From ggallon@ecolog.com Wed Oct  1 13:53:56 2003
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Subject: Gallon Newsletter


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                         THE GALLON ENVIRONMENT LETTER

        Canadian Institute for Business and the Environment Fisherville,
     Ontario, Canada Ph. 416 410-0432, Fax 416 362-5231 info@cialgroup.com
                       Vol. 8, No. 4, September 23, 2003

 

****************************************************
IN THIS ISSUE

Last issue's lead topic, Citizens Take Environmental Law Into Their Own
Hands, prompted some discussion on whether Canada should encourage
citizen suits and private prosecutions as tools for discouraging
polluters and winning compensation from those who do pollute. The
Editorial Comment for this issue discusses some of the compelling
arguments on both sides.

Our lead topic this issue, Changing Organizational Environmental
Behaviour, is part of the same broad theme, one we know we will come back
to on future occasions - how can society assist organizations such as
corporations to change their behaviour so that they give greater priority
to protection of the environment. This lead contains several embedded
corporate vignettes, so it is rather larger than our typical lead. We
hope you find it interesting. Next issue we will follow on with an
exploration of the "definition" of a sustainable development strategy for
a company or government organization.

Last issue we confused our Technoparcs - there are two of them in
Montreal. A note right after this introduction sets the record straight.

We also promised to cover some environmental reports on the serious fires
in British Columbia this summer, reports that were written before the
fires. Many of our readers missed the July 31st issue Volume 8 Number 1 -
and therefore may not know that ownership and management of the Gallon
Environment Letter has changed. An item near the end of this issue will
bring you up to date.

Elsewhere in this issue we have an update on Kyoto, an item on
self-destructing DVDs, a technology that if implemented properly might
not be quite as bad as it sounds, and on the latest
internationally-funded mega-project, a gas pipeline in the Peruvian
Amazon, that could be as controversial as drilling in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge. We end with an article that is for the birds, literally.
But then again, maybe it's not for the birds!

We hope you enjoy!
****************************************************
MONTREAL PCB LEAK REFERRED TO NAFTA ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
- A CORRECTION

An article under this headline in the last issue confused Technoparc St.
Laurent with Technoparc Montreal. GL apologizes for the error which
affected only the third and fourth paragraphs of the article.

According to their own literature, Technoparc St. Laurent is located at
the heart of Greater Montreal, while Technoparc Montreal is located on
the edge of downtown Montreal. We were not aware that there are two
Technoparcs in Montreal.

To correct the record, the third paragraph of our article refers
exclusively to Technoparc St. Laurent, a location which is not the
subject of the complaint to the NAFTA Environment Commission (CEC). The
information in the third paragraph is correct for the St. Laurent
location but that is not the site of concern. To the best of our
knowledge contamination at Technoparc St. Laurent does not represent a
serious environmental risk.

The fourth paragraph mixes information relating to the two Technoparcs.
The street names we gave are those in the Technoparc St. Laurent, the
Technoparc that is not known to have a problem of any particular
consequence and which is not contaminating the St. Lawrence River. One of
the three companies we named is located in Technoparc St. Laurent. Two of
the companies we named are in Technoparc Montreal but located themselves
there well after the site became contaminated and are not associated in
any way with the sources of the contamination.

We sincerely regret and apologize to all concerned for the confusion. As
the CEC complaint process proceeds we will return to this story.
****************************************************
SHOULD CITIZENS BE ABLE TO TAKE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS?

Last issue's lead topic illustrated ways in which Americans have greater
ability than Canadians to use the courts as a tool to achieve
environmental objectives, though Canadians are slowly following suit.
This increased litigiousness is happening with little public debate and
with no real analysis of whether or not it is a path that Canada ought to
follow. Indeed it is GL's view that much of the increased use of legal
mechanisms is arising because of the downsizing of government and the
consequent reduction in government oversight of corporate environmental
behaviour and enforcement of environmental laws. Smaller government
arises from an agenda strongly supported by the business community. So
business is perversely supporting what is likely to result in individual
companies being hauled into court much more often and having to face the
associated increased legal costs and adverse publicity. Business in the
US has won changes to prevent state-level class action suits in view of
the famous Erin Brockovich case but is still saying there is too much
litigation. Some industry associations are now pushing for increased
government regulation in order to reduced the huge cost of civil
litigation that results from less government regulation!

With that in mind, GL proposes that the next federal environment minister
engage Canadians in a debate about whether we want more or less
environmental regulation, the type of regulation that is best for the
environment and the economy, and the desirability or otherwise of
increased citizen access to the courts for redress of environmental
injustices. Clearly these are inter-related topics.

Among the arguments for greater citizen use of the law:
 *  Citizens who have suffered adverse effects are likely to be more
    aggressive than government in challenging polluters in court.
 *  Citizen litigation can help fill the gap left by smaller and less
    engaged government. Some argue that citizen use of the courts can do
    more than government has ever done to pursue polluters.
 *  Expert NGOS like the Canadian Environmental Law Association and
    Sierra Legal Defence Fund are likely to mount a more effective case
    than government because they will bring to the court the very best
    outside environmental experts who will often appear pro bono for a
    NGO.
 *  Fines and penalties won by citizen suits are more likely to go to
    environmental clean-up than fines and penalties won by governments
    (see GL Vol 8. No. 2 for an example of a case where government blew
    the opportunity to put funds from an environmental fine towards
    environmenta clean up).

On the other hand:

 *  Citizen suits and prosecutions often require a huge commitment of
    volunteer time and labour and can sometimes put the homes and bank
    accounts of complainants at risk if the case goes the wrong way.
 *  Increased likelihood of citizen suits will drive corporations away
    from sharing information with the public and away from admitting
    their mistakes because of fear of increasing their legal liabilities.
 *  Cooperative and voluntary programs such as the chemical industry's
    Responsible Care may suffer if litigation becomes more commonplace.
 *  A poorly devised citizen suit may jeopardize a successful prosecution
    or discourage a broader abatement program that promises more for
    society as a whole than the suit can achieve.
 *  A fundamental role of government is to protect the environment and
    public health. If we relieve government of that responsibility by
    moving more towards private suits and prosecutions then we are
    weakening the role of government and ultimately jeopardizing
    democracy.

 

These are important issues that have never been given a full and public
airing. We set up our federal and provincial environment ministries in
the early 1990's using a "command and control" model. Environmental
command and control of industry by government has had limited success and
since the late 1980's we have drifted into other forms of environmental
regulation. Today our framework of environmental laws and regulations is
at best a patchwork and at worst a mess.

In the mid-1990's I suggested to the Ontario government that they should
set up a Commission of Inquiry to discuss the most appropriate forms of
environmental regulation with the public. The government was very
interested but ultimately chose to lie low in the hope that environmental
issues would go away. The failure of environmental regulation to achieve
anything close to sustainable development in any province suggests that
such a commission is now more urgent than ever.

Colin Isaacs
Editor
****************************************************
****************************************************
CHANGING ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR
****************************************************
Various approaches have been used to foster behaviour that protects the
environment. In this issue we explore some of the tools and some of the
results. Increasingly, focus on corporate environmental responsibility is
being overtaken by corporate social responsibility, often known as CSR,
which includes labour, human rights, gender equity, and other social
aspects as well as environment. Governments, NGOs and the general public
play a role in changing organizational behaviour. In increasingly
globalized markets, the following sections form an incomplete list of the
tools which shape corporate environmental behaviour.
****************************************************
REGULATIONS

Although almost a dirty word in Canada, Ontario, and at least federally
in the US, many other countries, especially those in the European Union
EU are regulating against products or processes that harm the environment
much more rigorously than ever before. North American companies wishing
to enter such markets are likely to have to comply with the local rules.
Failing that, they will face the wrath of consumers if not of
governments. Sensibly, faced with the complexity of dealing with
different laws in different countries, some are choosing to follow the
most stringent of all the countries in which they operate or sell
product.

Even in Canada it is becoming more common that companies applying for a
permit to operate must also meet other requirements such as: filing a
pollution prevention plan, providing scientific testing of the toxic
effects of their products; or being responsible for the end-of-life
disposal of their products (Ontario, maybe!). Vancouver and Toronto both
have sewer use by-laws which include pollution prevention planning. The
European Union has shaken up the industry and gardeners with a directive
on plant protection products which has resulted in the withdrawal of as
many as 10% of garden pesticide products. In order to remain on the
market, pesticide products must be defended by the company with data
about environmental safety.

Europa. Plant Protection Products. Commission close to completion of
pesticide review: 110 additional substances to be withdrawn. July 8,
2003.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/ph_ps/pro/index_en.htm [click on press
release]
****************************************************
VOLUNTARY INITIATIVES

Some industry associations require their members to participate in
environmental programs which includes codes of practice. Examples include
the Environmental Commitment and Responsibility Program of the Canadian
Electricity Association and the Responsible Care program originated by
the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association but now expanded to other
industries and countries. Voluntary initiatives often involve some type
of public reporting of progress, for example, Canada's Voluntary
Challenge and Registry Program for greenhouse gas emissions.

Some companies are seeking certification to ISO 14001 or benchmarking
their environmental management systems against ISO 14001. Depending on
their products, some belong to specialized certification programs such as
those for sustainable timber or fair trade shade coffee.

Kerr, Robert, Aaron Cosbey and Ron Yachnin. Beyond Regulation: Exporters
and Voluntary Environmental Measures. Winnipeg, MB: International
Institute for Sustainable Development IISD, 1998. or
http://www.iisd.org/pdf/beyondregulation.pdf

From IISD, Rob began work at Environics International where he is
involved in the environmental poll GlobeScan Survey of Experts, a survey
of sustainable development topics (commercial) Contact: Rob Kerr,
Director, Global Issues, Environics International Ltd. (GlobeScan
Research) 33 Bloor Street East, Suite 900 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W
3H1 tel: 416 920-9010 x2770 fax: 416 920-3510
****************************************************
VOLUNTARY INITIATIVES BACKED BY REGULATIONS

The lack of regulatory backstop is the biggest difference between
Canada's voluntary initiatives, sometimes derided as ineffective, and
Europe's voluntary initiatives, often widely respected. In Europe,
voluntary initiatives are often negotiated between government and
industry. In this situation the use of the word "voluntary" is somewhat
debatable. It is very much a "do it or else" situation.

The Netherlands has developed a version of these agreements known as
environmental covenants. Covenants give industry assurance that
unexpected government policies are not coming down the pike while
requiring, repeat requiring, them to develop environmental plans as part
of their license.

The Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC. Environmental Agreements in the
Netherlands: Sharing responsibilities for sustainable industrial
development. February 06, 2003.
http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000290EN
If that doesn't work, go to http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/ and click
on Environment and Nature and then find the article and click on title.
****************************************************
TRADE RESTRICTING MEASURES

Though such measures are generally unpopular among North American
industry groups, except in those few situations where they provide
benefit, the WTO does allow countries to restrict import of goods based
on environmental aspects as long as the same limit applies to
domestically produced goods and relates to the characteristics of the
good rather than the method of production. For example, while a country
may specify that the harvest of shrimps or tuna do not harm species such
as dolphins, sea turtles and so on (known as by-catch), it is regarded an
illegal trade barrier to specify the actual design of trap or netting
which must be used to catch the shrimp or tuna. Different trade blocks,
especially the European Union, and individual countries have various
trade restrictions which may relate to the environment, for example,
banning the import of computers which are not lead-free and restricting
the import of food products containing genetically modified ingredients.
The ongoing debate over the validity or otherwise of trade restrictions
on GM food is very complex and will continue to be discussed in GL from
time to time.

World Trade Organization. http://www.wto.org/ Follow links from Trade
Topics to Dispute Settlement to The Disputes. Note: it is not easy to
determine which are environmental disputes but there is also a search
engine available for the huge amount of information at the WTO site.
****************************************************
ENVIRONMENTAL PURCHASING AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

A generally popular tool, at least among environmentalists and greener
companies, for influencing behaviour, preferential purchasing favours
environmental goods and services helping these to prosper. Purchasers,
including consumers, may choose to buy environmentally preferred products
or from companies seen as environmentally responsible. For example,
industrial purchasers may require verified life cycle information from
the point of extraction of raw materials to the point of purchase from
their supply chain. Green government procurement gives an edge to
companies with verified environmental management systems. Boycotts or
environmental group campaigns, positive and negative, may lead to
companies changing their behaviour if the effect is strong enough.

A few years ago some of the less thoughtful industry associations in
Canada tried to frame WTO rules that would outlaw non-governmental green
procurement and eco-labelling programs, including company private labels!
Not only would such an action be environmentally absurd, but it would be
just as surely unconscionable to think that WTO rules should be used to
control the behaviour of individuals, sub-national governments, and
non-governmental organizations. The WTO is an association of governments
and no one else. Since the Boston Tea Party, it has been well understood
by everyone except these industry groups that a governmental body cannot
get away with making rules that affect the behaviour of those who are not
represented at the table. Fortunately the wisdom of this seems finally to
have sunk in and Canadian industry groups appear to have abandoned
efforts to get the WTO to control or limit environmental procurement and
eco-labelling programs that are run by organizations other than national
governments.

Though often considered a separate tool, preferential purchasing of
stocks of more environmentally responsibility companies is another way
investors can exercise their right to buy green and to influence
corporate behaviour in a positive direction.

Chemical giant BASF says in its 2002 annual environment report that it
has benefitted from its environmental practices. Inclusion in
environmental indices such as Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the
FTSE4Good index as well as in funds choosing environmental leaders such
as Storebrand Principle Global Fund is seen by this company as an
indicator of "how far we have come on the road to sustainable
enterprise." Also the external assessment of the company's practices is
identified as "an important supplement to our internal control
mechanisms."

During the weak global economy, according to the company, BASF's
environmental leadership improved its share valuation because
"sustainability-conscious investors" sought the higher degree of safety
in a business which increased cost-efficiency by conserving resources and
reduced risk by its environmental practices.

BASF. BASF Group: Environment Report 2002: Sustainable Development: The
economic dimension. Report 2002 Home:
http://berichte.basf.de/en/2002/umweltbericht/?id=-J37lfe**bir700
****************************************************
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Reducing environmental risk is supposed to make a company more attractive
to investors. Many environmental practices, such as waste reduction,
improve cost efficiency. Conforming with eco-labels and other national
environmental standards allows a company entry into foreign markets. The
Body Shop originally staked a good part of its image on its environmental
practices as espoused by its CEO Anita Roddick.

Though much has been, and continues to be, written about the business
benefits of going green, it has proven extremely difficult to quantify
such benefits. As a result, it is difficult to prove the theory to
sceptical CEOs. However, GL lives in hope that a better understanding,
and better measurement, of the link between environmental responsibility
and marketplace success will continue to grow.
****************************************************
RESPECTED BUSINESS LEADERS AND ASSOCIATIONS CAN LEAD CHANGE

Business may be competitive, even cut-throat, but corporate executives,
especially those in the same sector spend time with each other in
industry associations, lobby groups, chambers of commerce and at social
events. Such relations exert pressure on the CEOs to conform to industry
norms. When Ted (Edward) Boswell was CEO of E.B. Eddy Forest Products, he
was leading his company toward improving environmental performance. He
told me at the time of the pressure from his industry counterparts who
regarded his environmental leadership as breaking rank.

That is why organizations such as The World Business Council for
Sustainable Development WBCSD, with a membership of 165 international
companies, lend considerable support to corporate change. The WBCSD has
benchmarked a number of industries in terms of environmental management.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
http://www.wbcsd.org/ Click on Cross-Cutting Themes to see what strategic
areas the group has identified as important.
****************************************************
WBCSD CHAIR URGES CORPORATIONS TO CHANGE AND "WALK THE TALK"

In the annual review of the WBCSD, chair Sir Philip Watts said it was
time that the corporate sector no longer wait for government but itself
walk the talk, "Sustainable development is not an easy option. We have to
learn to change and stimulate innovation that allows us to create wealth
in ways that reflect changing concerns and deep seated values."

World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Annual Review 2002:
From Words to Action. Geneva, 2003. http://www.wbcsd.org/ [click on
publications, then choose annual review]

Watch for the next issue of GL for more on what doing Sustainable
Development actually means for business.
****************************************************
CHANGING BEHAVIOUR THROUGH A CHANGE OF HEART

John Kotter, a professor at the Harvard School of Business, provides an 8
step plan on implementing change in organizations in his book, The Heart
of Change. The steps are:

Step 1- Increase Urgency
Step 2- Build the Guiding Team
Step 3- Get the Vision Right
Step 4- Communicate for Buy-In
Step 5- Empower Action
Step 6- Create Short-Term Wins
Step 7- Don't Let Up
Step 8- Make Change Stick

While directed towards general management issues in business, these ideas
would be useful for implementing environmental change because "the single
biggest challenge in the process is changing people's behaviour." Kotter
contends that too often organizations try to implement big changes in
times of crisis "when alligators are nipping at your heels." It is better
to get the crises under control, to get out of the "swamp" which create
negative emotions such as fear, anger and a tendency for people to hunker
down to protect themselves. Which is why getting people to adopt energy
conservation under the threat of more blackouts is unlikely to be very
effective for very long. As well as fear, complacency can also be a
barrier to change.

To change behaviour means reaching people through positive emotions and
feelings rather than analysis. A demonstration is better than a report.
The more vivid and dramatic and physical the demonstration or modelling
of action, the more people understand through seeing, hearing and
touching and the more likely they are to change behaviour.

Kotter states that you can't hand out power in a bag but you can empower
many people. While top management is essential to ensure the long-term
success of change, many more people than most organizations ever imagine
can be encouraged to dare to grab enough power to create short-term wins
that push the change process further. An example he gives is of World War
II, during which a few great leaders, hundreds of good leaders and tens
of thousands of people performing leadership acts cut through what would
have been an impossible military bureaucracy to win the war, a Herculean
challenge. The challenges facing us are potentially even greater and
Kotter concludes, "Our response can be greater as well."

Source: Kotter, John P. and Dan S. Cohen. The Heart of Change: Real-Life
Stories of How People Change Their Organizations. Harvard Business School
Press, 2002. Distributed in Canada by McGraw-Hill Ryerson Education Tel:
905 430-5010 US$24.95. See also the Web site
http://www.theheartofchange.com/
****************************************************
CHANGING ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR MEANS BEING IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

In my company's consulting work, I have found that many corporate
environmental initiatives are short-lived. Changes in leadership such as
a committed Chief Executive Officer leaving the company, mergers,
economic downturns, the pursuit of the next idea and the complexities and
difficulties of integrating environmental issues into management often
result in companies backsliding; their conduct of business changes only
superficially and relatively briefly. Environmental executives and their
departments are too often seen as cost centres instead of profit
enablers. Whatever one thinks about multinationals, one company that has
been involved in environmental initiatives, consistently reports on its
activities and stayed in for the long haul is Dow.
****************************************************
DOW CREDITS ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT FOR SUCCESS

In declaring a quarterly dividend, the "368th consecutive cash dividend
issued by Dow since 1912", The Dow Chemical Company links its performance
to the environment, "Committed to the principles of sustainable
development, Dow and its approximately 50,000 employees seek to balance
economic, environmental and social responsibilities."

Dow states that its environmental and health and safety policy is "that
all global operations and products meet Dow's requirements or their
country's laws and regulations, whichever are more stringent."

Dow Declares Quarterly Dividend of 33.5 Cents per Share. PRNewsWire.
September 11, 2003.
http://news.morningstar.com/news/PR/M09/D11/1063278063675.html
For editorial information: Cindy Newman The Dow Chemical Company
(989)636-2876
****************************************************
DOW'S ENVIRONMENT VP WINS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dow's vice president, Environmental Operations Business, Carlos
Guimaraes, is receiving the Albert V. Baez Award from the Hispanic
Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation in October to recognize
outstanding technical achievements and service to humanity.

Mr. Guimaraes is also chair of the United States Business Council for
Sustainable Development, a partner organization of the World Business
Council for Sustainable Development. A company news release credits him
with developing the strategies and plans through investment of $1 billion
dollars at Dow sites worldwide to help Dow Chemical achieve high
standards of sustainable development, "the simultaneous pursuit of
economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and social
responsibility."

Dow Chemical Company. Dow Executive Recognized for Achievements in
Environmental Progress and Sustainable Development. PRNewswire. September
3, 2003. http://news.morningstar.com/news/PR/M09/D03/1062613261196.html
****************************************************
US EPA FAILED TO TELL THE TRUTH AFTER SEPTEMBER 11

In a report released August 21, 2003, the Inspector General of the US
Environmental Protection Agency criticized EPA for failing to monitor and
resolve the environmental effects of the September 11 World Trade Center
tragedy as the public and Congress would expect.

When the towers collapsed, the building debris and combustion produced an
incredible mix of asbestos, lead, glass and concrete as particulate
matter in the air. The Inspector General's report states that the EPA
reassured the public, particularly on September 18, that the air was safe
to breath when it did not have the data to support such a statement. Air
quality monitoring data did not include pollutants such as particulates
and PCBs. Also the EPA had no benchmark to evaluate the intensity of the
exposure and the synergistic effect of the toxic mix spewed into the air.

The Inspector General also said that the White House and its Council on
Environmental Quality influenced the EPA to make reassuring statements
and avoid words of caution. Included in the criticism is that the public
were told by the City that no significant number of buildings were
contaminated with asbestos. Data suggest otherwise.

When residents returned, they had no idea that up to three cleanings of
their homes might be required to meet health standards. It is possible
that persons doing the cleaning without protective equipment increased
their long-term health risks.

US Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General. 1.
Inspector General's Personal Statement on World Trade Center Report 2.
EPA's Response to the World Trade Center Collapse 3. Supplemental
Appendices
http://www.epa.gov/oigearth/ereading_room/WTC_report_20030821.pdf
Contact: Eileen McMahon webcomments.oig@epa.gov tel: 202 566-2391
****************************************************
SEVEN CARDINAL RULES OF RISK COMMUNICATION

US EPA has guidance documents for communicating risk, experience gained
through the Superfund program. Its Seven Cardinal Rules of Risk
Communication are:

1. Accept and involve the public as a legitimate partner.
2. Plan carefully and evaluate your efforts.
3. Listen to the public's specific concerns.
4. Be honest, frank, and open.
5. Coordinate and collaborate with other credible sources.
6. Meet the needs of the media.
7. Speak clearly and with compassion.
These are good guidelines for any organization facing bad environmental
risk situations. The fact that they are followed so rarely is leading to
much mistrust of those organizations involved in environmental risk
management.
****************************************************
AMERICAN AIRLINES UPSTAGES GEORGE DUBYA!

Imagine my surprise when donning the headset during a recent trip to
Buenos Aires to hear former Clinton-era EPA Administrator Carol Browner
talking about the need to reduce emissions of mercury. Sure enough,
SkyRadio's Issues 2003 is currently carrying an hour long segment called
The Environment Watch.

In addition to Browner's excellent argument that environment can and
should be good for business, you can also hear Paul W. Asper of Frost
Brown Todd LLC and Jim Brewin of Farella Braun + Martel LLP arguing the
need for companies to adopt aggressive and creative environmental
strategies that make maximum use of new technology and minimum use of
harmful substances and processes. Other speakers present thoughtful
comments on environmental regulation, risk management, brownfields,
credit trading, environmental advancement at Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railway, and an innovative upscale environmental resort in Taos, New
Mexico.

When I was with Pollution Probe I often dreamed of getting a segment on
airline in-flight entertainment channels. What a great way to reach
movers and shakers, or at least movers! Now it has happened without NGO
involvement. Sponsored by Hewlett-Packard www.hp.com/environment and The
Dow Chemical Company http://www.dow.com/, GL readers not travelling on
American Airlines' larger planes this month can hear Browner and the rest
of the program at http://www.skyradionet.com/
****************************************************
WHERE NATURE AND SUBURBIA MEET---BEAUTIFUL BUT COSTLY RISK OF WILDFIRE

Last issue we shared with you an ad for a home in Kelowna, British
Columbia:

Lot size 4.5 acres.
Panoramic Mountain & Lake View
Enjoy country living just minutes from downtown.

Now that change in the weather has put an end to the immediate fire risk,
let's look at what we knew before the fires.
****************************************************
BC AUDITOR-GENERAL WARNED OF WILDFIRE RISK

All over the world as the climate changes, the expansion of homes and
urban sprawl into natural areas is increasing the risk of damaging
wildfires such as in Kelowna. Living next to natural beauty has a
potentially high cost. The BC Auditor-General Wayne Strelioff warned in
2001 that British Columbia is particularly vulnerable to wildland-urban
interface fires. Interface fires occur where fire-prone wildlands such as
forests are located adjacent to structures such as buildings.

More people have chosen to live closer to natural areas. Their presence
means that normal low-intensity fires must be suppressed leaving
vegetation to accumulate posing a risk for a larger wildfire. More people
means more wildfires are started from human rather than natural causes.
Houses and people also pose more risk to the fire fighters who lose the
flexibility to let a patch burn in favour of seeking safer ground.
Natural damage is also increased as more trees are removed to make bigger
fire breaks. When concentrating on protecting human life and property,
protection of forests becomes a secondary priority.

