Action Alert

June 2012

Green Economy Focus of World Environment Day and Rio+20

World Environment Day (June 5) and the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (June 20-22) have as common focus the sustainability of Earth through the development of a green economy. What do individuals and countries mean when using the phrase? While this likely varies from individual to individual and country to country, some facts cannot be disputed. There are currently 7 billion plus people living on Earth with expectations of 9 billion by 2050. Thus the rate of consuming Earth’s resources far outpaces the production of these resources. Many speak of this as unsustainable consumption patterns.

As a result, many species are being influenced by the “holes in the ecosystem” which they need to survive. Some scientists are noting an extinction rate that is comparable to the time of dinosaur extinction, a rate that doesn’t happen in a “normal” period of time. Additionally, climate change is a reality according to many of the world’s renowned scientists. Climate change impacts all Earth, especially people in developing countries who feel these impacts more than those who enjoy all the privileges of developed countries with regard to use of resources. These realities, taken together as a whole system, have Earth crying out, "STOP!"

Systems of Earth are not in harmony with each other. Earth under these conditions is not sustainable. While many companies are promoting “Green Practices,” one might ask, “Is this enough?” Is the whole life cycle of a product taken into the cost of items purchased around the world? Where is Earth’s rights in relationship to these “green practices?” Pablo Solon in his article, “It’s the time of the Rights of Mother Earth,” asks:

• Why should we only respect the laws of human beings and not those of nature?
• Why do we call the person who kills his/her neighbor a criminal, but not he/she who extinguishes a species or contaminates a river?
• Why do we judge the life of human beings with parameters different from those that guide the life of the system as a whole if all of us, absolutely all of us, rely on the life of the Earth System?

With reflection upon these questions, it becomes more evident why developing countries and developed countries see the term “green economy” through different lenses. Most individuals in developing countries would prefer not to use the term since it speaks so little about the entire system of caring for and living harmoniously with Earth. World Environment Day offers individuals, countries, and businesses/corporations an opportunity to reflect on the theme of the day, “Green Economy: Does it include you?" Underpinning this is the concept of an economy that is low carbon (better yet, zero carbon), resource efficient and socially inclusive. Further reflection upon how harmonious I/we are with Earth is imperative to the survival of Earth and her systems.

One such place this reflection and discussion will be intentional is at the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development that will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 20-22. The title, Rio+20, marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development. Following up on this Conference in 1997 was when the Kyoto Protocol was established. The objective of the Kyoto Protocol was to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent interference with the climate system.

According to the Rio+20 website, “the objective of Rio+20 is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and emerging challenges. Rio+20 will focus on two themes: a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development.” Attending this Conference will be heads of state and government representatives. Several non-governmental organizations are sending individuals who are able to attend side events.

It is the hope of citizens around the world that government leaders and global citizens can work together in efforts that allow Earth and her systems to be more sustainable for all that inhabit this third planet from the sun.

Reflection/Action:

• Spend some time with the questions posed in the above material. How do I view my actions and consumption patterns as harmonious with Earth? Where is there room for improvement?
• Read and share World Environmental Day materials.
• How familiar am I/are we with the ecosystem damage where I/we live?
• The Peoples’ Sustainability Treaties are located here.
• Game Change Rio gives individuals access to real-life data that includes all relevant sectors of the world’s economy and the natural resources available. With over 100 million possible outcomes, individuals explore the complexities involved in saving Earth for future generations.
• Download your photos of aspects of a sustainable lifestyle that you enjoy and view how the world would be different under a new paradigm of sustainability.
• Look for local events in relation to Rio+20
• The Universe Story is available during the month of June from the SCN Media Center. If you wish to view this, please contact the Media Center before it leaves on June 30.

