At a United Nations meeting of environmental ministers in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday [February 20, 2009], more than 140 countries unanimously agreed to reduce global mercury pollution, which poses a serious risk to human health and the environment. Negotiations will commence late 2009 and the U.N. hopes to have a legally-binding treaty in place by 2013.
This breakthrough agreement, a seven-year effort perpetuated by the U.N., is largely the result of President Obama’s leadership and his decision to reverse U.S. policy with respect to mercury pollution [the previous Bush administration had staunchly opposed legally-binding measures]. This dramatic shift inspired countries like India and China to do so as well.
Susan Egan Keane, policy analyst for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), commented on the historic agreement: “Today we have won a momentous human health victory that will reduce illness and save lives both here and abroad … This globally coordinated plan will substantially reduce mercury contamination in fish, prevent the contamination of our water, and shield our children from a dangerous chemical.”??
Obama has only been manning the desk in the Oval Office for about one month now, and has already significantly, and positively, affected the future of our planet. Hopefully this environmental leadership and stewardship will continue when speaking to Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, about Alberta’s oil sands.
Cheryl Mihalin, FD Element in Vancouver
At a United Nations meeting of environmental ministers in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday [February 20, 2009], more than 140 countries unanimously agreed to reduce global mercury pollution, which poses a serious risk to human health and the environment. Negotiations will commence late 2009 and the U.N. hopes to have a legally-binding treaty in place by 2013.
This breakthrough agreement, a seven-year effort perpetuated by the U.N., is largely the result of President Obama’s leadership and his decision to reverse U.S. policy with respect to mercury pollution [the previous Bush administration had staunchly opposed legally-binding measures]. This dramatic shift inspired countries like India and China to do so as well.
Susan Egan Keane, policy analyst for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), commented on the historic agreement: “Today we have won a momentous human health victory that will reduce illness and save lives both here and abroad … This globally coordinated plan will substantially reduce mercury contamination in fish, prevent the contamination of our water, and shield our children from a dangerous chemical.”??
Obama has only been manning the desk in the Oval Office for about one month now, and has already significantly, and positively, affected the future of our planet. Hopefully this environmental leadership and stewardship will continue when speaking to Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, about Alberta’s oil sands.
Cheryl Mihalin, FD Element in Vancouver