AUDIO NEWS RELEASE
“DECISIONS FOR THE EARTH” REPORT
JULY 10, 2003

(Narrator)
A LANDMARK REPORT RELEASED TODAY CALLS FOR FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES TO HOW AND WHO MAKES DECISIONS CONCERNING THE WORLD’S NATURAL RESOURCES. THE REPORT, WORLD RESOURCES 2002-2004: DECISIONS FOR THE EARTH – BALANCE, VOICE, AND POWER, STRESSES THAT THESE CHANGES ARE URGENTLY NEEDED IN ORDER TO ARREST THE GROWING DETERIORATION OF THE WORLD’S ENVIRONMENT.

WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE PRESIDENT JONATHAN LASH:

(LASH)

“DESPITE TEN YEARS OF RESOUNDING DECLARATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ARE STILL GETTING WORSE IN MUCH OF THE WORLD. THE BEST WAY TO CHANGE THOSE TRENDS IS TO INFORM PEOPLE, EMPOWER THEM, AND GET THEM ENGAGED.”

(NARRATOR)

THE REPORT CALLS FOR THE INCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, STRENGTHENING THE CURRENT LOOSE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE, AND BETTER DISCLOSURE FROM BUSINESSES. IT WARNS THAT NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD ADHERE TO THE SAME STANDARDS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IT IS ASKING FROM GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESSES.