"A Dutch court has ordered the government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% by 2020, in a case environmentalists hope will set a precedent for other countries. Campaigners brought the case on behalf of almost 900 Dutch citizens. They argued the government had a legal obligation to protect its citizens from the dangers of climate change. Government lawyers did not immediately comment on the ruling at the court in The Hague. Jasper Teulings from Greenpeace called it a "landmark case". "The case is thought to be the first in Europe in which citizens try to hold a state responsible for lack of action on climate change. It is also thought to be the first to use human rights legislation as a basis to protect people from climate change, with similar cases being prepared in Belgium, Norway and The Philippines."" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33261474 "The lawsuit was brought under human rights laws by the sustainability foundationUrgenda, which said - and the court agreed - that the Netherlands had a duty of care to its citizens and to improve the environment." "The judgment was unprecedented in Europe, and unexpected. It pushes the Dutch government to honour its commitment to cut emissions."
Oh boy, just what this country needs: the government taken to court and the fines/costs being paid out of taxation. The only people who benefit from all of this are the lawyers.
Thats a very negative approach. Sure, lawyers do make money, but not necessarily in all cases. In many instances their services can be self funded. We all win. And our children ahead of us win, which is what it is all about. There will be a price to pay, but the benefits outweigh the costs. Holland is suceptible to climate change, more than most, hence the drive there. But many other countries are suceptible too, including parts of Britain and the Philippines. The idea of intergenerational responsibility and environmental law is founded on the principle that we owe it to our offspring and future generations to leave them a healthy and balanced ecology. This principle has been used in the Philippines and is being reverberated around the globe, Holland being a good example. The BBC asks is this a gamechanger? Probably. It is likely that momentum will be gathered. We shall see. Governments are in place to protect its citizens. If they are not doing that, then the courts are a way to get them to do that. It is precisely the fact that many are blase about their childrens quality of life that the courts have to be used. Expect to see more of this sort of thing in other countries in the future.
"The plaintiffs argued – and the court agreed – that the government has a legal obligation to protect its people against looming dangers, including the effects of climate change on the Netherlands, a low-lying country, much of which is below sea level and vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by global warming. They argued that unless rapid action was taken, the next half of this century would see extreme weather, shrinking ice caps and shortages of food and water." http://www.scotsman.com/news/enviro...s-government-must-cut-co2-emissions-1-3811837
A cynic might remark that the whole "climate change" thingie is a cash-cow for vested interests and he might be right, to an extent. Certainly as lot of people are making an increasingly large of money out of it. It is right that the rich, First World countries should bear the brunt of the costs since they are responsible for most of the world's CO2 emissions and over a much longer period of time than the developing world. There's a big cultural difference between your First World mind and the average Filipino's (or other Third World dweller): you plan ahead and think in terms of months and years into the future. Filipinos rarely look much further ahead than their next meal. You say that but I really doubt that the Sy, Tan, Ayala and the Aboitiz families look at things that way. The Aboitiz family controls a good percentage of the electricity powering this country and are currently building new coal-burning plants to take advantage of cheap Mindanaoan coal. These families are far more concerned about profits today than they are about the environment or the planet. Hahahaha! If you tried to say those words to any politician here, you'd might die of terminal embarrassment as you'd be laughed out of their presence. They're in power to make money, repay their sponsors and enact sponsor-friendly legislation.
My 1st world mind? Its being driven by Filipinos, amongst others. The Philippines should take some credit for being a source of inspiration for the Dutch and others to follow.
I would not die of embarressment. As fars as the people are concerned the governments are there to protect its citizens. If not they face action, including action in the courts
The cynical and the ignorant. Once you have digested Oss's comments on burning million of years worth of fossilised sunlight in just 100 years, then the penny will have dropped.
(Did you ever do your homework on Fracking?) Why not spend a bit of time looking at the scientific evidence? Instead of the UKIP manifesto.
I see and do you really imagine that you'd win a court case against any of this country's richest and most powerful families? The case would be stuck in court until well after your death and possibly your children's deaths too. The Justice System here does not function in quite the same way as it does in Europe and there is no Human Rights Act (in national law) to invoke so any action similar to that undertaken in Holland has a dubious chance of success. Any attempt to sue the government in order to force them to protect the citizenry froimn the effects of climate change will, I can almost guarantee, fail. Just as the attempt to force Metro Cebu to adopt the environmentalists' road sharing scheme failed (the Korean BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) scheme. which requires dedicated bus lanes, was apparently deemed to be more important and beneficial). Nope. Why? It's not me that needs to be convinced but the millions of ordinary Filipinos who will have to pay and who will be pushed further in to poverty. And why do you have to bring Ukip into it? I realise that you had your epiphany when Farage visited IoM's WI meeting and you became bosom pals but he suffered defeat. Get over it! Thankfully Ukip has nothing to do with the Philippines. If "you" want the Philippines to embrace green issues more then "you" should be rooting for Duterte to become the country's next President. Duterte has introduced and enforces a number of green initiatives - reducing vehicle emissions, banning the burning of rubbish and refusing planning permission for a new coal-burning power plant within the metro area. He may well stand a good chance of success as, according to political analysts, he'd scoop 80% of the Mindanao vote and 50%-60% of the Visayan vote, if he were to stand.
You havent done your homework Markham. Do a little research into Philippine Law on these matters. Rather than skimming the surface have a look into Philippine Law and get back to me when you are done. You are way off the mark, Markham, on several counts. I cannot be bothered wasting time putting you straight. I really could never accept a guarantee of yours. It has no worth.
On UKIP. Obvious really, boyo. You seem to hug UKIPs environmental policy. Conceived over a pint in the pub. On BRT in Cebu, well done. A success indeed. Yes. Well spotted. You have learned something there but I see you are a little muddled in your mind on the significance of the outcome. You need to up your research skills. Not quite there yet. On Fracking, until you properly research it, dont cast comment as if you know what you are talking about.
The above are your words. Complete and utter crap. And a complete and utter lack of comprehension of what is being aimed for. There is not much to say. Most of what you have said is innacurate. Of course there is some essence of accuracy by that accuracy is laced with innacuracy so it renders the rest innaccurate. Maybe sometime, when you have looked further into this, you will see where you have become misinformed. It isnt just one instance, it is a good handful of instances. Good luck. Oh. And dont go lumping all environmentalists together. It would be a bit like me saying all expats are moaning old gits, which of course only applies to some.
Read and educate yourself, Markham. Recognition from the palace: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/45901/malacanang-to-launch-road-sharing-awards My wifes uncle is one of the listed petitioners: http://ourchildrenstrust.org/sites/default/files/Philippines Petition .pdf
