Spring 2005 SPECIAL FOCUS: Vol. XVII, No. 1 HUNGER $15.00 Every five seconds, a child dies of hunger – that is 720 children an hour, every day. Despite Available in: earlier gains in reducing hunger in the 1990s, the number of hungry people grew by 18 million Arabic, English, Spanish and Ukrainian in the last half of the decade. There are some 800 million people in developing countries, or 18 percent of the world’s population, who suffer from hunger. Two hundred million children In this issue: under the age of five are malnourished and underweight, even though the world is producing 1 Special Focus: more food now than ever before. Since the early 1970s, food production has tripled and the Hunger price of major cereals has fallen by about 76 percent. Sufficient food supplies at low cost exist 4 Health and to keep up with the world’s population growth. If provisions were distributed equitably Environment: around the world, everyone would be able to consume a diet of 2,760 calories a day. Climate Change in the Arctic According to UN Secretary-General Kofi United Nations Millennium Declaration, an ambi- Annan, hunger and poverty are closely linked. He tious document affirming the right of every human Key Findings of states that, “Hunger perpetuates poverty, since it being to development. These measures, collectively the Arctic Climate prevents people from realizing their potential and known as the Millennium Development Goals Impact contributing to the progress of their societies. (MDGs) target combating hunger and disease, Assessment Hunger makes people more vulnerable to diseases. among other crucial problems. Despite all efforts, 6 Food for Thought: It leaves them weak and lethargic, reducing their progress in reducing hunger in the developing Women’s Rights ability to work and provide for their dependents. world has slowed to a crawl. and the Abortion The same devastating cycle is repeated from Debate in America generation to generation and will continue to be, Conflict and hunger Famine can be the result of natural disaster, List of female we take effective action to break it.” “firsts” 1849-1973 In an attempt to reduce world hunger, UN but it is often used as a weapon of war and member states participated in the International repression. The Ukrainian famine of 1932-33 8 Chornobyl Update: Conference on Nutrition, (Rome, December (Holodomor), for example, was the consequence Disasters – Natural 1992) convened by the World Health of the official collectivization of farm land under and Manmade Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Josef Stalin. He used starvation as a weapon to 9 E-Waste “Recycling” Agricultural Organization (FAO). The conference break Ukrainian resistance to communism and Exporting our released the World Declaration on Nutrition in caused the deaths of 7 to 10 million people within problems which 159 nations pledged to make all efforts to two years. The nature of war has been changing from wars between nations to wars within 10 Did You Know? eliminate or substantially reduce famine and starvation by the year 2000. nations, according to United Nations statistics. 11 Good News! In September 2000, 189 nations ratified the The dire situation in Sudan is the latest example 12 Voices 12 14th Conference: Health & Environ- ment at the UN 16 Point of View: How Many Rights to Freedom and Justice?

Source: Global Future; The children’s suffering is neglected WIT’s World Ecology Report 2 Spring 2005 of the use of man-made famine as a weapon of genocidal 2050. South Asia recorded an increase of 14 million warfare. In the Vanni region of Sri Lanka, for example, the people living in poverty between 1992 and 1999, population is on the brink of starvation because the mostly due to setbacks in India and Pakistan. government has banned the use of fertilizer. The G Yemen’s population is projected to jump from about 20 government’s purported reason is that the fertilizer could be million today to 71 million in 2050. used by the Tamil Tiger rebels to make bombs. The experience in Rwanda, Africa’s most densely Hunger and population growth fuel each other where populated country, highlights the ramifications of land resources are already limited. Rapid or persistent population scarcity. Rapid population growth led to farm fragmentation, growth can force farmers and fishermen to over-exploit land degradation, deforestation, and famine. These stresses fragile ecosystems and deplete more food resources. This, in ignited ethnic strife, erupting in civil war in the early 1990s turn, speeds the rate of urbanization, often leading to and culminating in the horrific genocide of 1994. Violence dangerous, overcrowded and unplanned settlements, with was much more concentrated in the communities where the poor sanitation, a lack of potable water and disastrous air food supply was most inadequate. Most of the 3 billion pollution. people to be added to the world population in the next 50 Hunger and Health years will be born in areas where land resources are scarce. Hunger has many levels, from malnutrition in developed Hunger and over-population countries to starvation in North Korea: food shortages interact Hunger is linked to population growth. High fertility rates with structural vulnerabilities; poverty is compounded by (average total number of children one woman bears) are HIV/AIDS: malnutrition brings increased susceptibility to exclusively found in the poorest illness. Millions of people, including nations, where women often have 6 million children under the age of six or more children. The five, die each year as a result of insecurity caused by hunger- “High fertility rates are hunger. Of these millions, relatively related high infant mortality rates exclusively found in the few are the victims of the famines causes parents to have more that attract headlines, video crews children, earlier, as a form of poorest nations, where and emergency aid. Far more die insurance, thus driving up the women often have six unnoticed, killed by the effects of birth rates. It is not surprising, or more children.” chronic hunger and malnutrition, a then, to find that in every country "covert famine" that stunts where infant mortality rates have development and cripples immune dropped, decline in birth rates has systems. followed. The underlying truth is that the same social factors Where prevalence of hunger is high, mortality rates for giving rise to hunger also aid an abet population growth infants and children under five are also high, and total life rates. Unfortunately, modern family planning techniques expectancy is low. In the worst affected countries, a newborn continue to face obstacles rooted in prejudice and fear, child can look forward to an average of barely 38 years of including social and religious traditions as well as political healthy life, compared to over 70 years of life in "full health" barriers to expanding women’s opportunities. One in four in the 24 wealthiest nations. pregnancies in developing countries is unwanted and many The HIV/AIDS pandemic, which is ravaging many of the more are unplanned. Widespread resistance to contraception same countries where hunger is most widespread, has reduced in the Philippines, for example, has resulted in one of the average life expectancy across all of sub-Saharan Africa by highest fertility rates in the world outside of Africa. nearly five years for women and 2.5 years for men. Even after An astounding 99 percent of all population growth takes compensating for the impact of HIV/AIDS and other factors, place in developing countries. Developed countries, which the correlation between chronic hunger and higher mortality held roughly one-third of the global population in 1950, rates remains striking. Numerous studies suggest that it is far now represent less than one-fifth of the world’s population from coincidental. Since the early 1990s, a series of analyses and the percentage is expected to shrink annually. have confirmed that between 50 and 60 per cent of all childhood deaths in the developing world are caused either G Eastern Europe leads in population decline, followed directly or indirectly by hunger and malnutrition. by Western Europe. As might be expected, the vast majority of the 153 million G Over the next 47 years, Africa is expected to increase underweight children under five in the developing world are its population by 119 percent, adding 1 billion people. concentrated in countries where the prevalence of G The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that the undernourishment is high. Even mild-to-moderate populations of Western Asia will more than double by malnutrition greatly increases the risk of children dying from common childhood diseases. Overall, analysis shows that the WIT’s World Ecology Report Spring 2005 3 risk of death is 2.5 times higher for children with only mild according to the World Health Organization. malnutrition than it is for children who are adequately G Pregnant women, new mothers who breastfeed infants and nourished. And the risk increases sharply along with the children are among the most at risk of undernourishment. severity of mal nutrition (as measured by their weight-to-age ratio). The risk of death is 4.6 times higher for children Hunger and Obesity suffering from moderate malnutrition and 8.4 times higher Reducing hunger and undernourishment in pregnant for the severely malnourished. women and in children could prevent them from becoming Infectious diseases are the immediate cause of death for overweight and obese, and reduce associated health costs in most of the 11 million children under the age of five who later life, according to a study released today by the Food die each year in the developing world. But the risk of dying and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The study pulls from those diseases is far greater for children who are together a growing body of empirical evidence that suggests hungry and malnourished. that hunger during pregnancy prepares foetal tissue to get The four biggest killers of children are diarrhea, acute the most out of the food energy available. This leads to over- respiratory illness, malaria and measles. Taken together, nourishment in adult life when food becomes more available these four diseases account for almost half of all deaths and the individual adopts a more sedentary lifestyle. among children under the age of five. Analysis of data from Many developing countries are currently facing this hospitals and villages shows that all four of these diseases are situation, and the impact on their health could be dramatic. far more deadly to children who are stunted or underweight. Hunger today and more food available tomorrow will mean In the case of diarrhea, numerous studies show that the that many will shift from hunger to obesity and become risk of death is as much as nine vulnerable to obesity related non- times higher for children, who are communicable diseases, such as significantly underweight, the most diabetes and coronary heart common indicator of chronic “We cannot confront the massive challenges of hunger, disease and disease. According to the FAO malnutrition. Similarly, underweight study, the economic problems children are two to three times more environmental destruction unless associated with nutrition transition likely to die of malaria and acute we address issues of population will be felt more strongly in respiratory infections, including and reproductive health.” developing countries. In developed pneumonia, than well-nourished countries, obesity, diabetes and children. Dr. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, other non-communicable diseases Lack of dietary diversity and Executive Director, Un Populaitoln Fund, (UNFPA) already account for a large essential minerals and vitamins also quantity of health-care costs. contributes to increased child and Obesity can actually be a form of adult mortality. Iron deficiency anemia greatly increases the malnutrition with an imbalanced diet that contains mostly fat risk of death from malaria, and vitamin A deficiency and fiber deprived carbohydrates, but little nutritious value. impairs the immune system, increasing the annual death toll from measles and other diseases by an estimated 1.3-2.5 Conclusion million children. Effective tools to reduce hunger are well known and

G Hunger manifests itself in many ways other than include the empowerment of women particularly starvation and famine. Most poor people who battle increasing the number of girls who receive basic education hunger deal with chronic undernourishment and as well as expanding the number who continue their vitamin or mineral deficiencies, which result in stunted education. Many studies have shown that girls with growth, weakness and heightened susceptibility to secondary education tend to have fewer children and these illness. children tend to be healthier. The world will only be able to significantly reduce hunger and malnutrition if those G Undernourishment negatively affects people’s health, who hold power, whether they are in the developed or in productivity, sense of hope and overall well-being. A the developing world, truly want to. lack of food can stunt growth, slow thinking, sap energy, hinder fetal development and contribute to Sources: www.fao.org/docrep/005/y7352e/y7352e03.htm; mental retardation. www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sag223.doc.htm; http://www0.un.org/apps/news; G Economically, the constant securing of food consumes www.undp.org/dpa/choices/2004/march/mdgwatch_prfr.html; valuable time and energy of poor people, allowing less http://globalpolicy.org/soceacon/hunger/2004; time for work and earning income. www.earth-policy,org/Updates; http://peopleandplanet.net/pdoc.php; G Poor nutrition and calorie deficiencies cause nearly one http://policy.who.int/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll; in three people to die prematurely or have disabilities, www.thp.org/issues/population.htm; WIT’s World Ecology Report 4 Spring 2005

KEY FINDINGS OF THE ARCTIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT: CLIMATE IMPACT ASSESSMENT: CLIMATE CHANGE Arctic vegetation zones are likely to shift IN THE ARCTIC Tree line is expected to move northward and to higher elevations, with forests replacing a significant fraction of existing The Arctic is an enormous area, sprawling over one sixth tundra, and tundra vegetation moving into polar deserts. of the earths' landmass; more than 30 million kilometers The changes in vegetation will have an influence on the square and twenty-four time zones. It has a population of ecosystem that cannot be predicted. about four million, including over thirty different Animal species distribution will change indigenous peoples and dozens of languages. The Arctic is a Reduction in sea ice will drastically shrink marine habitat for region of vast natural resources and a very clean polar bears. Ice-inhabiting seals, and some seabirds, pushing environment compared with most areas of the world. some species toward extinction. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Species’ range is projected to shift northward on both land and sea, bringing new species into the Arctic while severely limiting Change (IPCC), reflecting the consensus of 2,500 of the some species currently present. world’s leading scientists, recently issued its landmark Northern freshwater fisheries, which are of global importance finding that human activities have begun to significantly as well as providing major contributions to the region’s economy, modify global climate. A variety of human activities produce are likely to become more productive. Northern freshwater greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO ) nitrous oxide fisheries that are mainstays of local diets are likely to suffer. 2 (N2O), and hydro fluorocarbons (CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs) The culture and health of the methane (CH ), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF ), increasing aboriginal inhabitants will be affected 4 6 their atmospheric concentrations. These emissions trap the Changes under way in the Arctic present several serious sun’s heat and warm the planet. In the U.S., fossil fuel challenges to human health and food security: As new species move in, animal diseases transmitted to humans, such as West Nile Virus, are likely to pose increasing health risks. Sovereignty, security and safety issues, a well as social, cultural and environmental problems are likely to arise. Natives have reported increasing accidents caused by sea ice breaking up. Many Indigenous Peoples depend on hunting polar bear, walrus, seals, and caribou, not only for food but also as the basis for cultural and social identity. Changes in species range present a serious challenge for their health and food security, and possibly even the survival of their culture. Transportation and industry on land, including oil and gas extraction and forestry, will increasingly be disrupted by the shortening of the periods during which ice roads and tundra are frozen sufficiently to permit travel. Due to the reduced stratospheric ozone layer over the Arctic, the ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the Arctic is elevated. As a result, the current generation of Arctic young people is likely to receive a lifetime dose of UV that is about 30 % higher than any prior generation. Increased UV is known to cause skin cancer, Source: http://www.arctic-council.org cataracts, and immune system disorders in humans. Worldwide implications combustion is the most significant cause of greenhouse gas Severe coastal erosion will be a growing problem as rising sea emissions, and has contributed to dramatic increase in CO2 level and a reduction in sea ice allow higher waves and storm levels. If the trend continues, CO2 concentrations will double surges at the shore. by the end of the next century. In some cases, communities and industrial facilities in coastal Scientists have long predicted that human-induced zones are already threatened or being forced to relocate, while others face increasing risks or costs. climate change will have its first and most severe impacts in Change in the Arctic climate will have implications for Polar Regions. The Arctic is more sensitive to climate change biodiversity around the world because migratory species depend than perhaps any other place on Earth. The region warms on breeding and feeding grounds in the Arctic. faster than the global average because dark ground water, Sources: http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion; once exposed, traps more heat than reflective snow and ice. http://arctic.unep.net/index.cfm?issue=arctic_climatechange; Its unique physical temperatures, limited sunlight and http://archive.greenpeace.org/cooms/97/arcticlibrary; http://www.acia.uaf.edu/PDFs/Testimony.pdf; precipitation, and a short growing season (average only 50 http://www.iasc.no/ProjectCatalogue?ACI.htm; http:inuitcircumpolar.com to 100 days), make the Arctic one of the most severe WIT’s World Ecology Report Spring 2005 5 environments on the planet. Arctic sea ice, snow cover, tundra and permafrost are highly susceptible to even subtle variations in sunlight, surface and temperature, and precipitation. Changes in the Arctic provide an early indication of the environmental and societal significance of global warming. The thaw will have a global impact, and it is estimated that the melting of glaciers will raise global sea levels about 4 inches by the end of the century. Indigenous communities, whose knowledge of the land, sea and ice dates back thousands of years, are already reporting signs which may be due to significant climatic changes. Inuit hunters have noticed discoloration and thinning of sea ice as well as the presence of animals not previously found in their region. Inuvialuit trappers and hunters on Banks Island in Canada's high Arctic have noticed a number of worrying changes to the environment on which their way of life so In October 2004, the Arctic Council - funded by the intricately depends. Autumn freeze-up occurs up to a United States, Canada, Russia, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, month later, and the spring thaw is earlier. Multi-year ice is Norway, and Finland - presented the most comprehensive report ever carried out on the climate of the polar region. The report predicts “Changes in the Arctic provide an early indication that temperatures will rise of the environmental and societal significance by 8 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit over the next of global warming.” 100 years. If temperatures then stay stable, the Greenland ice cap would smaller and drifts farther, taking away the seals the melt altogether in 100 years and raise global sea levels by communities rely on for food. Thin and broken ice makes about 23 feet. The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment boating difficult in winter. Autumn storms have become (ACIA) is the result of a study by more than 250 scientists, more frequent and more severe and thunder and lightning commissioned by the Arctic Council. For the first time have been seen for the first time. Summer heat is melting traditional knowledge will be included in all the chapters of permafrost, producing major slumping on the coast and a scientific assessment of the region. This features the along lake shores. One lake has drained into the sea, killing changes observed by different arctic indigenous peoples due its freshwater fish. Unfamiliar species of birds and fish- to climate change and variability, their perceptions of barn swallows, robins and salmon- have appeared. Flies climate impacts, such as the effects on their way of life, land and mosquitoes are multiplying. and water use, diet, and social and cultural activities.

