[misc.headlines.unitex] Friends of the Earth : September Newsletter

foeintsecr%gn@cdp.uucp (10/08/89)

/* Written 3:34 pm Oct 5, 1989 by gn:foeintsecr in cdp:foe.link */
/* ---------- "FOE LINK SEPTEMBER 1989" ---------- */

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Exxon's "clean up"..........1

Ban all Ivory...............2

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGNS

Int'l whaling conference....3
Ozone Update................4
Sarawak update..............5
Hardwood campaining.........6

FRIENDS AT LARGE

Bangladesh..................7
CEAT........................7
Denmark.....................8
Hong Kong...................9
Netherlands.................9
Scotland...................13
Switzerland................13

EAST/WEST

National Park in danger....15
Airplan conference.........16

NORTH/SOUTH

Burma's Rainforest.........17

NEWS

Earthday 1990..............18
Greennet News..............19
Amazonia conference........19

MINUTES...........20

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EDITORIAL
Dear Friends:

I hope most of you have had a good holiday and are ready to
participate and work hard at this years AGM in Washington D.C. The
schedule, as you know by now, is quite full but I'm sure there will be
time to socialise as well.

This years IWC meeting in San Diego, California proved to be quite
successful both in terms of the publicity that arose from the meeting
as well as some of the decisions made the meeting itself. Interesting
plans will be made during the couse of the next year when the
moratorium runs out. (See article on IWC)

Rallies, films and videos organised by different environmental
organisations mainly in protest against the tuna industry, whose
fishing nets not only catch tuna but also thousands of dolphins.

See you all at the AGM!
Nicole Mueller

Editor: Nicole Mueller
Contributors: FoE UK, Netherlands,Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Scotland,
Denmark, Switzerland, John Hontelez, Sue Meagher.

Graphics: Paul Reeby
Thanks to all volunteers for their assistance.

EXXON TO USE DISPERSANTS AND INCINERATORS IN ALASKA

Five months have gone by since the Exxon Valdez spilled oil into the
Prince William Sound in Alaska. Exxon has spent several million
dollars cleaning up its mess and are convinced that its efforts are
paying off, however most environmental groups think otherwise. Marine
life, otters birds and even deer and bear who live near the coastal
regions have all suffered and died as a result of ingesting oil, which
is lethal, and hypothermia, due to the loss of insulation on their fur
and feathers.

The cleanup operations are still underway, but will stop at the end of
September once the winter sets in. So far operations have not been
very sophisticated, and methods used include hosing down the rocks
along the shore with hot water and using large booms to try and
contain the oil on the water. Even with their best intentions all
these methods have altered the intertidal zones along the coasts and
oil which has been absorbed by the sand will remain.
Mike Lewis from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
reports:

Recently Exxon was trying to use a dispersant (Corexit 9580 M2 on the
shoreline in aid of the clean up. The dispersant is essentially
kerosene and has not been fully tested nor approved by any state of
federal agency for use in intertidal waters. There is also concern
among the scientists as to the effect of this chemical upon the
delicate eco-systems.

Waste oil and solid waste from the clean up have also not been not
been carefully dealt with. Incinerators that have not demonstrated the
ability of burn the oil waste without producing dioxins, toxic ash or
other air and water pollutants have alreay been contracted without any
state approval. Exxon is now pressuring the agencies to pass approval
before testing can be completed. Time and money are the prime
consideration with environmental safety being a secondary factor.

A massive protest against Exxon must be staged and more support for
state and federal regulations of these sources of continuing pollution
in a place where suffering from an inundation in oil is also taking
place.

Please send a letter/telegram expressing your concern on the methods
used in the oil clean up operations and request that stricter state
and federal controls so that future disasters will be avoided:
Governor of Alaska, Steve Cowper Pouch A, Juneau Alaska 99801

ELEPHANTS ON THE DECLINE

WWF has joined forces with African governments, the European Economic
Community, IUCN and Wildlife Conservation International in a 4 year
African Elephant Action Plan to combat the crash in the elephant popu-
lation brought about mainly by the trade in illegal ivory.

From 2 million elephants in 1970 there are now fewer than 700,000 with
more than 70,000 being slaughtered for their ivory every year. As the
population declines poaching increases along with rising ivory prices.

The Action Plan will concentrate on 40 key elephant populations in
west, central, east and southern Africa. Regular monitoring will
indicate where special efforts need to be made.

The initial aims of the Action Plan are to tighten controls on illegal
ivory trading, provide greater incentives for local people to protect
their elephants as a valuable resource and to implement a public
awareness campaign to reduce the worldwide demand for ivory.

As the numbers of big tusks are depleted, poachers will kill greater
numbers of small tusked elephants. Kenya's population growth and the
shrinking of wild areas further increases problems for elephant herds.

Those involved in the Action Plan are determined to halt the decline.
WWF's Director of Conservation commented "by conserving elephants in
their natural habitat we are contributing to the conservation of
tropical forests and woodlands and maintaining biological diversity
and ecological integrity on a longer scale".

