Attitudes toward Environmental Democracy among Urban Communities

Abstract

With global warming and climate change, the demands for food and water have challenged governments and civil societies. In environmental democracy, governments' transparent processes will see positive citizen-centric developments. Through quantitative research design 384 questionnaires were administered to residents in Johor Bharu, Johor, Malaysia. The findings revealed significant, positive attitude towards environmental democracy. From the three variables, community knowledge is rated the most influential predictor towards environmental democracy. The implication from this study showed that the communities are concerned with environmental issues in the district as participation and volunteerism will ensure the wellbeing of their flora and fauna.

Compliance to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations by a Gold Mining Company in Zaka District, Zimbabwe - A Travesty or Tribute to Environmental Democracy and Justice

“…Local residents had to resort to and invoke the spiritual realm to permeate 'spiritual justice' on the proponent who wanted to exploit gold without informing and involving them in environmental decision-making. Sentiments shared by local people are contrary to views by Hashim et al (2016) that access to justice avails the mechanisms by which the public can ventilate for solutions and seek judicial review when access rights are denied or piecemeal. It will not be an exaggeration to conclude that local residents were forced to invoke vengeance of the 'living dead' on proponent because they had not been informed of their right to appeal and institutions of appeal.…”

“…Environmental democracy advocates for comprehensive public participation to ensure decisions on environmental issues or projects that affect the broader environment adequately capture citizens' interests (Hashim, Ristak and Laili 2016). Fritsch (2015) calls for the public to participate before environmental decisions are made and challenge environmental decision-making that disregard human rights or harm the ecosystems they are dependent on.…”

In Search of Home Sweet Home: Between theory and reality

“…Hashim et al (2016) comment that having strong legislation alone is insufficient as it does not always guarantee that the laws and standards are upheld in practice. First of all, compensation is only available in the case of latent defect, whereas patent defect is not covered.…”