Source: http://www.arctic-council.org WIT’s World Ecology Report 6 Spring 2005

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND THE ABORTION DEBATE IN AMERICA

The purpose behind restricting a woman's right to safe successfully to make contraception information available and legal abortion is to restrict women rights altogether. to women who wanted to limit and space their pregnancies. Opponents of the ancient practice of abortion distort the A look at the short list of American female “firsts” past and conjure up menacing moral arguments which illustrates how opportunities for American women were conceal injustice against women. growing just as States were treating abortion as a criminal The 1973 US Supreme Court decision, known as “Roe offence. v. Wade”, decriminalized abortion and put the history of In the decade preceding Roe v. Wade, the advent of the abortion law in perspective. In rendering its opinion, the modern birth control pill, gave women sexual freedom High Court explained that abortion became a criminal act commensurate with men’s and also allowed women to only in the 19th century and that its illegality was short marry and start families later. lived. The Court concluded that throughout most of The Supreme Court’s landmark decision restored a recorded history, abortion was a private matter, and when woman’s traditional right to terminate a pregnancy based regulations did exist they traditionally focused on the on the right to privacy, a right which superseded the State’s pregnant woman and her health rather than on the unborn interest in protecting a fetus. According to Justice or the beginning of life. Blackmum, who wrote the majority opinion, the U.S. The majority of American states turned abortion into a Constitution’s 14th Amendment contains the implicit right crime during an era of social and economic change for to privacy violated by restricting a woman’s right to end a women that increased their political and economic power. pregnancy. Restricting abortion also violated the Ninth During the second half of the 19th century, the women’s Amendment to the Constitution which states that rights suffrage movement got underway after is first not enumerated in the Constitution, “shall not be organizational meeting in 1848 in Seneca Falls, NY. After construed to deny or disparage others retained by the the Civil War, the suffrage movement gained steady people.” In other words, if a right is not specifically momentum, eventually resulting in the passage of the 19th delineated, this should not be taken to mean that right is Amendment to the US Constitution which gave women the denied. right to vote after World War I. In 1849, Elizabeth Opponents of Roe v. Wade claim a moral laxity has led Blackwell became the first woman to receive a medical to a dangerous decline in family values and imply that re- degree in the US, and women doctors were legally allowed criminalizing abortion will return America to its lost moral to practice medicine here. Women were active participants high ground. They also oppose dissemination of family in the Abolitionist Movement to end slavery, and in planning information and sex education. When this virtually every area were going beyond the restrictive information is not readily available to the public, abortion sphere of Victorian domestic expectations. In the early rates increase and when people, including teenagers, have 20th century, Margaret Sanger and others struggled access to information regarding sex, abortion rates decline.

LIST OF FEMALE “FIRSTS” 1849-1973

1849 Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman doctor. 1881 Louise Bethune became the first American woman architect. 1870 Ada Kepley was the first woman to graduate from an accredited 1887 Susanna Madora Salter of Argonia, Kansas, became U.S. law school (Union College of Law in Chicago). the first woman mayor. 1871 Frances Elizabeth Willard was the first woman college president 1892 Laura J. Eisenhuth was the first woman elected to a state office- (Evanston College). Superintendent of Public Instruction in North Dakota 1872 Victoria Chaflin Woodhull was the first female presidential candidate. 1912 Juliette Low was the founder and first president of the Girl 1876 Sara Spencer was the first woman to address a U.S. presidential Scouts of the U.S.A. convention (Republican). 1916 Jeannette Rankin of Montana was the first woman elected to 1877 Helen Magill White became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. the U.S. House of Representatives. in the U.S. (Boston University) 1917 Kate Gleason became the first woman president of a national bank, 1879 Belva Ann Lockwood was the first female attorney to argue before First National Bank of East Rochester. the U.S. Supreme Court. 1917 Loretta Walsh became the first female Yeoman in the Navy. 1880 Anna Howard Shaw was the first woman minister ordained in 1918 Anne Martin was the first woman to run for U.S. Senate. the Methodist Church. 1920 Florence E. Allen became the first female judge. WIT’s World Ecology Report Spring 2005 7

The United States experienced a 17.4 percent decline in the abortion rate in the 1990s because of sex education and family planning. But after four years of the Bush Administration, abortion rates increased in Kentucky by 3.2 percent, in Michigan by 11.3 percent and in Colorado by an overwhelming 111 percent The Supreme Court, on the other hand, recognized the reality of American families in economic or emotional distress. To quote directly form the Court’s decision: “The detriment that the State would impose upon the pregnant woman by denying this choice altogether is apparent. Specific and direct harm medically diagnosable even in early pregnancy may be involved. Maternity, or additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future. Psychological harm may be imminent. Mental and physical health may be taxed by child care. There is also the distress, for all concerned, associated with the unwanted child, and there is the problem of bringing a child into a family already unable, psychologically and otherwise, to care for it. In other cases, as in this one, the additional difficulties and continuing stigma of unwed motherhood may be involved. All these are factors the woman and her responsible physician US Food and Drug Administration, delayed approval of necessarily will consider in consultation.” Barr Pharmaceuticals “morning-after pill” to prevent Most Americans support Roe v. Wade. However, a vocal, pregnancy. Women’s rights groups filed a lawsuit in well organized and well funded minority prefer to treat response. One old, but ineffective, way to try keep women abortion as a criminal matter, using rhetoric about family down is to keep them “barefoot and pregnant”, or to values to cloak their antagonism toward the idea that men borrow the phrasing of the Nazi’s Third Reich, to promote and women have equal rights and are entitled to equitable a philosophy of Kinder, Kuche, Kirche (children, kitchen, opportunities. The evidence suggests that when birth church). A close look at the Supreme Court’s decision in control information is restricted and when access to legal, Roe v. Wade and only a cursory review of 120 years of safe abortion is also restricted more women and girls get American women’s history, indicate that American pregnant and give birth to children they may or may not abortion law is tied to the advancement of women’s want, may or may not be able to afford, and are forced to freedoms. All the rest is a moral charade. constrict their lives around motherhood at a time when Sources: The Hartford Current, November 7, 2004; Public Agenda Online, they might be advancing their intellect and talents. Most www.publicagend.org; Slate on line magazine: “Morality is the new ‘race’"; Diane recently, on Jan. 21, bowing to conservative pressure, the McWhorter, Posted Friday, Nov. 5, 2004