While a few local communities have undertaken risk assessments, most have
inadequate prevention and emergency measures. For example, some
communities actually require for aethetic reasons use of such flammable
materials as untreated cedar shake roofs. Most are not willing to raise
taxes in order to implement fire prevention measures.
****************************************************
FEW COMMUNITY OFFICIAL PLANS INCLUDE WILDFIRE CONTROLS

The auditor points out that the residents in the interface have a false
sense of security because fire-fighting agencies have been quite
successful in suppressing fires. Fear of future liability is also
preventing officials from discussing how to reduce the risks of interface
fires.

Land use planning is the most important part of reducing interface fire
risk. From a survey of moderate to high risk areas done by the Auditor's
office, 57% of planners said they included wildfire risks in their
Official Plan. Only 45% of chief administrative officers indicated that
such a risk was included in land use planning. Measures included in
planning controls were:

 *  Restrictions on hazardous activities such as open burning.
 *  Fire resistance standards for construction materials such as
    fire-resistant roofing. Kamloops, BC requires a covenant on any
    property in a wildfire zone to identify fire-retardant features.
 *  Property development to ensure that any wildfire prone development
    has the required infrastructure such as signage, adequate road width,
    turnaround for fire vehicles and for escape routs, and water supply.
 *  Standards for landscaping to ensure vegetation is fire resistant.
 *  Resident awareness of wildfire risk. Salmon Arm requires a convenant
    on new properties to alert potential buyers of the high risk and what
    they should do about it.
 *  Requirement for defensible spaces between the structure and the
    wildland. Vernon has a map of interface areas and requires that a
    covenant on the properties define the defensible space and its
    maintenance.
 *  Wildland Interface Strategy. Summerland's Official Plan includes a
    number of criteria for high risk development including two roads for
    access, installation of underground services, water systems suitable
    for emergenices, fire breaks and control of potential fuel for fires
    as well as fire resistant building design.

Unfortunately, as GL said recently in regard to urban sprawl, many of
these fire risk reductions also lead to more land use (e.g. wider roads,
more access roads) and loss of habitat (clearing forests to create
defense zones, and clearing vegetation such as shrubs and trees from
landscapes near buildings.)

Even when planning rules are in place, non-compliance is high due to lack
of political support and of resources for enforcement. A change in
behaviour is definitely needed.

Source: Office of the Auditor-General of British Columbia. Survey of
Local Governments on Managing Fire Risks in BC Interface Zones. 2001.
http://bcauditor.com/PUBS/2001-02/Report1/Survey.pdf
****************************************************
BC AUDITOR GENERAL NOTED FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT BETTER IN 2003!

In February 2003 followup, the auditor general found considerable
improvement. A "Wild Land Urban Interface Fire Consequence Management
Plan" improved the provinces' capability to respond to interface fires
but much of the plans are still in development and work is only partially
implemented.

Source: Office of the Auditor-General of British Columbia. Follow-up of
Performance Reports. [Use search on browser to locate Managing Interface
Fire Risks] in Report 8 - January 2003.
http://bcauditor.com/PUBS/2002-03/Report8/FollowUpFeb2003.pdf
Contact Information: Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia, 8
Bastion Square, Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 1X4 tel: 250 387-6803
fax: 250 387-1230 or bcauditor@bcauditor.com
****************************************************
DISNEY'S "SELF-DESTRUCT" DVDS ATTRACT CRITICS

Walt Disney Company's home video unit Buena Vista Home Entertainment is
testing DVDs which allow as much viewing as desired as long as it is done
within 48 hours of opening the package. Eight movie titles were launched
September 9, 2003 into four US test markets. The disposable DVDs, seen as
an alternative to renting, will be sold at grocery, convenience and other
chain stores. The price will be competitive with a rental. The DVDs are
made unreadable on exposure to oxygen over time.

Disney spokespersons says that the DVDs are intended to attract those
desiring convenience and put off by return trips and late fees at movie
rental stores. Some observers say that the technology is intended to stop
illegal copying, increase the number of movies purchased and free Disney
from Blockbuster-type movie rentals stores.

Flexplay Technologies, Inc. which licensed the technology to Disney says
it has some options for recycling its EZ-D discs. Among these are mail-in
to GreenDisk, a disk recycling company; free prepaid postage to GreenDisk
by emailing the disc's UPC number to mailer@flexplay.com, specified
collection points at certain locations in the markets where the discs are
sold and an incentive program ("Coming Soon").

Environmental group Working Assets says that rental videos are better
because they are reused many times. They are initiating an email
campaign, "Tell Disney to send their disposable DVD plan to the dump!"

Flexplay Technologies, Inc. Web Page. http://flexplay.com/recycle.html
Working Assets. Action: Disney, Send Disposable DVD Idea to the Dump.
http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?ItemId=15031&afccode=TES042
National Association of Convenience Stores (US). EZ-D Disposable DVDs
Roll Out in Four Markets Today. September 9, 2003.
http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/nd0909037.htm
****************************************************
JIMINY CRICKET'S ENVIRONMENTALITY CHALLENGE

Disney has an environmental department and an environmental program. It
partners with the California's Environmental Education Interagency
Network (CEEIN) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a program which
has involved more than 360,000 kids since 1994. The aim is to encourage
fifth grade classes in the State of California to "think and act
environmentally at school, at home, and in their community." Maybe some
of the kids can take on a project to show Disney how to do the same.