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) held its 41st annual
meeting in San Diego, California from June 12th-15th. This was a
critical meeting foreshadowing the future of the global moratorium on
whaling to be reviewed next year.

Juliette Majot attended on behalf of the FOEI marine campaigner and
reports:

The central issues of the meeting involved Japan, Iceland, and Norway.
Several issues were managed to be deferred to next year. The
Commission voted to guarantee the continuation of the Indian ocean
Sanctuary until 1992. New statistics from the sighting surveys in
Antarctic were released showing many whale populations at much lower
levels than previously estimated. The Commission also denied the
validity of the scientific research proposals put forward by Japan

Iceland and Norway that would allow them to continue whaling under the
guise of science.

SCIENTIFIC PERMITS

Iceland, Norway and Japan requested the commissions approval for their
so-called scientific permits. No consensus could be reached, although
the scientific community recommended against them in both cases.
Iceland, who requested to taking 80 fin whales, was rebuked and asked
to reconsider their proposal, they quickly did, and they announced
they would limit their take to 68 fin whales instead, the same number
as Iceland killed last year. Iceland's foreign minister announced that
whaling would stop. However, Greenpeace has decided to continue their
boycott .

JAPAN'S EMERGENCY REQUEST FOR SMALL TYPE WHALING

In their continuing argument for the classification of "small-type"
whaling, Japan requested to kill 320 minke whales from their coastal
waters in order to as they claim maintain the coastal communities
economies and cultures. This issue has been deferred another year and
so has their emergency request. However, there is unsettling news
accompanying the deferral. Japan stated quite openly that they would
need to take more Baird's Beaked Whales to compensate. The IWC was
quite powerless to say anything about this as these specific whales
are not regulated under the IWC.

SMALL CETACEANS

The IWC's Scientific Committee discussed the issue of small cetaceans
in plenary, showing much concern over Japan's kill of Dall's porpoises
from 13,000 in 1987 to 39,000 in 1988. The Committee concluded that
this take is unsustainable, but Japan continues to imply that the take
will remain high, even grow as a substitute for whale meat. Japan
insists the fishermen are basically out of control and there is
nothing they can do to regulate them. Korea, answering questions
regarding incidental kill by driftnets, feels there is no problem
because no deaths have been reported by Korean fishermen.

STOCK ASSESSMENTS

The Scientific community reported startling new estimates of the
Antarctic populations of Blues, Humpbacks, Fins and Sperm whales.
Figures are drastically lower than previously believed, and although
there are some problems of methodology, there was a general agreement
that "recovery" of the stocks was a long way off.

FUTURE STRATEGY AND CONCERNS

Once the international moratorium will be reviewed next year, the
remaining whaling nations have every intention of returning to
commercial whaling as "interim quotas" could be set in until a
comprehensive management system is in place in 1991.
The voting situation at the IWC is likely to worsen because it is very
close to insolvency. The reasons for this are twofold, first because
there are a number of countries who are in debt to the IWC, and
second, because the IWC invested its money in a false British
securities firm and lost what little it had. As a result those
countries in debt to the IWC will have to be asked to pay up. Founded
to regulate hunting in 1946, the IWC has no real enforcement as an
international body.

Four issues of Eco's were produced at this conference and our
available form the Secretariat.

GOVERNMENTS AGREE SCIENCE REPORT ON STEPS TO SAVE THE
OZONE LAYER

Fiona Weir, FoE UK's Air Pollution campaigner reports from Nairobi,
Kenya:

The governments party to the Montreal Protocol have examined further
measures to protect the ozone layer. The meeting formally agreed on
reports from the scientific and technical working groups. Of the five
control scenarios examined in detail only one, the most stringent,
holds out any hope of the ozone hole healing in the next hundred or so
years.

Governments have agreed that in order to reduce the levels of ozone the
following steps are required:

1) A total phaseout by the year 2000
2) A phaseout of ozone depleting chemicals methyl chloroform and
carbon tetrachloride
3) Controls on the less damaging HCFC alternatives-namely that these
substances are allowed to take no more than 20% of the current CFC
market. These measures are also important for reducing the peak levels
of chlorine reached in the atmosphere and thereby the likelihood of
significant Arctic depletion of ozone.

Recognition of chemicals other than CFC's for example chloroform and
carbon tetrachloride should be controlled was also an optimistic
outcome at the meeting. The HCFC alternatives currently under
development must be restricted to essential and medical uses and
mandatory recycling schemes introduced to allow the Antarctic ozone to
heal.

Domestic pressure by Friends of the Earth groups will now increase in
time for the renegotiations for the Montreal Protocol to be held in
June 1990. Governments too must now clearly state that their aim st to
get rid of the Antarctic ozone hole as anything less will condemn
their agreements to failure.

SARAWAK TRIBAL STRUGGLE CONTINUES

FoE UK reports in their July briefing sheet on the Sarawak situation:
"Whilst the tribal people are successfully defending their rights in
court, the state's logging industry will soon be subject to
international scrutiny. A major breakthrough in the defence of the
Sarawak rainforest at the May 1989 session of the International
Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), with the invitation by Chief
Minister Mahmud, who personally attended the meeting for an
independent international mission to be sent to investigate the
state's forest management. The mission, one of the measures called for
in the European parliament's July 1988 resolution on Sarawak, was an
initiative of ITTO's Executive Director, Freddy Freezailah, no doubt
mindful of the shadow of mistrust cast over the whole tropical timber
trade because of the situation in Sarawak. Intensive Lobbying by FoE
and other conservation groups present at the ITTO meeting was crucial
in reaching agreement on the initiative.

The mission will be comprised of representatives of timber producers,
consumers, independent foresters, a timber trader and anthropologist
and environmental groups. It will be expected to report to the 8th
meeting of the ITTO early next year, likely to be held ion Kuala
Lampur, Malaysia. The Malaysian authorities have given categorical
assurances that the mission will be free to define it's own brief and
have free access to areas, persons and information relevant to the
study. Although the ITTO resolution agreeing to the mission gave an
outline description of its task, environmental groups were again
instrumental in expanding an originally narrow definition of the
mission's purpose to include and assessment of the "sustainable "
utilisation and conservation of the tropical forests and their genetic
resources as well as the maintenance of the ecological balance of the
Sarawak.

Lobbying will continue at the European Commission on the
implementation of the Parliaments resolution.

HARDWOOD CAMPAIGN UPDATE

The first "Good Wood Guide" was launched in March 1988, with a second
one due shortly. Its objective is to ensure that only tropical
hardwoods form sustainable sources enter into the international wood
trade. Until now success has been gained on a local, national and
international level.

In the UK for example already 100 companies, e.g Habitat, IKEA etc
have been awarded the "Good Wood Seal of Approval" for agreeing to
cease selling tropical hardwoods unless they are derived from an
sustainable source. Building firms are also starting a system to
verify that its imports of mahogany are derived from properly
administered concession areas in Brazil by requesting Forestry
Department certification.

Consumer campaigns in other countries based on the UK model have also
been successful. For example in the Netherlands municipalities have
already decided to reduce the use of tropical hardwoods, and begun
educational programmes on the role of commercial logging. In Belgium
discussions between NGOs, architects, political representatives in
local councils have taken place. In West Germany communities have also
decided to reduce tropical timber consumption and campaigns strive for
a complete ban on the import of tropical timber. FoE in the USA is
continuing to research into the US trade and the issue has been taken
up by a variety of environmental groups.

At the ITTO meeting in the Ivory Coast consumer campaigns in Europe
were on the forefront. FoE's proposal of a labelling scheme is
presently under the consideration by the British government, but seems
certain for their approval and financial support. Guidelines of good
forest management and best practice schemes to promote the use of
sustainable produced wood products were also submitted.

BANGLADESH

"Environment News" published by IIEDS-FoE Bangladesh reports in their
June-July issue:

The Bangladesh government is beginning to take into account the
importance of environmental issues. Until recently these issues have
been neglected and thus destroyed forests, caused waters to become
polluted all of which contribute to a severe ecological imbalance. A
newly created Ministry of Environment and Forests will now include
guidelines to tackle various environmental problems threatens posed by
water and air pollution and nuclear radiation.

However, laws and regulations must also be upgraded and enforced
within the Ministry of Environment and Forest and the enforcement of
authority enhanced inorder to tackle the situation.

ILLEGAL FROG HUNTING CONTINUES

Frog hunting is still continuing during the frog breeding season
(April-July) in different parts of the country reports FoE Bangladesh.
Although it is illegal, most of the frogs legs caught are exported to
other countries where they are considered delicacies, thus making it
profitable trade.

A statistical study of frogs will be initiated by the governments for
the first time inorder to be able to take a decision about the export
of frogs. Exports first began in 1963 however statistics are only
available from 1982-83. The project will be headed by a renowned bi-
ologist Kazi Zakir Hossain.

TROPICAL HARDWOOD NEWSLETTER

Dear FoE member groups:

Do you know about the structure and history of the Council of Europe?,
how the EC is involved with the Tropical Rainforest issues, what kind
conferences on Tropical Rainforest issues are happening where and when?
If not then read "Tropical Hardwood News" a newsletters recently
produced by the International European Tropical Hardwood campaigners.

It will cover issues on the countries and FoE Groups within the
European Community and their involvement and importance in the
Tropical Rainforest issues. Topics will include: news from the
Commission, the Council of Europe, Tropical Rainforest events,
conferences and campaigns.

Presently Europe as a whole is the main contributor to the destruction
of the rainforest, but as recent events show it is now in the position
to reverse this situation.

European Friends of the Earth are expected to contribute and give
support to the newsletter and in return use the news bulletin to
further their campaigns, ideas and meetings. For more information
contact the CEAT office.

TRAFFIC AND POLLUTION NEJ TAK!

NOAH (FoE Denmark) is coordinating a growing number of activities
against air pollution and other environmental damages caused by the
increasing car traffic. Activities include:

* establishing an anti-smog network in Copenhagen

* campaigning for an alternative transport planning in the greater
Copenhagen area and

* campaigning against the Scandinavia link-project
Anti-smog Network

As smog levels have increased due to the rise in the number of cars,
the citizens of Copenhagen have organised an anti-smog telephone chain
network. This is based in NOAH and when smog levels rise above the WHO
standards, the telephone chain is activated and human "chains" block
the traffic on main roads for several minutes during the morning rush
hour. The press response has been tremendous. Five activists have been
heavily fined for disturbing the traffic but motorists have not been
charged for disturbing the air!

Alternative Transport Planning

NOAH has established a semi-permanent forum of organisations based in
Copenhagen, who campaign together for an alternative traffic plan for
the cities greater area. The forum includes Trade Unions, Cyclists
Federation, Danish Nature Conservations, Senior Citizens Society, the
anti-smog network etc.

Alternative plans call for various initiatives such as a 50% reduction
in car traffic, and includes demands for the construction of a
metro/light rail-line, better bus transport and strongly improved
bicycle facilities among other things.

Campaign against Scandinavia link

An 18 km highway and rail link across the Great Belt is under
construction damaging marine life and encouraging more road traffic.
More bridges are planned to create links between Germany and Denmark
and are part of SCANLINK the Scandinavian Link transport corridor
plan. This plan is not an official government plan but is strongly
demanded by the industry.

An anti-scanlink campaign titled "SCANLINK Nej Tak! (No Thanks) has
emerged and is now a separate organisation based at NOAH. Links have
also been made with groups in the other countries also affected by the
plan. (Norway, Northern Germany)

An all European grass-root symposium will be organised later this year
or early next year on the following: major infrastructure projects,
environmental impact and strategies them.

For more information contact Rudy Rusfort at NOAH (address on back
cover)

FOE HONG KONG SUBMITS ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSALS TO GOVERNMENT

In June, FoE Hong Kong made submissions on the "White Paper on Pollution" and asked the Government to consider and act on them.

FoE's overall recommendations are:

Firstly that considerable more funds be made available to ensure that
environmental issues are given the priority they need and that an
integrated approach is adopted.

Secondly, that the Government put its sincerity and determination to
act beyond questions by proceeding immediately to prepare and publish
proposed budgets and schedules for action in every area where these
have not so far been indicated; and thirdly that the new Planning,
Environment and Lands Branch of Hong Kong government be regarded as a
transitional stated towards creation of a full Environmental Branch to
which planning Lands and Works are answerable.

FOE HOLLAND INVESTIGATES DIOXIN IN MILKCARTONS

Vereniging Milieudefensie (FoE Holland) in their July 27th, press
release report:

Several recent studies from New Zealand, Great Britain, Canada and
Germany prove that dioxins can leach out from milk cartons into the
milk. Dioxin levels in milk in cartons were found to be significantly
higher than that bottled in glass or plastic.

Survey completed by the Department of Health in New Zealand found
levels in standard Homogenized milk to be in the range of 0.012 to
0.216 ppt. Low body weight (30kg) consumers with high milk intake
(11/day) can thus reach the Nordic tolerable intake level. As these
kinds of cartons are used in several countries there is public concern
about the quality of the milk in the cartons.

Dioxions in cartons, as well as other bleached papers, originates from
the paper-bleaching process which uses chlorine. Despite the plastic
coating within the fact that milkcartons dioxins still leach into the
milk(fat) has been proven. For this and other environmental reasons
Milieudefensie think it is better to drink milk from refillable
glassbottles. Alternative bleaching methods are available and should
be supported.

Milieudefensie have asked the Dutch government for a thorough
investigations of migration of dioxin to milkproducts. The use of
chlorine bleached pulp in packaging, household products and sanitary
products should be banned as alternative bleaching methods exist.

Earlier this month investigation showed that very high levels of dioxin
in cowmilk from animals grazing near municipal waste incinerators.
Milk and dairy products from several farmers near the incinerators may
not be sold anymore!

For further information contact: Henk Venner Waste Department-
Mileieudefensie (FoE Holland address on back cover).

THE NEED FOR GREEN TAXES

In some European countries, most notably Denmark, West Germany and the
Netherlands, the need for green taxes is a growing political issue.
Its principles are: making some products more expensive to encourage
cleaner technologies, changing demands and other consumption patterns.
Part of this money should be used to do away with the actual Value
Added Taxes which have no relationship with the amount of resources
used and pollution caused for production and use of products and
services.

With this two measures environmentally friendly ways of consumption
and production (as also industries use products like fuels, water
etc.) would become cheaper. For troublesome consumption and production
this general reduction of costs will be greatly surpassed by the
effect of the green taxes. Another part of the proceeds of the tax
income should be used for reduction of specific social premiums for
people with low incomes to make sure that their average total
consumption-level will not be lowered and also to make labour becomes
cheaper and more competitive with the use of energy. A third
destination for part of the green tax should be extra investments in
environment measures.

Making polluting consumption more expensive is not a new issue.
Environmental movements that see the environmental problems not as a
result of lack of consciousness of the individual consumer, but caused
by the way society is organised and the concentrations of powers in
that society have often opposed it. These societies are also
characterized by great differences in income and possibilities to
adapt lifestyles to changing circumstances.

Therefore it was seen not as social to ask for higher heating prices
to stimulate insulation of houses. People with low incomes mostly live
in houses that are not their own, and they have no means to force
their landlords to invest in insulation. Instead, these landlords
should be forced to invest in insulation by general rules. This
responsibility of the environmental movement to demand socially just
measures should in no way be abandoned. But on the other hand, both
global warming problem and the enormous gap in the use of resources
and production of pollution between the rich western world and the
countries in the South are two over whelming reasons to question the
average consumption level (consumption meant as using resources and
energy and causing pollution) in the rich countries.

Milieudefensie (FOE-Netherlands) is preparing a campaign to reduce the
greenhouse effect (as many other FOE groups are doing). Cleaning
technologies can hardly help. Needed are (apart from banning the use
of CFCs and agricultural measures) big programs to reduce the amount
of consumption of fossil fuels with 80% on a global scale, which
means, if we look at the inequality in consumption worldwide, 90-95%
in for example the Netherlands. Moreover, also other environmental
problems, like acid rain, pollution of the soils by nutrients and the
rivers by chemicals appear to be more persistent than technological
optimists expected. A real change in consumption patterns is needed in
the rich countries. We see green taxes as a necessary instrument.

This does not mean that Milieudefensie has lost its faith in direct
intervention by authorities, action groups etc. Not at all. Apart from
stringent norms against pollution and extensive programs of investment
in clean technology, public transport and energy insulation we clearly
demand bans on tin cans, throw away bottles, mercury-rich batteries, a
long list of dangerous chemicals etc. But on top of that we need means
to reduce the production and use of private cars and other incentives
for people to act more in accordance with environmental needs. And to
reward responsible behaviour.

The discussion in the Netherlands has been greatly stimulated by a
study published by the German Umwelt und Prognose Institut Heidelberg
e.V. called "Oekosteuern als marktwirtschaftliches Instrument im
Umweltschutz, Vorschlaege fuer eine oekologische Steuerreform"
(Ecological Taxes as market economically instrument in environment
policies, proposals for an ecological reform of taxes). This Institute
proposes ecological taxes on 35 products, varying between 20% and
220%, related to the elasticity in consumption and their contribution
to pollution. For example: it proposes a green tax on petrol of 200%,
which would reduce the use with 24%. And a 200% tax on pesticides
would reduce the use with 46%.

In Germany the Greens have adopted the idea, and the SPD (Labour) has
adopted at least the principle of it and it proposes an ecotax on
petrol (of about 35%).

In the Netherlands "Green Left" (a coalition of existing left parties
that on the European level participate in "the Greens in the European
Parliament") has introduced the idea. It concretely proposes green
taxes for 25 products, also between 20% and 220%. It should be
introduced in 10 steps of 5 milliard guilders each year (the Gross
National Income in the Netherlands is about
420 milliard guilders at the moment). It uses 5 milliard each year for
extra environmental measures, a growing amount for reduction of social
premiums (up to 26 milliard in 1998) and up to 12 millard for
reduction of the Value Added Tax.

There are a lot of reasons not to believe in such an approach. A lot
of progressive people do not believe that the people with the lowest
income will not suffer. Preventing that should be a central element in
our approach. The amount of money to reduce the social premiums is the
instrument. Of course, a person with a low income and a relatively
environment-burdening consumption pattern will suffer, and at the same
time a person with a very responsible attitude will have more
possibilities.

Another often heard comment is "1992"; the unification of the markets
of the 12 EEC-countries. Making petrol 120% more expensive than in
neighbouring countries would cause enormous difficulties for the Dutch
economy. It is clear that many environmental movements in the EEC
especially for this kind or arguments oppose the actual "1992"-
project. But as this project is going on, it is very important that at
least in the 12 EEC-countries the debate about green taxes would bring
political willingness to act.

There are more objections heard since the Heidelberg Institute
presented its proposal. This Institute therefore wrote an extensive
reply to all these comments (called "Oekosteuer-Vorschlag, Reaktionen,
Argumente, Diskussion"), which shows that, with the needed political
courage and the control of movements that represent the interests of
environment and people with low incomes, the instrument can be
extremely useful.