1922 87 year-old Rebecca Felton became the first woman U.S. Senator, She died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. appointed by the governor of Georgia to fill a vacancy. 1944 Dorothy McElroy Vredenburgh of Alabama was the first woman 1924 Nellie Tayloe Ross (Wyoming) and Miriam Ferguson (Texas) become appointed secretary of a national political party - the Democratic the first and second women governors. Both replaced their husbands. National Committee. 1931 Jane Addams was the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. 1947 Barbara Washburn became the first woman to climb Mt. McKinley. 1931 Jackie Mitchell signed on as a pitcher for the Chattanooga Baseball 1950 Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African-American writer to win the Club - the first woman in organized baseball. Pulitzer Prize. 1932 Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. 1967 Muriel Siebert became the first woman to own a seat on the 1932 Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas was the first woman to win election New York Stock Exchange. in her own right to the U.S. Senate. 1969 Shirley Chisolm became the first African-American congresswoman. 1933 Ruth Bran Owen was the first woman foreign diplomat for the U.S. 1972 Anne L. Armstrong became the first U.S. woman to hold a Cabinet-level 1933 Frances Perkins became the first woman appointed to a cabinet post of counselor to the President (Nixon and Ford). position, serving as Secretary of Labor under presidents Franklin D. 1972 Susan Lynn Roley and Joanne E. Pierce become the Roosevelt and Harry Truman. first female FBI agents. 1941 Annie G. Fox was the first woman to receive the Purple Heart. (Source: http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/know_facts/women_firsts.html) WIT’s World Ecology Report 8 Spring 2005

CHORNOBYL UPDATE: DISASTERS – NATURAL AND MANMADE Current news on the tsunami depicts the tremendous is built (started in 2004), it could cause the death of more than devastation caused by this natural disaster. Over l60,000 lives 300,000 people – those in the new town of Slavutych which lost (as of this printing); massive and long lasting trauma for replaced Prypiat for the workers in the Chornobyl Station and survivors; and massive economic damage are the legacy of the the surrounding area. Nothing could stop the airborne stream tsunami. This natural disaster reminds us of a major manmade of plutonium which has a half life of 10,000 years, strontium disaster… Chornobyl. This manmade disaster did not destroy and cesium-137 that would explode into the air as it had in the infrastructure nor cause the immediate loss of many lives, l986 – the dirtiest bomb possible. its sinister legacy will continue to affect millions of people We may ask, what is through cancer, gene mutations and abnormalities and people preventing us from recog- Slavutych Facts: will continue suffering from its aftermath for many nizing the danger that may generations. affect so many people if we Slavutych population as of 2004 Chornobyl - a legacy of the Soviet Empire that according to continue ignoring the pos- 24,916 100% a recent editorial by Martin Cruz Smith in the New York Times sible nuclear bomb that can Children under 16 “has become invisible - as if it were a subject too awful to again be released as unex- 6,698 26.9% contemplate.” He continues, “In the rain, the sarcophagus, the pectedly as the tsunami in Liquidators working in 10 story steel-and-concrete box heroically constructed over the Indian Ocean? The only Chornobyl station Reactor 4, leaks like a radioactive sieve into ground water that answer can be fear and lack 6,499 26.1% drains in the Pripyat River, which feeds the Dnipr River, the of courage in facing what drinking water for Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Ninety percent was begun by men’s Employees who worked on sarcophagus of the core is still in the reactor, breaking down and heating up ignorance and inattention to 4,762 19.1% and the station’s managers say that the sarcophagus itself unleashing the power of the could collapse at any time.” genie. People affected by Currently around 7 million people live on contaminated Chornobyl catastrophe 20,114 80.7% lands in Ukraine and Belarus and people around the world Source: “Living in the Dead Zone”, Martin Cruz Smith, New York Times no. of % of carry in their chromosomes the mark of Chornobyl. If another Dec. 22, 2004 people population nuclear disaster happens before the promised new sarcophagus

The Contamination Russia. The doses outside the former Soviet Union were low, and varied depending upon whether rainfall occurred during The accident on April 26, 1986, due to operational errors the passage of the radioactive cloud. People were exposed to and inadequate safety precautions resulted in a sudden both internal and external radiation. The major routes of increase in heat production, which ruptured part of the human exposure to radiation were from ingestion of cow's nuclear fuel. The 1000-MWe water-cooled, graphite-moder- milk contaminated with iodine131 (resulting in internal ated reactor did not have a concrete containment vessel as exposure), contact with gamma/beta radiation from the do most reactors designed in the United States. By 1:30 a.m., radioactive cloud, and contact with cesium137 deposited on Sunday, April 26, hot fuel particles, reacting with water, had the ground (resulting in external exposure). caused a steam explosion. Within seconds, the Chornobyl nuclear power plant explosion released large amounts of iodine131 (40 to 50 million curies) and short-lived radionu- The Consequences clides into the atmosphere. The fire which lasted for ten days Residents from the nearby town of Pripyat nearly l35,000 resulted in an unevenly distributed but significant deposition were evacuated on April 27. Seven months after the accident, a of radionuclides, mainly over Belarus, Ukraine, and a part of concrete sarcophagus was built as a temporary solution to entomb the reactor and minimize further release of large quanti- ties of radioactive materials. Clean-up operations produced large quantities of radioactive wastes and contaminated equipment stored in sites within and outside of the 30-km exclusion zone. The explosion at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant is considered to have been the worst nuclear accident for the following reasons: 1- 50 tons of radioactive dust were dispersed over 140,000 square miles, mainly Belarus, Ukraine, and a part of Russia; and 2- 4.9 million people were estimated to have been exposed to radiation. Source: World Information Transfer WIT’s World Ecology Report Spring 2005 9

The major radioactive contaminants of concern were rates of cancer. Stress-related illnesses, which can also impact iodine and cesium. Iodine131 and other iodine radioisotopes health, have been attributed to both fear of radiation and the contained in fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests government-ordered evacuations. are among the radionuclides most likely to be released in a Radiation-induced cataract formation in 12,000 Ukrain- nuclear reactor accident. The target organ is the thyroid ian liquidators as a function of the radiation dose that they gland. The accident and subsequent 10-day fire at the received is being examined. This study is the largest ever con- Chornobyl nuclear power plant released large amounts of ducted of radiation-induced cataracts in a population with iodine131 (40 to 50 million curies) and short-lived radionu- individual estimates of radiation exposure. clides into the atmosphere. The plume moved predominately northward and then over western Europe. Importance of the Chornobyl In Ukraine alone, it is estimated that as many as 600,000 Health Effects Research were exposed to radiation. In addition to the general popula- tion, 600,000 - 800,000 Ukrainian liquidators were also By its size, dose distribution, and accessibility, the exposed. Of these, 300,000 had measurable doses from work- Chornobyl population presents an unparalleled opportuni- ing on site in hot areas. Since 1987, there have been large ty to consider both risk issues and modalities for monitor- increases in the incidence of childhood thyroid cancer in pop- ing populations at risk. These studies are expected to pro- ulations of Belarus and Ukraine among those exposed to duce risk coefficients for thyroid cancer, leukemia, and higher levels of radioiodine. The thyroid cancers appear to be cataracts relative to radiation. This information will fill a more prevalent in those aged 0 to 5 at the time of the acci- major gap in the world's knowledge of radiation effects, dent and in areas determined to be more heavily contaminat- and will provide guidance for radiation protection and ed with iodine131. Chornobyl liquidators (remediation work- public health policies near operational nuclear reactors. ers) with high radiation doses are expected to have increased Source: www.chernobylinfo.org

