Eco parlement

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 9:55 pm

Eco parlement : promotion 2005-2006.

Durant 4 jours, je suis partie à Paris assister à un congrès international de jeunes pour l'environnement: Youth Eco Parlement (Yep).

Qu’est ce le Yep ?

L’éco parlement des jeunes est un projet qui encourage 3.600 étudiants à travers le monde dans un effort collectif. Ce projet est soutenu par Eco emballage représenté en Belgique par Fost + et Green Belgium. Il a offert à plusieurs jeunes l’opportunité de débattre sur les problèmes de l’environnement. Pendant 4 jours, c'est plus de 140 jeunes (de 13 à 17 ans) de 14 pays différents qui se sont rassemblés à la Cité des Sciences pour partager une expérience inoubliable.

Nationalités représenté :

Autriche, Belgique, Grande-Bretagne, Canada, France, Allemagne, Hongrie, Irlande, Luxembourg, Pologne, Slovaquie, Slovénie, Espagne et Turquie.

Activités :

Nous avons travaillé sur différents projets environnementaux pour sensibiliser les gens aux problèmes affectant notre planète. Cela nous a aidé à réaliser que chacun avait une responsabilité et devait agir pour le futur. Ça nous a permit de faire entendre notre avis, à nous jeune, et monter que nous étions conscient des efforts que nous devions faire pour notre planète.
Durant une année scolaire entière, les participants du yep ont échangé des idées et comparé les résultats de leur projet local sur le forums de site web : www.eyep.info avant de se réunir à Paris.
Nous avons répartis en 7 commissions où nous avons écrit une lettre ouverte.

Lettres ouvertes :

Les 7 secteurs auxquels nous nous sommes adressés sont : les ONG, les producteurs industriels, les journalistes, les représentants des organisations internationales, les éducateurs, le secteurs publiques, la recherche.

Et moi, dans toute cette histoire ?

Après avoir mené une campagne de sensibilisation au tri des déchet à l’Athénée Royal de Saint Georges sur Meuse, j’ai été sélectionnée par la délégation belge du projet pour participer au meeting de Paris.

Qu’en ai-je tiré ?

Beaucoup d’expérience. J’ai pu mettre en pratique mon anglais mais surtout, cela m’a permis d’échanger des idées avec des jeunes d’autres pays et nouer de nouvelles amitiés.

Début d'un sky collectif, qui n'a pas trouvé de suite:
http://ecoparlement2006.skyblog.com

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 10:37 pm

Voici le contenu des lettres ouvertes,
déso j'ai que les documents en anglais sur mon ordi.
Si vous allez sur le site www.eyep.info
vous trouverez les versions française en cliquant sur les différents logo des 7 secteurs puis en cliquant sur version français. Il n'y a pas moins de faire un copier-coller. Pour le moment, j'ai pas le temps de retaper tout en françaisn now pendant les vacances pourquoi pas, si j'ai rien de mieux à faire.

OPEN LETTER TO EDUCATORS

Dear educators,
The education we receive at school impacts on the choices we make
later in life. This is why it is crucial that youngsters should be made
aware of their environmental responsibility. If we do not support
sustainable development now, climate change will irreversibly harm
the Earth.
We are a group of secondary school pupils from across Europe and
beyond, including Canada and Turkey. Aged fourteen to seventeen,
we all come from schools that feel strongly about the environment.
It is our ambition to try and educate people on how to improve the way
we look after our mistreated planet. We represent the Educators'
commission, which is one of seven commissions taking part in the
Youth Eco-Parliament project.

The Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP) brings together 3,600 teenagers
from Europe, Canada and Turkey eager to safeguard the
environment. Through our school projects, we have taken local
actions. We now wish to act internationally and are therefore writing
an open letter to seven categories of infl uential people: NGOs,
researchers, international organisations, journalists, the public
sector and producers.

You, the educators, have your part as well!
With your support, the YEP can help reach global consensus and
the acknowledgement of a need for an international action plan
and a radical change of attitude towards the environment.
With specifi c changes, future improvements will be facilitated,
which will affect future generations positively. We encourage you to
exercise your infl uence over the young and ensure that in the future,
ecology should be fully integrated in every school curriculum, with,
say, an hour a week.

How to instigate a radical change of attitude?
Resulting from the assessments of our local environment projects,
the YEP Educators' commission have considered a number
of proposals.

Inspiring proposals
• First of all, we think it is imperative to “coax” youngsters into
taking action. We can do so by talking to them on their own level
and in their own language, making discussion on environmental
issues more attractive. Interactive, theatrical and informative
presentations should be given by their peers in order to reach
out to more individuals. Replacing the more 'formal' teaching
methods with a fun approach that will appeal to a greater number
of young people.

