International Issues and Contacts

As most of us would already be aware, we, as citizens of Australia and the world, are facing a number of global environmental crises. For a living planet, we need to save endangered species, treasure nature and diversity and examine and change patterns of resource consumption. There are many ways to take action: letter writing eg http://www.globalresponse.org for lobbying, rallies, non violent direct action and blockades, forming new groups, and joining pre-existing groups.

World Trade Organisation (also known as the World Take Over)

The biggest problem facing environmentally friendly peoples, companies and governments, is the World Trade Organisation. The WTO is the successor to GATT, which opened world markets, and sets the rules that govern how nations trade with each other. The WTO is a body which can stop us choosing what we eat, can strike down environmental laws if they hamper trade (even in toxic industries), it can start or sanction trade wars, and can void international treaties which have been ratified by the worldís nations. In July 1999, the WTO ruled that the EU must drop an eleven year ban - imposed to safeguard health - on US beef treated with hormones. In a series of rulings, it has struck down measures to help the worldís poor, protect the environment, and safeguard health, in the interests of private, usually American companies. The public and widespread dislike of the WTO was recently shown in the Seattle riots in 1999 when the WTO met in Seattle.

Other "victories" of the WTOís include: banning support and protection for small farmers in the Caribbean and the Philippines; banned dolphin friendly tuna fishing in the Pacific Ocean; threatened the prevention of toxic waste dumping in Nigeria; threatened restrictions on ozone-deadly chemicals; threatened fair trade foods in East Africa; banned cleaner petrol in Canada; banned recycled bottles in Denmark; threatened controls on trade in endangered species in Nepal; threatened the use of labels on GM foods in Europe; and threatened controls on genetically modified BST milk in Europe.

To get involved, contact the World Trade action group through Groundswell on: 62628488 or email at groundswell@effect.net.au
 
 

The oceans and seas, and their inhabitants are in danger

60-70% of the two hundred most valuable fish species are in need of urgent intervention to control or reduce fishing. Drag net fishing still operates around the world, destroying the ocean bed and killing many species. Many tuna operators still collect dolphins and other marine life in their nets, and in North America, after long fought bans, sealing has resumed. The regions above Australia, the Arctic Ocean and the eastern US coast are heavily polluted, and 80% of all pollution comes from the land. Over 80% of all of the worldís estuaries (key nursery habitat) have been lost due to development.

As well, there are problems with pirate fishing in international waters, and the lack of serious penalties for fishing in international waters. Japan and Norway have also resumed whaling in the whale sanctuaries near Australia, arguing that it is for research. However, some of the culled whales have been tracked to dinner tables in expensive Japanese restaurants. Japan have announced that they will take 400 minke whales this year. There are also problems with mining in the sea bed, and the numbers of oil slicks in waters, like those which have just occurred in Victoria, and France. The company Exxon, have still not paid any compensation for the oil slick off Alaska close to ten years ago.

To prevent further degradation of our oceans and water bodies, more marine parks and reserves need to be created, and a more responsible fisheries management policy should be developed.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Societyhttp://www.seashepherd.org
 
 

Toxic dumping and selling waste

Australia sends its toxic waste to countries such as India, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. It is Australian waste, and the government should be spending the money to work out solutions to permanently remove the waste, and not recreate rather than sending it to other countries.

Groups you can join

IUCN - The World Conservation Union ó email: mail@hq.iucn.ch

UN Environment Program at http://www.unep.org/

Greenpeace ? Contact on 1800 815 151 or GPO Box 3307 Sydney 2001 or see http://www.greenpeace.org.au

World Wildlife Fund for Nature ? Contact on 1800 814 401 or GPO Box 528 Sydney 2001 NSW or see http://www.panda.org
 

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