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FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LIFE ON EARTH "International Court of the Environment ...
Unfortunately, beyond statements of intent of many governments, I do not think that what is really marching.
Here it would involve a court in the predominantly civil law (but also criminal if applicable) to suppress international environmental damage, which are daily devastating and unpunished. What is currently non-existent. Just to give you an example. if a Ukrainian poisons a river and produces immense damage in other European countries, it is virtually impossible to pursue.
doing a search to see
if there had been similar initiatives as a response
the problem of territorial jurisdictions of the courts
in respect of damage to the environment,
following the issues discussed:
http://current.com/items/89094775_uranio_nei_fiumi
http://current.com/items/89101334_nuclear_no_border
http://current.com/items/89124049_before_planet_get_war...
http://espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/Sommersi-dai-ve...
I found this site
please help me in assessing the real potential
What do you think about it?
------------------------------ italian --------------------------------------------------
Purtroppo, al di là delle dichiarazioni d'intenti di tanti governi, non credo che la cosa stia realmente marciando.
Qui si tratterebbe di una giurisdizione in ambito prevalentemente civilistico (ma anche penale se del caso) internazionale per reprimere i danni ambientali, che sono quotidianamente devastanti e impuniti. La cosa attualmente è inesistente. Solo per fare un esempio. se un'industria ucraina avvelena un fiume e produce danni immensi in altri Paesi europei, è praticamente impossibile perseguirla.
facendo una ricerca per vedere
se vi fossero state delle iniziative simili in risposta alle esigenze che avvvertivo circa il problema delle competenze territoriali dei tribunali
in materia dei danni all' ambiente....
in seguito alle problematiche discusse in:
http://current.com/items/89094775_uranio_nei_fiumi
http://current.com/items/89101334_nuclear_no_border
http://current.com/items/89124049_before_planet_get_war...
http://espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/Sommersi-dai-ve...
ho trovato questo sito
per favore aiutatemi nel valutarne le effettive potenzialità
Cosa ne pensate a riguardo?
Unfortunately, beyond statements of intent of many governments, I do not think that what is really marching. ... more -
U.S.says Iran has missile that could hit Europe
"The Pentagon said on Tuesday that Iran has the ability to launch a ballistic missile capable of hitting sections of eastern and southern Europe.
Iran said last week it conducted two missile tests involving a number of weapons including what Iranian state television called a "new" Shahab-3 missile, a medium-range missile that could be used to strike Israel.
Tensions over Iran's missile arsenal and accusations from the United States and its allies that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons have roiled international financial markets with fears of a possible military confrontation."
But hey- last time we listened to our Intelligence they said Saddam had WMDs and look where we are now! What should we do? "The Pentagon said on Tuesday that Iran has the ability to launch a ballistic missile capable of hitting sections of eastern and south... more -
Climate Change could mean Global Political Instability
"Without curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, the volume of warming pollution worldwide could hit 42.3 billion metric tons per year by 2030—a 51 percent increase over present levels, according to a report released this week by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration. This gloomy, worst-case scenario also foresees oil prices of $186 per barrel and a world that consumes 50 percent more energy, mostly fossil fuels. Such a lack of action could also lead to global instability, according to a classified National Intelligence Assessment report (pdf) presented to Congress this week by the U.S.'s 16 intelligence agencies. The report concludes that climate change over the next two decades will contribute to political instability in Africa and Asia, due to changing rainfall patterns or an increase in extreme weather. The U.S. would remain relatively unaffected—other than some thawing in Alaska, water shortages in the Southwest and storm surges on the eastern and southern coasts. The U.S., however, may benefit from increased crop yields, although its military may be stretched dealing with global "humanitarian emergencies" (spawned by devastating natural disasters and regional conflicts)." "Without curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, the volume of warming pollution worldwide could hit 42.3 billion metric tons per year by 2... more