E-WASTE “RECYCLING” EXPORTING OUR PROBLEMS

“Recycling” old computers often just means dumping them in easily circumvented through payments to corrupt customs officials, poor countries where unprotected workers, including children, burn according to industry sources. circuit boards and smash monitors in the open, spewing dioxins, Glass from monitors contains lead, which damages the nervous mercury and lead into the air, water and soil. China is one of the system and harms children's brains. Batteries and switches contain countries at the end of the road for the toxic detritus of the computer mercury, which can damages organs and harm human fetuses. age. Vast quantities of obsolete electronics shipped in from the Motherboards contain beryllium, the inhalation of which can cause United States, Europe and Japan are piled in mountains of waste. cancer. These dump sites for e-waste have become "environmental Even as entire communities earn their livelihoods by scavenging wastelands," where pollutant levels are hundreds to thousands of metals, glass and plastic from the dumps, the technological garbage times higher than those allowed in developed countries. Lead and is poisoning the water and soil, and raising serious health concerns. acid by-products saturate the land in these areas. Many of the poorer China's role as dumping ground for the world's unwanted gadgets villagers still drink the surface waters, which are highly is an outgrowth of efforts by wealthy countries to protect their own contaminated. Investigators said the recycling operations often environments. Many governments are encouraging the recycling of involved young children, most of whom were unaware of the health computers to keep them out of landfills and prevent heavy metals risks. The hazardous operations included open burning of plastics from seeping into drinking and wires, riverbank acid works to extract gold, the melting and water. But safely breaking burning of soldered circuit boards and the cracking and dumping of computers down into cathode ray tubes laden with lead. reusable raw materials is It is no secret that hazardous materials from the world's leading labor intensive and economies often end up as detritus in the world's desperate places. expensive. In the U.S., where The Basel Action Network (BAN) is an international watchdog group more than 40 million that is trying to enforce the Basel Convention, a 1989 United Nations computers became obsolete treaty, which entered into force in 1992, intended to limit the export in 2001 alone, according to a of hazardous waste. The United States is the only developed nation National Safety Council that has not signed it. For 2004, it was estimated that more than 315 report, as much as 80 percent million personal computers became obsolete in the U.S. The Silicon of the machines collected by Valley Toxics Coalition, a non-profit group formed after the recyclers are being disposed discovery of ground water contamination in the valley, estimates that of through a far simpler among other hazardous wastes, 315 million scrapped computers means. They are being sold contain 600 million kg of lead, one million kg of cadmium, two lakh to Asian middlemen, put on kg of mercury and 6 lakh kg of hexavalent chromium - all ships and sent Guiyu. environmentally hazardous heavy metals. Sources: http://eces.org/articles/; Officially, China has a ban on Sources: http://eces.org/articles/; http://news.zdnet.co.uk/buiseness; http://news.zdnet.co.uk/buiseness; such imports, but the law is Source: http://www.crra/com/ewaste/ttrash2/ttrash2 WIT’s World Ecology Report 10 Spring 2005