• Another idea is to have a “Waste-free Day” every year.
The objective would be to fi x a date and organise this event globally,
thus combining our efforts for a better world and a healthier
environment. Educators would be allowed to organize this day as
they please, but we also opted for worldwide support and media
attention. For that matter we might start our own portal and
forum where we gather themes and ideas for the event.

• A third suggestion was made to have better training in waste
management. Because all too often, educators feel as singled
out as a Robinson Crusoe character on his island. That feeling of
isolation could easily be cured with proper tutoring of our future
educators and teacher trainees.

• Our fourth objective is to help educators reach their educational
and environmental goals. By providing them with strong
incentives and support, both fi nancial and educational, more
teachers will be eager to start their own projects and more
youngsters will be willing to apply specifi c environmental rules.
Money often proves an argument to jump on the bandwagon,
or lack of it to let it roll past.

• The last proposal is a blend of ideas that have been formulated
within our commission. We all agreed upon the fact that there is
a lot of confusion in waste management as there is no uniform
global system for recycling. Here again, a portal site on Internet
would be most useful to give direct access to data. On the whole,
the public should be better informed through simple instructions
for selective waste disposal and given, through ads for instance,
simple details about.
It doesn't take much to turn an idea into local action. Hence, the
need to communicate and exchange ideas. There are plenty of
incentives to be thought of. Just think about giving the pupils
lunch boxes, drinking fountains, reusable canisters. Costly?
Perhaps, but soon enough this action will instigate a renewed
attitude that will lighten your waste bin.

Sustainability begins at home
Starting an environmental project does not have to be a hassle.
Let's be practical!
The fi rst problem to tackle is the need for a better understanding of
sorting and recycling policies on national, and if possible global,
and the reasons why there is no uniformity.
Positive reinforcement will alter attitudes more effectively than
repressive action. It is the best way to prepare pupils and their
friends and family to take creative and preventive measures.
At the end of the day, caring for our environment will just become
a satisfying refl ex.

Advice and tips
Here are examples of projects that we want more of in our schools!
With your help and expertise, we can fi rst start on local projects
and then develop global ones. We could launch a campaign for
more sustainable development and rational waste management
(for instance, by cutting down on the amount of junk mail each
household receives could save on the amount of wasted paper).
You can also give us advice and tips on how to measure the level
of pollution and prevent it in the nearest spot of water, be it a lake
or river.

Year-Long Action and Waste-Free Day
What about combining long- and short-term actions? Participating
in actions such as educating the younger generations into creative
ways, bringing them together in a global forum, bonding local efforts
into celebrating the environment in long-term actions. We think that
more peer-teaching should be introduced into primary schools, as
this is a very effective way of getting a positive and exciting message
across to young children. People of our age group could go to
primary schools and perform drama productions, short-enjoyable
fi lms, play exhilarating games and hand out colourful leafl ets.
As suggested above, a “Waste-free Day” could also be given as an
option to schools across the world as it could be diffi cult to get the
whole world to produce no waste.

In any case, something radical needs to be done. We can all learn so
much from each other if only we would exchange ideas and share
our experience. Avoiding the pitfalls that others have made is so
much easier if you know about them, or when you are guided by an
experienced educator! We feel positive and hope we have passed
on the message to you. Our planet deserves better!
Nothing can be done without education, you've got our future in your
hands!

Yours sincerely,
The Eco-Parliament Youth Delegates
of the Educators commission.
Academic year 2005/2006

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 10:39 pm

OPEN LETTER TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Dear members of internationnal organizations,
We are a group of pupils aged 14-17, coming from across Europe and
Canada. We are currently involved in a school-based environment
project that deals with the implementation of renewable technology.
We all attend secondary school and have recently become active in
the Youth Eco-Parliament project. And we are writing to you as part
of the international organisation commission, which is one of seven
commissions taking part in this project.
The Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP) is a project that encourages
3,600 pupils from all around the world in a collective effort to bring
about sustainable change. This is a high-profi le project that offers
youth the opportunity to debate environmental issues and to attend
an international congress in Paris during the autumn of 2006.

Make environment a priority
To begin with, let's have a look at the results of our local
environmental work. These are some of the conclusions we have
come to:
Education and information are lacking. The majority of individuals is
ignorant or misinformed when it comes to the environment, and this
is not being remedied through the state school system.
Pollution and waste are to be seen everywhere, and while there may
be public disapproval —awareness that negative effects outweigh
positive ones—, environmentalism as a solution and alternative
is not generally accepted.
This also raises the issue of communicating on environmentalism.
Take water. Industry and agriculture generate waste and cause
water pollution, but individual bad habits can too. Many causes of
environmental damage, especially urban water pollution, are just
due to people's lack of awareness.
Communication is inadequate: many points, we feel, have yet to be
cleared. Why is renewable energy uncompetitive compared with
conventional energy sources? There aren't enough subsidies, and
couldn't we do more about public transport?
Small steps are being taken towards the protection of the
environment, but on the whole, society, industry, and governments
have inadequately adopted sustainable development as their priority.

