The Environment
2002
Stop Passing the Buck to Business (December 15, 2002)
Despite broad consensus on the urgent need for sustainable development, the current UK government seems to shrink from the idea of corporate regulation more than any previous administration. However, without regulation, corporations have little incentive not to externalize costs onto the environment. (Observer)
Growing Poverty Is Shrinking Mexico's Rain Forest (December 8, 2002)
In Mexico's southeastern Chiapas State, some people's only means to avoid starvation involves cutting down patches of rainforest to plant food. Ecologists want to preserve the Chiapas forest, but for the desperately poor people who live there, "the issue is turning from saving the trees to saving the people." (New York Times)
Cameroon Under Threat (December, 2002)
An awareness of humans' relationship with nature runs deep through traditional African values, argues Cameroon's Environmental Defense Party president. Today, as foreign timber and oil companies tear apart Cameroon's natural ecology, Cameroon must return to abandoned traditional values and challenge a political system that benefits the elite at the expense of the environment. (Le Monde Diplomatique)
Saved, or Ruined, by 'White Gold' (November 27, 2002)
The expensive, corruption-ridden Lesotho Highlands Water Project has already caused massive environmental damage and human displacement in Lesotho, but it represents a crucial source of money and jobs for the small landlocked country. "Dams bring progress," argues one Lesotho farmer, "and we want progress." (Washington Post)
Environmental Cost Of Asia's Development (November 26, 2002)
The Asian Development Bank warns that environmental degradation caused by economic growth in Asia is "pervasive, accelerating and largely unabated," endangering resources necessary for long-term economic development. (Asia Times)
Texas Firms Line Up US Aid in Peru (November 20, 2002)
Two Texas oil companies with strong ties to the White House, Halliburton Co. and Hunt Oil Co., are pursuing an environmentally destructive oil pipeline project that would cut through the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. US support for the project would expose oil companies' relentless political pull in Washington. (Washington Post)
Big Development Projects Need Cultural Impact Assessments (November 18, 2002)
Klaus Toepfer, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, argues that development projects should undergo strict evaluations for their impact on indigenous peoples. The UNEP finds a strong link between the loss of language and cultural diversity in indigenous communities and the loss of biodiversity.
World Bank Continues to Back Polluting Incinerators (November 11, 2002)
The World Bank recently set up a multi-million dollar fund to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, yet it continues to fund projects that include toxin-emitting waste incinerators. Monica Williams of Essential Action says, "''They are either willfully deceiving people, or simply, their right hand does not know what the left is doing." (Inter Press Service)
Citigroup Under Fire for Lack of Environmental Standards (November 6, 2002)
Students and activists in the United States marked November 6 as a "Day of Action" against Citigroup for "quietly us[ing] its customers' money to fund the most environmentally destructive logging, mining and fossil fuel projects in the world, laying waste endangered forests and driving the global warming crisis." (Rainforest Action Network)
Saving the Environment: How Canada Can Abolish Poverty and Unemployment, Even in a No-Growth Economy (October 23, 2002)
Global economic growth, if sustained at its current rate, will inevitably lead to environmental disaster. This Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives report presents a model for sustainable development and poverty alleviation that doesn't rely on economic growth.
Looming Water Crisis Threatens Food Supplies (October 16, 2002)
A report released on World Food Day 2002 warns that increased competition for irrigation water, if unchecked, will lead to a food crisis. The lead author of the report calls for changes in water policy, warning, "Water is not like oil. There is no substitute." (Environment News Service)
Sustainability in the Fishing Industry (October 3, 2002)
Large foreign trawlers have seriously depleted fish stocks and left environmental damage off the coast of Pakistan, threatening the survival of small-scale Pakistani fishermen. The government of Pakistan lifted the ban on deep-sea trawlers this year due to financial pressures. (UN Integrated Regional Integration Networks)
Worldwide Toxic Chemicals Ban Agreed (August 30, 2002)
Delegations at the World Summit agree on banning the use and production of toxic chemicals, hazardous to human health and the environment, by 2020. The agreement, so far the only one, was reached after a U-turn by the US. (Times)
Annan Identifies Five Key Areas for World Development Summit (May 15, 2002)
The World Summit on Sustainable Development must focus on water and sanitation, energy, health, agriculture, and biodiversity, according to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Achieving concrete results in these five areas remains crucial to the quest for environmentally-sustainable development. (Business Day)
Indonesia's Biodiversity Will Be Gone in 30 Years (May 9, 2002)
Indonesia, one of the most biologically diverse countries, faces a serious danger of losing its tropical forests within a few decades. Many of Indonesia's endangered species will (or have) become extinct due to deforestation and pharmaceutical companies dissecting tropical plants. (Jakarta Post)
Enron Pipeline Leaves Scar on South America (May 6, 2002)
Enron built a natural-gas pipeline through one of South America's only undeveloped dry tropical forests, where endangered plants and wildlife live. Shockingly, the Overseas Private Investment Corp, a US agency responsible for protecting such forests, approved the environmentally-damaging project. (Washington Post)
Water 'Key to Ending Africa's Poverty' (April 10, 2002)
A recent Dutch report to the UN stresses that economic development cannot succeed without safe, sanitized water. Last century, the world population tripled but water consumption increased six-fold. (BBC Online)
Ghanaians Contest Bank-Backed Water Privatization (March/April 2002)
Many Ghanaian organizations are fighting the World Bank's water privatization package. Such measures will make water too expensive for poor people and will actually benefit foreign companies more than Ghana's citizens. (Bretton Woods Project)
Piles of Poisons in Mexico (March 22, 2002)
The NAFTA agreement has been called a relatively "green" treaty, as it incorporates environmental protection clauses. However, since 1994 Mexico's hazardous waste imports have doubled, a problem compounded by the waste-producing maquiladora factories. Environmental diversity, water quality and the health of the Mexican people are all under threat. (WTO Watch)
What's the Price of Life? (January/February 2002)
In this abstract, the authors contend that cost-benefit analysis almost always oversimplifies and fails to calculate long-term effects. Comparing financial data is an inadequate tool for putting a price on human life and health. Superior regulatory alternatives are available. (Georgetown Environmental Law and Policy Institute)
Back to Current Articles | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1995 - 1996
2001
NAFTA, the Environment and Corporate Compensation (October 15, 2001)
A compensation clause in NAFTA undermines environmental regulation to protect citizens' health. US conservatives lobby for further inclusion in US law and FTAA talks. Claiming loss of future profits, companies achieve unprecedented leverage over legislation and can seek its repeal or be compensated with taxpayers' money.(The Nation)
State of the World's Forests 2001(October 3, 2001)
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns of fast-paced deforestation, mainly in Africa and South America. The report stresses the importance of eliminating forest crime and corruption which, in some cases, are allegedly related to trade liberalization and globalization. (FAO)
Loggers Try to Demonise Environmental Groups as 'Terrorists' (July 25, 2001)
Inspired by their powerful new friends in the White House, some lumber and mining companies have launched an attack against grassroots environmental activists. However, instead of silencing the activists, a classic corporate PR maneuver of "shooting the messenger" only served to highlight the issue further. (Independent)
Anger at Plea for Dam Funds (July 12, 2001)
The British government's plan to support a second highly controversial dam project in Turkey provoked a storm of protests from environmentalists and human rights campaigners. The construction of the dam will threaten to evict up to 15,000 people from their homes. (Guardian)
Pollution is Next Threat to Whale Population (July 10, 2001)
The World Wildlife Fund reported that ever-worsening pollution is endangering the survival of the world's great whales. (Ananova)
Privatisation of Water Not "Pro-Poor", NGOs Warn (June/July, 2001)
World Bank and IMF water-privatization initiatives in Ghana have caused disquiet among NGOs. The Bretton Woods Project raises concerns about the effects of water privatization in developing countries.
Water in Public Hands (June 2001)
Public Services International discusses the disadvantages of water privatization, which has become a common feature of World Bank and IMF policies in the developing world. Water should remain a public good, not a prisoner to market forces. (Public Services International)
Kyoto Dispute Clouds Triumph on Chemicals (May 23, 2001)
Delegates from 127 countries have adopted a global treaty banning 12 highly toxic chemicals, but the tension between the US and Europe over the Kyoto treaty still remains. (International Herald Tribune)
Poor Countries - the North's Radioactive Dump (May 7, 2001)
The world's rich countries are dumping thousands of tones of radioactive waste in the developing South. This constitutes a business of gigantic proportions, amounting to more than seven billion dollars a year in Italy alone. (Inter-Press Service)
Why Don't We All Just Cut the Crap Right Now (May 2001)
In this letter, Michael Moore points out that the differences between the Clinton- and the Bush administrations' environmental policies are in fact very small. (Z Magazine)
An Unrepentant Nader Sees a Positive Side of Bush Policy (April 23, 2001)
Perhaps the US needed a president like George W Bush to raise awareness of environmental issues. Ralph Nader points out that ever since Bush rolled back environment friendly regulations, the general concern for the environment has intensified. (New York Times)
2000
NAFTA, the Environment and Corporate Compensation (October 15, 2001)
A compensation clause in NAFTA undermines environmental regulation to protect citizens' health. US conservatives lobby for further inclusion in US law and FTAA talks. Claiming loss of future profits, companies achieve unprecedented leverage over legislation and can seek its repeal or be compensated with taxpayers' money.(The Nation)
Government, IUCN, UNDP to Launch 'Debt for Nature Swap' (October 10, 2000)
Jordan is taking part in a unique initiative whereby sound environmental policies are counted as repayment of external debt, sponsored by a UN agency. But success depends on the willingness of creditor countries to sponsor the program. (Jordan Times)
Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific 2000 (August 31 – September 5, 2000)
This conference is organized by UNESCAP and held in Kitakyushu City, Japan. It will review the progress of a sustainable development program which was adopted at the last conference in 1995.
