Rio+20

Twenty years ago my husband and I attended the Earth Summit or, to give it its proper name the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro.  About 170 heads of state, or representatives attended the UNCED program while there was a simultaneous gathering of about 2400 representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). This was a historic meeting – never before had so many people come together in concern for the earth’s survival.

We lapped up the atmosphere; we were high on hope and the probability of a new democracy back home. We posed for photographs in front of a gigantic “Tree of Life” with leaves symbolic of the thousands of pledges to commit to bring about the necessary change.

Under signs of “Bush go home”, in front of dark and sombre banners of a sick earth, we joined in political demonstrations, discussions and networking. On lawns and under trees people practised everything from capoeira, to music and meditation. We wandered by craft stalls, information booths and mingled with the 17 000+ participants and 200 000 local residents who visited.

The message was clear - we needed to change our attitude and behaviour so that our children and their children could continue to enjoy life on this earth.

Rio+20 has just concluded. There are no new international agreements, no new actions and no real action...twenty years on it seems we are still just talking.