Back to basics
Our local projects were diverse and our commission has debated
many points, however, we have selected the most important ones for
support at local level:
1. Stop taking water for granted
Make people aware of this resource's growing scarcity i.e. why not
cut off the supply for a day? Or create a 'water' squad that will deal
with problems in a concerned zone. It is widely recognised today
that an integrated approach to freshwater management offers the
best means of reconciling competing demands with supply and
a framework from which to start positive action. Such a solution is
valuable for all countries at all stages of development.
2. More green areas
Promote the planting of trees and the creation of green spaces in
urban areas. Why not develop more roof gardens?
3. Towards new transport
Promote public transport; draw up easily-readable time-tables, have
more bus routes; and extend services in the evening and on sundays.
And initiate waste and pollution reduction through programmes
such as car-free zones.
4. Alternative energy
Promote government investment and subsidies for research and
development in renewable energy technologies. Public buildings
should be constructed with energy-saving technology.
Open letter to international organisations

Let's turn concerns into action
As part of the YEP international organisations' commission,
we request the support of international organisations for the
implementation of an energy programme in schools across the
globe. Simply lecturing pupils won't do. We need a programme
that would offer both theoretical knowledge as well as a hands-on
learning approach with energy-effi cient practises.
International organisations could promote and develop grantschemes
for school projects that involve recycling programmes,
installing solar and wind technology, establishing composting
programmes, and installing energy-effi cient appliances and
facilities, etc. Furthermore, school-boards worldwide could impose
a set of environment-friendly requirements on developers when
constructing a school; these standards will foster sustainability.
While sustainable technology is initially expensive, it will save
money down the road: once in effect, the energy is essentially
free. As people begin to realise the benefi ts of an environmental
consciousness they will adopt sustainability as a way of life.

Sustainable partnership
We appreciate the hard work and involvement of the UNESCO that
has developed the UN Decade, and of the UNEP that is already
involved in school programmes to promote sustainability. However,
their action would have further impact if those organisations had
more power to enforce sustainability.
An environmental agency —or some equivalent body— should be
brought to the table for serious consideration as proposed by the
European Union.
International fi nancial institutions can also play their part and work
more closely with other environmental institutions...
Sustainability needs to come to the forefront of people's attention.
The public, especially young people, have unanswered questions,
which prevent universal progress. Information is often rampant with
discrepancies and inconsistencies. International organisations need
to develop a congruous set of information.

Sustainable actions
Global standards for environmental education, creating compost and
recycling programs, placing limits on consumption, implementing
renewable technology as well as communication of standardized
environmental information using mass-media are all on our minds.
We are hopeful that you will fully incorporate these concerns into
action.

By making eco-friendly choices competitive, governments will insure
that industry buys into producing “green” products and reducing
pollution. With new affordable environment-friendly options, society
will be fully contributing to sustainable development. However, a
fi ght against ignorance is still on our hands. Awareness combined
with incentives is necessary for our ecological footprint. It is your
responsibility as international organisations to play an active part
in facilitating sustainable actions. Only with your help can a radical
change happen!

Yours sincerely,
The Eco-Parliament Youth Delegates
of the International Organisations commission.
Academic year 2005/2006

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 10:40 pm

OPEN LETTERS TO JOURNALISTS

Dear journalists,
We are a group of pupils aged 14 to 17 and representing schools
taking part in the second Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP).
The YEP urges actors in public life to take action on environmental
issues: NGOs, industrial producers, journalists, representatives
of international organizations, educators, public sector's
representatives, researchers. We have formed a commission to
write this letter to the media and come from some of the 14 YEP
countries (Belgium, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland,
Spain mainland and Canary Islands).

The Youth Eco-Parliament is an environmental education programme
consisting of:
A writing project on environmental issues based on pupils local
projects.
National and international forums with schools participating in
YEP during which their assessments of environmental issues
are discussed. This year, the Youth Eco-Parliament has invited
120 groups from 14 different countries.
An exchange of ideas between the different schools on YEP's website
www.eyep.info

From discussions in forums and on the website, several issues
have been raised. The need for a change of mentality is pressing.
We would like to remind people of the consequences of their daily
actions. What role can the media play to help us raise awareness
among the public? We certainly believe its part is a major one. Is the
information we get in newspapers, on television, or on the radio as
unbiased as it ought to be? Does the local press have the power to
infl uence decision-makers?
We have also wondered why the mass-media will often choose
to communicate about water consumption when it has become
dramatic, say, when there is a serious drought. Or they will talk
of the improper use of chemicals in agriculture whenever there
are tragic cases of food poisoning. Risks do not always bear such
a gruesome face. To inform is to warn: we know little about the
hidden dangers we are exposed to and of the consequences in the
long term. The media's role is as much about giving information to
prevent disaster as about reporting catastrophe. So please, let us
know before it is too late!