Mexico Ordered to Pay US Company 17 Million Dollars (August 31, 2000)
In a case from the NAFTA arbitration tribunal, Mexico has to pay damages to Metalclad Corp. The US-based company was denied permission to operate a hazardous waste disposal site in central Mexico. Commentators are worried that environmental protection is increasingly seen as a trade issue. (Inter Press Service)
UN Takes The High Ground, in Protecting Mountains (August 18, 2000)
2002 is the International Year of Mountains. Boring? Not so, says the FAO: mountains are important parts of the natural environment and provide humanity with large amounts of fresh water. (Earth Times News Service)
China's Taiyuan Works With UN Environmental Program to Promote Clean Production
(July 26, 2000)
Clean production is the main goal in China's city of Taiyuan, the first city designated to cooperate with the UN Environmental Program to save the environment. (Xinhua)
In the 'Greened' World, It Isn't Easy to Be Human (July 15, 2000)
Some anthropologists criticize protecting the environment, claiming that it is often at the expense of indigenous peoples. (New York Times)
France to Propose World Environment Organisation (June 26, 2000)
France proposes the creation of a new international organization to ensure respect for international commitments on the environment. The new organization would also address the global imbalances of placing too much focus on trade. (Reuters)
United Nations to Stage New Earth Summit in 2002 (May 9, 2000)
Despite admitting the need for another world summit on environment and development, the US refuses to fund any new global conferences as its general policy. But a US official underscores the financial contribution of the US to contribute $700,000 on the UN Forum on Forests. (Environment News Service)
New Report Reveals Widespread Decline in World's Ecosystems (April 18, 2000)
A preliminary report, jointly issued by the UN Environmental Program and other international organizations, warns that there will be devastating implications on human welfare and development. The report shows how sustainability, rather than exploitation of resources, is in the best interests of all mankind.(UNEP News Release)
Deformed Frogs Raise Alarm (April 17, 2000)
A study revealing widespread abnormalities in frogs sheds light on the current health of the world's ecosystems and the creatures, such as the amphibians, that are in danger. (United Press International)
Growing Resource Demand Threatens World's Environment, Report Warns (April 16, 2000)
A World Resources Institute report based on a two-year study by over 197 scientists shows a broad decline of the world's ecosystems which could have devastating implications on human development. These findings will be presented to the UN General Assembly in September and will be key in deciding whether the UN directs a broader study on the state of the world's environmental well-being. (Associated Press)
200 Groups Call on World Bank to Phase Out Destructive Oil, Gas, and Mining Projects (April 10, 2000)
In a campaign to persuade the World Bank to eliminate its oil, gas, and mining projests, Friends of the Earth, OilWatch Africa, Greenpeace International, and environmental groups from Africa, Asia and Latin America prepared a platform highlighting the 10 most harmful impacts of these projests.
1999
NAFTA, the Environment and Corporate Compensation (October 15, 2001)
A compensation clause in NAFTA undermines environmental regulation to protect citizens' health. US conservatives lobby for further inclusion in US law and FTAA talks. Claiming loss of future profits, companies achieve unprecedented leverage over legislation and can seek its repeal or be compensated with taxpayers' money.(The Nation)
Beware, the Water All of Us Need Is Running Out (October 13, 1999)
"If the world stays on the current population trajectory, a growing share of humanity may simply lack the water needed for a decent life." (International Herald Tribune)
EU Sets Out Stall for New World Trade Talks (July 8, 1999)
ENDS article on the European Commission's statement to make sustainable development the "central benchmark" of the millennium round WTO talks.
Greens Fight Zero Tariff on Forest Products (June 29, 1999)
Seattle Post-Intelligence Reporter article on environmental groups' protests against the WTO's proposal to reduce tariffs on forest products to zero, claiming that the de-regulation will destroy rainforests.
EU Commission Urges Rapid Action on Climate Change (May 20, 1999)
Reuters article on the efforts of the EU to meet their Kyoto targets in greenhouse gas emissions, facing criticism from the US for focusing on energy taxes rather than tradable permits.
Larry Summers' War Against the Earth (1999)
Article including a leaked memo regarding the international trade in waste from Mr. Summers, former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Dept., and President Clinton's nominee to replace Mr. Robert Rubin, as US Treasury Secretary. From Common Dreams News Center.
