Introduction and the theme of the investigation
The Environmental Impact Assessment (hereafter referred to as EIA), system originated in 1969 when it was first introduced in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) in the United States of America (Baker and Wood, 1999) and later spread to countries around the world. Today South Africa is one of the countries around the world that has adopted and adapted the EIA system as part of its environmental law (promulgated in the Environmental Conservation Act (73 of 1997, under Section 21, 22 and 26) and management (Sandham and Pretorius, 2008). EIA can be seen as an evaluation process. This process is aimed at the determination, evaluation and or assessment of the consequences that any development might have on the environment, whether negative and or positive. This assessment is used to aid decision-makers, prior to approval, to determine/ decide if a proposed development should continue or not (Jay et al, 2007, DEA, 2010 and DEA 2012).
South Africa adapted the EIA system and imbedded its core principle (protection of the environment) into the country’s constitution. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (No. 108 of 1996), section 24, dictates that, “Everyone has the right- (a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and, (b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures…” The South African government implemented the National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998) with the purpose to enforce section 24 (b) of the constitution. This act (hereafter referred to as NEMA) goes one step further as it asserts under Section 2, that all interested an...
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.... If incorporated into the current EIA system, these tools might stretch the timeframe required to do a PP process, but it also have the potential to get the general public to a point where they can trust and become interested regarding the environment they live in and the decisions that affect their environment. After all, trust has to be earned as the folk saying goes.
The Aim of this research
The aim of this research is to find out if there is any way that this seemingly shortage in participation can be improved. One of the possible solutions for this problem proposed is the Participatory Research methodologies, especially Rapid Rural Appraisals (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA). The aim is to see if the current PP process can integrate some of the PRA methodologies in order to improve the current situation regarding the actual ‘participation’ in PP
If conducted well, the participant-oriented approach can offer the buy-in needed to remove the stigma of the evaluation process. Using this approach can provide stakeholders “with self knowledge and skills and an understanding of the power arrangements concerning their program and their locality” (Fitzpatrick et al., 2011, p.201). As stated by Cousins and Earl (1992) using key personnel capable of making decisions and who have a strong connection to the program can augment the usefulness and promote the actual use of the evaluation. It can also promote trust in the process and serve to remove any political stigma that may arise.
...tained a streak of sustaining a strong society when suggesting their laws into the Criminal Justice System. Nonetheless, the recent proposal discussed on whether environmental harm should be criminalized has sparked controversy. There are many pros and cons that can be acknowledged in this case. One main thing is certain; the environment is very sacred to every human being and should be well cared for. Thus, there are many other techniques that can do this rather than it simply being placed in the Criminal Code. Civilians need to have a fair chance to deal with problems and as a whole; they can come together to help this environmental issue. Non-legal regulators can work together with society to better our world. Taking legal action would make things more complicated than need be when considering a law that has more negatives to our justice system than positives.
Soledad, A. (2012). UNEP: World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability. Environmental Policy and Law, 42(4/5), 204-205. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/1239086063/fulltextPDF/938578CF70664516PQ/3?accountid=28180
Stufflebeam’s CIPP Model (Context, Input, Process, and Product) was created in 1983. This evaluation approach deals with an effective way of examining several distinctive facets of the development process. The context evaluation phase of the CIPP Model establishes the main idea of the program and the evaluation procedure. This phase supports in the decision making associated with development, and authorizes the evaluator to recognize the requirements, strengths, and resources in order to deliver the program design that will be constructive and valuable. In the input evaluation phase, data is gathered about the mission, expectations, and program development. The rationale of this process is to measure the program’s approach, capability and design strategy aligned with research, the awareness of the program stakeholders’ needs, and unconventional plans posed in related programs. The Process evaluation examines the effectiveness of the program’s execution. In this stage, program activities are examined, acknowledged and measured by the evaluator. The product evaluation, measures the successful and unsuccessful influences the program had on its stakeholders. The short-term and long-term outcomes are estimated in this phase as well. In the course of this phase, perceptiveness of stakeholders and significant staff are questioned, examining outcomes that influence the program stakeholders. Utilizing mixed methodologies guarantee all outco...