Our proposals, step by step
Every school voted on the YEP webpage and we all agreed on the
four most important proposals:
1. Eco-games
Having examined the question of sustainability during the
preparation for the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006, we propose
that there should be an eco-column in the Sports pages to give
more information on the optimal use of public transport or on
how to collect and sort recyclable waste. The environment needs
supporters too!
2. Eco-pages
You, the journalists, can do something to help us in our effort to
end pollution. Write more leading articles about the environment
which are addressed to people from all walks of life. Use concrete
examples and plenty of illustrations to be more attractive to the
general public.
Newspaper articles and TV programmes should be adapted to a
specifi c audience. In local newspapers, you should specify, whenever
possible, where recycling points are located.
3. Daily action
Although there may be plenty of articles dealing with the
environment, they often seem detached from people's lives. The
public should be educated on better ways to conduct their daily life
in an environment-friendly manner. A particular emphasis should be
put on the benefi ts of the three Rs: reusing, reducing and recycling.
The public's attention should equally be drawn to the issue of energy.
It involves water-saving and renewable energy. And also eco-friendly
means of transport (cycling, public transport, car-pooling, use of
bioenergy...). If waste is a crucial issue, the root of the problem
surely lies in the reduction of its production. Are you up to the job?
4. Hand in hand
The mass-media and schools should both teach the public how to
recycle, and call on the young to make an effort and change their
attitude about the environment. The media should give positive
attention to schools, focusing on the young to make them extra
efforts towards the environment. Make it fun, why not organize a
green contest, on TV, the radio and in newspapers, with quiz-games
on environmental matters.
We appeal to you to join us in our awareness campaign. Don't
hesitate to come to our schools and report on our environmental
projects!

A positive vortex!
We are happy to represent the Journalists' commission, in this Open
letter, because addressing a journalist is addressing a person who
is always on the move and can make things change. Journalism,
of all professions, aims at informing people and thus encourages
them to act.
Young people must react and ask adults to justify their poor
behaviour concerning nature and explain their decisions related to
the environment. By doing so, adults will feel accountable for their
acts and young people will be able to see a brighter future for the
world. Not just grown-ups are responsible, youth can be too, but
you, the journalists, can wield greater infl uence on the population.
Positive acts generate other positive acts.

So publish more articles on environmental topics in a style
accessible to young people! We need to encourage people to feel
more concerned, and you can help!

Yours sincerely,
The Eco-Parliament Youth Delegates
of the Journalists commission.
Academic year 2005/2006

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 10:40 pm

OPEN LETTER TO NGOs

Dear NGOs,
We are writing to you on behalf of the many 14-17 year olds
participating in the Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP). We wish to speak to
you about your work in our communities and inform you that we can
help strengthen it.
As local, regional or international non-government organisations,
with non-commercial interests, you play a signifi cant though
perhaps underestimated role in sustaining development on our
planet. The amount of work you put in developing areas such as
research, sustainable lifestyles, renewable energy and wildlife is
huge. We strongly believe, as we are sure you do, in the importance
of drawing the attention of political bodies and educating target
communities. Together we can overcome many obstacles that
prevent us from reaching our common goals, together we can strive
to infl uence the decision-makers who are in charge of protecting the
world.

Young actors of tomorrow
We represent forward-thinking secondary schools that have
instigated an interest in environmental matters. Our project is
international in its scope, involving fourteen countries in Europe
and beyond, including Canada and Turkey. As a group of committed
young people we have joined together to form one of seven writing
commissions and are focusing on you as NGOs, to address subjects
concerning our local school projects.
The Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP) is a platform for the young actors of
tomorrow. It is giving them a rare opportunity to speak out and to let
their opinions be known.
Although we may have varying perspectives, every one of us shares
the strong belief that awareness, infl uence and volunteer work are
the key elements to preserve our planet.
Here and now, the 120 secondary schools we represent, are symbolized
by a dot on the world-map of our web-site www.eyep.info. Visit us
and look up our marvellous projects!

Sustainable development v. economic
short-termism
By communicating the results from our local environment projects
with other schools involved in YEP, some very clear messages have
come up. One of many concerns was the realisation of how little or
no understanding young people had of the workings of NGOs. They
fi nd it diffi cult to understand that there should be so many types of
NGOs and that all may have a different role to play. Unfortunately,
this leads to them knowing only the international NGOs and ignoring
the work of regional ones.
We have assessed that economic short-termism is too often
favoured to the detriment of sustainable development. And that
environment issues get mixed up with transportation costs, lifestyle
choices and globalisation. We have become a throwaway society
and put little thought into the consequences. Waste and litter,
polluted rivers, greenhouse gas emissions are all contributing to
environmental destruction. We understand the frustrations of the
western youth across Europe and Canada, and are hopeful in our
quest.

More campaigns in our schools!

