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What is Agenda 21

Forum Papers 07

Forum Papers

South Wiltshire In The 21st Century

The Rio "Earth Summit" highlighted the huge problems facing the Earth not just to do with the environment, but also economic and social problems like health, poverty and population growth. The outcome was a commitment by 150 nations to an action plan for the 21st Century, called

What's special about it?

Agenda 21 is all about making our lives more sustainable, about how we can find ways to live that not only damage the earth less, but also provide a future for generations to come. It involves taking into account a whole range of issues that affect and threaten our future lives and these can be summarised as follows:

• RESOURCES are used efficiently and waste is minimised.
• POLLUTION is limited to levels which natural systems can cope with without damage.
• BIODIVERSITY - the diversity of nature is valued and protected.
• Where possible LOCAL NEEDS are met locally.
• BASIC NEEDS - everyone has access to good food, water, shelter and fuel at reasonable cost.
• Everyone has the opportunity to undertake SATISFYING WORK in a diverse economy.
• People's good HEALTH is protected.
• ACCESS to facilities, services, goods and other people is not achieved at the expense of the environment.
• SAFETY - people live without fear of personal violence from crime or persecution.
• Everyone has access to necessary skills, KNOWLEDGE and information.
• EMPOWERMENT -all sections of the community are empowered to participate in decision making.
• Opportunities for culture, LEISURE and recreation are readily available to all.
• Diversity and local DISTINCTIVENESS are valued and protected.

How can you help?

If you are worried about the environment or quality of life now or in the future, you can be part of the solution - make positive choices and start changing things for the better. EVERY LITTLE HELPS and you CAN make a difference!

These are ways to help

• Reduce your energy consumption at home, at work or in other buildings - contact Action at Home for more details. Telephone 01380 729218.
• Join a voluntary group, or contact the Council for voluntary service for a range of options. Telephone 01722 421747.
• Cut down on your car mileage; walk or cycle to work, to school or just for fun. - contact Travelwise for more ideas. Telephone 01225 713000.
• Support your local community, speak to your Town or Parish Council about what's happening and what you can do.
• Remember your 4 R's to save resources - reduce, repair, reuse and recycle.
• Develop a local community project. Contact The Community Council for possible help. Telephone 01380 722475.
• Develop a wildlife garden at home or at school or work. Contact The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for help and advice. Telephone 01380 725670.
• Become involved in a specialised group on energy, waste, transport, poverty, etc. Contact South Wiltshire Agenda 21 telephone 01722 410416 and Wiltshire Agenda 21 telephone 01380 729218 for more details.
• Learn more about organic growing. Contact Lackham College for more details. Telephone 01249 443111.
• Join a team to work in the countryside - contact BTCV for ideas. Telephone 01793 526233 or Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, telephone 01380 725670.

What is the Council doing?

The Council is pursuing a range of policies which directly link with Agenda 21. These include actions on poverty, on rural strategy, leisure strategy and policies aimed at increasing the involvement of young people. The Council is committed to ensuring that all policies are based on the principles of sustainability.

Transport - The Council has been very much involved with producing a draft transport plan for Salisbury to ensure that all the District has an integrated transport policy.

Biodiversity - The Council has adopted the draft Wiltshire Biodiversity strategy and is using its principles to protect wildlife.

Recycling - The County Council has contracted its waste disposal arrangements to a private contractor who has to achieve a target of recycling 25% of household waste. The Council will produce its own policies to ensure that the target is met or exceeded throughout the District.

Greening Council Activities - The Council is currently carrying out an internal review of its operations in its quest to improve on its environmental performance. The Council will start producing policies on energy, water and purchasing with other policies to follow at a later date.