Medio Ambiente Y Municipio En Colombia

THE AUTHOR’S AIM is to show how the environment in Colombia can be protected by the intervention and participation of individual municipalities. Environmental problems, especially those concerning Colombian municipalities, are examined and the consequences of environmental degradation explored. This book tries to help municipalities, authorities and professionals as well as their citizens to become more involved in environmental problems.

The author suggests the need for action now to conserve the vast biodiversity of Colombia, starting from the lower levels of society and working up through the political system, using consistent and effective measures. It is stressed that human beings should recognize the fact that they are a part of the biodiversity and everything they do has an impact on the environment. Thus, they should work with it, or run the risk of not only destroying the environment but also of being destroyed themselves.

The book looks first at environmental action at a municipal level and then at areas of municipal environmental interest. This publication takes the reader through different environmental problems and resource use, such as the uses of soil and water, flora and fauna, and the control of dangerous products and wastes. All the topics demonstrate how important community and municipal level environmental action is.

Different levels of environmental problems, which vary between regions, are also examined. For example, one coastal municipality may be losing its beaches to private tourism or environmental degradation, whereas another municipality may suffer from drought and end up buying-in drinking water from container lorries.

The Colombian Constitution is also described, showing the various stages of environmental legislation change and how the law provides the basis for environmental protection. However, improvements to the laws are necessary and the authors have various suggestions for improving environmental quality. Ways to environmental change are discussed, along with the ways in which action can be taken and how such action can be funded. The last two sections of the book examine environmental education and ways to administer the environment. Education is a very important aspect of environmental conservation, and municipal administrations play an important role in ensuring good environmental education. For it is within municipalities that the effects of environmental degradation can be seen and it is the local people who will suffer the consequences unless they begin to recognize their rights and responsibilities. The book also discusses the use of Environmental Impact Assessments and suggests where these can be improved.