clear: something has to be done if we want to save the Planet: something more practical, something more effective that what we’ve been doing till now. We must “hear within us the sounds of the Earth crying”, as said Zen poet Thich Nhat Hanh.

Of all the dangers we face, the greatest one could be the deadening of our response. We must act now and our response should be planned and organized by some capable entity. We must not only prevent environmental degradation, but also develop the short-term and the long-term solutions that enable quick and effective response to environmental threats, natural disasters and humanitarian crises. We think that these leading entities could be and should be the local governments – the “closest-to-the-problem” key players in environmental, heritage and biodiversity management.

There are good reasons for focusing international concern on local governments because every environmental issue is a “local” environmental issue. Even when the environmental problems capture the attention of higher authorities, the local governments in which they are located always have a profound and enduring interest that should transform the social concern into tangible and measurable actions.

Local governments are the link in the chain of power that is closest to the people and to the environment. They set many strategic, long-term environmental policies especially in the realm of land-use planning and also take small decisions and actions each day that cumulatively make the real difference in regional environment, biodiversity and heritage values.

In many countries, municipalities have taken the lead on environmental issues in the absence of strong national, federal or state action. Some of them are making progress in mandating more efficient city buildings, promoting recycling, designing detailed plans on how to cut greenhouse gas emissions and many other efforts…, but we all know that it’s not enough. There seems to be a big lack of urgency in today’s performance.

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2011
12/20
CATEGORY
Environmental Issues
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The Dangers of Radio Waves

Since the advent of cellphones in the 1990s, communication has become a lot easier and portable. In fact it has become impossible to imagine a world without them. Business transactions have increased exponentially in decision-making now takes place in a much quicker pace. In Africa, cellular technology has become the primary means of communication as telephone companies no longer have to spend billions of dollars building up telecommunication infrastructure.

Radio frequencies and magnetic fields have been controversial topics since the 1960s and 70s, and with the introduction of cellular phones, the controversy has exacerbated. As in every debate, there are two schools of thought surrounding the impact of radio waves and the danger they pose. On the one side, there are those who believe that radio frequencies have little effect on consumers and the environment at large. On the other side, there are those who believe that we are in serious danger from radio waves and the telecommunication companies that dupe us into believing that we are safe.

Radio frequencies or radio waves, as they are more commonly known, are emitted by wireless and other electronic devices. They are not a new occurrence in the modern world. In fact, apart from natural occurrences, radio waves have been around since radio and television. Basically anything that has an antenna or a transmitter emits radio waves. The rate at which the body absorbs radio waves is measured as the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).

Controversy surrounding cell phone radiation is focused on whether radio frequencies emitted from cellphones are safe for humans and the environment, or whether we are all put at risk by the continuing omission of these waves as well as electromagnetic fields. When radio frequencies are high enough, they can break down the tissue in the human body and can interfere with the DNA. However, it is claimed that emissions from cellphones are so small that they pose no danger. This has been the mantra of the FCC for many years. There has been much confusion and concern recently as the same organization now claims that further research is needed to determine the effects of radio frequencies, as well as whether they are dangerous to humans.

Complaints have surfaced in the United States and other countries like South Africa where base stations are located in urban areas and even built in gardens where agreement is reached between cellphone networks and home owners. People living in close proximity to base stations have complained of headaches and other health problems. Home owner associations and health researchers have claimed that living too close to base stations or heavy use of cellphones may instigate brain tumors and cancers.

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2011
12/20
CATEGORY
Environmental Issues
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