Hampshire will take its place on the world stage next year by holding a major international environmental conference which will feed into Earth Summit III in 2002.

‘Down to Earth’ will attract up to 400 international delegates and is being organised by Project Integra, a joint initiative between the county, district and unitary authorities of Hampshire and the private waste contractor Hampshire Waste Services, which are part of Onyx Aurora.

Its theme will be sustainable consumption - the balance between encouraging economic growth while at the same time preserving the earth’s resources and environment. Down to Earth, supported by the UNED-UK and Hampshire County Council, will be focused in Southampton next September, but other events will be held throughout Hampshire.

The main sponsor is the integrated waste management company Onyx Aurora. Key note speakers will include representatives from government and business leaders throughout the world. Over three days, Down to Earth will provide a unique forum for the exchange of ideas and know-how, together with a showcase for innovations and best practise.

"The need to change patterns of consumption in all its forms is becoming critical," says Derek Osborn, chairman of UNED-UK and co-chair of Earth Summit II, who adds, "It will be one of the main issues facing the international community in the next decade and beyond.

"At its heart though, lies the fundamental dilemma of governments, industry and commerce, indeed society as a whole. While consumers are being persuaded to buy more and more, resources are being depleted at one end of the consumer chain - and the amount of waste being created at the other is threatening to suffocate us under its ever-increasing weight."

Keith Riley, of sponsors Onyx Aurora went on: "We believe that a move from waste management to resource management is essential if mankind is to create a more sustainable future and reduce the impact of consumption on the world’s environment. This will inevitably mean moving to a whole new way of managing our waste. The Down to Earth Conference will help this by considering waste among the many subjects it will cover."

Councillor Alex Varden, Chairman of Hampshire County Council’s Public Protection Committee said: "The event will be as interactive as possible to enable us to learn from each other. It’s become obvious to us all locally that residents of Hampshire want to engage in discussion about consumerism, and almost by definition, it will be of immense value to forecast the way society will live in the next 20 - 30 years.

"In local government we don’t generally engage in that level of debate but I believe it has now become a necessity. The Down to Earth conference is a natural progression to the work we have pioneered in Hampshire and an important aspect is that we are seeking some real action at the level below the government discussions that take place at the formal UN conferences. It will provide a real and rare chance to make a difference. I believe it should be seized with both hands."