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Drastic step in battle against environmental abuse
China’s Supreme Court has announced it will use the death penalty to punish serious environmental offenders, days after the government set 2017 as the date by which emissions would be cut by 30 percent.
The court said the decision amounted to "a powerful legal weapon" for enforcement of environmental standards, as global concern at the country’s soaring emissions grows.
In 2010 alone, 1.2 million people died from pollution-related deaths, with coal fired power stations the leading cause. Mining has also been a key factor.
The government, which has historically been reluctant to release figures on pollution, has
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admitted that the problem is worsening dramatically, with pollution statistics from January this year showing a 30 percent increase on those of 2012. Air pollution levels that month were logged at 755, on a US-designed 0 to 500 scale. The US embassy in Beijing described it as “Beyond Index.”
Beijing is growing increasingly concerned that the crisis could have a destabilizing effect on the country. The issue was reportedly raised in discussions between US President Barrack Obama and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping last month, with the Communist Party fearful that it may soon lead to civil unrest.
What criteria the Supreme Court uses to classify an environmental offender remains to be seen, however. China’s economic boom, which has been a lead cause in the expansion of the energy industry, has been aggressively encouraged by the government and business elite, although it is likely that high-profile polluters will be shielded from punishment.
The state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted the court explanation as saying that “particular attention would be paid to enterprises that previously used toxic substances and discharged dangerous waste, or are located in environmentally sensitive areas where major environmental pollution accidents have happened over the past one or two years.”
Courtesy: ucannews | Ronaldo kicks off mangrove campaign in Bali
Soccer star accepts title of 'mangrove care ambassador'
Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been named 'Bali’s mangrove care ambassador,' today launched a ‘Save the Mangroves, Save the Earth' campaign by planting trees in Badung regency on Bali island.President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and a number of cabinet members were present at the event.
"I thank Mr. President and the first lady,” said Ronaldo. “I am delighted to come
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to Indonesia and I hope my role in Bali can provide encouragement and initiatives to save the mangroves.” He told reporters he accepted the ambassador role after his encounter with Tomy Winata, an Indonesian tycoon, who met him in Spain four months ago. “He invited me to be ambassador of the Bali mangrove care forum. I accepted it,” he said.
According to media reports, Ronaldo’s interest in mangrove conservation started when he met Martunis, an eight-year old boy who survived the Aceh tsunami in 2004 by clinging to a mangrove tree. When the boy was discovered he was wearing Portugal’s national team jersey with Ronaldo’s name on it. Ronaldo brought the boy to Europe and introduced him to his fellow players. Thousands of school children and local people witnessed the tree planting event.
In a brief speech, President Yudhoyono said the presence of the Portuguese striker is inspirational, and can teach young people to care for the mangrove forest. “Indonesia has more than 130 million hectares of tropical forest, 3.7 million hectares of it are mangroves that require attention,” Yudhoyono told the audience.
Mangrove forests are much prized by environmentalists as they can absorb four to five times more carbon emissions times than land-based forest.
| Government crushes five tons of ivory
Wildlife groups praise Philippines' gesture against illegal trade
Workers destroy an estimated five tons of elephant tusks in Manila (photo by Ponce Luna). Philippine authorities today destroyed an estimated five tons of seized elephant ivory valued at $10 million. The tusks were crushed using road rollers at the Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.
“The public destruction of seized ivory sends a bold message to traders that the Philippines shall no longer tolerate the trade in ivory or any |
other illegal wildlife products,” said Gregg Yan, WWF spokesman in the Philippines. In March, the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) identified the Philippines among nine countries and territories considered most heavily implicated in the illegal trade in ivory. ETIS is the world’s foremost database of elephant product seizures, providing insights into all aspects of the illicit ivory trade.
The wildlife trade monitoring network, TRAFFIC, also applauded today’s destruction of the ivory stockpile. Chris Shepherd, acting director for TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia program said: "it is heartening" to see the Philippines taking the issue of ivory trade seriously.
