The Problems of Environmental Advocacy

THE PROBLEMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY

by Antonio C. Antonio

October 1, 2014

According to Professors Felix Librero and Frances M. Canonizado (UPOU Module: “Environmental Advocacy”), there are six factors that closely identify with the generic problems of environmental advocacy.  These are:

1. Lack of understanding of the roles of the environment advocacy organization units within the environmental plans and programs;
2. Lack of trained manpower;
3. Inefficient if not lack of coordination among agencies involved in the implementation of the environmental plans and programs;
4. Inadequate data and underutilization of data;
5. Lack of funding support; and,
6. Lack of commitment by top leadership.

These problems, more often than not, are the causes of failure in any environmental advocacy initiative.  The scenario becomes very intimidating if we are to consider that the general public also have a largely never-caring attitude when it comes to environmental matters and issues.  This attitude, however, is borne out of the lack of knowledge and information on the true state of our environment.  This situation boils down to problems being experienced on the part of those advocates who want to popularize environmentalism and on the side of the public who remain apathetic but needs to be informed.  So there seems to be no way to bridge the “disconnect”.

The only promising light in this otherwise dark tunnel are the pockets of environmental advocacy groups and individuals who tirelessly share their knowledge to their respective spheres of influence and circle of acquaintances.  Hopefully, more and more people will be informed and commit to involvement; then, in time, all the pieces will settle-in… and hopefully we can also solve the problems of environmental advocacy.

Just my little thoughts…

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