Precis on the Johannesburg Declaration

The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development was drafted at the United Nations’ World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. The declaration reaffirms previous documentation on sustainable development and promotes new ideas concerning development for both the rich and poor nations of the globe. Basically, this document argues that humanity must unite to confront the environmental problems we face. We must work together to develop sustainably so we do not harm the needs of future generations because of our current wants.
This declaration is written with the input of most nations of the world, and is addressed to the same audience. While I feel the declaration is directed towards various world governments and NGOs working in the environmental field, this document applies to all citizens of the world, myself included. It outlines the importance of sustainable developmental and the steps towards building a sustainable world. By viewing this document as applicable to all world citizens, then the ideas it promotes are scaled much smaller than otherwise intended. In this regard, nations can still promote these policies through legislative means on a grand scale, and individuals can enact change in their own lives to protect their future generations. By reading it this way, individuals will realize the interconnectedness of the globe and how our individual actions affect those around the world.
This piece heavily builds upon previously documents produced by the United Nations. It calls upon the UN previous definitions of sustainable development, and also adds to the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. While it does refer to these previous documents, the piece does not raise a defense against possible objections. The language of the declaration is vague and general, so I cannot foresee many objections that would be raised by the audience to which it appeals.
This document addresses the problems of a growing world and its impact on lesser developed countries. These countries bear the brunt of development’s environmental impacts, and only add to environmental problems when they begin to develop. With these facts, the document states its thesis through various opening points which boil down to one central argument that the global society must work together to spur development of the poor while eradicating environmental harm. The Johannesburg Declaration argues that the world must make changes now to protect future generations. The developed world must aid the developing world, so they can grow sustainably without further harm to the environment. By making such an argument, the Declaration tries to alter current opinions about sustainable development. It encourages wealthy nations to aid nations so they do not resort to cheaper, less efficient sources of development. It hopes to compromise the growth of the developing world with the environmental goals of wealthier nations.
These arguments depend on certain assumptions about the state of the world. This document requires the reader to assume that much of the world is living in poverty, and this impoverished world is in need of development. Yet, as they develop, they will add to the problem of ecological degradation. Thus it is the duty of the developed countries to aid the developing so they can both lift themselves out of poverty and not contribute to environmental problems. While I think these are all valid assumptions, I think the document must do more to strengthen these arguments. It must clearly state what is at stake for the developed countries as LDCs begin to develop, giving credence to the idea that developed countries must assist them so they can develop sustainably. Developed and developing countries may find fault with the ideas presented here. These countries will bear a great cost if the resolutions presented here are enacted. The declaration makes no mention of cost or economic effects of the plan it outlines.
The Johannesburg Declaration hopes to bring awareness to the plight of developing countries while encouraging the growth and development of these countries. It uses no metaphoric or figurative language, and instead relies on literal language so it clearly outlines its goals. This is a document that will be reproduced in various languages (or was possibly translated from another language) so any figurative language would be lost. Despite this lack of creative writing, the Johannesburg Declaration still informs the reader of the stakes of global development and promotes forms of sustainable development with particular attention to poor countries.