Contradiction in practice
By Soli Agha, Environnement jeunnesse
This conference is an incomparable leader in its efficiency to
promote environmental conservation. What it is sadly lacking,
however, is the ability to lead by example.
On numerous occasions, I have been a witness to a lack of concern
to actually practice conservative environmental methods. Examples
include paper, Styrofoam and plastic coffee cups, plates and
utensils at refreshment counters. Then there is the constantly
increasing quantities of recyclable paper being laid to waste in
participant's waste paper baskets.
Furthermore, I have been obliged to make special requests for
vegetarian cuisine. Meat has had the starring role at special
meals, and vegetarian food seems forgotten, although staff
scramble to get it when asked. It has been discussed at the IUCN
that our differing forms of food production remain inherently
unsustainable.
Why is it then, that we insist on directly supporting these
wasteful methods of production by offering them to our colleagues
at a luncheon or international gala of the Conservation
Congress!?!