A memory haunts me from the time when I was too young to hold strong views on complicated matters that are at the forefront of our country’s efforts to embrace all members of society.
The Eighties were a hectic time for a young boy growing up in Soweto. All sorts of issues afflicted the township and many of them we could little understand. One was an exercise that environmentalists would be proud of, even in this enlightened age.
Across Soweto, residents would return home from school and work to find that the municipality had decided to plant trees in our streets; no questions asked, no EIAs done, or community hall meetings held. These trees for the masses simply appeared on our doorsteps.
This in a community that still relied on wood and coal-fired stoves for warmth and cooking. I’m not sure how many of these trees flourished to ‘green†my township. It certainly is hard to see them from a plane when one flies over Soweto.
I am reminded of this tree exercise whenever I hear or read about the numerous environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and other studies that need to be undertaken before major projects can be given the thumbs-up these days.
The ‘dummy’s guide to EIAs†published in the last issue of Earthyear helped me understand the challenges we face in practising environmental management. On the other hand, it gave rise to feelings of ambivalence about a process that in many ways seems geared to please a small interest group.
The most vocal supporters of the EIA processes are usually people seeking to preserve ecological biosystems and wildlife habitat first. Only once that is achieved are they prepared to consider whether there are any people who need to be managed to look after these ‘saved†environs. The human element seems to come last.
I am not cynical about EIAs, I just have a skewed view of their effectiveness when most of the times I hear about them it is from the same advocacy groups conducting campaigns in the media. They seem to forget that most of our poverty-stricken communities can ill afford the time and money to consume newspapers, attend out-of-town meetings, or care about discussing whether or not to eradicate the Indian tahr from the slopes of Table Mountain. The truth is that a hungry stomach does not see the grace in the buck.
Environmental management should not be practised by environmentalists — it should be the practice of humanists. It should recognise that all people inherently want to live in the best possible condition relative to their social status.
The greatest challenge lies in finding creative solutions that embrace what society wants for itself. In most communities, it is the individual who can be the most creative source of change. Time and time again, solutions to society’s problems come from individuals, who become the catalyst for greater social change and a shift in attitudes.
In Johannesburg we salute the man who has created an island of greenery alongside the M1 freeway, next to the Marlboro off-ramp. His dedication has inspired many closet ‘greeniesâ€. It reminded me of the pride I felt when I planted my own garden at my home.
Clearly, more effort needs to be spent on refining processes that put people at the forefront of conservation and environmental management initiatives. This is in everyone’s interest in the long run. The option is to remain mired in polarised opinions on what is best for our planet.
I hope that in future EIAs give greater voice to the masses for whose benefit government and corporates continue to invest millions of rands in development. Licensing processes should be platforms for education and meaningful stakeholder engagement in the backyards of those in dire need of development.
In Soweto, it remains difficult to appreciate the wisdom of the municipality in planting trees in our dusty streets when in the middle of winter you have no coal to burn to keep warm and to cook food. Yet we are not blind to the value of a well-maintained garden.
Take a look at some of the yards in the townships and you will find meticulously maintained ‘green areasâ€. There is a little piece of environmental management at the back of the matchbox houses in our poorest communities. Let the spirit live on.
Donald Kau is the media communications and stakeholder relations manager at the National Ports Authority. He writes in his personal capacity.