Development of an environmental management information system (EMIS)

Description

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Environmental management system (EMS) refers to the management of an organization’s environmental programs in a comprehensive, systematic, planned and documented manner. It includes the organizational structure, planning and resources for developing, implementing and maintaining policy for environmental protection. More formally, EMS is “a system and database which integrates procedures and processes for training of personnel, monitoring, summarizing, and reporting of specialized environmental performance information to internal and external stakeholders of a firm”. The most widely used standard on which an EMS is based is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 2004. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental management system)

An environmental management information system (EMIS) or Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) is an information technology solution for tracking environmental data for a company as part of their overall environmental management system. An environmental management system Serves as a tool, or process, to improve environmental performance and information mainly “design, pollution control and waste minimization, training, reporting to top management, and the setting of goals”. EMS assists with planning, controlling and monitoring policies in an organization. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental management system)

An EMS can also be classified as a system which monitors, tracks and reports emissions information, particularly with respect to the oil and gas industry. EMSs are becoming web-based in response to the EPA ‘s mandated greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting rule, which allows for reporting GHG emissions information via the internet. a centrally controlled and often automated network of devices (now frequently wireless using z-wave and zigbee technologies) used to control the internal environment of a building. Such a system namely acts as an interface between end user and energy (gas/ electricity) consumption.  (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental management system)

According to Lélé, S.M. (1991) in Sustainable development: a critical review’, World Development 19: p.607-621, Environmental sustainability has become increasingly important as we witness more extreme weather changes, global warming and environmental degradation. As the world population grew, the need for more resources also increased. In order to meet the increasing demand for these resources, more industrial activities also grew around the world. These increased industrial activities over the years did not consider the resulting environmental degradation such as water, air and land pollution. The degradation was not considered along with the intended industrial growth, thus, the value proposition of much economic activity ignored these “costs”. Typically, the enterprises that produced these negative effects on the environment were not held accountable for them. They externalized these costs and the society suffered. Many ecosystems have been adversely affected to the point where they can no longer withstand or recover from natural disasters resulting from human activities and such disasters include global warming, flooding and extreme weather conditions.

These negative consequences on our environment have drawn a lot of attention on a global scale. Several nations have gathered over the years to deliberate on immediate solutions around the world. One of such conventions is the recent December 2009 summit that was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the international environmental treaty produced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), informally known as the “Earth Summit”, held in Rio de Janeiro from 3rd to 14th June 1992.

The objective of the treaty is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate. Subsequently, other conventions followed such as the Kyoto, Japan in 1997 and then the Copenhagen, Denmark in 2009. The issue of climate change was extensively discussed which has become a growing concern around the world due to carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Several countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway to mention a few, have adopted some environmental policies to help reduce environmental degradation. Some of these policies have been challenged as detrimental to economic growth while others argued for more stringent environmental protection policies. Considering every country’s need to strive towards economic growth while sustaining the environment, there is the growing concern to adopt policies that give the right balance on both.

According to Barton, H. (2000), the environmental sanitation has become a prominent but complex and multi-dimensional issue on the public policy agenda of states and international organizations. This transformation after a long period of benign neglect began in Rio in 1992. The issue of the environmental sanitation is today perceived not simply as a narrow ecological problem of how to ensure a symbiotic inter-face between man and the environment. Its inner core has psychological, political, developmental, sociological and scientific ramifications, all of which are anchored to the new concept.

As the 2015 target date is being approached for the Millennium development Goals (MDGs), WHO and UNICEF are monitoring and addressing the current challenges and those that lie ahead. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) latest update on Africa’s progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) reports that, Africa is making some progress on MDG 7, which is to ensure environmental sustainability, Adams, W.M. (2001). Green Development: environment and sustainability in the Third World. London: Routledge.

Currently, Nigeria is part of the countries whose sanitation coverage rates are between 20% and 40 % points below the MDG targets. Even though, effort has been made by government agencies, local organizations to increase access to sustainable sanitation in major cities in Nigeria; by supporting the provision of improved sanitation facilities in schools and rural communities thereby contributing to the achievement of the national target of 90% by 2015 and 100% by large numbers of both urban and rural areas still lack access to adequate sanitary facilities like latrines, hand washing facilities and waste disposal facilities.

Non- availability of sustained, effective and safe services is common experience for many developing countries around the world and has resulted into a high prevalence of sanitation related diseases, causing many people; children in particular, to fall ill or even die. The standard of sanitation facilities reflects the socio-economic development of a nation.

Human beings cannot really claim to be living a life that is fully human, if they do not live in harmony with nature. In countries like the United States, Britain, Germany and France , environmental sustainability is a significant issue that can make or break a political party’s campaign.

In Nigeria, there is a poor history of environmental justice, sustainability and conservation, as well as animal rights. These topics are unfortunately considered bourgeoisie— their discussion irrelevant in a country with a still emerging middle-class. However, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), with its signing of multiple international treaties and the establishment of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), is beginning to give much-needed attention to issues of environmental neglect in the country.

During Nigeria’s colonial era and the following three decades, environmental protection was mainly ad hoc and reactionary. It was not until the Koko incident of 1988, in which toxic wastes were unscrupulously dumped on the country’s shores by an Italian businessman that environmental protection became an issue of national interest. The event became the cataclysm that sparked the interest of the FGN in environmental sustainability. It also catalyzed the establishment of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA). Like most efforts of the FGN, however, the FEPA failed in its mandates. Its failure resulted in the contamination of up to 70% of surface water in urban areas; of shallow ground water by infiltration of domestic and industrial wastes; and in “visual impairment and reduced fish catch in Nigeria’s coastal and marine waters.” The foregoing is challenged, however, by the many public health problems that Nigerians face, due to unprecedented exposure to petroleum and chemical pollutants. (https://www.fairobserver.com/region/africa/nigeria-and-efforts-at-environmental-management-63923/)

As already indicated, NESREA was established as a result of FEPA’s failures. With its establishment, the agency became the leading institution responsible for the enforcement of environmental regulations in Nigeria. It is, therefore, the leading institution for the protection and development of the environment, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of Nigeria’s natural resources and environmental technology. The establishment of NESREA marks a new era in Nigeria’s environmental consciousness.

