The
Role of NGOs in Combating Environmental Issues
Introduction
Environmental issues
have become one of the main components in international relations. Along with
its development, environmental issues continue to be an issue that is always
actual and a topic of great concern given the number of environments whose
conditions are worsening due to rapid industrialization around the world such
as decreasing natural resources, increasing pollution, poverty, and
increasingly extreme climate change. Even though cleanliness and environmental
health are very important for the survival of the community because it is a
place where people carry out their lives. When the environment is dirty,
unhealthy, or polluted, the people who live there will be infected with diseases
that can cause death. In addition, the current unbalanced environmental
composition where the expansion of the industrial estate is not matched by the
expansion and maintenance of green areas causes extreme climate change which is
very threatening to people's lives. The environmental issues are also
considered as complex issue because the environment involves various
interrelated elements where changes in one element will affect other elements
Considering the importance of
environmental hygiene and health, the complexity of environmental issues
themselves, and in order to anticipate the increasingly widespread
counterproductive impact on the environment, all parties in all countries in
the world, ranging from governments, activists, community organizations or
institutions, as well as the community itself, wish to preserving the
environment from deterioration in function which always threatens the life of
the present and the future. However, this is not an easy thing to do. Moreover,
there are still many people who do not have the awareness and willingness to
protect their surrounding environment. Therefore, collaboration between parties
is needed to overcome this. One of them is by collaborating with non-government
organizations or community organizations. This is because the two organizations
are organizations that represent the community and are closest to the community.
Moreover, the ability of NGOs to provide an independent perspective is very important
to build trust and help effect changes in behavior or culture in the community.
Participation and involvement of NGOs in
government is also growing, where NGOs can influence the formation and
formulation of policies. Therefore, participation and involvement of NGOs in
combating environmental issues is urgently needed, not only helping to overcome
gaps by conducting research to facilitate policy development, but also building
institutional capacity and facilitating independent dialogue with civil society
to motivate and help communities lead more sustainable lifestyles and does not
damage the environment
Analysis
In dealing with environmental
issues, the government is not a major player in any negotiation process. They
are also not the only influential groups, but non-governmental organizations
also play an active role in determining the government's opinion through
various lobbies and policy recommendations that they compile from credible studies.
This is because the government cannot reach all the people directly. Likewise,
not all environmental conservation and protection activities can be carried out
by the government. Moreover, policies, actions and regulations made by the
government also sometimes still have many gaps or shortcomings. Therefore, they
need partners to help formulate and implement policies and participate in the
development of the country so that their implementation is effective and in
accordance with the needs and desires of the community