Question

Give a brief account of the work done by the UN for the protection of the environment.

1. Stockholm Conference 1972
2. Kyoto Conference 1987
3. Earth Summit 1992
4. Johannesburg Summit 1992
5. Rio Earth Summit 2012

Answer 1

1. Stockholm Conference 1972 - The global outcry over environmental degradation prompted the United Nations to convene the Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972. The conference's primary agenda was to encourage and establish guidelines for the protection and enhancement of the human environment.
2. Kyoto Conference 1987 - In 1983, the UN established the World Commission on Environment and Development, commonly known as the Brundtland Commission. The commission's report, presented at the Kyoto Conference in 1987, introduced the concept of sustainable development, subsequently adopted as the Kyoto Protocol.
3. Earth Summit 1992 - The Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, aimed to foster international consensus on development issues. It underscored the imperative to integrate environmental and developmental considerations. The summit's goal was to conceptualize a development approach supporting socio-economic progress while preventing ongoing environmental degradation. It also aimed at fostering a partnership between developing and more industrialized countries to ensure a healthy future for the planet.
4. Johannesburg Summit 1992 - In 2002, the Earth Summit reconvened in Johannesburg, gathering leaders from government, business, and NGOs. Sustainable development was acknowledged as the paramount goal for institutions at national, regional, and international levels.
5. Rio Earth Summit 2012 - The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, also known as Rio+20 or Rio Earth Summit 2012, took place in Rio. It emphasized that environmental sustainability's objective is to conserve natural resources and develop alternative energy sources. Resolutions also addressed reducing pollution and mitigating factors harmful to the environment.