COMMENTARY
MILT THOMAS
Agenda 21! Agenda 21! Some people relate the “horrors” and “tyranny” of Agenda 21 as if it is the next Bubonic Plague. But in reality, it is more akin to Chicken Little’s cries of a falling sky.
A sampling of people in our community who seem to be passionate about the evils of Agenda 21 are also basing their fears on Glen Beck’s novel, Agenda 21, which is today’s version of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. Of course, 1984 has come and gone as will Beck’s novel. The most concerning aspect of this argument is that more than a few people have never read the actual Agenda 21 (the UN document, not Beck’s).
So here it is in a nutshell:
The “21” in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st century. It was created at a UN conference on environment and development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. (Coincidentally, those are two subjects of great importance to most citizens of Indian River County and Vero Beach.) The resulting 300-page report from that conference contained four sections on future sustainable development: Social and Economic (poverty, consumption patterns, health, population); Conservation and Management of Resources (atmosphere, deforestation, protecting fragile environments and biodiversity, pollution, hazardous wastes); Strengthening the Role of Major Groups (children, women, NGOs, local authorities, business and industry, indigenous peoples and farmers); and finally, Means of Implementation (science, technology transfer, international institutions, financial mechanisms).
Now before going ballistic over some of those issues, you should know that it recommends action at every level of government, and the final agreement was signed by 178 heads of state, including President George H.W. Bush. You should also know that Agenda 21 is a legally non-binding statement of intent and not a treaty, nor is it a law as defined under Article Six of the United States Constitution. It is simply a roadmap to a better future for everyone. Even the conservative Heritage Foundation, while critical of Agenda 21, confirms its voluntary and non-binding nature. It is not a U.N. takeover as some have insisted.
Agenda 21 is primarily concerned with sustainability. So are the citizens of Indian River County. That’s why the health of the Indian River Lagoon is so important, why we protect green space and why we want to preserve our cherished quality of life. All of those concerns, and our ability as humans to sustain them for our children and grandchildren, are the same concerns shared by the 178 signatories to Agenda 21.
The primary impetus for sustainability comes from local government and citizens. But sometimes we have to work with our neighbors to achieve it. For instance, the Indian River Lagoon cannot be saved by Indian River County alone. It requires cooperation from our neighboring counties who share the lagoon with us. Working together in common non-profit organizations like the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council provides an environment of cooperation. It is not another layer of government by unelected officials. It is a voluntary, cooperative body formed in 1976 that shares common interests and concerns. It is not a tool of Agenda 21 to take away our property rights.
Those who are opposed to Agenda 21 also see it as an attempt to create a world government and centralized planning agency intruding on all areas of our lives. No, it is voluntary and non-binding, which means it cannot take supremacy over U.S. law. And just because people or organizations feel the goals contained in Agenda 21 are worth pursuing, does not make them communists, socialists or anti-American. Scientists and others who feel we need to do a better job of managing our natural resources are not conspirators. Most people agree we can do better.
The International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) is not a tool of the United Nations, nor is it a “land grab” or “horrendous threat to our Constitution” as some have defined it. Basically, if a community or local government wishes to design a sustainability initiative, the ICLEI provides ways to achieve it.
There was a time when many people did not believe smoking caused cancer in spite of the scientific evidence. Some considered campaigns against smoking as government intrusion in our lives and our freedom. I assume most people look back at that today and just shake their heads.
There was a time right here in Vero Beach when people concerned with pollution of the Indian River were called environmentalists with a sneer, or worst, “tree huggers.” I assume now everyone is an environmentalist when it comes to our Indian River.
Some day, when our children and grandchildren consider sustainability a concern in all human endeavors, they will look back with amusement at those who thought the sky was falling.
Indian River Guardian 
I would be very leery of accepting anything that originated in the UN as being consistent with the goals, policies and best interests of the United States.
Thank you Milt for this factual summary of Agenda 21 which is going to be so critical to maintaining the quality of life in the 21st century. Sadly, it has been my experience that the small minority who are opposed to Agenda 21 have a false understanding of a logic planning process that is so essential in the 21st century.
The minority who have formed a group to “protect property rights” are doing nothing more than wasting time, money and energy. In actuality, their efforts are counter productive because the quality of life and property is enhanced and protected by participation in Agenda 21.
I do disagree, however, with Milt’s summary assessment that the next generation will look back “with amusement.” If the naysayers prevail, the next generation will look back in horror and will be angry that we allowed a very small minority to prevent us from working for the good of the community.
Anything? You’re painting with a rather broad brush, aren’t you?
Great article, Milt. I’m so glad you wrote about this because there are several people in our community whose paranoia about Agenda 21 is stifling our ability to work on important local issues. I was rendered speechless when a few women at a city council meeting last year called our desire to finally deal with the Twin Pairs as an Agenda 21 intrusion. We’ve been talking about this for years, before anyone knew about this initiative! A comment proffered by an outspoken resident:”Vero Beach will gain no benefit as our streets are narrowed to allow for clusters of low-income stack-and-pack high rises to convert our city into a high-density, mass-transit population. The ultimate scheme was to tax single family homes to the extreme to force homeowners into futuristic living without fossil fuel, cars or private property rights.” If this doesn’t sound paranoid, I don’t know what does! Great comments by Pat Lavins, too. I definitely agree with her last sentence.
Excellent article, Mr. Thomas! It is my hope that the majority of people will wake up to the fact they can no longer sit idly by while others decide their fate. We expect our leaders to do just that, but it is irrational to expect THEM to do all the work. We can each contribute in even small ways, whether a letter, participating in a rally – whatever it might be. We’ve been given a glorious green and blue planet to use – not abuse. It seems we often expect more from campers – leave the campsite with as few human “footprints” as possible – than we do of everyone who fertilizes, throws garbage into streams, boats, burns old tires, dumps used oil or chemicals into canals. We have to start somewhere doing something before it’s too late.
Well, you lefties will agree to about anything that supports big government. Milt, your buddy Duaney
said ” Fascism is efficient” and is willing to shut out the public from the Seven 50 meetings. How’s that for representation? The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council is not bad in itself but it’s been high jacked by HUD, EPA and DOT through seven/50.
Vicki, whether you like it or not there is a plan to do exactly what was said at the city council meeting. It’s in black and white, so I’d suggest that you just stick your head back in the sand.
Welcome All Aboard Florida, that’s a Seven 50 project.
I don’t favor the change to the twin pairs and believe that the downtown businesses should improve their own interests,and build a better nest egg, however they can, to attract buyers without inconveniencing the public any further. I happen to be an art enthusiast and have no difficulty parking or traversing the sidewalks.
Interesting that from the beginning of the founding of this nation it has prospered and become Great. The BEST! And, I think it will continue, free enterprise and capitalism have done us proud.
Let me remind YOU naysayers, that Seven/50 has been ousted by IRC, Vero Beach, St. Lucie County ,St. Lucie, Martin County, Indian River Shores, the town of Orchid, Boca Raton. That’s far from a small minority Pat Lavins or a few women Vicky. It’s Democracy at work!
God bless the USA!
I rest my case.
Susan Mehiel
Also, you should know that Maurice Strong, Leader of the UN’s 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where Agenda 21 was glorified, was front and center in Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent remarks on the threat of global warming. Wall Street Journal Article “Climate Prophets and Profiteers”, February 18, 2014
Profits and control – the true meaning of Agenda 21