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Obama NASCAR driver sponsor
Apparently aiming for blue-collar white voters he had trouble attracting during the Democratic primary campaign, presidential candidate Barack Obama is reportedly in discussions to sponsor a driver in an upcoming NASCAR race.SportsIllustrated.com's Tom Bowles has the scoop on the first politician's foray into the fastest growing sport in the US.SI.com has learned that for the first time in history, a major presidential candidate may sponsor a race car in NASCAR's premier series. According to sources, Barack Obama's campaign is in talks to become the primary sponsor of BAM Racing's No. 49 Sprint Cup car for the Pocono race on August 3. Details of the agreement are expected to be worked out over the coming days.A BAM spokesperson has revealed the team will hold a press conference July 23 in Miami to reveal the partnership, currently a proposed one-race deal with an option to continue. Obama will be at the briefing, which will be tied to the "Get Out The Vote" campaign message he spread throughout the 2008 primary season.An Obama campaign spokeswoman did not immediately return RAW STORY's request for comment. Bowles says one sponsorship option would give Obama supporters a chance to have their names printed on the race car in exchange for donations as little as $100. Such a move would seem to coincide with Obama's populist campaign themes and might encourage more giving from the army of small dollar donors who already have helped the Illinois senator shatter fundraising records. While so-called "NASCAR Dads" were seen as a key demographic four years ago, no campaign has made such a direct foray to communicate with fans in a forum where they are more used to seeing advertisements for alcohol or energy drinks.In 2004, NASCAR drive Kirk Shelmerdine placed his own Bush/Cheney decal on his car, although the ad space was not purchased by the campaign. He was later admonished by the FEC for the display.Should the deal come off with BAM Racing's car No. 49, it would mark the first time a major US presidential candidate has been a primary sponsor on a vehicle in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) series.Ken Schrader would drive the Toyota-powered entry at Pocono in a state thought to be a battleground for US electoral college votes in November's election between Obama and Republican rival John McCain.The team has raced only once since March 30 in Martinsville for lack of sponsorship money and the car must qualify at Pocono on speed. BAM Racing has only six top-10 showings in 167 starts since 2002. Apparently aiming for blue-collar white voters he had trouble attracting during the Democratic primary campaign, presidential candidat... more
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Oil sands: Canada's dirty secret
As oil prices continue to reach record highs, the search for new sources of energy has led the world to Alberta, Canada, and its vast oil sands. Now, John Vidal finds, the country famed for its wilderness and clean living finds itself caught between fuelling the world's oil-hungry economy and the ecological devastation and soaring greenhouse gas emissions that exploiting the tar sands produces.
The Caterpillar 797B heavy hauler is the world's biggest truck. It's taller than a four-storey house, as wide as a tennis court and it removes nearly 35,000 tonnes of oily sand a day from a deep open cast mine in northern Alberta in western Canada.
Truck number 108 is driven by Norman Johnson, 63, a long-time Shell man who is planning to spend his retirement fishing, camping and "hunting the critters" in the vast boreal forests and bogs that stretch across the region. "It's just like driving your car. Couldn't be easier - once you get used to its size," he says from his cab, 40ft off the ground. He won't let the Guardian start up either of its two great engines.
But the future of northern Alberta's aspen and pine woods, its rivers and animals are in doubt as the world's greatest modern oil rush accelerates. Shell, Chevron, Exxon, Total, Occidental, Imperial and most other oil majors have so far invested nearly $100bn Canadian dollars (£50bn) in the 1,160 square mile (3,000 square kilometre) "bitumen belt", which is being called the "new Kuwait".
A decade ago, the vast landscape of forests and lakes around Fort McMurray and the Athabasca river provided a fairly minor and barely profitable sand oil industry. But it is now pitted with hundreds of square kilometres of toxic waste ponds, mines that are 300ft deep, hundreds of miles of pipes and burgeoning petrochemical works. Every day brings a bumper to bumper stream of lorries carrying the world's largest plant, pipes and machinery to the area, as well as young men seeking fortunes, and, say critics, the devastation of a pristine land.
