i thought gep'ers might be interested in this item from the center for progressive reform . . .
cheers, craig craig k harris department of sociology michigan agricultural experiment station national food safety and toxicology center institute for food and agriculture standards food safety policy center michigan state university From: Center for Progressive Reform [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, February 10, 2012 11:13 AM To: [email protected] Subject: CPR White Paper: Ten Environmental Treaties the U.S. Should Ratify <http://e2ma.net/oz/7454555397/208829293/1408174/spacer.gif> <http://e2ma.net/oz/7454555397/208829293/1408174/spacer.gif> If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online <http://e2ma.net/map/view:CampaignPublic/id:1408174.7454555397/rid=0263d b7495b386089bc71ac8d0b5b2aa> . Share This: <http://social.e2ma.net/next/e/1408174/89a8db9c7d4217c6ab6c49438efd0a13/ 7454555397/?mrid=0263db7495b386089bc71ac8d0b5b2aa> <http://www.progressivereform.org/imgs/emailMastHeadNew.gif> Dear Center for Progressive Reform Supporter: Time was when the United States took the lead in organizing responses to international environmental problems, as it did with global agreements restricting trade in endangered species and protecting the world against ozone depletion. But in the last two decades, our record has faltered, perhaps most notoriously in the decision not to join the Kyoto Protocol, but on a range of less publicized treaties, as well. The Center for Progressive Reform recently published Reclaiming Global Environmental Leadership: Why the United States Should Ratify Ten Pending Environmental Treaties <http://e2ma.net/go/7454555397/208829293/230977080/1408174/goto:http:/ww w.progressivereform.org/articles/International_Environmental_Treaties_12 01.pdf> . CPR Member Scholars Mary Jane Angelo, Rebecca Bratspies, David Hunter, John H. Knox, Noah Sachs, and Sandra Zellmer teamed up to make the case for a lesser-known group of treaties -- half signed by Democratic presidents and half signed by Republican presidents. These treaties have been pending an average of 13 years, awaiting ratification. In most cases, the Senate must provide its advice and consent by a two-thirds vote, and some treaties require implementing legislation to be enacted by both houses of Congress. These international treaties were all negotiated with substantial U.S. input, and they all provide clear benefits to the United States -- or they would if only the United States ratified them. In one example, if the United States responds to an oil spill in Antarctica, it has no assurance that it will be repaid by the nation or company that caused the problem. One of the pending treaties, the Antarctic Liability Annex, provides a system through which those who respond to environmental emergencies in Antarctica are compensated by those who cause them. Because of its permanent base and its capacity to respond to emergencies in the hostile Antarctic conditions, the U.S. government is far more likely to receive payments than to make them in the event of an environmental catastrophe. The Antarctic Liability Annex is in our national interest. There's just no good reason for further congressional delay in acting on these treaties, and plenty of reason to move ahead with dispatch. I hope you find the paper interesting and informative. Thanks very much for your continued support. Jake Caldwell Executive Director Center for Progressive Reform www.progressivereform.org <http://e2ma.net/go/7454555397/208829293/230977081/1408174/goto:http:/ww w.progressivereform.org/> www.progressivereform.org/CPRblog <http://e2ma.net/go/7454555397/208829293/230977082/1408174/goto:http:/ww w.progressivereform.org/CPRblog> 455 Massachusetts Ave. NW, #150-513 | Washington, DC 20001 US This email was sent to [email protected]. To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list. manage <http://e2ma.net/app/view:Manage/signupId:1417120/id:1408174.7454555397/ rid:0263db7495b386089bc71ac8d0b5b2aa> your preferences | opt out <http://e2ma.net/app/view:OptOut/ID:1408174.7454555397/signupId:1417120/ rid:0263db7495b386089bc71ac8d0b5b2aa> using TrueRemove(tm) Got this as a forward? Sign up <http://e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1417120/acctId:1408174/mailingId :208829293/rid:0263db7495b386089bc71ac8d0b5b2aa> to receive our future emails. Network for Good<http://e2ma.net/userdata/20050/images/templates/nfg_emma_logo.gif> EmailNow powered by Emma <http://e2ma.net/go/7454555397/208829293/230977083/1408174/goto:http:/ww w1.networkforgood.org/for-nonprofits/fundraising/emailnow>
