State of Environmental Advocacy and Belize s Coastal Zone

Transcription

1 State of Environmental Advocacy and Belize s Coastal Zone Tanya Williams Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage State of the Coastal Zone Summit June 8 th 2012

2 Presentation Overview Defining Environmental Advocacy Historical Perspective Advocacy Campaigns Strengths and Weaknesses Recommendations

3 We are still trying to save the World!! to influence public policy in social, economic, political, and cultural spheres in order to bring about justice and positive change in human rights and environmental issues.

4 Historical Perspective It all started with the Boobies! Half-moon Caye Natural Monument - declaration as a PA in 1982 First marine protected area in Central America Significant commitment to protect coastal and marine resources

5 Historical Perspective Outstanding Universal Value! Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System inscribed as a World Heritage Site 1993 nomination submitted by the GEF/UNDP Project 1996 serial site of 7 marine protected area Nomination process drives the declaration of 4 new marine protected areas

6 Historical Perspective Inscription supported by Government s commitment to establish a management regime for activities within the property namely the Coastal Zone Management Authority and, Address concerns over the potential for oil exploration and drilling offshore

7 Historical Perspective Land Policy Reform Land Alliance for National Development (LAND) Development of draft national land use policy Marine protected areas Wildlife (Manatee) Sanctuaries

8 Protected Areas Co-managers and GoB Problem: No overarching policy or plan to guide protected areas in Belize Level: national Goal: A National Protected Areas System Policy and Plan Advocacy Campaigns OUTCOME Policy and Plan completed in 2005 Implementation is ongoing

9 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Problem: Vulnerability & Adaptation to Climate Change Threats Advocacy Campaigns IMPACT AND OUTCOME Vulnerability assessments at key tourism hotspots Level: Local and national Goal: Getting communities, stakeholders and Government to identify vulnerability and risks of climate change threats and plan development taking these threats into consideration. Partnered with CZMAI to update San Pedro Master Development Plan and BTIA- Placencia in the 2020 Development Vision for the Peninsula.

10 Healthy Reefs Initiative partnering with Wildlife Conservation Society Problem: overfishing of parrotfish Advocacy Campaigns Level: Local and national Goal: Ban the capture of parrotfish OUTCOME Legislation enacted to ban the capture of parrot fish

11 Advocacy Campaigns Healthy Reefs Initiative Problem: overfishing in marine reserves using spear guns Level: Local and national Goal: Ban the use of spear guns in marine reserves aka the Real Men campaign OUTCOME Ban on spearfishing in marine reserves implemented.

12 Environmental Community Problem: unsustainable development within the BBRS World Heritage property including offshore oil concessions Level: national and international Advocacy Campaigns OUTCOME BBRS on List of World Heritage in Danger. Government asked to implement corrective actions including cancellation of oil concessions. Goal: Placement of the BBRS WHS on the List of Sites in Danger

13 Oceana in Belize Problem: destruction of marine ecosystems and fisheries loss through by-catch due to shrimp trawling Advocacy Campaigns J. Stockbridge Level: national Goal: Banning of shrimp trawlers OUTCOME Legislation enacted to ban shrimp trawlers.

14 Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage Problem: unsustainable development of Belize s petroleum industry Advocacy Campaigns Level: national Goal: Ban on offshore oil exploration and in protected areas; strengthening of legislative framework IMPACT AND OUTCOME Engaged Belizean citizenry Campaigns ongoing

15 CZMAI and Partners Problem: development of Belize s coastal zone is occurring in isolation of an plan to integrate all sectoral development and support sustainable management. Advocacy Campaigns Level: national Goal: Endorsement and legislation enacted for CZM Plan OUTCOME Ongoing advocacy campaign.

16 Strengths Achilles Heels Increase in national and regional scientific research and access Collective Coalition /Network approach Infused with social justice/grassroots organizations more strategic in approaches (timing, etc.) Recognition of the importance of speaking $$$, human rights and social justice along with the appreciation of nature Piecemeal approach inability to implement sustained campaigns Doing the same old strategies and expecting different results Failure to establish and maintaining credibility with public re: public relations prior to advocacy campaigns Lone wolf approach on national issues

17 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Belizeans generally have stewardship for the sea, but people must give 2 cents about your organization and your issue for advocacy campaigns to be successful. 2. The lone wolf can only feed on small animals or scavenge, but may become strong from being independent. The pack can bring mammoths to the dinner table, but could also turn on each other.

18 RECOMMENDATIONS 3. Sometimes to change policy makers position and enable policy change, you have to change strategies and scare them. 4. Not everyone who cares about sustainable development or natural resources management are environmentalists or in the natural resources field. 5. The death knoll: Avoid, politicizing advocacy campaigns

19 RECOMMENDATIONS 4. Social media can be your organization s best friend - use it! Join us at Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage

20 REFERENCES 1. Lumb, J. & Waight, L. (2011) Belize Audubon Society: 40 Years of Working for a Balance between People and the Environment 2. Gibson, J. (2011) The Belize Barrier Reef: A World Heritage Site: In Palomares, M.L.D., Pauly D. (eds.), Too Precious to Drill: the Marine Biodiversity of Belize. Retrieved from 286%29_Gibson.pdf tal-advocacy-academic-requirements-professional-outlook