As oil prices continue to reach record highs, the search for new sources of energy has led the world to Alberta, Canada, and its vast ... more -
Red Cross Discrimination?
Follow the link for the full story.
Anyone who actively gives blood knows about the barrage of questions that the Red Cross nurses ask during the screening process. These safety measures are delegated by the Food and Drug Administration. Since safety of our blood supply is paramount, this is a necessary precaution. But, out of these questions, one question in particular stands out: "have you had sexual contact with a male, even once, since 1977?"
If you answer "yes" to this question, you will be refused the opportunity to give blood.
The American Red Cross, on their website (under "donor eligibility guidelines") describes these guidelines as "intended to protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patient who will receive the transfusion". The guidelines go on to classify men who sleep with men in the same category of intravenous drug users and people who exchange money for sex, under the heading "HIV/AIDS". This representation alludes to the rumor that gay men and men who sleep with men, along with intravenous drug users and prostitutes are the only persons who can become infected with HIV/AIDS. This is false representation of a safety measure, and propagates the rumor that people in this classification are the only individuals who can contract or spread HIV/AIDS.
Follow the link for the full story. ... more -
Red Cross discrimination
The Red Cross, although a humanitarian organization, continues to openly discriminate against homosexuals and men who sleep with men in their effort to keep the blood supply "safe". Although the guidelines tend to appear quite outdated in today's society, there doesn't seem to be any effort to change or update the current system of blood screening.
Anyone who actively gives blood knows about the barrage of questions that the Red Cross nurses ask during the screening process. These safety measures are delegated by the Food and Drug Administration. Since safety of our blood supply is paramount, this is a necessary precaution. But, out of these questions, one question in particular stands out: "have you had sexual contact with a male, even once, since 1977?"
If you answer "yes" to this question, you will be refused the opportunity to give blood.
The American Red Cross, on their website (under "donor eligibility guidelines") describes these guidelines as "intended to protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patient who will receive the transfusion". The guidelines go on to classify men who sleep with men in the same category of intravenous drug users and people who exchange money for sex, under the heading "HIV/AIDS". This representation alludes to the rumor that gay men and men who sleep with men, along with intravenous drug users and prostitutes are the only persons who can become infected with HIV/AIDS. This is false representation of a safety measure, and propagates the rumor that people in this classification are the only individuals who can contract or spread HIV/AIDS.
These guidelines can be found at: http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,0...
It does not matter to the Red Cross if you are a monogamous gay male in a healthy relationship. It doesn't matter to the Red Cross if you've cheated on your spouse (straight or gay), it doesn't even matter if you've contracted syphilis or gonorrhea (as long as you wait 12 months before donating!)...but it does matter if you have "sex with men", or even fooled around with a man, even once in 30 years.
With all of our scientific knowledge about the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, it seems surprising that the Red Cross would continue to perpetrate false information about Homosexuals and the spread of HIV/AIDS in the name of safety. The Red Cross blames the Food and Drug Administration for this policy, and the FDA blames the Red Cross for not being discriminatory enough in protecting the blood supply. So we are left in a bind of open discrimination by our government and a world health organization.
The Red Cross and the FDA also fail to acknowledge that men (and women) who sleep with many partners are also at a high risk of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS. There is no question in the guidelines reflective of persons who have sexual contact with multiple partners, or persons who have unprotected sexual contact with others, or persons who engage in unsafe sexual practices. These persons, as long as they do not use intravenous drugs, charge for sex, or have sexual contact with men can still donate, and be a "hero".
Although our blood supply organizations should continue to carry out the highest standards of blood safety, the current guidelines must be revised to reflect our modern culture if organizations like the Red Cross intend to promote safety and well being. The truth about HIV/AIDS and other diseases must be reflective of scientific fact, and not old rumors. The truth about the safety of our blood supply is, if you look closely, a half truth riddled with discrimination.
