Defining IEM

What is ‘IEM’?

So how do we define Integrated Environmental Management (IEM)? To have an initial understanding of what IEM stands for I consulted the internet and some books to look for the meaning of these three magical words that comprises IEM: integrated, environment, and management. Integration (v. integrated) is defined as a process of combining, coordinating, organizing or structuring separate parts or elements so that they work together or provide harmonious, interrelated whole. Environment is the influences and resources in a system, the sum total of our surroundings. It includes both all the biotic (living things) and abiotic (nonliving things) factors with which human interact. Management means the act of coordinating efforts to accomplish the desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively. It comprises planning, organizing, staffing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization or effort for the purpose of accomplishing a goal. I defined IEM therefore as the process or act of coordinating efforts to combine, organize and structure separate parts or elements of the sum total of our surroundings with which human interacts so that they could harmoniously work together as a whole.

Do I get the meaning of IEM right? Well, for comparison purposes, let us look on to the most popular meanings of IEM that have been brought through various literatures:

1.“IEM is a proactive or preventive measures that maintain the environment in good condition for a variety of long-range sustainable uses” (Cairns and Crawford, 1991);

2. “A process of formulating and implementing a course of action involving natural and human resources in an ecosystem, taking into account the social, political, economic, and institutional factors operating within an ecosystem in order to achieve specific societal objectives” (Dixon and Easter, 1986 as cited by Margerum and Born, 1995);

3.     “A more comprehensive or inclusive approach that takes into account the scope and scale of environmental and human issues and their interconnections” (Margerum and Born, 1995);

4. “An approach to the management of the environment that takes into account its complex, multi-facetted, and interconnected nature” (Buhr, 1995)

Presto! My definition is not that bad at all don’t you think so? However, these definitions somewhat constrained us that IEM will entail a lot of work and resources (now am perspiring!). The word complex, multi-facetted and interconnected indeed raises questions of space, scale, scope, boundaries, linkages, and interdependence between and among all key elements that will possibly has an influence and impact to the environment. Who will be deciding on these matters? What model will perfectly reflect on these issues? And how about addressing the social, political, economic and institutional considerations of IEM? Moreover, what do human have to do with all of these? We could just discussed much today. I don't want to bore you in reading a very long article. But first, help me in enriching the meaning of IEM. What is your own meaning of IEM and how do you understand it? Please feel free to react and interact with me. Help me construct a better meaning for IEM. I will patiently wait for your comments. Cheers!

References

Buhrs, Ton (1995). Integrated Environmental Management: Towards a Framework for Application. Environmental Management and Design Division. Lincoln University. New Zealand.

Cairns, John Jr. and Crawford, Todd V., Ed. (1991). Integrated Environmental Management. Chelsea, MI, Lewis Publishers.

Margerum, Richard D. and Born, Stephen M. (1995). Integrated Environmental Management: Improving the Practice in Wisconsin. Department of Urban and Regional Planning. University of Wisconsin.