California's Environmental Education Interagency Network. Jiminy
Cricket's Environmentality Challenge.
http://www.oehha.ca.gov/ceein/jim/Challenge.htm
Contact: Ray Gomez, Disneyland Resort Communications tel: 714 781-4614
and Lanny Clavecilla, State of California, Integrated Waste Management
Board tel: 916 341-6302

****************************************************
CAMISEA - ANOTHER DESTRUCTIVE MEGA-PROJECT SUPPORTED BY COUNTRIES LIKE
CANADA!

A natural gas pipeline project in Peru involving companies such as Hunt
Oil of Texas and Pluspetrol of Argentina looks like it could create
enough fuss to achieve some changes in the international funding of
megaprojects. The protests are perhaps not quite on the scale of those
against China's Three Gorges Dam but they are close. Of the 1.6 billion
dollar cost, the Inter-American Development Bank is contributing $135
million in loans, a decision reached September 10 after the meeting to
decide was delayed once.

The critics, which include World Wildlife Fund, want international
financial institutions to require as strict environmental standards as
would apply to such projects affecting natural areas in the industrial
world, which supplies the money for the loans. The Camisea project is
criticized for its multi-environmental effects.

The pipeline runs from Peru's Amazon to the Pacific Coast. The wells are
in the Amazon so pipeline construction, hundreds of miles in length,
harms this pristine area which is home to not only rare species but three
tribes of humans who live traditional lives in a jungle preserve, Nahua
Kugapakori Indigenous Reserve, protected to maintain their unique
lifestyle. At the Pacific end, a pipeline section on the ocean floor and
a tanker loading area threaten a sea turtle preserve.

Most of the project is already completed so environmentalists are trying
to halt a gas liquification plant in Paracas, an eco-tourism area, and a
pipeline connecting to the tanker area. The IDB says that the Peruvian
government will create a Commission for Sustainable Development of the
Paracas Bay to ensure long-term sustainable development for the area.

Inter-American Development Bank. IDB Approves $135 Million in Financing
for Camisea Natural Gas Project. September 10, 2003.
http://www.iadb.org/NEWS/Display/PRView.cfm?PR_Num=164_03&Language=English
Contact on environmental issues relating to Camisea:Robert Montgomery 202
623-2384 or robertm@iadb.org
See the view on Camisea from Environmental Defense (US) which includes
its position on "Export Credit Agencies"
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/go/eca
and from the Peruvian Government http://www.camisea.com.pe/ (some
Spanish/some English).
****************************************************
A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

We get questions about many things, but recently several about changes to
the Gallon Environment Letter. As we reported in GL Vol. 8 No. 1,
ownership has changed, for the very sad reason that Gary Gallon passed
away in early July. We paid tribute to Gary in that issue. If you missed
it, we'll be posting it on a brand new Gallon Environment Letter website
in about three weeks. If you cannot wait, write us for any copies you
missed at info@cialgroup.com

As your new publisher, we are planning a number of enhancements to be
rolled out over the next few months. First, GL will in future appear on a
regular twice per month schedule, generally in the first and third weeks
of each month. At the same time we are cleaning up our email list. There
have been a few hiccups. We did not get the complete email list from the
previous distribution system until Vol. 8 No. 3, so some regular readers
may have missed the two earlier issues. Transfer of the list to our good
friends at EcoLog Information Systems, who we hope will be managing all
fulfilment and subscription services, led to some readers getting two
copies of the last issues. EcoLog is working to ensure that this does not
happen again, but please remember that if you have two email addresses it
is possible that you will get two copies, one to each of your email
addresses. If so please ask us to delete one of your email addresses -
you tell us which one because we currently have no way of knowing that
the two addresses on file go to the same inbox. Temporarily please send
email address corrections to the address which sends you GL
ggallon@ecolog.com. As soon as we get our new website you will be able to
manage address corrections, additions and deletions, yourself.

We are also planning some new marketing approaches. GL is currently
distributed to more than 16,000 individuals in Canada and around the
world. This list was built in the past by sending GL to anyone who had
any contact, direct or indirect, with CIBE, the publisher of GL. Most
people appreciated the newsletter but a few did not. We are developing
new marketing tools that seek to avoid spam but which ensure that anyone
who may be interested in GL's perspectives on current environmental and
Sustainable Development issues has an opportunity to receive and read
each issue.

Some readers have asked us how GL is paid for. Subscriptions are an
important part of the economic sustainability of GL - you will be
receiving subscription information within the next few weeks. But if you
are currently receiving GL and have not paid a subscription fee, don't
worry, these are complimentary copies and we will never ask you to pay
for issues you have received until we give up on your subscription
notice. We are generous with free copies and if you are interest in GL
please ask us to put you on the list - there will be a number of
complimentary copies before we ask you to consider a very reasonable
subscription fee!

Finally, we are putting the most effort into developing more and better
content that will be of interest to our diverse readership from community
activists and students at all levels to university professors and senior
government and industry officials in Canada and around the world. If you
have ideas or comments on GL's content, past, present or future, please
write us at info@cialgroup.com . We will respond to as many letters as we
can.