"It sends a message to other countries in the region, notably Thailand, whose prime minister publicly committed the country to ending their ivory trade, and Malaysia, who has also indicated its intention to destroy seized ivory stockpiles, that concerted international action is urgently needed," he said. |
Religious leaders urge bipartisan support for climate action (ACBC via CNUA)
Prominent religious leaders from five diverse traditions are calling for urgent action on climate change to help avert a devastating 4° C rise in global temperatures. In an open letter to both sides of the political divide ahead of the upcoming Federal election, they are unequivocal about human-induced climate change.
They call for bipartisan support for carbon pricing, the fast-tracking of renewable energy and the winding back of coal exports. The twelve leaders include the Grand Mufti, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, the Chair of Catholic Earthcare Australia, Archbishop Philip Wilson, the President of the Uniting Church Assembly, Rev. Professor Andrew Dutney and the Chair of the Hindu Council of Australia, Professor Nihal Agar. Spokesperson for Archbishop Wilson, Catholic Earthcare Director, Jacqui Remond, said, "We urge all Australians to give this moral issue the attention it demands. If we don’t, our children and grandchildren will face devastating consequences because of our failure to act now."
With reference to numerous recent reports, the leaders write, "influential bodies are now warning us about an unthinkable 4 degree Celsius rise in temperatures if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. Recent experiences of extreme weather events, both here and overseas, are a mild foretaste of what this will mean." In the 2011 Census, over 67 per cent of Australians identified themselves with the religions from which the signatories are drawn. Political Parties competing for public support cannot afford to brush the leaders’ stand aside.
An open letter from Australian religious leaders - As people of faith, we draw attention to one of the most urgent moral issues facing us in the upcoming election. The International Energy Agency and other influential bodies are now warning us about an unthinkable 4 degree Celsius rise in temperatures if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. Recent experiences of extreme weather events, both here and overseas, are a mild foretaste of what this will mean. We are
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despoiling the world given to us as a sacred trust for future generations.
The world is already moving to take strong preventative action. Ninety countries, representing 90 per cent of global emissions, have carbon reduction programs in place and Australia now has price on carbon. However our country continues to be a significant contributor to the problem. With our small population, we are among the world’s 20 largest emitters and one of the two largest coal exporters.
We must wind back our exports of cheap coal which are currently hindering the global drive for renewable energy. We must diminish our reliance on fossil fuels and replace them with clean, renewable sources of energy. As part of this, carbon pricing must be given bipartisan support. Only then will Australia be part of the solution.
In the upcoming election we urge all Australians to give this moral issue the attention it demands. Our world is a blessing, a gift, and a responsibility. We must act now if we are to protect this sacred trust.
Signatories
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Rev. Professor Andrew Dutney, President, Uniting Church of Australia National Assembly
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Archbishop Philip Wilson, Archbishop of Adelaide & Chair of Catholic Earthcare Australia
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Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, Grand Mufti of Australia
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Professor Nihal Agar, Chairman, Hindu Council of Australia
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Ajahn Brahm, Chair, Australian Sangha Association, Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery
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Sr Annette Cunliffe rsc, President, Catholic Religious Australia
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Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, Senior Rabbi, The Great Synagogue, Sydney
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Rev. Dr Brian Brown, Moderator, Uniting Church of Australia Synod NSW/ACT
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Bishop George Browning, Convenor, Anglican Communion Environmental Network
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Professor Neil Ormerod, Professor of Theology, Australian Catholic University
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Mr Hafez Kassem, President, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
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Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, Senior Rabbi, Emanuel Synagogue
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Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky, Chairperson, Rabbinic Council of Progressive Rabbis
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Graeme Lyall AM, President, Amitabha Buddhist Association of New South Wales
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Rev. Professor James Haire AC AM, Director, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
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Rev. Rod Benson, Ethicist & Public Theologian, Australian Baptist Ministries
This open letter was organised by Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC). - http://www.arrcc.org.au
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