Milieudefensie is in favour of starting with green taxation. The way
the Green Left wants to elaborate the system is a matter for
discussion. Perhaps 10 year is to slowly, perhaps some taxes should be
higher and some products they mention should not be taxed but banned.
But we agree with the idea and we see it as a valuable contribution to
deal with the economic growth-debate from another angle.Green taxation
is an instrument for rich countries, where the consumers have some
bargaining power, where public awareness about environmental problems
has grown and where the progressive forces are powerful enough to
protect the interests of the low income-groups. At the same time these
are the countries with a large responsibility for the global
environmental problems and moreover for the regional environmental
problems in the South. Therefore the environmental movement in these
countries should very carefully study the Green Tax idea and start
campaigning on it.

More information:

- Umwelt und Prognose Institut Heidelberg e.V., Handschuhsheimer
Landstrasse 118a, 6900 Heidelberg, FRG, unfortunately its publications
are only in German.

- "Attack!"; a provocative article by a leading dutch economist, Prof.
J. Pen, about the need for tax-reform for environment, translated into
English, to be asked for by me: John Hontelez, Minister Elandstraat
27, 6523 CS Nijmegen, the Netherlands

- "Indirect taxes and the Environment", a study about the feasibility
of Green taxes, prepared for the European Environmental Bureau;
\doc3\7\769\1AB1, Centre for energy conservation and environmental
technology, Oude Delft 180, 2611 HH Delft, the Netherlands.

- "Groentax, de prijs voor een schoon milieu", Green Left,
unfortunately only in Dutch P.O Box 267, 1000 AG Amsterdam
John Hontelez

ONCE LOST GONE FOREVER!

On July 4th FoE Scotland launched a new campaign to save native
woodlands. Their press release states:

"Native woodlands are some of the oldest biological communities in
Scotland. The woods we see are direct descendants of those that
developed at the end of the last Ice Age. Scotland is relatively rich
in native woodlands, the Highlands has the densest concentration of
any region in Britain. Even so, the woods remaining are pitiful
remnants of the forests which originally covered much of Scotland.

Native woodlands have been in decline for many years but the rate of
loss has accelerated sharply since the war-the result of forestry
policies designed to promote large plantations of alien conifers which
have succeeded only to well."

Overgrazing by deer and sheep in unfenced woods pose major problems,
as well as old trees becoming infertile. New seedlings are being eaten
as fast as they germinate Native woods are vital for wildlife,
important for tourism and provide shelter for livestock and game. FoE
will be pressing for government grants to be redirected from conifers
towards native trees.

In 1987, Part I of the Scottish Native Woodlands Report was published
and was the first comprehensive survey of Scottish woodlands. Part II
was just released and is a detailed study of the condition of the
native woods, concentrated in the Highlands, the richest regions in
Britain for native woodlands.

To avoid the decline of the highland woodlands a concerted programme
of action should include:

* A native Woodland Management scheme to provide generous government
grants for the management of native woodlands. Not only to support the
multiple benefits of the native woodlands but also to support variety
of management approaches. Timber production should not be the emphasis
as is the thrust of the existing forestry grants.

* The use of native species of local origin in such operations.
Presently non-native species are planted by commercial foresters, thus
endangering the ecology of the highlands.

* Greater community involvement, education and active promotion fo
markets by agencies are all factors which could assist preserving the
native woodlands.

NOT JUST EGGS

If you thought one egg is just like the other - you were wrong. This
was proven by the Consumer Working Group (KAG), a branch of FoE-
Switzerland, involved in Green Consumer issues.

In an official evaluation of 1,040 eggs supposedly from "happy" free
range hens, (as opposed to those kept in battery farms) 60 consumers
equipped with ultra-violet lights found that 20% of all eggs observed
showed parallel rings on their shells. This indicates that the egg
most likely rolled down the metal bars of approximately the same width
found in the battery farms.

Consequently KAG has published the names of all producers to be found
to sell "foul" eggs and also held a press conference to which only one
producer showed up and defended his case weakly.

Even though an egg may not have much choice as to where it comes from,
consumers are being promised and pay for a certain quality which in
the end they cannot control. Obviously the official controls aren't
sufficient either and the KAG's idea would be to have all products
marked with name and address of their producer. Thus enabling the
consumer trace back to the origins of their food.

KAG has also contracted more than 1000 farmers since 1973 who agreed
to keep their cows, pigs and hens in free range and raise them on non-
chemical fodder. In return their products get a KAG-quality label to
indicate the controlled standards plus a full address of the producer.

However, KAG-controlled food does just make up for less than 1% of
Swiss consumption and funding is very difficult but prospects are busy
with growing awareness and demand for information.

POLISH NATIONAL PARK THREATENED

The Pieniny National Park was the first of the fifteen Polish National
Parks to be established in the Carpathian Mountains in the south of
Poland boardering with Czechoslovakia. It is recognised by the IUCN as
an area of scientific, educational and or recreational importance.

Yet, it has recently been revealed that the 23km of limestone
mountains is threatened by flooding due to a hydroelectrical project
to be built on this tributary.