• Firstly, we have to encourage campaigns in our schools and
colleges. It is our aim to introduce actions that will improve
effi ciency in recycling paper, glass, aluminium and drinks
packaging. Our proposal is for the reduction in litter and waste.
This is a fi rm call for the reduction in the amount of packaging
being used. We also feel that research into new materials that
decompose should be continued. Governments could rebate
companies using such materials. It is important to produce
less throwaway materials and provide for an effi cient collection
system. More recycling bins are needed and centres must be set
up for easy public access.

• Our second proposal is to campaign for the use of renewable
energy in our public buildings... beginning with our schools. We
have to do more for the introduction of renewable energies such
as solar, to power these buildings. We want all new buildings
to be solar- or wind-powered. At the same time, we must
emphasise the need to reduce our use of resources. We need
to conserve water by installing water-saving toilet systems. We
could simply start switching off lights and computers that are
not in use and encourage the installation of light sensors in
little used areas. As for transport, why not promote cycling or
walking to school, or the use of carpools or public transport?
Greenhouse gas emissions are harming our environment, so it
is our responsibility as concerned young people to reduce the
amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.
Lobbying our government representatives is a step. Legislation
can do something! We recommend the prohibition of cars in city
centres and incentives such as tax rebates for carpool and public
transport users and cyclists, we also strongly believe in law
enforcement regarding idling cars.

• Our third proposal is to point out to the local and international
community environmental problems concerning the supply of
clean water. With global warming resulting in the lack of rain,
reservoirs are drying up. But industries still carry on polluting
our atmosphere and rivers. We must empower and encourage
communities to take action and participate in the management of
their local area.

• For our fourth proposal, we cannot stress enough the need to
support young people through education. Adoption of schools by
NGOs could encourage pupils. It would be a recognition of their
dedication and accomplishments, as well as a support to help
them continue their environmental projects. NGOs must give
more information to schools, for example information relevant
to school grounds (about bonfi res and rubbish in woods, invasive
plants and water). To set up links that help pupils and their
families to live more sustainable lifestyles is vital.
We recognise the heavy workload of NGOs, many supported
greatly by volunteers. However, from what we have understood
from our local projects, we need extended support. We maintain
therefore, you are in the position to use your infl uence for us to
fulfi l our goal. We need NGOs to proactively reach out and work
alongside our schools and youth centres: provide for open forums
and chats on their websites, advice and practical support, and
information centres to promote our achievements! The youth of
today are the actors of tomorrow.

This planet is our only home. If we wish it to continue to be so for us
and for future generations, we should treat it with the respect and
admiration it deserves. By working together, and by listening to each
other, we will achieve this. A strong bond between us can infl uence
governments, organisations and people across the globe, so that no
one shall close their eyes any more. People, young and old, must
be encouraged to understand that any step towards sustainability
counts.

The Youth Eco-Parliament has given an opportunity to make our
voices heard. We are now calling on you, as NGOs, to help us get our
message across. Only you with your international network and level
of expertise can make the difference and show us the best way to
promote this world cause.
Yours sincerely,
The Eco-Parliament Youth Delegates
of the NGO's commission.
Academic year 2005/2006

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 10:43 pm

OPEN LETTER TO PRODUCERS

Dears managers of industries and producers,
In this challenging world, the protection of our natural environment
must become a priority in our lives. Due to your economic position,
you contribute to the wealth and welfare of society. However, there
is a wide public opinion that considers industries are the main cause
of pollution and attacks on nature —including climate change,
green-house effect and global warming.

Dream team
We are a group of pupils, aged 14-17, from secondary schools in
Europe, Turkey and Canada. We are conscious that the future lies
in our hands. For the last few months we have been developing
activities to promote positive attitudes on the protection of the
environment in and around our schools.
120 schools are taking part in the Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP).
The aim of this ambitious programme is to sensitize people about
sustainable development.
The workload has been shared among seven groups, each focusing
on a different branch of activity and addressing infl uential actors
in public life: you, the producers —alongside public institutions,
international organizations, NGOs, educators, journalists and
researchers— have a big role to play.
During recent discussions, ideas and experience have been
exchanged in forums and through our website www.eyep.info.
This led to a set of proposals which are presented in this open letter.

Common awareness
Work for the YEP programme did not limit itself to the classroom,
we spent a lot of time with our teachers in environment-related
activities. We searched for information in specialized books,
environmental reports of different companies, and we also visited
some industrial sites to see in situ various manufacturing processes.
Here are the conclusions we have come to.
Concerning the issue of waste: more and more waste is being produced,
with too many over-wrapped products and too many throwaway
products. Although we admit packaging is necessary, we believe
there must be ways to make more sensible environment-friendly
wrappers.
Secondly, pollution is on the increase: air pollution, water pollution,
soil pollution... every natural element seems affected by it.
This causes huge problems to nature, wildlife (threat of extinction of
certain species) as well as to human beings (health disorders,
diseases...)
Producers have a key role in the control and reduction of the
emission of pollutants by making ecological products. In so doing,
they would need to respect sustainable farming and fair trade.