"Timeline of Key Environmental Legislation - NAEM." The Premier Association for EHS Management. Naem.org, Apr. 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
Identifying stakeholders and collaborators is the second step to the “Nine Step Stairway to Effective Evaluation”. Although all steps are essential, this is probably the most important because an extensive review of who is involved and who will be affected by the evaluation is identified (DiClemente et al., 2013). Once identified, it is critical to note that there may be needs or issues that may need to be addressed from all those involved so it would behoove one to be open to suggestions. Bottom line is to collaborate (DiClemente et al., 2013).
Halpern and his team suggest that an EBM approach may be the best solution for addressing these issues. Chuenpagdee’s research also highlights the challenges and issues surrounding the implementation of effective MPAs. The study included an in-depth look into four case studies that focused on the design stages of MPAs, and the social issues that must be taken into consideration, and how the incorporation of local communities into management efforts could lead to increases in MPA network success and sustainability. The compilation of data presented in these studies, all highlight the fact that nations are increasing the number of MPAs, in order to reach international goals of conservation, however even if the global area goals of protection are met, it is clear that the success of these protected areas will be heavily dependent upon the socioeconomic issues surrounding the impacted areas, as well as the larger-scale issues that need to be simultaneously addressed such as pollution and climate change, both of which can not be resolved by the implementation of protected zones.... ...
In Title I of NEPA, our government recognizes the immutable link between mankind's dealings and the impacts on the environment. People have an individual responsibility to the world around them. The Constitution assures us "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." However, "life" is undefined. We, as human beings, have the superiority to nurture and preserve all forms of life. Transitions in population growth (or decline), urban spread, industry expansions and technological advances are critical in determining and modifying the ever-changing needs of the environment. Extensive research and planning with State and local government allows NEPA to anticipate, possibly even predict, an environmental disaster before it occurs. These measures are to insure the most beneficial use of our natural resources, to preserve our Nation's history as well as encourage individuality, to search for improvements in recycling our resources and the discovery of new ones. These goals are sought after in a systematic manner to include the most recent available data that could promote or reject proposals for changes t...
The development of environmental regimes involves a five-fold process. The first process is the agenda setting and issue definition stage, which identifies and brings attention to an issue to the international community. Secon...
Valentine, I., Hurley, E., Reid, J., & Allen, W. (2007). Principles and processes for effecting change in environmnental managment in New Zealand. Journal of Environmental Managment, 311-318.
Hughes, R. 1998. Environmental Impact Assessment and Stakeholder Involvement. International Institute for Environment And Development. Environmental Planning Issues No. 11
Participation can be seen as “the inclusion of a diverse range of stakeholder contributions in an on-going community development process, from identification of problem areas, to the development, implementation and management of strategic planning” (Schafft and Greenwood, 2003, p. 19).
A very important aspect of tourism is the transport, transport consists of traveling by air, road, railway and sea. The levels of transportation have been rising at an alarming rate due to the increase in population around the world and due to the increase in traveling tourists. With the increase in the number of tourist, this comes with a consequence, as tourism is responsible for the large amount of air transmissions. These emissions, as well as those that provide the tourists with their important needs such as electricity have great and extremely harmful effects on South Africa's environment for example the wildlife, our fertile soils, the purity of the water supplies, it can even harm human lives and effect our crops. With all these important things being harmed we are risking food shortages due to chemicals effecting the crops, which over a long time can be extremely life threa...
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to a tool that assists in limiting the potential environmental damage of various developments that are undertaken in an area (Handley & Handley, 2001). Other researchers and scholars consider EIA as a key aspect of many large-scale planning applications; whereby, the EIA is used as the technique that help developers understand the potential environmental impacts of any major development proposal (Wathern, 1988). EIA entails information gathering practice that is carried out by both the developer and other relevant bodies to enable the Local Planning Authority appreciate the potential environmental effects of any form of development before giving directions on its commencement or stoppage (Dougherty & Hall, 1995; Wathern, 1988). Therefore, EIA can simply be described as the scientific and public consultation process that helps identify the potential impacts of any proposed project on the environment; that is, the biophysical component of the physical environment.
The environment around us gives us the habitat to live, is a condition for our existence and development so that protecting environment which is one of today’s most serious issues means protecting our lives. But almost every day we hear a new problem badly affecting the environment. The list of the new difficulties seems to be endless. We are all aware of these concerns and can admit that we caused them. Now, environmental protection is not the work of a single individual as it is the responsibility of the whole community, of every single person exists on this planet. The measures range from each citizen to the government.