As citizens of planet Earth, we do not have a good history of managing our environment well. We have taken our resources for granted and have often abused the resources, which we inherited. It's time to take responsibility and to take action. Environmental citizens must become better informed and get involved. Individuals, communities, organisations and governments must think about the environmental rights and responsibilities we all have as residents of planet Earth.
Individual efforts taken together can be powerful forces for environmental change.
Environmental citizenship involves learning as well as action. It takes understanding, not just awareness and concern. Only citizens who are informed about the environment and committed to protecting it will be able to make the decisions that show we care about a healthy environment, and that we care about keeping it that way. Many Canadians have already put their concern about the environment into action. Recycling is a good example.