Colin Isaacs
****************************************************
YES VOTE FOR VOLUNTARY LABELLING OF GM FOOD

A yes vote by a committee of diverse interests facilitated by the
Canadian General Standards Board CGSB on a national standard to be called
Voluntary Labelling of Foods Obtained or Not Obtained Through Genetic
Engineering (GE), may be the start of renewed activism for mandatory
labelling in Canada.

Initiated in 1999 by the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors CCGD
with funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Agri-Food Trade 2000
Fund, the process was supposed to last at most two years. It has in fact
taken almost four and the final vote of stakeholders was not unanimous.
The standard now goes to the CGSB and then to the Standards Council of
Canada for implementation. We will have more details, and GL's comments,
in the next issue.

For the CGSB process and some public information on the standard, see
http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb/032_025/intro-e.html
Government of Canada. Consensus reached on Voluntary Standard for
Labelling of Genetically Engineered Foods. Ottawa, ON September 8, 2003.
http://www.newswire.ca/releases/September2003/08/c8397.html
Contacts: Doryne Peace, Chair, Committee on the Voluntary Labelling of
Foods Obtained, or Not Obtained, Through Genetic Engineering 416 203-0968
****************************************************
UPDATE ON KYOTO

With the Kyoto Protocol the most important environmental initiative
currently on the world agenda, GL will keep you up to date on progress
towards ratification.

At the end of September a World Conference on Climate Change is being
held in Moscow on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin with
the support of UN and G8 leaders. There had been some expectation that
President Putin may use this occasion to announce Russia's ratification
of Kyoto, the last ratification required before the Protocol comes into
force.

It is now expected that Putin will not announce Russia's ratification.
Latest reports from Moscow indicate that Putin intends to refer the
Protocol to the Russian Parliament (Duma) for debate and recommendations.
Observers report that the Duma will vote for ratification, but not
without some extensive study and debate which could be delayed by
December elections.

Putin's comments at the opening of the Moscow conference will still be of
great interest, as he is likely to provide further insight into the path
he intends to follow, but coming into force is now not expected until
late in 2003 or, more likely, the summer of 2004.

The Moscow conference website is http://www.wccc2003.org/ The final
registration of participants will take place on September 28, 2003 from
14.00 till 20.00, and on September 29 from 7.30 till 9.00. The address:
International Trade Center, Krasnopresnenskaya Naberezhnaya 12, Moscow.
****************************************************
LAKE ERIE - BACK ON THE CRITICAL LIST?

Canadian Geographic magazine, the non-profit publisher of which presented
our former editor Gary Gallon a life time achievement award for his
environmental work just before his untimely death, has a follow-up
article relevant to GL's last issue.

In our last issue we said that Lake Winnipeg is on the way to becoming as
polluted as Lake Erie used to be. The latest issue of CG suggests that
since the 1990s, when Lake Erie was said to be saved, little measurement
has taken place. No news is not good news as pollution hasn't gone away
and invasive species have moved in.

This issue contains a map illustrating Lake Erie and Lake Erie Country,
home to 10 million Americans and nearly 2 million Canadians. The Canadian
Institute for Business and the Environment, publisher of the Gallon
Environment Letter, is located right in the heart of Lake Erie Country
but they didn't put our community of Fisherville on this otherwise
wonderful map!

Stewart, Walter with photography by Wolf Kutnahorsky. A late Great Lake?
After years of good news, Lake Erie is once again under siege -- this
time from biological pollution. Canadian Geographic. September-October
2003. p36. (hardcopy) For the first page or so of the story only
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/so03/deadzone.asp
****************************************************
SAD IRONY: POISONING BIRDS TO PRODUCE BIRD SEED

Millions of four species for birds that migrate together in massive
flocks have died from control measures to reduce their consumption of
grains, fruit and berry crops. The Canadian population of red-winged
blackbirds, which flock with grackles, cowbirds and starlings, has been
decreasing at a rate of 1.7% each year over the past four decades.

Jon McCracken of Bird Studies Canada, a research-based NGO, reports that
these flocks are identified as "nuisance" birds and with their low
popularity get little legal protection. An industrial detergent,
Tergitol, now no longer approved by the US EPA as a bird control, killed
hundreds of millions by removing the natural waterproofing; they died of
hypothermia. An organochlorine pesticide, DRC-1339, delivered as bait in
states such as Louisiana and Texas is used as a poison killing also
non-target species such as robins. Ironically, the control is often
applied for sunflowers grown for bird seed!

The extinction of these birds is not imminent as the fall migration may
be as much as one billion birds. However since 1966 when the first
Canadian breeding bird survey was done, declines have been steep in
Canada: red-wings (46% decline), cowbirds (57%) and starlings (52%).
Grackles have declined in that same period 38% across North America.
McCracken recommends that we need to find a balance between protecting
agricultural crops and protecting wildlife.

McCracken, Jon. Bye, Bye, Blackbird. Bird Watch Canada. Summer 2003
(Magazine of Bird Studies Canada) p8-9. (Hardcopy). For an index of the
magazine see http://www.bsc-eoc.org/organization/birdwatch.html
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Canadian Institute for Business and the Environment
Fisherville & Toronto
All rights reserved.
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