Saturday, October 30, 2004
Friday, October 29, 2004
Well recently we have had a few items about environmental pollution. The following is one of the worst such cases ever reported and it now seems to be the one that has affected the most people.
BHOPAL LOWBALL
Bhopal disaster victims seek to quadruple compensation
Victims of the devastating 1984 industrial gas leak in Bhopal, India, have appealed to the country's Supreme Court to quadruple the amount of compensation they will receive. They have long charged that the Indian government has been slow to distribute funds from a $470 million settlement paid by U.S.-based Union Carbide, owner of the plant, to the Indian government in 1989. On Tuesday, a favorable Supreme Court ruling ordered the government to release the money remaining from the settlement, some $330 million, and accepted a sharp rise in the estimated number of victims, from the 105,000 listed in 1989 to 572,000, accounting for new births and previously unreported cases. However, the victims are appealing to quadruple the amount, based on the higher number of cases, though it's unclear where the additional money would come from. At a press conference yesterday, victims pleaded their case and told their tragic stories, like that of 80-year-old Shanti Devi, who lost her husband and his two businesses and has been forced to spend her savings caring for her children and grandchildren. Devi is to receive $2,200 in compensation.
straight to the source: San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, Mazhar Ullah, 29 Oct 2004
see also, in Grist: Rashida Bee of Bhopal, India, fights against the company that devastated her community -- by Michelle Nijhuis
BHOPAL LOWBALL
Bhopal disaster victims seek to quadruple compensation
Victims of the devastating 1984 industrial gas leak in Bhopal, India, have appealed to the country's Supreme Court to quadruple the amount of compensation they will receive. They have long charged that the Indian government has been slow to distribute funds from a $470 million settlement paid by U.S.-based Union Carbide, owner of the plant, to the Indian government in 1989. On Tuesday, a favorable Supreme Court ruling ordered the government to release the money remaining from the settlement, some $330 million, and accepted a sharp rise in the estimated number of victims, from the 105,000 listed in 1989 to 572,000, accounting for new births and previously unreported cases. However, the victims are appealing to quadruple the amount, based on the higher number of cases, though it's unclear where the additional money would come from. At a press conference yesterday, victims pleaded their case and told their tragic stories, like that of 80-year-old Shanti Devi, who lost her husband and his two businesses and has been forced to spend her savings caring for her children and grandchildren. Devi is to receive $2,200 in compensation.
straight to the source: San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, Mazhar Ullah, 29 Oct 2004
see also, in Grist: Rashida Bee of Bhopal, India, fights against the company that devastated her community -- by Michelle Nijhuis
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Everything is not right not only here but everywhee:Canada slipping on environment: report
Last Updated Tue, 26 Oct 2004 16:47:02 EDT
OTTAWA - Canada's reputation as an environmental leader is slipping because most federal departments aren't paying attention to the impact of their policies, says a report released on Tuesday.
A report released by environment commissioner Johanne Gelinas says that salmon stocks are dwindling, oil is polluting the coasts and air quality is deteriorating – and all the while the government is failing to lead.
"I am concerned at signs that Canada's environmental status and reputation may be slipping," Gelinas said.
Canada's ranking on environmental objectives slipped to 16th place in 2003, from 12th in 2002, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
A cabinet directive issued 14 years ago, requiring all departments to assess the environmental impact of their policies, is not being followed, the report said.
"The overall results of our audit this year suggest that most departments still have not made serious efforts to apply the directive," Gelinas said.
There are no repercussions for senior officials who ignore cabinet directives on the environment, she said.
Gelinas said the tax system could be one of the most effective tools to promote environmentally sound behaviour, but the Finance Department has yet to try to determine how the system impedes or favours sustainable development.
Other problems identified in the report include:
• Three Pacific salmon populations designated as endangered.
• No decline in ground-level ozone, a component of smog known to damage the lungs and heart.
• Incomplete regulations on genetically modified fish.
