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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (40476)	8/28/2002 6:12:29 AM
From: D. Long	Respond to of 281500

The reason that Greenpeace, WWF and other activists are pushing the global renewable fuels mandate is that they want the world to adopt the Kyoto Protocol's limitations on fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases. Man, even the World Wrestling Federation is getting in on the act! Stop the Madness! :P Derek

To: LindyBill who wrote (40476)	8/28/2002 6:15:10 AM
From: maceng2	Respond to of 281500

Yep, third world energy (cooking and electricity) requirements leaves open some big challenges. Been reading this one.. newscientist.com If it works out with any resolve, like getting the foreign fishing fleets out of British Waters, I would accept the whole expense of the summit would have been worthwhile. At the moment I'm still skeptical. Governments agree to end overfishing 12:40 27 August 02 NewScientist.com news service The World Summit has agreed to end the overfishing of the planet's oceans by 2015. The agreement, which has potentially far-reaching implications for fishing fleets and marine biodiversity round the world, was among the first concrete deals negotiated by national delegations in Johannesburg. The UK delegation is claiming to have masterminded the conservation pact, pushing it through the European Union, which won approval from summit negotiators. The agreement commits governments to "maintain and restore [fish] stocks to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yields, with the aim of achieving these goals for depleted stocks on an urgent basis and where possible not later than 2015." Delegates say the phrase "where possible" was required by the US, which has set its face against firm new targets at the conference. The UK and the EU also pushed through an agreement asking the London-based UN International Maritime Organisation to toughen rules on pollution from ships. Illegal fishing Environmentalists welcomed the agreements, but say they would have preferred a deal that emphasised conservation, rather than maximising the yields of fishing fleets. UK environment minister Michael Meacher told the summit that "60 per cent of the world's fish stocks are now being fished to destruction." He called for a twin-track approach to saving fisheries. First by "establishing networks of marine protected areas" by 2012 and second by "combating illegal fishing". Both suggestions may be adopted later in the summit. Officials say the UK wants to establish a series of "ocean partnerships" with other governments to improve marine conservation. It plans an agreement with Australia to set up a marine protected area in the South Pacific, and another with the US to help Caribbean governments reduce damage to fisheries from tourism and pollution. The UK also believes it has support from the European Union to provide West African countries with scientific help to manage and police the rich fisheries off the shores of Mauritania and Senegal. This would be a major about-turn for Europe. Its fishing fleets, notably from Spain, are heavily involved in unsustainable fishing in West African waters, much of it secured by lucrative deals between the European Union and West African governments. Fred Pearce, Johannesburg

To: LindyBill who wrote (40476)	8/28/2002 4:51:21 PM
From: maceng2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Climate foes bury hatchet news.bbc.co.uk The World Development summit is producing surprises By Alex Kirby BBC News Online environment correspondent in Johannesburg Two organisations with a history of mutual distrust bordering on outright enmity have sunk their differences to tackle climate change. The two are Greenpeace International and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). In a move which has nonplussed delegates to the World Development Summit here, they have issued "a joint call for action". They describe their campaign as "this unprecedented event". Innovation Announcing their call, the two groups say: "Greenpeace is well-known for its disagreements with and campaigns against the activities of some of the companies who are members of the WBCSD. This is an example of a co-operative approach from a non-government organisation which we welcome. Lord Holme Business Action for Sustainable Development The council is well-known for advocating a market-based and free trade approach to solving environmental problems, including voluntary measures that often differ radically from Greenpeace approaches. However, the WBCSD and Greenpeace share the same belief that the threat of human-induced climate change requires strong efforts and innovation by all sectors in a common international framework. They have agreed to convene a dialogue to urge governments to act more forcefully to provide an international political framework that enables, stimulates and rewards innovation and implementation. Together Greenpeace and the WBCSD also call on others in both the public and private sectors to step up action to combat the climate change risks." Co-operation The UK politician and business leader Lord Holme is vice-chairman of Business Action for Sustainable Development. He told BBC News Online: "I'm sure Greenpeace will remain critical of some businesses at some times. Activists are challenging business interests But this is an example of a co-operative approach from a non-government organisation which we welcome." The council is a grouping of 160 international companies, from more than 30 countries. Its members include some key hate figures for environment and development campaigners. Among them are Nestle, condemned over the sale of infant formula, and biotechnology companies like Aventis and Monsanto. Cogema, a French firm which reprocesses nuclear fuel, is there. So are some of the oil giants: BP, Chevron Texaco, Conoco and Shell. Carmakers like Daimler-Chrysler and General Motors, chemical companies including DuPont and Imperial Chemical Industries, are listed. Surprises Greenpeace has campaigned vigorously against nuclear reprocessing, genetically-modified organisms and the burning of fossil fuels. Yet it now judges the time right to make common cause with those it recently targeted, in the face of what both sides see as a still greater threat. Some campaigners are accusing business outright of hijacking the conference. This is a summit of surprises.