tions to buy the right to con- on lung development in chil- Keck School of Medicine at tinue emitting carbon diox- dren. A research team sup- the University of Southern ide. Carbon credits are pur- ported by the National Insti- California in Los Angeles chased from countries or tute of Environmental Health found an association corporations that have in Sciences (NIEHS) conducted between long-term air pol- some way reduced carbon a prospective epidemiologic lution and the early stages of emissions-by, for example, study on 1,759 children from atherosclerosis. The study converting a coal burning 12 communities in Southern suggests that air pollution plant to natural gas, or by California. The communities may contribute to cardio- planting trees to soak up car- had a wide range of expo- vascular problems at a very bon releases. Last December sures to air pollutants includ- early stage of the disease. in Milan, Italy, the United ing particulate matter, acid Examining data from close Nations Framework Conven- aerosols, ozone, and nitrogen to 800 residents of the Los tion on Climate Change dioxide. The team recruited Angeles area aged 40 and (UNFCCC), which oversees fourth-graders and per- older, the researchers identi- the Kyoto Protocol, agreed formed lung function tests fied an association between that genetically engineered annually for eight years. the increase in the quantity trees could be used in indus- Over the eight-year period, of pollutants and thickness Global Warming, trial tree plantations to soak statistically and clinically sig- of the artery inner-lining. Allergies and up carbon emissions. How- nificant decreases in a meas- The correlation was greatest Genetically ever, genetically engineered urement of lung function among people over age 60, Engineered Trees fast growth trees are expect- were associated with expo- women, and those taking Levels of carbon dioxide ed to exacerbate this prob- sure to nitrogen dioxide, acid cholesterol-lowering med- associated with the warming lem. Satellite images from aerosols, particulate matter, ication. However, of the earth's atmosphere the 1980s reveal that vast and elemental carbon. The researchers note that may be causing an increase expanses of land where authors concluded that these although the study was too in allergies. In an atmos- native forests once stood and results can be generalized to small to make broad gener- phere with twice the amount which have been converted children living in other parts alizations, further investiga- of carbon dioxide than pres- to tree plantations, sequester of the United States that have tion is warranted. ent levels, there would be 61 only one fourth of the carbon high air pollution levels. The Source: Ivanhoe Newswire: per cent more pollen. In of their native forest prede- results indicate that current http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. Japan, the growth conifer cessors, according to both ambient air pollution levels (Cryptomeria japonica), the US Environmental Pro- can have chronic and adverse covered 10 million hectares, tection Agency and World effects on lung development Rapid Environmental and each spring, a great Resources Institute. There is in children, leading to clini- Assessment of the cloud of pollen descends on great concern that the cally significant lung func- Tisza River Basin Japan, leaving 2 out of 6 process of native forest con- tion deficits in adulthood. Report inhabitants affected by aller- version to tree plantations Given the severity of the Almost five years after a gy. In Tokyo over the past contributes to global warm- effects and the importance of cyanide spill from a gold ten years, the proportion of ing by simultaneously releas- lung development as a deter- mine in northern Romania affected population has ing the carbon stored in the minant of morbidity and traveled down the Tisza increased from 7 to 20 per native forests and by replac- mortality during adulthood, River in Hungary, leaving a cent. ing old growth forests with the study supports the need trail of ecological destruc- On October 22, 2004 tree plantations that store to continue identifying tion in its wake, local com- Russia ratified the Kyoto carbon at a dramatically strategies for reducing air munities in the region Protocol, enabling the inter- reduced rate. pollution. national agreement on global remain at risk from floods Source: “The effect of air pollution on and industrial pollution. warming remediation to go Source: World Rainforest Movement, lung development from 10 to 18 years http://www.wrm.org.uy, WRM Bulletin of age.” New England Journal of Despite the lessons learned into effect without United 60 & 88, November 2004 States participation. Within Medicine, 351(11):1057-1067; UPDATE from the Baia Mare catas- no. 53 December 2004: International trophe in January 2000, the days of Russia's announce- Network on Children's Health, ment, carbon trading in Air Pollution Environment and Safety (INCHES) Tisza River basin, its people Europe tripled. The carbon Blocks Children’s and nature remain threat- market, projected to reach Lung Development ened by environmental inse- Air Pollution and curity, in particular from US$60 billion by 2008, is Mounting evidence sug- Clogged Arteries floods and accidental pollu- included as part of the Kyoto gests that exposure to air pol- Researchers from the tion risks, according to a Protocol to enable corpora- lution has long-term effects WIT’s World Ecology Report Spring 2005 11 new report from the United global surface temperature concentrates in dietary fat from Chile contained the Nations Environment Pro- increased by more than and subsequently in the fatty insecticide methomyl at 1.2 gramme (UNEP). The new 0.60C. The rate of change components of human blood. times the safe level for tod- report notes that the Tisza for the period since 1976 is New research suggests that dlers. There is controversy River basin ecosystem is roughly three times that for green tea may combat diox- as to whether pesticide regenerating itself after the the past 100 years as a in’s toxicity because antioxi- residue is safe in any quan- cyanide accident, with whole. In the northern dants in the leaves of green tity for infants and children, wildlife largely recovering. hemisphere, the 1990s were tea appear to inhibit dioxin’s particularly chemicals sus- But, more concerted action the warmest decade with an effect on human cells. Kale pected to be hormone dis- is needed to address envi- average of 0.38oC. The sur- and spinach contain slightly rupters or carcinogens. ronmental "insecurities", face temperatures averaged weaker antioxidants similar and recommends an "Inte- over the recent five years to the ones found in the green Source: INCHES Update I no. 53 December 2004 grated Sustainable Devel- (2000-2004) were, howev- tea leaves and may confer a opment Strategy" for the er, much higher (0.58o C). similar benefit. entire catchment area of the Source: Press Release, World Source: Science News, Vol. 165, June 12, 2004 river Tisza, which includes Meteorological Organization, WMO- Romania, Ukraine, Slova- No.718, Dec. 15, 2004 kia, Hungary and Serbia and Montenegro. In the Pesticide Residues Green Tea in Children’s Food wake of the Baia Mare spill, Inhibits Dioxin hot spots of potential acci- Pesticides have been dental pollution risk from Dioxin is a carcinogenic found in food at up to three- mining operations (includ- toxin ubiquitous in the envi- and-a-half times the safe ing from obsolete mining ronment as a result of com- level for children. Samples sites) are singled out by the bustion processes, including of apples from Argentina new UNEP report for partic- the open burning of trash. In contained the fungicide ular attention. The report is high doses it can poison captan, which Friends of available on the web at: humans. Since it is estimated the Earth claims is a poten- www.grid.unep.ch that more than 95% of tial carcinogen; grapes from Egypt contained up to 1.3 Smaller Antarctic Source: UNEP News Release Paris human exposure to dioxin 2004/20; www.unep.org occurs through the diet, the times the safe level of the Ozone Hole dioxin content of foods is a insecticide dimethoate for The ozone hole over particular public health con- toddlers and children up to Antarctica appears to have 2004 Fourth Warmest cern. Environmental dioxin six years old; and grapes shrunk about 20 per cent Year on Record According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the global mean surface temperature in 2004 is expected to be +0.440 C above the 1961- 1990 annual average of 140C. This value of 0.44o C places 2004 as the fourth warmest year in the tem- perature record since 1861 just behind 2003 (+0.490C). However, 1998 remains the warmest year, when surface temperatures averaged +0.540C above the same 30-year mean. The last 10 years (1995- 2004), with the exception of 1996, are among the warmest 10 years on record. Over the 20th century, the Source: Choices. Winning the Peace. WIT’s World Ecology Report 12 Spring 2005

ther improve environmental 14th International Conference standards and technical guidance on soil. The coun-

Health and Environment: Global Partners 4

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Programme able use of pesticides and o S (*pending) fertilizers, and illegal dump- ing of commercial and resi- involving children in Mozam- April 27, Session I Making a World of Difference dential garbage. bique. The vaccine, Glaxo- for HIV/AIDS 10 am –1 PM In reaction to deforesta- SmithKline (GSK) Biologicals’ Epidemiological & Historical tion, the Chinese government RTS,S/ AS02A, protected a Perspective of HIV/AIDS; began afforestation pro- significant percentage of chil- HIV/ARV Treatments grams in the 1970s and has dren against uncomplicated increased the country’s forest malaria, infection, and even Session 2 Making a World of Difference coverage from 13.9 per cent severe forms of the disease for for HIV/AIDS 3-6 PM in 1993 to 17.5 per cent in at least six months. Over 40% Global Disparities and 2000. By 2001, the total of the world's children live in Challenges in Treatments; afforested area in China had malaria-endemic countries. Around 90% of these deaths Stemming the Global Spread reached 46.7 million occur in Africa, mostly in of HIV/AIDS hectares. young children. There are April 28, Session I Making it Happen, 10 am –1 PM Sources: www.chinaenvironment 300-500 million malaria .net/sino/sino5/page35.html Session 2 Communicating Health infections each year globally, www.chinaembassy.org.in/ resulting in more than one Problems: Chornobyl eng/zgbd/t169817.htm Experience, 3-6 PM million deaths. Malaria is Africa's leading cause of For Further Information and pre-registration under-five mortality and kills contact www.worldinfo.org or [email protected] one African child every 30 sec- onds. Children who survive an from last year's record size. China’s Soil episode of severe malaria may This year, the maximum size and Forests suffer from learning impair- of the Antarctic ozone hole In response to soil degra- ments or brain damage. (19.6 million km2) was dation, China has decided to Sources: WHO Facts and figures on reached in late September. establish an alarm system for malaria, www.who.int/mediacentre/ Except for the year 2002, factsheets/fs094/en/; www.malaria soil environment safety so as vaccine.org when the ozone hole split to prevent further deteriora- into two in late September, tion of the soil in the country. the October ozone hole this According to Wang Yuqing, Women as year was the smallest the deputy director of the Conservationists observed in more than a State Environmental Protec- Desertification afflicts up decade. The ozone hole in tion Administration (SEPA), to half of China's population, 2004 dissipated earlier than speaking to the Second Inter- but in one degraded area usual, in mid-November. national Conference on Soil Malaria Vaccine 1,000 km west of Beijing, Source: Press Release, World Pollution and Repair (Nan- women have mobilized their Meteorological Organization, WMO- jing, November 2004), China A malaria candidate vac- No.718, Dec. 15, 2004 communities to plant willows is working to make relevant cine has shown effectiveness and poplars in order to halt laws and regulations on soil for young children up to four the advancing deserts and pollution prevention and fur- years old in clinical trials create fertile land for veg- WIT’s World Ecology Report Spring 2005 13

etable production. In Kenya, behind the Iron Curtain. cludes that environmental to ensure protection of chil- The Green Belt Movement, Many believe that Holodomor degradation can undermine dren's health. Ambient (out- estabalished by Wangari was a strategic plan to humil- local and international securi- door) air pollution is now rec- 4

0 Maathai under the auspices of iate and repress the Ukrainian ty by exacerbating “grievances ognized as an important 0 2

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m eries. To stop the encroaching “Harvest of Despair” narrates and poorly managed urban- pollution has increased, and i T

