| Popis: |
This article describes the efforts of the South African Greater Johannesburg Transitional Metropolitan Council to more equitably distribute resources to areas of greatest need and most severely affected by environmental damage. The Council increased coordination within the metropolitan government to address local environmental problems and increased awareness and expertise in environmental management among nongovernmental groups and individuals within government and development institutions and within local planning and environmental forums. The Council also created opportunities to expand environmental data collection in Johannesburg and to reintroduce indigenous nature and wildlife. Environmental development initiatives were established as early as 1990. The city initiated a Health Cities Project in 1993. The Council established an Environmental Management Committee, which makes recommendations to the Executive Committee and ensures a sustainable, supportive, and healthy environment. A preliminary situational analysis revealed data inadequacies, lack of coordination, lack of enforcement, and lack of public awareness. Working groups were established to deal with pollution, sanitation, food safety, hazardous substances, and chemical safety. The environmental management committee formed viable partnerships with key health and medical people and joined the Global Environmental Monitoring Systems (GEMS) program of WHO. The committee plans to develop a new administrative framework, environmental policy and management system, state of environment reports, uniform legislation, and other efforts. |