Two dams will be constructed on the Dunajec river,a tributary of the
Vistula river. Fertile valley lands will be flooded and an entire
community in Maniowy has been resettled into a modern village. Because
Poland's acid rain and other atmospheric pollution problems (as a
result of its dependence on coal), hydroelectric power is now seen as
a viable solution.

However, since 1928 this project has been a controversy, and although
a shortage of capital has resulted in long delays the final stages of
completion are underway. An embankment has already been constructed
around a historical village of Debno, famous for its highly decorated
medieval wooden church; and other dam will be built directly under the
cliff of the 15th century Niedzka Castle.

Scientists, many of which are members of the Polish Ecological Club
(FoE Poland), have produced environmental impact assessments and have
published scientific papers on the direct and indirect impacts the dam
will have on the river as well as the on the National Park. These
range from the loss of local plant and animal species (some of which
are endangered) the nature of the watertable beneath the limestone
rock, the changes in climate due to the loss of vegetation to the
threat of earthquakes in the area. Rafting too for example is a
popular sport down the river Dunajec, and is also threatened to die
out. However, this has not changed any plans. International pressure
is now most likely the only method used to stop the construction of
this dam.

(Summarised from an article written by Tony Hanch)

AIR POLLUTION ACTION NETWORK EAST/WEST PROJECT

"Consultation on Energy Policies" is Airplan's third consultation this
year. It will take place in Czechoslovakia near Breclev (80 km north
of Vienna) from October 8-13 1989.

The practical work will be organised mainly by Czechoslovak
environmentalists and attended by Eastern European environmentalist.
Experts are encouraged to attend.

The provisional agenda is as follows:

Monday: Energy saving techniques; Energy alternatives: examples in
Europe; Impact of these alternatives on the environment and life
styles.

Tuesday: Survey of existing phase out scenario's concerning nuclear
and fossil energy; minimizing radiation, air pollution and the
greenhouse effect. Different possibilities of the freemarket and
centrally planned economies.

Wednesday: excursions and workshops

Thursday: workshops and follow up

Contact: Airplan-P.O Box 5627 NL-1007 AP Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
Tel: 20-851049.

SAVE BURMA'S FORESTS

"Project Maje" is an independent project which distributes information
about Burma, particularly on the frontier war and human rights issues.
In their April 1989, they report:

The Asian Mainland's largest intact tropical forest is in grave danger
as a war rages over Burmese teak wood.

The area of Burma presently under control of the Burmese military
government has been severely deforested. In 1984, National Geographic
magazine estimated that the destruction of Burma's forests was
"spreading at a rate of 250,00 tonnes per year" and that the
government Timber corporation was cutting 540,000 tonnes per year.

In contrast much of Burma's frontier areas remain forested, with
deciduous teak forests in the mountains and "monsoon" forests in the
South, home to much wildlife such as elephants and rhino's. This is a
result of the 40 year ethnic minority rebellion which has prevented
Burmese government access to the timber; logging operations run by
rebels have been relatively small scale.

Following November 1988's disastrous floods in deforested southern
Thailand, the Thai government banned all logging nationwide. This was
followed by a rush to make timber deals with counterparts in
previously isolationist neighbours such a Burma and Laos. Political
issues and human rights considerations have been subordinated to the
desire to profit from new timber concessions. The Burmese junta, in
dire need to foreign exchange to purchase the ammunitions and to

commitments in bringing hardwood to the Thai purchasers.

In the North, trading firms are said to be commonly involved with the
narcotics and woods. Whilst in the south tribal rebels and insurgent
leaders are fighting as the Burmese government is forcing logging
roads in an effort to claim log transport operations.
Burmese military operations in the frontier areas are characterized by
human rights, abuse, forced labour, torture and brought devastation
deep into the forest-home of the indigenous tribes.

Please write letters urging suspension of all timber trade with the
Burmese military government until forest conservation, protection of
the environment and protection of the indigenous people can be assured
and verified.

Major General Chatichai Choonhavan, Prime Minister, Government House
Nakhorn Pathom Rd. Bangkok 10300 Thailand

Lt. Col. Sanan Kachornprasart, Minister of Agriculture, Ministry of
Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ratchadmnoen Nok Ave. Bangkok 10200
Thailand.

For more information on Burma, particulary on the human rights and
fronteir war issues contact: Edith T. Mirante, Project Maje, 14
Dartmouth Rd. Cranford NJ 07016, USA

THE DECADE OF THE ENVIRONMENT-EARTH DAY 1990

Earth Day 1990 is being organised to encourage international activism
around environmental issues. It is rooted in a belief that people do
count, and in working together can also accomplish extraordinary
things.

Earth Day will be aiming to hold a massive worldwide demonstration
demanding a sustainable global environment. April 22nd, 1990 will
________________
therefore launch "The Decade of the Environment" promoting
environmental programmes that preserve and encourage biological
diversity, human health, sustainable and industrial development and
regenerative agriculture. A series of definite goals ranging from ban
on CFCs to a comprehensive hazardous waste minimisation programme have
also been listed.

