NGOs Role on Environmental Policy and Conservation

NGOs Role on Environmental Policy and Conservation

Introduction

Environmental policies are the standards established by the government to manage natural resources and environmental quality. The broad categories of ‘natural resources” and “environment quality” include such areas as air and water pollution, forest and wildlife, hazardous waste, agricultural practices, wetlands, and land use planning. Population of the world has reached over seven thousand people who have hope on having a higher quality of life. With the rising demand for energy, food, materials among other essential basics human consumptions dangerous issues are challenging the future generations; rising sea level, pollutions of oceans, loss of biodiversity, human induced climate change, pollution of land and fresh water, frequent organic pollutants, by-products of nanotechnology and technology, over usage of forests and oceans among other challenges are what NGOs are fiercely fighting to achieve quality life and a conserved environment (Finger, 2013).

NGOs have emerged to be a powerful force in influencing the direction of environment conservation and development policies around the globe (Ghai et al, 2014). NGOs have played a significant role to negotiate environmental issues and also pressure international institution to expand their environmental activities hence uplifting conservation. A good example is the United Nation which has created a system of formal relationships which various NGOs; this has created a powerful force in affecting the direction of environment and development policies around the planet through advocacy and on the ground action (Stringer et al, 2013). Non Governmental Organizations have uplifted conservation around the world by ensuring that all the living things in the environment co-exist in a rich and less hazardous environment. The organizations have heavily directed their efforts at crisis situations such as endangered species, depleted fisheries habitat protection and environmental pollution.

NGOs are very effective in influencing development of climate change whereby it has manifestations that seek to influence the direction of national and global climate change mitigation policy. The Non-governmental Organizations also have peak influence in shaping of societal debate and policy directions on climate change issues. The organizations have pull policy actions that fill the gaps in providing services in policy such as policy advice, policy research and in a few cases actual policy development and implementation (Finger, 2013). Space for champions for reforms are created within the policy systems so that they assume a salience and come up with constituencies for change that could not be mobilized otherwise (Ghai et al, 2014). Policy making and implementations on issues on climate change are not done exclusively by NGOs but also involves academic and research institutions, business groups and elite communities whom together create informed, accurate and workable policies from a wide range of view.

NGOs are also involved in advancement of energy policy; a good example is the caucus which is an international assembly of NGOs that work together on policy creation and implementation in ensuring that they tackle any challenges affecting production, consumption and also pollution thereafter (Stringer et al, 2013). The organizations deploy and organize advocacy, media tools and analytical in an attempt to influence the direction of the bill. They provide crucial pathway for the public to influence policy setting and also air challenges and recommendation in order to uplift quality service provision and also conserve the environment for a better living.  NGOs also work hand in hand with the media to pass crucial information on environment conservation and other unknown environmental issues. In a country like China NGOs used the media to report cases on environmental pollution and also report various cases to the authorities such as cases on poaching (Ghai et al, 2014).  A good number of NGOs nowadays focus wildlife and marine life existence. These organizations ensures that issues affecting the animals are catered for by coming up with field based international programs which propel conservation activities and also provide education by freely passing crucial information to the public, showing them the importance of these wild animals (Finger, 2013). The New York Zoological society is a good example of an NGO that has created a wide range of information on conservation and wildlife through its internet site and also printed material pamphlets, (Zoological Parks and Aquariums). It’s also through this platform that the American people learn about international wildlife conservation opportunities, careers on environment as well as other agencies that deal with the same or related issues. This example mirrors the importance of NGOs in uplifting quality of environment and conservation.

Plants appear as an important factor in the ecosystem; its unavailability may affect not only human beings but the environment as a whole. This is the reason why a large number of Non Governmental Organizations are working so hard to ensure the plant is protected by all means. These organizations direct their work through research and education, policy implementations and coming up with protests against violation of the plant (Stringer et al, 2013). Bund Naturschutz is a Bavarian NGO that specifically protects the plant through creation of seminars, promoting organic farming, awareness campaigns and extensive research to ensure that even the indigenous plants are protected and upgraded with time. This has not only conserved the environment   in the country but also raised the social and economic standard of the nation. The good job of Bund Naturschutz has also given its citizen an upper hand on issues concerning the environment and also attracting other nations to send their citizens to Bavaria to learn.

Non Governmental Organizations play a major role in conducting participatory rural appraisal on issues concerning water and air pollution. A good number of these organizations participate on various categories of stakeholders in discussions on water and air pollution and being involved on the protection of human rights to have clean environment (Ghai et al, 2014). Association for Voluntary Agency for Rural Development (AVARD) is an example of an NGO established in India in 1958 and played a major role in ensuring water and air pollution is terminated through conservation and sufficient ecology. It’s through organizing seminars, collection of data on environmental issues, working with administrative officials in villages and transferring information about air and water pollution that made Association for voluntary Agencies for Rural Development to be crowned as the NGO of the year and also getting recognition award in Europe (Finger, 2013). Through superb work plan NGOs may be very instrumental and play a vital role in achieving conservation peak in different conservation platforms.