Brazil's Bail-Out is a Time Bomb (March 18, 1999)
Devastating social and ecological consequences of austerity measures imposed after financial crisis.
Environmental Bad Guys (March 4, 1999)
Article by Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman which discusses environmental polluting. They contend that citizen organizing is the most effective means of combating environmentally irresponsible corporations.
Governments Agree to Increased Budget and Organizational Reform for UNEP (February 5, 1999)
A hopeful signal that UNEP will continue to be the "guardian of the global environment", after years of cuts and demoralization in the organization.
$60 Million for the Global Environmental Voice - Is This Too Much to Ask For? (February 1, 1999)
Executive Director Delivers Opening Address to 20th session of UNEP's Governing Council.
Negotiations Underway on Global Treaty to Combat Persistant Organic Pollutants (January 25, 1999)
A UNEP press release covering the second round in the process towards an international convention to ban POPs like DDT and PCPs.
State of the World 1999 (January 16, 1999)
A press release from Worldwatch linking to its comprehensive annual report on the threats and opportunities concerning the global environment.
1998
NAFTA, the Environment and Corporate Compensation (October 15, 2001)
A compensation clause in NAFTA undermines environmental regulation to protect citizens' health. US conservatives lobby for further inclusion in US law and FTAA talks. Claiming loss of future profits, companies achieve unprecedented leverage over legislation and can seek its repeal or be compensated with taxpayers' money.(The Nation)
Independent World Commission on the Oceans
On this web site is an interesting report of the commission chaired by Mario Soares: The Ocean...Our Future.
Brazil Government Declares 10 Year Moratorium on Environmental Law Enforcement (August 13, 1998)
Steve Schwartzman on the backslash in Brazilian environmental law.
Environment Bulletin-United Nations: New Study Advocates Union of UNDP, UNEP and Others (June 27, 1998)
A new study by the Development and Peace Foundation (SEF) has proposed the establishment of a World Environment and Development Organisation.
UN Environment Body Says it Needs Broader Powers (June 4, 1998)
Article by Nick Edwards on what UNEP needs to deal with major environmental issues.
To Prevent Shortage, Water Can't Be Free, Nations Agree (March 22, 1998)
At a United Nations conference, 84 countries agree that water must be treated as a commodity and not as an essential staple. But some NGOs protest, arguing against the logic that "if you haven't got any money, you will die of thirst."
1997
NAFTA, the Environment and Corporate Compensation (October 15, 2001)
A compensation clause in NAFTA undermines environmental regulation to protect citizens' health. US conservatives lobby for further inclusion in US law and FTAA talks. Claiming loss of future profits, companies achieve unprecedented leverage over legislation and can seek its repeal or be compensated with taxpayers' money.(The Nation)
"GEO-1" -- a report by the UN Environment Programme
UNEP's 1997 State of the Environment Report, put together in cooperation with a number of cooperating research centers. Includes 70 graphics and 30 tables
"GLOBAL SPIN: The Corporate Assault on Environmentalism" (October 1997)
Information on a new book by Sharon Beder. NAFTA and Environmental Laws: Ethyl Corp v. the Government of Canada (April 1997)
Important court case by a US company that challenges Canadian environmental laws and sues the Canadian government under the NAFTA trade agreement rules.
Important court case by a US company that challenges Canadian environmental laws and sues the Canadian government under the NAFTA trade agreement rules.
An Uncertain Future for the UN Environmental Programme (January 28, 1997)
Facing budget cuts and blocked initiatives, UNEP fights for survival in spite of worsening global environmental crisis.
1995 - 1996
NAFTA, the Environment and Corporate Compensation (October 15, 2001)
A compensation clause in NAFTA undermines environmental regulation to protect citizens' health. US conservatives lobby for further inclusion in US law and FTAA talks. Claiming loss of future profits, companies achieve unprecedented leverage over legislation and can seek its repeal or be compensated with taxpayers' money.(The Nation)
Advanced Weapons Programs and the Environment (November 5, 1996)
An article which examines several US military and energy programs in the context of environmental degradation while rasing questions of national boundaries and public understanding.
"The World Bank and Russian Oil" by Ellen Schmidt (June 1996)
A major policy paper from WEED of Germany, showing how the World Bank under Wolfensohn continues to grossly disregard the environment in its headlong race for privatization and profits.
Charter on Industrial Hazards and Human Rights
A substantial document issued in 1996 that outlines human rights claims to protect people from industrial pollution, toxic wastes, and the like. Inspired by tragedies like Bhopal and Chernobyl.
HAARP Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven's Door (Spring 1996)
A new research installation is beaming powerful radioactive energy into the upper atmosphere. Exploring conventional and exotic military uses of the air waves towards its goals.