The Red Cross, although a humanitarian organization, continues to openly discriminate against homosexuals and men who sleep with men i... more -
John Lennon Used to Help Fight Global Warming
With the G8 summit in Japan, thousands of candles were lit in the city of Saitama on Monday, July 7, 2008 in an effort to raise awareness about global warming. Check out the photos. With the G8 summit in Japan, thousands of candles were lit in the city of Saitama on Monday, July 7, 2008 in an effort to raise awaren... more
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World Happiness Is Rising - US Places 16th
People in most countries around the world are happier these days, according to newly released data from the World Values Survey based at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.
Data from representative national surveys conducted from 1981 to 2007 show the happiness index rose in an overwhelming majority of nations studied.
"It's a surprising finding," said U-M political scientist Ronald Inglehart, who directs the World Values Surveys and is the lead author of an article on the topic to be published in the July 2008 issue of the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.
Here's a link to the national rankings: http://umich.edu/news/happy_08/HappyChart.pdf
How happy is your country? People in most countries around the world are happier these days, according to newly released data from the World Values Survey based ... more -
Sea No Evil art show benefit
We are excited to announce, this year the art show will be held at the prestigious Riverside Art Museum in the historical downtown area of Riverside CA.
On the night of July 12th, 2008, the art show will completely take over the entire art museum, 3 floors, including special guests Matt Costa playing music on the roof (3rd floor) and Shepherd Fairey spinning records. The first two floors will display donated art from noted artists, available for purchase through silent auction bidding the night of the show.
It promises to be an event to remember giving the opportunity to raise increased awareness and funding for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Captain Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, will be the featured speaker, giving an update on what is happening globally with oceanic conservation.
www.SeaShepherd.org We are excited to announce, this year the art show will be held at the prestigious Riverside Art Museum in the historical downtown are... more -
What global warming?
Polar scientists reveal dramatic new evidence of climate change
By Steve Connor, Science Editor
Friday, 27 June 2008
It seems unthinkable, but for the first time in human history, ice is on course to disappear entirely from the North Pole this year.
The disappearance of the Arctic sea ice, making it possible to reach the Pole sailing in a boat through open water, would be one of the most dramatic – and worrying – examples of the impact of global warming on the planet. Scientists say the ice at 90 degrees north may well have melted away by the summer.
"From the viewpoint of science, the North Pole is just another point on the globe, but symbolically it is hugely important. There is supposed to be ice at the North Pole, not open water," said Mark Serreze of the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre in Colorado.
If it happens, it raises the prospect of the Arctic nations being able to exploit the valuable oil and mineral deposits below these a bed which have until now been impossible to extract because of the thick sea ice above.
Seasoned polar scientists believe the chances of a totally icefreeNorth Pole this summer are greater than 50:50 because the normally thick ice formed over many years at the Pole has been blown away and replaced by hugeswathes of thinner ice formed over a single year.
This one-year ice is highly vulnerable to melting during thesummer months and satellite data coming in over recent weeksshows that the rate of melting is faster than last year, when therewas an all-time record loss of summer sea ice at the Arctic.
"The issue is that, for the first time that I am aware of, the NorthPole is covered with extensive first-year ice – ice that formed last autumn and winter. I'd say it's even-odds whether the North Pole melts out," said Dr Serreze.
Each summer the sea ice melts before reforming again during the long Arctic winter but the loss of sea ice last year was so extensive that much of the Arctic Ocean became open water, with the water-ice boundary coming just 700 miles away from the North Pole.
This meant that about 70 per cent of the sea ice present this spring was single-year ice formed over last winter. Scientists predict that at least 70 per cent of this single-year ice – and perhaps all of it – will melt completely this summer, Dr Serreze said.
"Indeed, for the Arctic as a whole, the melt season startedwith even more thin ice than in 2007, hence concerns that we may even beat last year's sea-ice minimum. We'll see what happens, a great deal depends on the weather patterns in July and August," he said.
