Human beings are at the center of concern for sustainable development.
They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. Women have an essential role to play in the development of sustainable and ecologically sound consumption and production patterns, and approaches to natural resource management, as was recognized at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and the International Conference on Population and Development as reflected throughout Agenda 21. Awareness of resource depletion, the degradation of natural systems and the dangers of polluting substances increased markedly in the past decade. These worsening conditions are destroying fragile ecosystems, and displacing communities, especially women, from productive activities and are an increasing threat to a safe and healthy environment. Rising sea levels as a result of global warming causes a grave and immediate threat to people living on island countries and coastal areas.