The big five
Out of the bagful of ideas we had, the different groups of students
involved in YEP picked up fi ve proposals deemed as the most
relevant:
1. Support the Kyoto Protocol. This would allow measures
concerning energy to be implemented on a global basis. Other
creative measures may also be taken: energy audits could, for
example, be conducted in order to reduce energy consumption;
carpooling could be promoted for the conveyance of employees, etc.
2. Research and implement new technologies in order to
reduce or avoid the emission of pollutants affecting air and water.
3. Use renewable energies whenever possible. Finding more
effi cient manufacturing processes would be a big step towards
sustainable development: effi ciency equals less waste.
4. Control the weight and volume of packaging.
However, reducing the products' packaging volume is a means not
an end. Raising public awareness through important advertising
campaigns on waste disposal and environment care is just as
important. We suggest that everybody should get involved in the
collection of rubbish during local, national or international events,
such as football matches or concerts. Sponsors should also take
part in the collecting and selective sorting of their products.
By letting people visit recycling companies and producers, they
would see what is easily recyclable material and identify where
garbage can be re-utilized by other industries. The public would
open their eyes to the benefi t of sustainable development.
5. Make an environmental action plan. For the
industries responsible for damage caused to the environment,
an environmental audit, say annual or semi-annual, ought to be
conducted. It would help them formulate an environmental action
plan. Why not create a “green offi ce” or green delegate within
each company to ensure the implementation of such a plan? And
promote, for instance, cultural and educational activities in areas
where guilty factories are located to compensate for their damage.
Never forget: protecting the environment also means protecting the
people who live nearby industrial plants and who work there.
Since the beginning of human civilization, harmony between man
and nature has been sought after. However, economic development
linked with aspiration to comfort has sometimes led to a fast
and uncontrolled growth that proves damaging to our natural
environment. This can be witnessed throughout world history in very
different fi elds: agriculture, manufacturing, power generation.
Today, hopefully, our society has matured and we know that this way
might not have been the right way to achieve a good life.
Sustainable development is the only way to conduct our economical
and social affairs if we want to keep our planet clean for us and
future generations. It is therefore vital that the Kyoto Protocol
be supported.

Sustainable development needs you
From your advantaged position in our economical system, you
have an optimum knowledge and experience in these issues.
You know that industrial processes are the most important factors of
atmospheric, water and soil pollution.
For our modest part, we can only appeal to you to take a more active
role in changing attitudes and making sustainable development
universal.

High on the agenda
We trust that you will take our proposals into account and decide
to put them high on your agenda. You, as managers of industries
and producers, can make the difference. We know you can contribute
“ecologically” to the lives of the population living in your area,
help reduce pollutants, including gas emissions, promote
environment-friendly technologies and show more transparency
by conducting environmental audits and inviting citizens to discuss
green issues in public debate. And don't forget to invite the YEP!

Yours sincerely,
The Eco-Parliament Youth Delegates
of the Producers commission.
Academic year 2005/2006

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 10:44 pm

OPEN LETTER TO RESEARCHERS

Dear researchers,
Who are we?
We are pupils, aged 13 to 17, from secondary schools across Europe
and beyond. We have been working on different environmental
projects to make people aware of issues affecting the planet.
It helped us realise that everybody has a responsibility and must
act. Acting now is acting for the future. Don't forget we will be the
adults of the next generation! However, we cannot cope with such
big issues all on our own, so we need the support and guidance of
adults, like our teachers at school, enterprises fi nancing our project,
and of course, all those sectors of society that will listen to us and
help put our proposals into practice.

And what is the YEP?
What is our programme?
During an entire school year, the Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP)
participants exchanged ideas and compared results from local
environment projects in forums and through our website www.eyep.
info. We belong to the commission addressing researchers and
have worked on local projects dealing with three main topics: water,
recycling and packaging, transport and pollution. As a researcher,
we are quite sure you are concerned by these topics and will help us
carry out our overwhelming task.

What we have learnt?
While working on our local environmental projects, we have come
to certain conclusions.
Water is becoming a scarce resource on Earth, yet people take it
for granted and waste it in an irresponsible way. On the other hand,
research does not completely succeed in solving its scarcity and
misuse. The trouble is: To what extent are all these processes also
damaging our environment?
Surely, there must be more environment-friendly alternatives to
collect water: like rainwater and dew water catchments or roof
installations?
Researchers could also carry out research on adapting vegetation to
face water shortages, or even create electric appliances using less
water. We hope you share our view on this topic.
Another concern is litter and garbage. People sometimes show
the wrong attitude towards this matter: antisocial behaviour, say,
dumping rubbish in woods, is combined with ignorance of a genuine
recycling culture that would combat pollution.
Researchers ought to develop clean research methods including,
but not limited to recycling of waste. Cars are polluting the air we
breathe, so extra efforts —though we suspect big companies show
little interest— should also be put into researching alternative
energies in automotive systems. This leads us to asking:
Why doesn't scientifi c research give more importance to the use of
waste for the production of energy?
You are the right person to help us make our proposals come true.
Our commission has debated many points, and we choose to present
the fi ve most important ones.

