Environmental Information System

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INFORMATION FOR DECISION MAKING

In sustainable development, everyone is a user and provider of information considered in the broad sense. That includes data, information, appropriately packaged experience and knowledge. The benefit of sharing of information arises at all levels.

OVERVIEW

The following two program areas can be implemented to assist that decisions are based increasingly on sound information:

• Environmental monitoring
• Environmental information system

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

While considerable data already exist more and different types of data can be collected at the local and  individual level that reflects the status and trends of the planet’s ecosystem, natural resource, pollution and socio-economic variables. The gap in the availability, quality, coherence, standardization and accessibility of data between the developed and the developing world has been increasing, seriously impairing the capacities of communities to make informed decisions concerning environment and development. There is a general lack of capacity, particularly in developing communities, and in many areas at the individual and local level, for the collection and assessment of data, for their transformation into useful information and for their dissemination. There is also desire for improved coordination among environmental, demographic, social and developmental data and information activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

There already exists a wealth of data and information that could be used for the management of sustainable development. Information within many communities is not adequately managed, because of shortages of financial resources and trained manpower, lack of awareness of the value and availability of such information and other immediate or pressing problems, especially in developing communities. Even where information is available, it may not be easily accessible, either because of the lack of technology for effective access or because of associated costs, especially for information held outside the country and available commercially. Existing individual and local  mechanisms of information processing and exchange, and of related technical assistance, can be supported to assist effective and equitable availability of information generated at the local and individual levels.

Communities can take active steps to implement the following

• Help your  community by supporting the transformation of existing information into forms more useful for decision-making by targeting information at different user groups. Electronic and non-electronic formats can be used to create mechanisms for transforming scientific and socio-economic assessments into information suitable for the public
• Help your community by pooling your efforts  to develop mechanisms for efficient and harmonized exchange of information at the local level
• Develop and utilize various initiatives for electronic links to support information sharing, to provide access to databases and other information sources, to facilitate communication for meeting broader objectives, such as the implementation of People’s Agenda 21, to monitor conventions and efforts for sustainable development to transmit environmental alerts, and to transfer technical data
• Help your community develop new ways to allow for the participation of those not served  by existing infrastructure and methods. Members of communities can also be supported to carry out the beneficial transfer of information to and from non-electronic systems to assist with the involvement of those not wishing to participate in this way