February 9

Outline - February 9

Environmental Nongovernmental Organizations

NGOs comprise what is referred to as "civil society"

I.    Types of NGOs

•     Public Interest/Advocacy

  • Sierra Club

  • Greenpeace

  • Environmental Defense Fund

  • International Planned Parenthood

  • Union of Concerned Scientists

•    

•     Scientific/Professional

  • International Council for Science (ICSU)--formerly the International Council of Scientific Unions

  • International Social Science Council (ISSC)

  • International Institute for Environment and Development    (Earth Negotiations Bulletin)

•   

•  

•     Industry/Trade Associations

  • Global Climate Coalition

•  

  • Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy

•  

  • World Business Council for Sustainable Development

•      Religious Organizations

  • World Council of Churches

  • National Association of Evangelicals

•   

• Other

•  

  • World Economic Forum

  • World Social Forum

II.    What NGOs Do?

•     Call Attention to Problems

•     Coordinate Scientific Inquiry

•     Provide Expert Opinion

•     Propose International Rules and Programs

•     Lobby Governmental Policy Makers and Negotiators

•     Educate the Public

•     Mobilize Public Support

•     Monitor Compliance and Pressure Violators

III.    Larger Issues

•     Are NGOs an unmixed blessing?

•     Are they representative of public interests around the world?

•     Do single issue organizations bring a very balanced view to the process?