1. Prevent pollution before it's too late
From the moment a product is designed, the effects on the
environment should be taken into account. We strongly support the
use of “Life Cycle Analysis”:
How does a product affect the environment when we produce it?
Does it pollute when we use it? How much pollution is caused when
it is thrown away? Pros and cons should be considered carefully
if waste and negative effects are to be prevented.
Conducting research in an environment-friendly way means
scientifi c and social commitment to warn the public about the
life cycle analysis of new material, especially those that are not
environment-friendly.
The 'Precaution Principle' should also apply: If you can't tell if the
consequences of a product are harmful to the environment or our
health then shouldn't we refrain from producing it?

2. Successful teamwork
No man is an island. Researchers from different specialities must
work together for environmental and human care. Investigating
new energy sources, researching opportunities to minimize water
consumption, developing ways to collect water, and adapting
vegetation to face water shortages... all these activities aim at
one goal: our common planet's welfare; so we should be working
together.

3. Communicate
Communication between the researchers' community and ordinary
people has not always been easy due to the scientists' technical
jargon and the general public's lack of scientifi c literacy.
Researchers should fi nd a way to “translate” the fi ndings into a plain
language that everybody understands.

4. Money is a meant, not a problem
Original ideas and commitment can often lack funds. And we know
that a researcher is, above all, into ideas and dedicated to science.
We would like researchers to give less importance to economical
aspects and to think more on a viable future. So we ask the
scientifi c community to use your infl uence to get grants and bigger
commitment for sustainable research projects.

5. Protect global resources
Preserving water in the world is a key issue. In some of our schools,
an eco-audit was made to fi nd out the level of water consumption.
We concluded that things must be done so as to avoid water
misuse. To tackle this problem, projects should be developed on
a large scale: Researchers should help us fi nd ways to keep rivers
clean, but also further research environment-friendly seawater
desalinisation. Other solutions would be to install water sensors
under taps to limit loss, and basins for rainwater retention which
would allow storage and recuperation. The issues arise with energy.
We know we are using many energy sources that pollute. Then, why
not make further research in the matter and invest more money to
get clean energy? We are aware that lots of money is needed to carry
out these measures. But we know that researchers can help us fi nd
the cost-effi cient alternatives.

You have got the power to help us
Of all people, you know best what the situation is. Things appear
to be more diffi cult than they really are. In life, fi ghting for good
ideas is something essential, and we should never feel defeated
by diffi culties.
The importance of considering the ecological impact of products
should not be underestimated. A new concept could be applied to
determine a product's ecological impact throughout its life cycle:
during development, during use, and when it is disposed of.
Researchers could develop criteria to determine a “product's
footprint”, and companies would then be forced to apply this criteria
to their products before they are allowed to begin production.
In short, the “precaution principle” needs to be applied.

We would like to share our philosophy with the researchers'
community. Thanks to the scientifi c authority you wield, you can
ensure that the “precaution principle' is respected and what is
available on the market is environment-friendly.
You are the fi rst link on the production line, so why not incorporate
our proposals in your agenda and convey them to the research
community through an international congress. It would be a decisive
plan of action based on the demands of ordinary people like us.
Now it is up to you to act!
Thanks for listening to our request, taking into account your post as
a scientist, we are sure you will not let us down. We trust you will
help us. We will also send our letter to the other six commissions
just in case they can also help us.

Yours sincerely,
The Eco-Parliament Youth Delegates
of the Researchers commission.
Academic year 2005/2006

Posté le: Mer Mai 23, 2007 10:48 pm

An Environment in Limited Supply

Dear Members of Public Authorities,

As representatives of the Public Sector, you are able to play a significant role in providing guidance on decisions related to the environment. Your responsibility is to ensure that all citizens enjoy a clean and healthy atmosphere. The department you are in charge of ultimately controls many of the regulations relative to the environment. With your support, we can pursue our action and encourage more citizens to take their part in preserving our world for centuries to come.

Youth United
We are secondary school pupils, aged 14-17 coming from different countries across Europe and beyond. Working together as an international group, while involved in local actions, has made us realise how close we are in our concerns for our planet.

Our project is called YEP (Youth Eco-Parliament) and is divided into different commissions whose mission is to address a number of influential actors in public life (NGOs, Journalists, Educators, Producers etc.).

As members of the YEP 2006 commission addressing the Public Sector, we are expecting to share our observations, data, and concerns with various stakeholders and government officials at the conference being held in Paris, France, in October this year.

