Tell me what you want

The advertisement Stand Up And Be Counted (March 4), dubbed as being a "concerned citizens' initiative", set me thinking.

Some parallels may be drawn between what this time of year and the environment mean to us individually. As with Lent, we refer to the environment differently, according to our perceived priorities. The environment may be that which we perceive to be fragile, intriguing, sensitive, unique, unexplored or indeed inherited.

The petition by the "concerned citizens" is a sign that the environment continues to receive due consideration. It is also a sign that people have earned their right to stand up and be counted. Voicing an opinion on what is valued most is a sign of modern thinking.

The petition calls for action on a number of issues, mainly major development projects, waste disposal, hunting and trapping, and aquaculture. To be addressed, it is agreed that these issues require a concerted effort rather than sporadic initiatives.

The major challenge the environment faces is its complexity. As happens in any other subject, it is always advisable to break down a big job into small, manageable tasks to be shared by all citizens so that each will contribute in their own little ways. Unless this is done, there may be a risk of confusion and disillusionment. In environmental matters, this happens when someone attempts to satisfy too many different needs in a single, simple initiative. For example, the petition does this by objecting to "major building projects" and yet, drops hints about "safeguarding our livelihood through tourism". This is overwhelmingly complex to reconcile.

We may start by eradicating preconceptions. This helps one to understand the extent of the environmental problem as well as which trade-offs are needed to lead to the desired objectives. There is a fine balance to maintain in order to ascertain that a sufficient economy exists in harmony with our social and environmental well-being. If safeguarding the environment is just about unsightliness, then we are doomed right from the start. In a world that is striving hard to keep the economic pace, we, as a country, cannot lag behind. Safeguarding the jobs and livelihood of each citizen is a social obligation as much as it is to guarantee a healthy environment for us and for future generations.

It is indeed a huge environmental challenge to have a sustainable economic growth. Environment and economy may co-exist but one cannot halt or suffocate the other. The answer to preserve the environment is not to stop economic growth in the name of the environment, but to encourage growth through initiatives with a manageable impact on the environment.

The size of our country does not make things easy. It pays to be realistic and acknowledge the fact that any initiative is going to encroach on someone's backyard. A healthy debate can only be sustained within this context. We need to think and speak in terms of how best to do things, effectively and efficiently. Waste of any sort, be that generated, of land, or resources, is a luxury we cannot afford. Our size is our limit.

Piling pressure is all well and good. As concerned citizens themselves, the authorities need to welcome such initiatives, or petitions. They are a sign of a sound democracy and a way of keeping the government on its toes. On the other hand, petitions cannot afford to be about pointing fingers or simply about writing to complain.

The petition should be judged by action towards individual unselfishness, rationality, respect and self-discipline. The common good shall prevail only if each and every one of us re-assesses our individual needs, fancies or whims.

Major European countries worked hard for their booming economies and encouraged individual citizens to do their bit, carry their responsibilities, be efficient in the use of energy and be willing to invest in eco-friendly products.

Within this spirit, the petition fails to give me sufficient courage to be able to look at myself before blaming the fragility of the environment I live in, on the people around me. By signing, I should not misguide people into thinking that their only role is to complain. This, sadly, will lead to greater complacency - a mistake our environment may ill-afford!

Dr Ciantar is director of environment policy and initiatives at the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment.