StraightGoods.ca

Residents of targeted areas say increasing number of strikes has greatly affected their lives.

from Arab News

"'Mrs Michele Obama: Tell us can your husband sleep after so many innocent people were killed by his drones?' read a banner held by a Yemeni activist at a recent rally to protest increasing American drone strikes in Yemen.

"The rally reflected the growing anti-American feeling among Yemenis, who strongly oppose increasing drone strikes that sometimes result in the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children.

"So while American forces are succeeding in hitting gunmen in Al-Qaeda, the drone strikes have also fueled anger against the US, especially in areas regularly vulnerable to the attacks.

"'The negative aspects of drones greatly outweigh their gains,” Saeed Obaid, a Yemeni analyst and expert on anti-terrorism and chairman of the Al-Jahmi Center for Studies, said. …"

Full story

As non-profits divest from fossil fuel companies, green groups need to examine their institutional donors.

by Naomi Klein

The movement demanding that public interest institutions divest their holdings from fossil fuels is on a serious roll. Chapters have opened up in more than 100 US cities and states as well as on more than 300 campuses, where students are holding protests, debates and sit-ins to pressure their to rid their endowments of oil, gas and coal holdings. And under the "Fossil Free UK" banner, the movement is now crossing the Atlantic, with a major push planned by People & Planet for this summer. Some schools, including University College London, have decided not to wait and already have active divestment campaigns.

Though officially launched just six months ago, the movement can already claim some provisional victories: four US colleges have announced their intention to divest their endowments from fossil fuel stocks and bonds and, in late April, 10 US cities made similar commitments, including San Francisco (Seattle came on board months ago).

There are still all kinds of details to work out to toughen up these pledges, but the speed with which this idea has spread makes it clear that there was some serious pent-up demand. To quote the mission statement of the Fossil Free movement: "If it is wrong to wreck the climate, then it is wrong to profit from that wreckage. We believe that educational and religious institutions, city and state governments, and other institutions that serve the public good should divest from fossil fuels." I am proud to have been part of the group at 350.org that worked with students and other partners to develop the Fossil Free campaign. But I now realise that an important target is missing from the list: the environmental organisations themselves….

Full story

Investor-state dispute settlement could give energy companies new powers.

from Public Service Europe

"Environmental and public health problems related to fracking — or hydraulic fracturing — have created popular distrust and resistance to the extent that the majority of countries concerned with shale gas endowments in Europe are taking positions against the controversial technology. France, Bulgaria and the region of Cantabria in the North of Spain have already banned it. Romania, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Denmark and North-Rhine Westphalia in Germany have proclaimed moratoria.

"But The right to say no — a new research paper from Corporate Europe Observatory, the Transnational Institute and the Council of Canadians shows that the controversial European Union-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, could threaten the ability of countries to implement fracking bans and regulations.

"For, CETA will include a process through which Canadian investors can settle disputes with the EU or a member state outside of the regular court system. This process, called investor-state dispute settlement, is increasingly controversial globally as mining and energy firms use it to challenge environmental and public health measures that do not suit their financial interests. Sometimes, the mere possibility of a lawsuit based on investor-state arbitration is enough to deter authorities introducing strong public health and environmental policies. …"

Full story

Dolls, car seats, party hats and others pose dangers to public health.

from AlterNet

"Over 5000 children’s products contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption and reproductive problems, including the toxic metals, cadmium, mercury and antimony, as well as phthalates and solvents. A new report by the Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer States  reveals the results of manufacturer reporting to the Washington State Department of Ecology. 

"Makers of kids’ products reported using 41 of the 66 chemicals identified by WA Ecology as a concern for children’s health. Major manufacturers who reported using the chemicals in their products include Walmart, Gap, Gymboree, Hallmark, H & M and others. …"

Full story

Fact-finding mission reveals most companies don't appreciate corporate responsibility on human rights.

from truthout

"A United Nations expert group is warning that too many gaps remain in implementing new safeguards among businesses based in the United States, both in terms of their domestic and international operations, to ensure the protection of human rights of workers and communities affected by those operations.

"Two members of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights wrapped up a 10-day fact-finding mission to the United States this week, at the end of which they released initial observations. Ultimately, these will be expanded upon and finalised for presentation to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2014.

“'With a few exceptions, most companies still struggle to understand the implications of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights,' Puvan Selvanathan, the current head of the Working Group and one of the two members on the US trip, said at the end of the mission. 'Those that do have policies in place, in turn, face the challenge of turning such policies into effective practices.' …”

Full story