• Oil pollution from ships in the Atlantic.
On the positive side, the report finds that Canada is meeting its target to reduce ozone-depleting substances.
Written by CBC News Online staff
Last Updated Tue, 26 Oct 2004 16:47:02 EDT
OTTAWA - Canada's reputation as an environmental leader is slipping because most federal departments aren't paying attention to the impact of their policies, says a report released on Tuesday.
A report released by environment commissioner Johanne Gelinas says that salmon stocks are dwindling, oil is polluting the coasts and air quality is deteriorating – and all the while the government is failing to lead.
"I am concerned at signs that Canada's environmental status and reputation may be slipping," Gelinas said.
Canada's ranking on environmental objectives slipped to 16th place in 2003, from 12th in 2002, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
A cabinet directive issued 14 years ago, requiring all departments to assess the environmental impact of their policies, is not being followed, the report said.
"The overall results of our audit this year suggest that most departments still have not made serious efforts to apply the directive," Gelinas said.
There are no repercussions for senior officials who ignore cabinet directives on the environment, she said.
Gelinas said the tax system could be one of the most effective tools to promote environmentally sound behaviour, but the Finance Department has yet to try to determine how the system impedes or favours sustainable development.
Other problems identified in the report include:
• Three Pacific salmon populations designated as endangered.
• No decline in ground-level ozone, a component of smog known to damage the lungs and heart.
• Incomplete regulations on genetically modified fish.
• Oil pollution from ships in the Atlantic.
On the positive side, the report finds that Canada is meeting its target to reduce ozone-depleting substances.
Written by CBC News Online staff
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Hi I know that with Minimata etc. there are some very big problems with chemical pollution in Japan. What chemicals exactly are being monitored and how? Take a look at the following:
CHEERS: WHERE EVERYBOY KNOWS YOUR GAME
Study of chemical impacts on kids raises questions
A study of pesticide and chemical exposures in children being conducted by government researchers is raising some disturbing -- and by that we mean "outright creepy" -- questions. For one thing, $2 million in funding will come from the American Chemistry Council, an industry group with, one might imagine, a vested interest in the results. While the ACC and the U.S. EPA both claim that the source of funding will have no effect on the study, enviros are skeptical of the whole deal. Also troublesome is the fact that children who participate in the two-year study must live in homes likely to be heavily polluted with pesticides (Hispanic migratory farm workers, perhaps?) and their parents must agree to have the home periodically sprayed with pesticides, for which they receive the princely sum of up to $970. So, what are they calling this exercise wherein the chemical industry pays to have poor kids up to three years of age exposed to chemicals and studied? The Children's Environmental Exposure Research Study, or CHEERS.
straight to the source: The Washington Post, Juliet Eilperin, 26 Oct 2004
straight to the source: Chemical and Engineering News, Bette Hileman, 18 Oct 2004
CHEERS: WHERE EVERYBOY KNOWS YOUR GAME
Study of chemical impacts on kids raises questions
A study of pesticide and chemical exposures in children being conducted by government researchers is raising some disturbing -- and by that we mean "outright creepy" -- questions. For one thing, $2 million in funding will come from the American Chemistry Council, an industry group with, one might imagine, a vested interest in the results. While the ACC and the U.S. EPA both claim that the source of funding will have no effect on the study, enviros are skeptical of the whole deal. Also troublesome is the fact that children who participate in the two-year study must live in homes likely to be heavily polluted with pesticides (Hispanic migratory farm workers, perhaps?) and their parents must agree to have the home periodically sprayed with pesticides, for which they receive the princely sum of up to $970. So, what are they calling this exercise wherein the chemical industry pays to have poor kids up to three years of age exposed to chemicals and studied? The Children's Environmental Exposure Research Study, or CHEERS.
straight to the source: The Washington Post, Juliet Eilperin, 26 Oct 2004
straight to the source: Chemical and Engineering News, Bette Hileman, 18 Oct 2004
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