Ouch! Pollution Hurts
While summing up the environmental concerns of the 120 schools involved, several common themes have become apparent. Our attitude towards the environment makes a difference to our daily life. Schools sometimes consume resources without having a proper understanding of the consequences. Take an item as common as paper: isn’t there a more environment-friendly way of using it? Why isn’t recycled paper the norm at school? For those who write by hand, it is a problem that recycled paper is more expensive than white non-recycled. Why not have experimental schools working exclusively on computers? Another example: school transport. Shouldn’t more buses be made available or wouldn’t car-pooling be a better solution to limit the use of individual cars all driving in the same direction?

In spite of diversity in terms of location and language, our commission has succeeded in agreeing on a common platform consisting of five proposals.

Rack Your Brains: Reduce Waste!
The majority of pupils through online voting indicated that they were concerned with issues related to packaging. To eliminate and reduce waste, companies should continue getting financial incentives for using recycled packaging materials. Use of environment-friendly packaging would entitle them to benefits.
Clear technical information on products’ Life Cycle Analysis, labelling of environment-friendly products and more informative advertising campaigns would also be a determining criterion to claim government subsidies.
Our interest has also focused on the fast-food industry: how can we reduce the waste generated by this type of business? A tax incentive could be implemented or perhaps a recycling process fee could be imposed and then refunded upon return of the containers.

Linking health and environment
•Health and farming are closely linked, so one idea would be to develop more specifically organic farming to preserve the land’s fertility as well as to guarantee consumers’ health. Some fertilizers pollute water; that means health and education are concerned, advertising campaigns and school programmes should warn of such risks.

Think cross-border…
Being proactive also means being collaborative. Efforts could be coordinated between different countries. A cross-border approach would be a sensible and economical method. Several YEP groups mentioned, for instance, a concern related to zebra mussels that are infecting waterways in Europe. A similar billion-dollar issue exists in the Great Lakes of Canada. So you see, environmental issues are not border-restricted! All the same, action should be coordinated between the different ministries and official bodies whose work is related to the environment. Information needs to be more fluid between the different departments (Education, Health, Industry, Agriculture).

… and collective
Finally, there is a need to set up more ‘best practices forums’ discussing issues such as toxic waste disposal or new energy sources. Concerning the latter question, we would like to emphasise that some energy sources such as fossil energy are not unlimited and may come to an end, it is therefore urgent that we all think of alternatives. Our world is rich in thermal springs; why not exploit them now as a possible energy source?

Schools, cities, states and countries that demonstrate responsible environmental practices could be used as models for the rest of the world. Their strategies, laws and other devices could be the first step to world environmental improvement.

Educating through positive action
Education is a key ingredient for sustainable change. Environmental education is a process whereby people, young and old, are engaged in changing attitudes and values and acting positively in relation to the environment. We would like to see a structured approach to environmental education across the public sector. Most elementary pupils receive instruction at several grade levels on issues related to the environment, but long-term impact appears to be minimal, by the time these young people reach the higher grades, they will have forgotten their environment-friendly principles.

Knowledge needs to be sustained and result in action. More local and specific actions in secondary schools should take place: pro-recycled paper campaign or fun turn-off-the-light signs in corridors and toilets. Conserving energy, water and the implementation of wet/dry recycling of materials should be standard practice everywhere. But being proactive doesn’t limit itself to the school building.

Whatever the issue: landscape tarnished by industrial pollutants, toxic material not properly discarded, unnecessary traffic jams despite public transport… everybody is concerned, because everybody is an end-user. All feel ‘litter’ is a problem for the community, but most admit to being ‘too lazy’ to do anything about it. This situation can change, the job is on our hands. Commitment means reaching out to the public through local projects and promoting active environmental citizenship.

Such specific local concerns are best handled by the Public Sector that wields greater power than a single individual. It is therefore the responsibility of the public authorities to inspire and support school programmes and public campaigns in order to raise awareness.

On Your Mark, Get Set
We believe there is an opportunity to address these concerns with a fresh innovative approach.
Ministers for education and all other public authorities must act together in a structured approach across the European continent, Turkey and Canada to develop an integrated curriculum that promotes a lifelong commitment to protecting our environment. This might extend to a global approach!

The public sector has to help this action. It is time to work together!

Yours sincerely,
The Public Sector Commission

Posté le: Jeu Mai 24, 2007 12:21 am

Justement, quels sont, selon toi, les pays qui semblaient être les plus investis ou en avance dans la protection de l'environnement ??

Rolling Eyes

Posté le: Jeu Mai 24, 2007 12:56 am

Ah oui c'est sur cela ma l'air extrêmement intéressant, surtout pour moi qui n'est pas du tout une grosse tête de la langue de Shakespeare LOL

Je vais faire de suite appelle à Google Traduction Razz