January 2011: The January issue of DESA News features an article titled “Reviving the Rio Spirit.”

The article in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) newsletter reviews ways in which sustainable development efforts to fulfill the goal of ensuring a healthy planet “by drastically changing our attitudes and behaviours” particularly in consumption and production patterns have fallen short. It notes the need to revive the enthusiasm and spirit experienced at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the 1992 Earth Summit, and suggests that the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) “will be the perfect place to renew commitments and prepare for new and emerging challenges.” To do this, the article says, there is a need for broad participation from all key stakeholders during the preparatory process and at the conference. [DESA News]