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n 20 million trees. Maathai, is interviews with survivors aug- ment, water supplies and air pollution at levels once i F

: the first African woman to mented by rarely seen photo- transport systems, pollution of considered safe. Children and e c r win the Nobel Peace Prize. graphic evidence of the strug- coastal waters, deforestation, infants are among the most u o gle to survive starvation. The soil degradation as a result of susceptible to many of the air S Source: "Women and the Environment", available on-line at demise of the Soviet Union pesticides, erosion and old pollutants. In addition to EarthPrint, www.earthprint.com; UNEP has allowed increased discus- military and civil industrial associations between air pol- News Release 2004/24 sion of Holodomor to occur sites. The research also lution and respiratory symp- within families and through- emphasizes the role the envi- toms, asthma exacerbations, “Harvest of Despair, out the international commu- ronment can play in promot- and asthma hospitalizations, The 1932-33 Famine nity. Ukraine’s Ambassador to ing peace as many of the prob- recent studies have found in Ukraine.” the United Nations, H. E. lems are shared between links between air pollution Valeriy Kuchinsky, noted in communities and neighboring and preterm birth, infant Director: Slavko Novytski, his commemoration speech on countries. Copies of the new mortality, deficits in lung Producers: Yuri Luhovy and the 70th anniversary of report on environmental hot- growth, and possibly, devel- S. Novytsk. Holodomor, not to avenge the spots in the southern Caucasus opment of asthma. Further In recognition of the past but to “help the interna- is available on the web at information is available at: human tragedy known a tional community avoid simi- www.envsec.org www.pediatrics.org/ cgi/con- Holodomor, the man made lar catastrophes in the tent/full/114/6/1699 famine in Ukraine between future”. 1932-33 during the Stalinist Ambient Air Further information about Pollution: Health Children's World era, we recommend the docu- the film is available at www mentary film “Harvest of Hazards to Children Summit for the .infoukes.com/history/famine Environment to Despair,” screened at the UN /harvest_of_despair/index.ht Vol 114 No. 6; December Headquarters, November 12, ml 6, 2004 p 1699-1707. The be held in Japan 2003. The “Harvest” of American Academy of Pedi- July 2005 1932-33 resulted in the atrics (AAP), Committee on The Children's World deaths of seven to ten million Environmental Hot- Environmental Health. AAP Summit for the Environment people, primarily within the spots in the Southern is an organization containing will bring together 1,000 boarders of Ukraine, a coun- Caucasus Region 60,000 pediatricians in the children, aged between 10 try often called the “bread- A new report, produced by US. This policy statement and 14, from over 150 coun- basket” of Europe because of the United Nations Environ- summarizes the recent litera- tries, together with their its agricultural abundance. ment Programme (UNEP) in ture linking ambient air pol- adult chaperones. The Sum- Holodomor is what Ukraini- collaboration with the United lution to adverse health out- mit will help to increase chil- ans call “Murder by Hunger”. Nations Development Pro- comes in children and Under the policy of forced col- gramme (UNDP) and the includes a perspective on the lectivization of agricultural Organization for Security and current regulatory process. “Too many lands and the soviet ideology Cooperation in Europe The statement provides governments are of personal sacrifice of indi- advice to pediatricians on how (OSCE), focuses on environ- making informed, vidual rights for a communal mental hot spots in the south- to integrate issues regarding goals and progress, the grain ern Caucasus countries of air quality and health into deliberate choices raised by a Ukrainian farmer, Armenia, Azerbaijan and patient education and chil- that actually hurt some of which his family Georgia. The work could dren's environmental health childhood.” needed to survive, was taken become an early warning advocacy and concludes with and sold in Western markets recommendations to the gov- Carol Bellamy, blueprint for environment and UNICEF Executive Director so that the Soviet Union could security initiatives in any part ernment on promotion of project the image prosperity of the world. The study con- effective air-pollution policies WIT’s World Ecology Report 14 Spring 2005

Continued from page 16 dren's understanding of agency for the promotion of and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, environmental issues by let- the Decade. Information on clothing, housing and medical care...” ting them share experiences the United Nations Decade Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration provide and opinions, give them an of Education for Sustain- the most effective means to secure the right to health, as opportunity to collectively able Development can be well as other rights. Article 18: Everyone has the right to voice their concerns for the found at: http://portal.unesco freedom of thought, conscience and religion…. Article 19: environment and inspire .org/education Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and them to initiate and imple- expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions ment community environ- without interference and to seek, receive and impart mental projects. A Junior WHO Consolidated Information on information and ideas through any media and regardless Board consisting of six repre- of frontiers. sentatives from the UNEP Environmental Right-to-know accords and legislation follow through regions (North America, Sanitation in on human rights Articles 18 and 19. The Rio Declaration Europe, Latin America and Emergencies of the United Nations Conference on Environment and the Caribbean, Africa, West As part of the WHO Asia, and Asia and the Pacif- response to the South Asia Development (UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, 1992) underscored ic) works with the Japan tsunami disaster, the follow- organizing committee and ing web page has been UNEP to develop an agenda established: www.who.int/ and ensure that the facilities, water_sanitation_health/hygi “The more I study religions the more meals and program of the ene/emergencies/sanemergen I am convinced that man never Summit reflect the needs of cies/en/ worshipped anything but himself.” the participating children. The information and links The application form for the presented will be expanded. Sir Richard Francis Burton explorer and writer (1821-1890) 2005 Summit is available on At present it includes: the UNEP website. It can be 1 Environmental health in submitted along with a brief emergencies and disasters summary of an envi- : a practical guide. The this principle as does the Precautionary Principle. Non- ronmental project being direct link is: www.who governmental organizations, news organizations, private undertaken by the appli- .int/water_sanitation_hea citizens, often contend with governments to implement cants either in school or at lth/hygiene/emergencies/ Articles 18 and 19. With developments in information the community level. The emergencies2002/en/ collection and transmission from the television to the organizing committee, satellite, from wired to wireless, technology has advanced UNEP and the Junior Board 2 Fact sheets on Environ- these rights, since the Universal Declaration’s adoption in will select the best projects mental Sanitation. The December 1948. The Chornobyl nuclear tragedy came to and notify the successful direct link is: be known worldwide because the information about the applicants. Further informa- www.who.int/ accident could not be suppressed for long. Nor could facts tion is available from UNEP water_sanitation_health/ about the chemical tragedy in Bhopal, India, and the or from the Children's World hygiene/emergencies/env political tragedy of Tiannamen Square, China, be hidden Summit for the Environment sanfactsheets/en/ organizers in Japan: at: by corporations or governments. www.children-summit .jp/ 3 WHO Health Action in “Yes”, is the answer to the question posed a couple of or www.unep.org/tunza Crises. The direct link is: hundred words ago: would a long list of new rights dilute www.who.int/hac/en/ the basic elements of justice already outlined in the international human rights agreements? One of America’s The principal objective of Decade of Education Founding Fathers and the author of the Declaration of the WHO Health Action in for Sustainable Independence, Thomas Jefferson, wrote, “ Where the press Crises Department is to Development, 2005- is free and every man able to read, all is safe.” Jefferson reduce avoidable loss of life, 2014 points out the importance of a literate populace, and since burden of disease and dis- In December 2002, the the adoption of the Universal Declaration, great gains have ability in crises in indicative United Nations Decade of been made in literacy, particularly among girls, advancing list of crisis-prone and crisis- Education for Sustainable the Declaration’s right to education. The Universal affected countries. Full Development was adopted Declaration’s spirit of equality between male and female, by the United Nations Gen- reports on the situation in South Asia are available provides the prescription to secure human rights without eral Assembly, and UNESCO creating a new laundry list of claims. was designated as lead through their website. WIT’s World Ecology Report Spring 2005 15

