We have the International Court of Justice, now how about the International Court of Environmental Justice? This is one of the ideas mooted in the lead up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland.
The failure of the Kyoto Protocol to be taken seriously or implemented by a number of countries leads me to believe that an International regulalory body/enforcer would be a massive step in the right direction. Although alone it would not be enough. For more information on this story see:
I must say that I welcome the news of Obama’s success yesterday. During his campaign his policies suggested that he is taking environmental sustainability seriously. And it is needed! The USA has the highest level of CO2 emissions in the world and has not signed up to the Kyoto agreement.
His targets point towards him looking in the right direction:
· 10% of power from renewable energy by 2012 and a quarter by 2025
· No more new drilling in US waters
· No more coal-fired plants
· Increased fuel efficiency standards on cars
And best of all he aims to stimulate the sector in order to create 5 million new jobs, striving for the American people to see the environmental push as an opportunity and not a cost.
His work as an environmental activist back in his university days suggests he means what he says, and lets face it he cannot be any worse than George Bush! But as with all things the proof will be in the eating.