The Earthday coordinators have expressed interest in having as many
FoE groups world wide as possible involved in this day of action. FoE
UK have already agreed to lead the day in England and Wales combining
it with several of their other day of actions around the same time.

Globally coordinated themes would include the following: Media
impacts, music, urban gatherings etc. but it is largely up to each
country, city, and neighbourhood to allow all the groups to have its
own organizers with their own issues and agendas, but with their own
shared desire for a sustainable society. Twenty years ago more than 20
million Americans participated in Earth Day and as the environmental
issues are an ever increasing global concern; individuals and not only
government leaders must press for a greater commitment to preserving
our planet and push our leaders to solve the problems.

The International Board of Sponsors include Mr Jose Lutzenberger, Mr.
Anil Agarwal, John Elkington, Annita Roddick amongst others.

For more details on more details regarding this International Day of
Action please contact:

Teresa McGlashan, Int'l coordinator Earth Day 1990,
P.O Box AA, Stanford, California 94309 USA
Tel (415) 321-1990, Fax: (415) 321-2040 EcoNet: EARTHDAY

GREENNET NEWS

Australia will soon be part of the international electronic systems
network. As of September, the Pegasus Network will be linked up to
GreenNet and all the other wonderful electronic mail systems. If you
or anybody else is interested in joining this network or any others
please contact support via electronic mail to : Support 26-28
Underwood St. London N1 7JQ.

The other existing networks include: PeaceNet pn:, EcoNet (USA) en:,
WEB (Canada) web:, PeaceNet(Sweden) pns:, Nicarao (Nicaragua) ni:,
Alternix (Brasil) ax:, Greennet en:

To exchange electronic mail with other users on different systems
simply add the pre-fix (see above) and the user name and watch your
message be instantly transported!

AMAZONIA-WHOSE ENVIRONMENT? WHOSE STRUGGLE ?

The Brazil network based in London, exists to promote cooperation
between groups in Britain and Brazil who share the same concerns.

On September 30th-October 1st a conference titled "Amazonia, Whose
Environment Whose struggle ?" in Sheffield U.K. It will focus on the
Grande Carajas deforestation and development issues as well as examine
the pro-Amazonia campaigns in Brazil itself, their objectives,
problems and how action abroad can be compatible with their aims.
Workshops on various topics such as environment and debt have been
organised, as well as keynote speakers by Brazilian speakers from
grassroot organisation and national Amazon campaigns. The meeting will
be chaired by Dave Gee, the director designate of FoE UK.

SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Present: John Hontelez (FoE NL), Theo Anderson (FoE Ghana), Patricia
Gay, (FoE Argentina) Brent Balckwelder, (FoE USA) Charles Secrett FoE
UK), Nicole Mueller

Absent: Julia Langer (FoE Canada-report sent), Chee Yoke Ling (FoE
Malaysia)

In attendance: Mike Clark (FoE USA), Koy Thomson (FoE UK), Fiona Weir
(FoE UK).

The minutes of the March meeting were reviewed and approved.

AGM preparations were discussed together with members of FOE USA, the
host of this years AGM. Points covered: setting final agenda, travel
costs for groups in developing countries, translation services. An
application will also be sent out to obtain a travel grant.

Mike Clark, the director of EPI/FoE USA, gave a brief description re:
the merge of the two organisations as well as a report back on their
internal situation. Ultimately the groups name will remain as Friends
of the Earth.

The International Secretariat submitted a task report on its
activities in the past five months.

Various groups have applied for membership. Each application was
reviewed and a suggestion was made on how to proceed with each one.

Associate members and their situations were also reviewed a letter
will be sent to them on how they should prepare themselves for the AGM
discussions. Travel funding will also be sought for members to attend
the AGM.

A report on the Elections and the Executive Committee submitted by
John Hontelez was discussed and approved.

The Annual report for the executive committee was discussed. A report
back on all the major campaigns was given, a fundraising strategy
paper will also;so be submitted.

Regarding Finances: Charles Secrett has officially left FoE UK and is
no longer the treasurer. FoE UK's campaign coordinator and director
designate will in the interim be the contact for FoE International.
The 1988 subscription fees were reviewed and John H. will write up a
1% budget description for all groups. Groups will be reminded to pay
their FoE Link subscription fee. A report back was given on donations
and a contingency reserve will be created for emergencies.

An annual report including a financial report from member groups as
well as annual reports and minutes form the AGM meetings is planned
for October of this year. The final format and production to be done
by the Secretariat.

A brief report back was given by both the Air Pollution and Tropical
Rainforest campaigners. Both campaigns have been successful both
nationally and internationally. The issue of how to initiate the
Global Warming campaign internationally was raised.

The marine campaigner has requested funding for printing costs, and
the secretariat should be expanded with a second person working on
fundraising and finances and a third person assisting with
international campaigns and projects. A paper on fundraising will be
submitted for the AGM.

Regional reports from the Executive members were verbally submitted.
Next Executive Committee meeting will be held on Monday September 18th
Washington D.C.