Result areas. Responsible environmental action is at the heart of environmental citizenship. The following is a guide to the result areas we (as individuals, communities and organizations) should take action to achieve: Protecting water resources, forests, grass lands, rivers, beaches and lagoons, oceans, mountains and all their bio-diversity; fast development of practical sources of renewable energy to take over as oil and gas run out; keeping toxic substances out of the environment; reducing pollution through (gradual) use of only environmentally-clean technologies; Reducing wastage and re-using waste; protecting natural areas and access to nature; sustaining the diversity of wildlife and plants; Protecting historical and cultural heritage; stabilising greenhouse gas emissions; phasing out ozone-depleting substances; planned human development, based on sound ecological and ethical principles and education for all;improved transportation, housing, shopping; schools, medical, recreational and other facilities for all; allowing only sustainable use of renewable resources; respect for and knowledge of traditional practices, specially when these can make unique contributions to world civilization; adopting lifestyles which are people-friendly as well as environment-friendly, noting that war, violence, drugs, exploitation and poverty, racism, genetic manipulation, unlimited growth and ignorance of natural laws are not part of such lifestyles.

WHAT CAN BE DONE.

Converting the average relatively uncaring and thoughtless Mauritian into an environmentally responsible individual takes the following three steps:becoming educated about the environment; using this knowledge to take action at home, in the community, at school and in the workplace; sharing this knowledge and experiencing it with others.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Learn about the environment through some of the following available opportunities, thus improve your understanding of the environment. If, at school, the formal education system has, ideally, integrated the environmental component throughout all subjects at all levels - pre-primary, primary, secondary, technical or university. Environmental learning experiences, i.e. learning by doing a new environment- friendly action a day. The media, e.g. TV, radio, press, Parliament, public debate. For example, go and see the excellent film of Al Gore on global warming or any of the numerous environmental documentaries on Discovery Channel, MBC Join a local environmental group. Look up the work and publications of international organizations such as UNEP, UNESCO, WWF, IUCN, Green Peace, Friends of the Earth, Sierra Club, etc. Check the huge body of publications on the subject at your local library and/or go to a good bookshop and invest in a book such as Gurib-Fakim?s Mauritius through medicinal plants or Claude Michel?s Fishes of Mauritius.

Discussion and interaction with others in our family, with friends, colleagues at school or work, in action groups, clubs about small, simple environment-friendly actions, which all can take, daily, alone or in groups. For those who have a car or travel by bus, include in your plan for tomorrow the replacement of one short motorized trip by walking or cycling. And feel good about it!

Michael ATCHIA (Co-responsible, from 1986 to 1996, for the UNESCO-UNEP International Environmental Education Programme, active in 140 countries)