Hull in print : Agenda 21


Issue : February/March 2001

AGENDA

But what on earth does it mean?
Sustainable development - it's one of the buzz phrases of the age, used when ever green issues are on the agenda. But what on earth does it mean? As the City Council's Local Agenda 21 policy manager, David Brooks is responsible for promoting sustainable development across the city. He said: "It is based on the idea that the quality of people's lives and the state of our communities, is affected by a combination of economic, social and environmental factors.

'PEOPLE ARE RIGHTLY CONCERNED THAT MANY OF THE ACTIONS THAT WE TAKE TODAY COULD HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET'

"In other words, it's no good having a community with lots of parks but with many people out of work or, alternatively, somewhere with good job prospects but with people living in fear of crime." Local transport, he said, provides a good real life example of the need for sustainable development and how it can work. "In Wincolmlee, the lack of adequate public transport or car parking means that many businesses are finding it difficult to attract suitable employees," he said. "People may be capable of doing the work but they just can't get there. If public transport links were improved, however, more job vacancies could be filled and the lower pollution levels would benefit the environment."

Transport is just one of the issues covered in Hull's first Local Agenda 21 Strategy, launched last month. Local Agenda 21 was 'born' at the United Nations Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Since then, communities all over the world have been developing strategies for the 21st Century that promote sustainable development. In Hull, discussions involving residents, community groups and representatives from the business and voluntary sectors brought out a number of key concerns affecting quality of life, including the environment; transport; pollution; energy; waste; the economy; education; and health. The strategy's publication is timely. The latest prediction by United Nations scientists is that the temperature of the earth's atmosphere could rise by up to 6慢 by 2100, making millions living in low lying areas around the world homeless as sea levels rise.

David Brooks said: "People are rightly concerned that many of the actions we take today could have adverse effects on the future of our planet. But many feel helpless in the face of huge issues like global warming. "Local Agenda 21 allows them to see the wider impact of their day-to-day actions and, by helping them to make the right choices, to do something about it." This, he said, could include simple actions like replacing standard light bulbs with low energy ones or leaving the car at home for trips to the local shops. Alternatively, people could make a bigger commitment by getting involved in making decisions about sustainable development in their own communities.

David Brooks said: "It's important for those who understand the needs of their communities best - local residents and businesses - to decide what they really want for their own and their children's futures. "We want to break down the barriers and give people the chance to discuss the sustainable issues that are most important to them - from public transport and recycling to shopping and leisure facilities. That is what Local Agenda 21 is all about." From the United Nations' headquarters at the World Trade Center to your local community centre, it seems that sustainable development is here to stay.

Copies of Hull's Local Agenda 21 Strategy are available from David Brooks, tel. 613320, as well as from your local library.

If there are any quality of life issues that you would like to raise, you can contact the City Council's Local Agenda 21 Task Group free on 0800 1385558. Alternatively, visit the Local Agenda 21 web site at www.hullcc.gov.uk/agenda21

Path to a greener future

North Bransholme residents are learning a new path to a greener future. Parents of children taking part in the local Sure Start scheme - a Government-funded initiative which provides help with reading and writing - are planning to refurbish a disused nature trail with the help of City Council urban rangers.

The work, due to take place later this year, will see the ash tree plantation on Lothian Way transformed, with the addition of a new footpath, benches and information panels about the local environment. Tree branches blown down in recent storms and timber from the plantation itself will be used as construction materials.

Local Agenda 21 policy support officer Martin Budd said that the scheme was the perfect example of Local Agenda 21 in action. "It will provide a new facility with educational, social and environmental benefits for the local community."