NGOs act as catalysts in blending local, national and international initiative and the local community participation in general advancement in the quality of life (Stringer et al, 2013). NGOs also help the nations’ government to achieve relevant information in promoting and propelling implementation of vital environmental programs. They create healthy systems functioning in various social-economic, socio-cultural, political environmental protections.NGOs play the essential role in raising global voice about the effects of sea level rise. The do the loud voice in vulnerable countries in the most affected countries and provide logistical and technical support to the vulnerable countries. NGOs play the critical role in ensuring that pollutants such as poisonous gasses are controlled.  It cooperates with (UNGA) to control CO2 emissions, to control CFC, to control methane and greenhouse gas emitted by developed countries. NGOs also air its views in important global summits of states. Different NGOs are globally interlinked together. Domestic and International NGOs collaborate to create global environmental regimes. They provide substantial scientific documents to local NGOs about the impact of sea level rise in different related countries. Local NGOs like BELA and BAPA provide materials and technical support from Non-Governmental organizations such as (WWI), (WWF), (UNEP), (IPCC), and (Greenpeace).  NGOs play a fundamental role in the agenda-setting of global sea level rise. The NGOs highlights the global sea level governance. NGOs consistently explain causes and consequences of sea level rise (Ghai et al, 2014). They argue that sea level is rising because of ice melting in Antarctica and Himalayas gorier which results into global warming. Global warming is also caused by carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and also CFC gases. On this note, NGOs plays important and constructive bargaining roles and duties. It argues on putting the correct measures in the place that will reduce emissions of these poisonous gases. They also highlight on developing a new system on how control ice was melting to avoid deletion of ozone later.

The following NGOs have come in bold to deal with this burning issue ;( WSSD), (Kyoto protocol), and (COP).  With rising sea level in Bangladesh, non-governmental organizations and NGOs participates in assisting Bangladesh people with food, shelter, education and other critical needs when a disaster occurs. In Bangladesh, the government is planning to forcefully displace people from that place, domestic NGOs like (BAPA and BELA) have created different solutions towards this critical issue.  NGOs focus on adapting to changes in sea level rise. Change in sea level rise significantly affects food, agricultural productivity, and income and buying capacity of the civilians. The increase in sea level destroys food, deteriorates agricultural sector and waters out ordinary people concerning adopting with the new prices of goods and services. Bangladesh government works together with different NGOs to provide the farmers with adaptable saline water seeds that will withstand the unfavorable conditions (Young, 1993). At times of crisis, non-governmental organizations play a very crucial task in assisting the deported people with shelter, clothing, and food. They also advise on post-migration adaptation. In places where high sea level rise often, NGOs works in association with the government to assists the people of that area by migrating them to new places. NGOs also provide new tools and techniques to farmers about how to adapt to rise sea levels. Food security and social protection and health also become a substantive threat, and NGOs plays a vital role to cope with the changing scenarios (Ghai et al, 2014). NGOs also work in partnership with the ministry of livestock and fisheries to solve threats and create a new adaptation for fish.

Greenpeace is an environment-friendly international organization which has facilitated critical factors and achievements in conserving environment. It has also made bold moves in protecting and maintaining resources such as wildlife, land, water and plants (Roberts, 2002). Greenpeace focuses on the most worldwide threats to biodiversity and environment. Greenpeace protects ancient forests. Many plants and animals are at risk of extinction.  People living in forests and depending on them are also under significant threat. The organization also focuses on saving the oceans. It focuses on curbing overfishing, pirate fishing, and whaling and intensive shrimp aquaculture.

Greenpeace team also focuses on stopping climate change, excessive and extensive use of oils, coals and other energy resources leads to adverse climate (Klein, 2001). Adverse climate change causes global warming, to stop this; Greenpeace is campaigning on various fronts. It focuses to stop genetic engineering. Genetic engineering enables the creation of animals, micro organisms and plants through manipulation of genes; this leads to new adverse uncontrollable environment. The release into the environment leads to genetic pollution, and the release cannot be recalled back. Greenpeace believes that the release into the environment will have effects on people health and their surroundings.  It advocates taking immediate measures such as initializing engineered ingredients and segregation of genetically modified crops from conventional ones. Greenpeace also needs to stop nuclear threat Plant. The organization is fighting against the use of nuclear power (Young, 1993). Nuclear power has always been having adverse effects on the environment. It leads to accidents, deaths, and disasters (Atlas, 1986). Radiation released into surrounding leads to contamination of soils, oceans, rivers and causes cancer to people.  It also focuses to eliminate toxic chemicals as they prove a global threat to the health and environment.

Greenpeace campaigns against the use of nuclear power as its use have never been peaceful. It leads to accidents, deaths, and disasters. Radiation released into the environment through the nuclear tests has resulted in the contamination of soil, air, rivers, and oceans, causing cancer and other diseases in people (Thompson, 1994). Greenpeace encourages sustainable trade. The organization strongly opposes globalization new role that is increasing the power of corporate. It demands that the World Trade Organization (WTO) create a new policy of trade, which works for all equally and that preserves and restores the environment. To achieve sustainable development, the government should adopt environmental, social and economic priorities. Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) in India is an organization that deals with wildlife conservation (Atlas, 1986). It aims at protecting particular species of wildlife fauna. It also committed to saving and protecting the already degrade and threatened natural bounties in the country. It is also concerned with the conservation of natural habitats and ecosystem in India. WWF organization has five large program components (Lele, 1991). This includes promoting India’s security and restoring ecological niche, ensuring sustainable use of the natural resource base, conserving biological diversity and lastly, minimizing pollution to promote sustainable lifestyles.