World Information Transfer World Information Transfer World Information Transfer is a Non-Profit, Non- Governmental Organization MISSION STATEMENT World Ecology in General Consultative Report Status with the United Knowledge brings new choices. Nations, Promoting Health Education brings new knowledge. World Information Transfer, Inc. and Environmental (ISSN #1080-3092) World Information Transfer, Inc. (WIT) is a not-for-profit, non- 451 Park Avenue South, 6th Floor Literacy. New York, NY 10016 governmental organization in consultative status with the United Nations, Telephone: (212) 686-1996 World Information Transfer promoting environmental health and literacy. Fax: (212) 686-2172 In 1987, inspired by the Chornobyl nuclear tragedy, WIT was formed in E-Mail: [email protected] BOARD OF recognition of the pressing need to provide accurate actionable information Electronic edition available on: about our deteriorating global environment and its effect on human health to www.worldinfo.org DIRECTORS opinion leaders and concerned citizens around the world. Founder & WIT exercises its mandate through: Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Christine K. Durbak Dr. Christine K. Durbak Chair 1. The publication of the World Ecology Report, a quarterly digest of critical issues in health and environment, published in five languages and distributed to Managing Editor: Dr. Claudia Strauss Roland A. DeSilva opinion leaders around the world, and for free in developing countries. Contributing Editors: Britta Husack Executive Vice Chair Jonathan Nichol 2. The annual international conference on Health and Environment: Global Dora Rak Peter F. Sprague Partners for Global Solutions held at United Nations headquarters in New York Vice Chair since 1992. The world’s leading authorities in the field of environmental Circulation Manager: Carolyn T. Comitta

medicine and science share their latest findings and discuss possible solutions Language Editors: Dr. Mohammed El-Banna-Arabic Dr. Claudia Strauss with leaders in governments, business, organizations, and the media. Lidia Garrido-Spanish Secretary 3. Development and distribution of CD-ROM projects focusing on Taras Prytula-Ukrainian Carolyn Comitta sustainable development and human health and research on health issues as Consultant: Dr. Andrew Tuziak Treasurer they relate to the environment. Video Production: Alan Geoghegan Dr. Sophie Balk 4. Providing humanitarian relief to areas devastated by environmental degradation. Supplies and equipment are sent to schools, hospitals and Photographer: Luba Berezny Dr. Mohamed El-Banna orphanages in areas contaminated by the Chornobyl fallout. WIT Regional Director-USA Dr. Ruth Etzel 5. Centers for Health & Environment providing centralized specific scientific Carolyn T. Comitta data pertaining to health and sustainability issues. The objective of the Centers 18 West Chestnut Street Dr. Bernard D. Goldstein West Chester, PA 19580 is to promote ongoing research, education and the implementation of corrective Tel: (610) 696-3896 Cary Granat programs. The first center was opened in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1992 and in 1996 Fax: (610) 450-3804 Amb. Nina Kovalska moved to Lviv, Ukraine, at K. Levyckoho 11a, #15, telephone/fax: 322-76 40 WIT Regional Director-Canada 39. The second opened in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1997, at Bir Hasan, United Taras V. Boychuk Dr. Philip Landrigan 48 Guided Crt., Toronto, ON, M9V 4K6 Nations Street, Al-Salaam Building, telephone: 961-1-853657. Tel/Fax:: (416) 742-8846 Dr. Patricia Myskowski WIT currently operates from headquarters in New York City with regional E-Mail: [email protected] Dr. Kenneth Offit offices in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Switzerland, WIT Regional Directors-Eastern Europe Ukraine and USA. Roma Hawryliuk & Amb. Nina K. Kovalska Jonathan Otto K. Levyckoho 11a, #15 WIT has General Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Lviv, Ukraine Dr. Scott C. Ratzan Tel/Fax: (380) 322 76-40-39 & 76-68-18 Dr. William Rom We have not inherited the world from our forefathers...we have borrowed it E-Mail: [email protected] from our children. –Kashmiri Proverb WIT Regional Director-Latin America Jay Walker Lidia Garrido C/Nueva 1,3 Izq., 31191 Beriain,Navarra, Spain E-Mail: [email protected]

WIT Regional Director-Western Europe Dr. Michel Loots Oosterveldlaan 196 B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium Tel: 32-3-448-05-54; Fax 32-3-449-75-74 E-Mail: [email protected]

WIT Regional Director-Middle East Farouk Mawlawi Al-Salaam Building–United Nations St. Bir Hasan–Beirut, Lebanon Tel: (961) 1-853573; Fax (961) 1-853657 E-Mail: [email protected]

WIT Regional Director-Oceania Gerry Lynch Unit 3, 55 William Street Double Bay, NSW 2028, Australia Tel: 61 (2) 9328-6343; Fax 61 (2) 9328-0546

WIT Regional Director-Africa Dr. Mohamed El-Banna 74 Sawra St. Heliopolis, 11341 Cairo, Egypt Tel: (202) 368-2887; Fax (202) 365-0492 E-Mail: [email protected]

WIT Regional Director-Asia Harris Bazerman Manhattan I/D - 33 Tai Tam Rd. Tai Tam, Hong Kong, SAR, China Tel: 852 2524 9063; Fax 852 2524 6036 E-Mail: [email protected] WIT’s World Ecology Report 16 Spring 2005

POINT OF VIEW: HOW MANY RIGHTS TO FREEDOM AND JUSTICE?

The rights of the world’s people have been growing, at least origin, property, birth or other status [Article 4]. Article 7 on paper. As nations continue to fashion human rights states, “All are equal before the law and are entitled without agreements in the hope of securing a decent life for their any discrimination to equal protection of the law.” Other rights citizens, a dilemma arises. If we accept the recent universal include the right to emigrate, the right to seek political asylum, right to clean water, can we also claim a universal right to the the right to nationality, the right of men and women “of full other staples of a healthy environment: a stable climate, clean age” to marry [Article 16], the right to own property, the right air, uncontaminated oceans, plentiful amounts of topsoil, to work for equal pay for equal work and to join trade unions, healthy forests and protected mountains? If we accept the the right to peaceful assembly and community and political right to development , can we claim the right to balance the participation, the right to education, to leisure, the right to Earth’s carrying capacity with population size and natural social security [Article 22]. resource use? Aside from questioning whether international To accommodate special situations of particular groups, the rights actually augment international regulations, would a Universal Declaration spawned other human rights treaties, long list of new rights dilute the basic elements of justice notably, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the already outlined in existing international human rights Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against agreements? Women known as CEDAW. Currently, a rights based approach Human Rights, as Eleanor Roosevelt and other leaders has become an integral part of most international issues, envisioned over 50 years ago, provided a set of civil and including health and the environment. political liberties to which countries and individuals must Article 25 addresses the general right to health: “Everyone aspire. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights she has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health shepherded through the newly organized United Nations was broad enough to encompass every human being, and sufficiently specific to be applied across the world. The Declaration’s preamble proclaims, “This Universal Declaration “Whenever the people are of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations…shall strive… to promote respect for well-informed, they can these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, be trusted with their own national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance….” government.” The basic rights in the Universal Declaration include the right to “life, liberty and security of person [Article 3]… Thomas Jefferson, US President (1801-09) without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social

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