An international court for the environment - Stephen Hocking QC

It's not just Evo Morales talking about an international court for the environment. You can hear an interview with Environmental lawyer and judge Stephen Hocking at the One Planet podcast. Check out this article from 2008 in the Guardian. Here is an excerpt;


"As far as the business community is concerned, an international court for the environment would offer a centralised system accessible to a range of actors, an enhanced body of law regarding environmental issues, and consistency in judicial resolution of environmental disputes. Such a court would also bring an increased focus on preventative measures, a set of global standards of care, and the facilitation and enforcement of environmental treaties. In addition, it could persuade the world business community to develop risk-management systems and improve present practices, thereby reducing the likelihood of environmental catastrophe.
Only an impartial adjudicating body is capable of providing the catalyst for a global consensus as to the fairest way to distribute the burdens that accompany solutions to the climate change problem. Whatever difficulties may lie in the path of such solutions, the benefits will be greater."

Happy Earth Day!

May you all have a Happy Earth Day!
I celebrated by planting out a black currant shrub I raised from a hardwood cutting, split and repotted a peppermint plant I use to make tea with, I took a walk in the lovely northern English sunshine down through the botanical gardens, where the magnolias are in bloom in all their fragrant glory, on down to the Sheffield General Cemetery park where I grazed on some fresh young nettle tops, my fingers are numb now but I managed to keep from stinging my mouth this time.

While I walked, I caught up on the Democracy Now! newscast, my primary source for general news these days as BBC isn't covering the World Peoples Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth taking place in Cochabamba Bolivia. I haven't followed the corporate propaganda that passes for news in the states for some time but I assume they are also not reporting on this peoples conference on climate change. Please let me know if I'm mistaken.

Evo Morales, the indigenous leader of Bolivia, one of the only countries in the world that has asserted it's rights to it's own resources by kicking out the pirates of golbalization, is calling for an International Tribunal for Climate Justice,  essentially an environmental court. I support this idea but being a realist I don't expect to see the US, one of only 2 developed countries (the other being Canada) that has refused to support the rights of indigenous peoples to self determination, ever to recognize it. The US doesn't even recognize the world court in Brussels. Someday I do hope to see my home country become a good global citizen.

Anyway, enough of the rant, today is a joyous day of celebration. Homage to the power of the earth, our mother. Get out and enjoy!