Ron Lindsay, a polar scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle, agreed that much now depends onwhat happens to the Arctic weather in terms of wind patterns and hours of sunshine. "There's a good chance that it will all melt awayat the North Pole, it's certainly feasible, but it's not guaranteed," Dr Lindsay said.
Polar scientists reveal dramatic new evidence of climate change By Steve Connor, Science Editor Friday, 27 June 2008 ... more -
Sun-loving frogs help with fungus fight
Frogs, as well as birds and bees, are an indicator species of our environment. These frogs could help determine why frogs are dying off. Frogs, as well as birds and bees, are an indicator species of our environment. These frogs could help determine why frogs are dying o... more
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Spies predict climate change to spark war
Environmental groups have been warning for years that tense parts of the world could get even worse with the advent of global climate change, and even spark whole new conflicts. Now, the nation's spies are saying pretty much the same thing.
The U.S. intelligence community has finished up its classified assessment of how our changing weather patterns could contribute to "political instability around the world, the collapse of governments and the creation of terrorist safe havens," Inside Defense reports. Congress was briefed on the report last week. And on Wednesday, leading spies -- including National Intelligence Council chairman Dr. Thomas Fingar and Energy Department intelligence chief Rolf Mowatt-Larsen -- will testify on the Hill about the 58-page document, "The National Security Implications of Global Climate Change Through 2030."
"Climate change is a threat multiplier in the world's most unstable regions," a source familiar with the document tells Danger Room. "It's like a match to the tinder." Just think about the fights over water already under way in the Middle East and Africa, or the tensions exacerbated by the hurricanes and tsunamis in Asia.
The document was originally supposed to be unclassified. But then the policy recommendations -- and warnings about trouble spots -- got more and more detailed.
"Generally, the Earth's climate is changing, it has always been changing, so that's not anything but a blinding flash of the obvious," Engel added. "We really want to understand extreme weather events because they are very important as they potentially put at risk the infrastructure."
The assessment is stamped “confidential,” the lowest level of classification. And our source says that Fingar & Co. is promising that nearly all of the document will come out in Wednesday's hearing, before a joint session of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and the Intelligence Community Management Subcommittee. Also testifying are former British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett, retired Admiral Paul Gaffney and the Army War College's Kent Hughes Butts, all of whom have previously raised alarms about climate change's strategic impact. Lee Lane, with the American Enterprise Institute, has been pushing the issue of "geoengineering" in response to global warming. And Marlo Lewis, with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, calls the whole thing a "myth."
Lewis' presence before the panel may be a bit of a sop for the Republicans on the Intelligence Committee, many of whom opposed the idea of using the nation's spies to investigate these issues at all.
But the nation's military leadership, at least, is paying closer attention. "Climate change and other projected trends will compound already difficult conditions in many developing countries. These trends will increase the likelihood of humanitarian crises, the potential for epidemic diseases, and regionally destabilizing population migrations," the Army says in its 2008 posture statement.
"We are [f]acing challenges from multiple sources: a new, more malignant form of terrorism inspired by jihadist extremism, ethnic strife, disease, poverty, climate change, failed and failing states, resurgent powers, and so on," Defense Secretary Robert Gates told an audience at American University in April.
Environmental groups have been warning for years that tense parts of the world could get even worse with the advent of global climate ... more -
there are 6,674,807,459 people in the world
50%live in cities
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Basic numbers for self understanding
You are not alone, my friend.
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NYC Underwater
New York Underwater features the art of over 50 artists, depicting a New York flooded by rising seas.The Antagonist Movement hosts weekly art shows in NYC's East Village, showcasing creative artists and writers with a nonconformist bent. The movement "antagonizes" artists to create, providing a theme, a venue, an audience and a deadline. antagonistmovement.com New York Underwater features the art of over 50 artists, depicting a New York flooded by rising seas.The Antagonist Movement hosts wee... more
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COOL! Country of Origin Labeling is on the way
On Sept. 30, mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) will be enforced for beef, lamb, pork, fruit, vegetables and peanuts. The provision was originally approved as part of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, but special interests have lobbied to delay it since then. (Purveyors of wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish, nonetheless, have had to disclose their origin since 2005.) And as the date nears, COOL is gaining momentum in Washington: Last month, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 expanded the list of covered commodities to include chicken, goat meat, ginseng, pecans and macadamia nuts.
ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/client/e3...
(The normal upload/link process wasn't working properly to anything on the adweek site.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pay attention to all sides of the story, as it has direct implications for consumers and businesses, and will result in both sides having to modify their behavior to adapt.
On Sept. 30, mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) will be enforced for beef, lamb, pork, fruit, vegetables and peanuts. The pro... more -
How Bush's grandfather helped Hitler's rise to power
Rumours of a link between the US first family and the Nazi war machine have circulated for decades. Now the Guardian can reveal how repercussions of events that culminated in action under the Trading with the Enemy Act are still being felt by today's president
Ben Aris in Berlin and Duncan Campbell in Washington
The Guardian, Saturday September 25 2004
George Bush's grandfather, the late US senator Prescott Bush, was a director and shareholder of companies that profited from their involvement with the financial backers of Nazi Germany.
The Guardian has obtained confirmation from newly discovered files in the US National Archives that a firm of which Prescott Bush was a director was involved with the financial architects of Nazism.
His business dealings, which continued until his company's assets were seized in 1942 under the Trading with the Enemy Act, has led more than 60 years later to a civil action for damages being brought in Germany against the Bush family by two former slave labourers at Auschwitz and to a hum of pre-election controversy.
The evidence has also prompted one former US Nazi war crimes prosecutor to argue that the late senator's action should have been grounds for prosecution for giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
The debate over Prescott Bush's behaviour has been bubbling under the surface for some time. There has been a steady internet chatter about the "Bush/Nazi" connection, much of it inaccurate and unfair. But the new documents, many of which were only declassified last year, show that even after America had entered the war and when there was already significant information about the Nazis' plans and policies, he worked for and profited from companies closely involved with the very German businesses that financed Hitler's rise to power. It has also been suggested that the money he made from these dealings helped to establish the Bush family fortune and set up its political dynasty.
Remarkably, little of Bush's dealings with Germany has received public scrutiny, partly because of the secret status of the documentation involving him. But now the multibillion dollar legal action for damages by two Holocaust survivors against the Bush family, and the imminent publication of three books on the subject are threatening to make Prescott Bush's business history an uncomfortable issue for his grandson, George W, as he seeks re-election.
While there is no suggestion that Prescott Bush was sympathetic to the Nazi cause, the documents reveal that the firm he worked for, Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH), acted as a US base for the German industrialist, Fritz Thyssen, who helped finance Hitler in the 1930s before falling out with him at the end of the decade. The Guardian has seen evidence that shows Bush was the director of the New York-based Union Banking Corporation (UBC) that represented Thyssen's US interests and he continued to work for the bank after America entered the war.
Tantalising
Bush was also on the board of at least one of the companies that formed part of a multinational network of front companies to allow Thyssen to move assets around the world.
Read More Here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondw... Rumours of a link between the US first family and the Nazi war machine have circulated for decades. Now the Guardian can reveal how re... more -
European Union to build its own army
An influential Polish member of the European parliament has called for the EU to develop "hard power" and spend more money to build a European army.
Foreign affairs committee chairman Jacek Saryusz-Wolski also wants the European parliament to have the final say on deployments under the EU flag.
The French have said beefing up the EU's military capability will be a key part of their six-month presidency.
The BBC has been told their plans also include a new EU military headquarters.
Other items on the French list of proposals involve calling upon all EU countries to increase spending on defence to meet a new target of perhaps 6% of Gross Domestic Product.
(the article continues ...)
An influential Polish member of the European parliament has called for the EU to develop "hard power" and spend more money to build a ... more
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