Nongovernmental Authorities assist the government in the implementation of the National Land Policy in a way that that will take into account sustainable conservation and management of the environment and land resources (Roberts, 2002). NGOs also help to promote and enhance best practices for sustainable land use through the establishment of environmentally significant areas for purposes of improving the protection and conservation of the environmental resources. NGOs worldwide help to promote sustainable urban agriculture. Through capacity building on effective enforcement of the water quality regulations (Botsill, 2001). NGO gives guidelines and standards for the discharge of poisons, toxins, noxious, radioactive waste or other pollutants into the aquatic environment. These laws have standards for discharge of effluent into the sewer and marine environment (Roberts, 2002). While it is the responsibility of the sewerage service providers to regulate discharges into sewer lines based on the given specifications, for instance in Kenya NEMA control the discharge of all effluent into the aquatic environment.

All firms discharging effluent into the marine environment are required to submit quarterly discharge monitoring records to NGOs based on prescribed procedures of sampling and analysis. NGOs enlighten people to refrain from any actions, which directly or indirectly cause water pollution. The conservation and sustainable development of forest ecosystems and their associated resources are essential for lasting poverty reduction and sustainable development. Forest ecosystems are important in the preservation of soil, water and biodiversity as well as in moderation of climate. They are the terrestrial habitats for biodiversity (Tarlock, 1992).

Maintenance of forest protects the economic potential of future opportunities for new non-timber products, such as foods and medicines, as well as social sustainability by offering beautiful, spiritual and recreational settings for people. In conserving forests, NGOs formulate an innovative strategy to increase forest and tree cover from the current to at least 10% as required by the Constitution (Agrawal, 1999). Develop and implement a National Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration of degraded forest ecosystems. Protection and conserve forests located in the major water catchment areas. Support effective implementation of the Forests Act. Develops and implements cost-effective, objective and measurable national standards, principles and criteria of sustainable forest management (Roberts, 2002).NGOs also help in teaching people on international conventions on environment.

Wetlands International’s work includes research and community-based field projects such as advocacy and partnering with governments, international policy and conventions and corporate. This NGO l works through partnerships and   contributions from an extensive specialist expert network and tens of thousands of volunteers’ (Raustiala, 1997).Conservation International (CI) is an American is an environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Its goal is to protect nature as a source of food, fresh water, livelihoods and a stable climate. It has focused on policy, science, and partnership with communities businesses.  CI has helped in establish 1,200 protected areas across 78 countries and protected over n730 million hectares marine, land, and resources.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)   tries to influence the actions of governments, business, and other stakeholders by providing information and advice, and through lobbying and partnerships (Jamison, 1996). The organization is best known to the wider public for compiling and publishing the IUCN Red List, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide. IUCN has a membership of over 1200 governmental and non-governmental organizations. Its headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland. Nature Serve, Inc. is an Arlington, Virginia-based non-profit organization that provides proprietary wildlife conservation-related data, tools, and services to private and government clients, partner agencies, and the public. Nature Serve reports being “headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with regional offices in four U.S. locations and Canada.”  In the calendar year 2011, they reported having 86 employees, six volunteers, and 15 independent officers. Another organization is The Plant a Tree Today Foundation (PATT) is an environmental non-governmental organization with primary operations in Thailand it attempts to raise environmental awareness and foster better practices in less developed nations around the world, planting trees as a means to combat deforestation and climate change (Botsill, 2001).

IDEAS for Us are an environmental organization of emerging professionals advancing sustainability throughout universities, colleges and K-12 schools. The non-governmental organization guides IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions) chapters and affiliate partners and build on the ‘passion for change’ by providing them with consulting services, professional training programs, capacity building, leadership development, youth empowerment, peer-to-peer mentorship, and incubation (Roberts, 2002). IDEAS For Us serves as an inter-generational platform for global partnerships that organizes educated young people to engage one another on real-world issues. Though IDEAS For Us is an environmental organization, it is independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed. The Board of Directors derives its authority from the IDEAS grassroots movement of which it oversees (McNeely, 1990). This grassroots movement includes chapters and affiliate chapters, both in the United States and abroad, professionals, youth leaders, non-profit partners and member companies.

WILD is another NGOs that   inspires the world that protects at least half of all nature on Earth in a connected way for the benefit of wilderness and communities. The WILD Foundation conserves environment through training the managers of protected areas, setting approaches to conservation, establishing new organizations as well as working with the communities’ members to protect nature (Tarlock, 1992). Their work spans continents, from the Mali Elephant Project and In the Tracks of Giants in Africa to CAT in WATER, a fishing cat media project in Thailand; to the Kayapo of the Brazilian Amazon and works close to their home in Boulder.

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