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June is Torture Awareness Month

June is torture awareness month with the theme of Confronting the Culture of Torture. How is torture defined? According to the Convention Against Torture, torture is, “Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him/her or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him/her for an act he/she or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him/her or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.” (Convention Against Torture, Article 1.1)

Much has happened over the past year with regard to torture in our world as is evidenced on the World Organization Against Torture. A three-year Senate probe found little evidence of effective torture in the U.S. Yet, when “high level” meetings of world leaders occur as in the recent NATO meetings in the United States, evidence of torture can indeed be found. A May 16, 2012, raid and pre-emptive arrests on Chicago's Southside Bridgeport neighborhood resulted in an arrest of individuals who had planned to protest NATO. No booking charges had been filed after 24 hours of police custody. Rachel Perrotta of the Occupy Chicago Press Committee stated, "We are getting a taste here in Chicago of what it's like to live in a militarized police state, with non-violent demonstrators targeted for expressing their First Amendment Rights and for standing up against the NATO war machine." According to an article by Yana Kunichoff with regard to this action, Chicago has some of the most advanced surveillance systems in the country. According to another article, in January 2012, the city council voted to approve what activists call the "Sit Down and Shut Up" ordinance, originally consisting of a mandatory $1 million liability insurance for protesters, fines of up to $1,000 for people arrested during a protest, stricter guidelines for obtaining permits and a heightened police presence in the city. Later, due to public outcry, the ordinance was tweaked. While not as violent as other parts of the world, all citizens of their countries must remain vigilant to the potential for torture in all forms.

According to an article last week in the United States, US District Court Judge, Katherine B. Forrest agreed with Hedges and his co-plantiffs’ fears that section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012 (H.R. 4310) could impact First Amendment rights through indefinite detention. In mid-May 2012, the Smith-Amash amendment that would eliminate the provision that authorizes indefinite military detention without trial for those captured in the U.S. was defeated.

Reflection/Action:

• How aware am I of torture in my own country and what can I do to confront the culture of torture
• Resources for congregations and communities are located here.
• Visit the World Organization Against Torture with updated campaigns located here. 
• If you know a victim of torture in your area, ask what you might reasonably be able to do in solidarity with the individual or as empowerment to the individual.
• “Can you Pass the Torture Test” by Amnesty International that is here.
• Urge U.S. Members of Congress to co-sponsor legislation to prevent the military from capturing people in the U.S. and indefinitely detaining them without trial.
• Urge President Obama to close Guatanamo Bay, a symbol of torture.

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Legislative Updates and Other Resources

It is not too late to join LCWR and 15 Catholic organizations to actively engage in Elections 2012: Catholics Vote for the Common Good. The goal is to create common good platforms at the state level such that these platforms along with the National Preamble can be delivered to candidates and public officials running for office. Actions include signing the National Preamble; organizing a discussion around state issues; and if you are not able to attend or have not attended a discussion, individuals may participate in the common good survey.

The Farm Bill contains many programs that feed the hungry, preserve God’s creation and support small family farmers in rural America. Agricultural subsidies, conservation and a number of food programs are funded in this bill. Among them are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that came forth from the Senate Agriculture Committee with billions in cuts.

Map the Meal Gap 2012 is a recent estimate of food security in the United States categorized by congressional district level. New this year is that those communities with the highest rates of food insecurity continued to climb even higher in food insecurity. Learn how this crisis is impacting the local community where you reside in the U.S.

As of mid-May, no agreement had been made yet on the student loan interest rate. The bill, Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act of 2012 (S. 2343), would extend low interest rates on federally subsidized Stafford loans for one year. According to the Coalition on Human Needs newsletter, “if Congress fails to act, interest rates on Stafford loans will rise from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1. According to the Education Department, the passage of S. 2343 would affect 7.4 million undergraduate students borrowing money this year.”

The Supreme Court is scheduled to release decisions on the Affordable Care Act and AZ state law, SB 1070. In the meantime, we pray and watch for signs of what the verdicts may be. Some groups are advocating for Representative John Conyers' H.R. 676 bill (The United States National Health Care Act), should the Affordable Care Act be overturned. This bill supports single-payer insurance.

U.S. Legislative Action:

• Urge U.S. legislators and President Barack Obama (202.456.1111, charges apply) to avoid war with Iran and engage in diplomatic solutions.
• Urge U.S. legislators to support the Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act of 2012 (S. 2343) before July 1.
• Urge U.S. Senators to support a Fair Farm Bill without cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.