Precautionary Tools for Reshaping Environmental PolicyNancy J. Myers, Carolyn Raffensperger MIT Press, 2006 - 339 pages The precautionary principle calls for taking action against threatened harm to people and ecosystems even in the absence of full scientific certainty. The rationale is that modern technologies and human activities can inflict long-term, global-scale environmental damage and that conclusive scientific evidence of such damage may be available too late to avert it. The precautionary principle asks whether harm can be prevented instead of assessing degrees of "acceptable" risk. This book provides a toolkit for applying precautionary concepts to reshape environmental policies at all levels. Its compendium of regulatory options, detailed examples, wide-ranging case studies, and theoretical background provides both citizens and policymakers with the basis for acting on any issue in any situation—whether it's pesticide use at local schools or a new international regulatory system for chemicals. Precautionary Tools for Reshaping Environmental Policydescribes the analytical and ethical bases of the precautionary principle as well as practical options for implementing it. It provides a "precautionary checklist" that can serve as a springboard for discussion and decisions. And it offers a variety of case studies that show the precautionary principle in action—from elk and cattle farming to marine fisheries, from the protection of indigenous cultures against bioprospecting to the restoration of the federal court system as a safety net for people harmed by products and chemicals. A hands-on interdisciplinary guide, the book demonstrates the advantages of a precautionary approach and addresses criticisms that have been leveled against it. For updates and more information on the precautionary principle at work, visit www.sehn.org/precaution.html by clicking on the link to the left. |
Contents
Tools of Analysis and Intention | 29 |
Precautionary Options | 53 |
Green Systems | 81 |
Copyright | |
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Precautionary Tools for Reshaping Environmental Policy Nancy J. Myers,Carolyn Raffensperger No preview available - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
action agencies Agriculture alternatives analysis animals areas Available benefits bioaccumulative Biodiversity bioprospecting Biotechnology burden cautionary CBM development cervid chapter chemicals Chronic Wasting Disease citizens coalbed methane costs cultural damage decisions Early Warnings ecological economic effects environment ethical evidence example experts federal fish fisheries management forecaring gene flow genetic global GM corn GM crops GMOs goals green chemistry habitat harm human health Implementing the Precautionary important Indigenous industry Intellectual Property issues Katherine Barrett knowledge maize marine ecosystems ment Mexican maize natural gas organisms PBDE Persistent Organic Pollutants pesticides political pollution populations potential Powder River Basin precaution precautionary approach precautionary principle prevent problems property rights protect public health questions regulations regulatory require responsibility risk assessment ronmental scientific scientists social species sustainable technologies Tickner tion tort toxic uncertainty values wildlife