8. It is recommended that the attention of governments concerned be drawn to the need for action in the following areas: the adoption of structural measures such as: ⚫ the development of improved building methods and "house types" for low-cost, earthquake-resistant, storm-surge and wind resistant, rapidconstruction housing • flood control measures, such as detention reservoirs, levees, diversion channels, channel improvements, terracing, gully control, bank stabilization or revegetation, water shed management. the adoption of non-structural measures such as: planning measures and land-use zoning designed to guide the settlements of human populations away from hazardous areas ⚫ programmes of public information designed to show the nature of the hazard and of the required response the adoption of a comprehensive approach to natural disaster The evaluation by planning ministries and national planning boards of the full range of possible actions, combining technical with social and economic measures. As an example, programmes of diversion, or evacuation without adequate provision for resettlement, may fail to achieve any genuine improvement in living conditions. (b) Recommendations for international action 9. It is recommended that the Secretary-General ensure that the United Nations system provide to governments a comprehensive programme of advice and support in disaster prevention. More specifically: The question of disaster prevention should be seen as an integral part of the country programme as submitted to, and reviewed by, UNDP. B. Pre-disaster preparedness 10. A plan for emergency action is essential in all disaster-prone countries and desirable in others. (a) Recommendations for national action 11. It is recommended that the attention of governments concerned be drawn to the need for emergency action plans. These should specify: organizational responsibilities: who is to take charge of what a role of armed forces or civil defence units ⚫ role of voluntary agencies lines of communication and command; availability of emergency supplies; type and amount of external aid likely to be required in different contingencies. (b) Recommendations for international action 12. It is recommended that the Secretary-General ensure that the United Nations system assist countries with their planning efforts. To this end: an international programme of technical co-operation should be developed, aimed at strengthening the capabilities of governments in the field of predisaster planning; ● key responsibility at the field level should lie with the resident representative of the UNDP who would: 463-237 0-72- -3 impress upon the government the importance of disaster pre paredness assist, in conjunction with the representatives of the agencies concerned, in the necessary planning, training and other arrangements. through the Office of Disaster Relief, the agencies of the United Nations system such as FAO, UNESCO, WHO, ITU, WMO, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP should collaborate on a master plan and/or programme for co-operation in cases of natural disasters; international voluntary agencies and individual governments should be invited to participate in the preparation of such a master plan ⚫ governments should inform the Office of the assistance they might be in a position to provide through the United Nations system • competent bodies within the United Nations system should review and appraise their own programmes in the light of the overall master-plan international agencies-especially UNICEF, WFP-should devise a plan for the stockpiling of food and supplies at the international, regional and national levels. Subcommittee I The Planning and Management of Human Settlements for Dr. Frank P. Lloyd, Chairman President, American Society of Planning Officials 2. Resource Management Environmental Aspects of Natural INTRODUCTION Throughout the history of mankind's life on earth our development has depended on the environment. Today, we remain dependent on the resources of the earth, not only for continued growth but also for survival as a species. We now realize the land, air, and water are not inexhaustible in quality or quantity—each of these vital media is increasingly burdened with pollutants. Oil, copper, natural gas, and other essential nonrenewable resources may be exhausted in our lifetime or that of our children. No longer can we view our environment smugly-blinded by material comfort to the inequities which have fostered exploitation of our global resources. Neither can we ignore the earth's signals of deprivation for future generations. Conservation and protection of the earth's resources is costly in the short run— costly enough to require changes in our economic systems-but economical and indispensable in the long run: economical because early depletion of vital resources through indiscriminate exploitation will entail more massive economic dislocations later; indispensable because without wise stewardship of resources, our continued existence as a viable species is in peril. Environmental aspects of natural resource management are primarily the subject of national, rather than international, action. However, because of the major political and economic influence of the United States in the international community and our role as a prime consumer of natural resources, it is evident that our domestic actions in natural resources management significantly affect the international market place. Any recommendations regarding the environment should be made with the awareness that the proposed allocation of resulting costs must be acceptable to the citizens of the United States. Only through citizen acceptance can effective environmental policies be developed and implemented. Furthermore, some of the following recommendations should be implemented on a gradual or sequential basis to allow time for the economic and political structures of the United States and the international community to adjust. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. Integrated Resource Management The United States should support a policy of integrated resource management. Of the following proposals, those which relate to national action may apply to other developed countries as well as the United States. A. Serious consideration should be given to governmental regulation of the consumption of national nonrenewable resources and to similar regulation of natural resources under international jurisdiction, such as fisheries and seabed minerals, with any fees considered a source of environmental financing.1 B. An international equivalent to the environmental impact statements required under section 102 (2) (c) of the National Environmental Policy Act should be established. Such statements would be filed by governments and international organizations, and indicate the relationships of a proposed venture to the use of natural resources as well as other effects on the environment.2 C. Standards for environmental quality, product safety and quality, and workers' health and safety should be established. D. Serious consideration should be given to establishing an assessment on nations related to their degradation of the global environment. E. Serious consideration should be given to the creation of an assessment on consumption, related to the depletion of nonrenewable natural resources. F. National policies and programs which act as negative environmental incentives should be abolished in order to harmonize these policies with sound environmental principles. G. The United States should continue to explore new alternatives for its participation in international markets in order to provide outlets for increased productivity and to minimize the economic disloca 1 See ch. V, United Nations Recommendation 37. 2 See ch. VI, Advisory Committee Recommendation 6 and ch. V, Advisory Committee Recommendation 1. tions which may result from the imposition of domestic environmental standards. H. Research on recycling, the use of synthetics, and waste disposal should be expanded. I. The United States should condition export credits to domestic companies upon compliance with United States environmental, health, and safety standards. J. As a prerequisite to all foreign assistance, the United States should require recipient nations to prepare long-range plans that consider environmental matters. 2. Agriculture and Soils A. Research, planning, and market adjustment should be expanded to foster the stability and growth of rural areas. B. Agricultural planning should provide for the protection of (local) ecosystems. C. Research leading to the development of agrochemicals and nonchemical alternatives compatible with the environment should be accelerated. D. The United States should increase research into more efficient modes of consumption and disposal of agricultural products and byproducts. 3. Forests A. Programs of reforestation and sound forest management should be encouraged. B. The cost of environmental protection measures should be included in the cost of forest products. C. Research on the relationship of forests to the global environment should be encouraged. D. Research into and increased use of recycling of forest products should be fostered. E. Further research and rapid implementation are required to reduce the pollution and needless waste stemming from the manufacture, distribution, and use of forest products. 4. Wildlife, Parks, and other Protected Areas A. The Committee supports the concept of a World Heritage Trust. B. The Committee urges a meeting of all interested nations, as soon after the Stockholm Conference as possible, to develop an effective convention on the Export, Import and Transit of Certain Species of Wild Animals and Plants. |