However, this new era is also experiencing fundamental challenges — the foremost of which concerns legal constraints over the applicability and elasticity of NESREA mandates. The agency’s mandate charges it with enforcing compliance with international environmental agreements, protocols and treaties to which Nigeria is a party. Within Nigerian legal circles, there is unfortunately the opinion that this mandate is not significant. Those who challenge the capacity of NESREA to execute its obligations highlight Article 12(1) of the 1999 constitution, which stipulates that any international agreement entered into by the country has to be ratified or domesticated by an act of the National Assembly. This point is not mute because the Nigerian National Assembly has yet to domesticate most international environmental conventions, protocols, treaties and agreements to which Nigeria is a party.

As a result, the agency still finds itself suspended in a legal limbo years after its establishment. This legal oblivion seems to be the greatest challenge the agency currently faces. On the other hand, some scholars have argued the above scenario is not crucial because Nigerian courts have increasingly adhered to the stipulations of international treaties in their rulings. Nigeria should transition from enacting regulations that are idealistic in all important instances, to enacting regulations and setting up institutions that will not wallow in the administrative conundrums of bureaucratic bottlenecks. As citizens the world over become more aware of the need to care for the environment, it is time for Nigerians to toe the same line.

The purpose of my thesis is to analyze the various environmental policies adopted by a number of developed and developing countries and the implication of these policies on the society. Also, I would explore the importance of balancing the scale between environmental and economic sustainability by bringing out successful policies adopted by some practicing countries. The format of this thesis is outlined in five chapters, each covering distinct areas as I work towards the conclusion of my analysis. Chapter 1 serves as the introduction to my paper. It gives an insight on what the thesis hopes to achieve and what each chapter will be discussing. Chapter 2 explores the literature review of environmental sustainability and sustainable growth. It brings out interesting contributions and criticisms in the cause of solving the environmental degradation problems. Chapter 3 discusses the research methodology used for this study. Chapter 4 analyzes the data gotten. Chapter 5 reflects the summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Ethically, the beauty of any environment lies on its good sustainable condition. This is so because, when an environment is clean, the lives of the citizenry are not threatened by illness and diseases. Proper refuse disposal management involves the dumping of wastes (solid, liquid or gaseous) from our homes, industries and public outfits at a specific place or in government provided containers and the control and removal of refuse from places where they can cause hazards to a place where they are less hazardous to public health.

Eruwa metropolis as a case study of the research work presents a ghastly picture; the neglect of filled refuse bin in recent time has its effect on the inhabitants. Many areas around the homes are littered with domestic refuse sewage wastes which are toxic with negative impacts on our environment, land, water and air.

Indiscriminate refuse dump affects quality of water and air of which the people seem not to be aware. Public Educational Programs that enlighten the public on the health implication of indiscriminate refuse dump are almost non-existent. Mass Media seem not to be doing enough to create awareness about implications of bad environmental sanitation. It was against this background that the researcher embarked on this research to appraise the public health awareness of health implications of indiscriminate refuse dump in the Eruwa Metropolis.

1.3       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major objectives of the study is,

• To find out whether inhabitants of Eruwa are aware of the implications of poor environmental management in the community.
• To ascertain if the community posses an effective system of managing their environment
• To evaluate the level of efficiency in the control and management of environment and it’s sustainability in Eruwa
• To investigate whether the methods proffered by the government are adequately creating awareness about health implications of bad environmental conditions in Eruwa metropolis.
• To identify various ways the environmentalist/policy makers could help in changing human behavior and responses to environmental options that will promote environmental sanitation.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This study was designed to address the following questions

• Do the inhabitants of Eruwa metropolis aware of the implications of poor environmental management in the community?
• Do you agree that the community understudy poses an effective environmental management system?
• What is the level of efficiency of Eruwa metropolis rural environmental management and it’s sustainability in Eruwa?
• Are there any techniques proffered by government adequately creating awareness about health implications of bad environmental conditions in Eruwa metropolis?
• What ways could the environmentalist/policy makers help in changing human behaviours and responses to environmental options that will promote environmental sanitation?

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The collection of refuse is irregular and inefficient in Eruwa metropolis. Litter and refuse often accumulated along roads and places, creating breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and rodents responsible for the spread of many diseases. Drains were choked with refuse and there is open burning of waste everywhere. The results reveal whether the public are aware of the health implications on indiscriminative refuse dump in the environment. It also shows why governmental efforts may not be enough in solving environmental problem and why individuals must be involved.

Government at all levels is involved in refuse disposal. Local, State and Federal governments each control a specific part of the process. Refuse disposal is generally seen as a municipal responsibility because of the landfill and recycling components. Though this obligation is more or less moral or attitudinal in outlook, but a clean environment will impact positively on Eruwa’s socio economic wellbeing of the citizens.

The information will go a long way in helping the teachers, environmental educators and health educators will also benefit from the study in such a way that it would help them to emphasize the link between good health and clean environment. A workable solid sanitation strategy for Eruwa metropolis becomes dependent on a long team strategy for all citizens.

1.6       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is delimited to the techniques of managing an environment and its sustainability, the study intends to investigate the people’s inability to maintain a sanitarily clean environment and to emphasize the link between good health and clean environment. The study covers some known dirty areas and dumping sites like, which included: The Akolu hills, Oke-Ola dumping site, and some other vicinities around the community.