Poverty, justice andthe environment

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Our unequal worldWhy a healthy planet is better for everyone

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A flourishing planet can provide for all our needs. Itsminerals, fabulous wildlife, forests and seas should mean atthe very least clean air and water, safe food, energy andshelter for everybody.

But our natural world is under severe threat. For decadeswe’ve been over-exploiting the land and oceans, and we’vepumped so much pollution into the air that we’re actuallychanging the weather. The root cause of our environmentalproblems – a skewed approach to economics, and businessthat puts profits first – is also deepening inequalities.Across the world it’s the people with least power andmoney who are worst hit when the environment is damaged– and they’re not getting their fair share of the benefits.

That’s environmental injustice – and it’s found in manyforms. In the UK, people in the poorest neighbourhoods arethe most likely to be living with pollution from factories andtraffic. Globally the richer countries are using up more thantheir fair share of natural goods like energy, water, timberand minerals. And future generations – who have no say inthe matter – could inherit a world of health problems anddepleted wildlife because we’re not doing enough today to protect the environment.

This booklet shows why a thriving naturalworld goes hand in hand with a decentquality of life and fair shares for all.It offers ideas about what you and yourfamily can do to keep the environmentsafe today and for generations to come.

In the last decade of the20th century, 99 out ofevery 100 people killed inclimate-related disasterslived in poorer countries.Three-quarters of thegreenhouse gasescausing climate changecome from the richindustrialised world.

Indonesia’s 40 millionindigenous people arelosing their lands asrainforest is destroyed bylogging and oil palmplantations. The productsof these industries aremostly consumed in therich countries.

Over 1 billion peoplesurvive on less than US$1a day. The richest 20 percent of the world’speople consume 86 percent of its resources.Some of the poorest haveto survive on waste.

A world out of balance Tipping the scales in favour of people and the planet

Each of us has a right to live in a safe and healthy environment without having anegative impact on other people in the UK or elsewhere – now or in future. That’senvironmental justice.

Way to go: Children frompoorer communities are fivetimes more likely to be killed inroad accidents than those fromricher areas. Improving publictransport makes for a betterenvironment, and can help makeroads safer too.

Changing climate:Dangerous climate change ishitting people least able to cope.The world’s richest countriescould start to create a saferenvironment for everyone bydrastically reducing theiremissions of greenhouse gases.

Better company: People livingnear factories and chemicalrefineries around the world seemore than their fair share ofillness. If companies were legallyobliged to take greater care oftheir neighbours, the environmentwould be cleaner too.

Wasting less: Our rubbishmountains are storing up hazardsfor local communities and futuregenerations. Producing lesswaste and cutting consumption ofraw materials will reduce thedamage being done to the planetand people.

Healthy eating: Much of ourfood travels thousands of miles athuge cost to the environment, whilefarmers get a tiny part of the profit.More locally produced and organicfood would mean a fair deal forproducers, a healthier planet andmore nutritious food all round.

Trading up: Small-scalefarmers and local communitiesaround the world are squeezed byeconomics that put profits first.Global trade rules should ensurethe needs of people and theirenvironment come first.

Rules for all: Too often thepeople directly affected byenvironmental damage don’t havethe information they need toprotect their health, they have novoice in decisions and no legalcomeback. Stronger citizens’rights would give the victims ofenvironmental disasters morepower to protect themselves.

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People with least money and power tend to take the bruntof environmental problems. The UK Government recentlyacknowledged for the first time the links between povertyand the environment. Its Index of Deprivation 2004 used airquality, road accidents and access to essential services asmeasures of poverty.

Friends of the Earth’s own research on transport influencedthis shift in thinking. We found that there was more trafficand pollution in poorer, inner city neighbourhoods, causingmore road deaths and breathing problems than in wealthierareas. And inadequate public transport in areas like thisoften makes it difficult for people to get to work, to theshops, schools and hospital.

It’s not just in our inner cities that environmental damagetakes its toll. Around the world people’s livelihoods, healthand homes are blighted by widespread industrial pollution,intensive farming and deforestation. When Hurricane Mitchstruck Central America in 1998 mudslides destroyedthousands of rural homes because logging had strippedhillsides of forest cover, weakening the structure of the soil.As a result of climate change, by 2050 the equivalent ofBritain’s population could lose their land or homes in Indiaand China, and rising sea levels could displace 15 millionpeople in Bangladesh alone.

And future generations have no say in what we are doing tothe environment today. Our bodies are now contaminatedwith more than 300 man-made chemicals – an unpredictablelegacy for our children and grandchildren. Toxins inpesticides could have a long-term impact, increasing rates ofcancers, hormonal imbalances and early puberty.

We should all have a healthy environment.Healthy homes, streets, neighbourhoods,villages, cities and wild places. But notat someone else’s expense.

Environmental justice –who needs it?

In Bhopal, India, it waspeople living near theUnion Carbide chemicalplant who were hardesthit by a chemical leak in1984. The accident killedsome 8,000 people withinthree days and claimed20,000 more lives in theyears that followed.

Dean Axford lives nearthe Wilton chemicalcomplex in Teesside,north east England. “InDormanstown you’d comeout of the house and thisfilth would be on the car,everywhere. There’s lotsof asthma around, mybrother is 32 and can’twalk with it. We cannotbe poisoned without anycomeback. Ourenvironment is asimportant as anyoneelse’s and it’s worthfighting for.”

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People in some of the world’s poorest countries, like Mozambique(pictured), are already being hit by flooding and other severe weatherevents that are predicted to increase with climate change.

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There is a yawning gap between the world’s rich minorityand the increasing numbers of poor people. Yet globaltrade rules and the growing power of big business overgovernments are doing little to make life better for theworld’s majority. Corporate-led globalisation is drainingwealth and resources from the poorest countries andconcentrating it in the hands of a few in the richest.

Winning a healthy environment and decent quality of life foreveryone means persuading governments and big businessof the long-term benefits of environmental justice.

Big businesses have little incentive to respect the rights ofthe communities where they operate. Energy giant BP islaying a pipeline across Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey tocarry crude oil from the Caspian to the Mediterranean. As itflows to fuel western economies the oil threatens to leave atrail of political instability, damaged ecosystems anddisplaced communities. Yet BP has won agreementsexempting it from environmental and labour laws that mightreduce its profits.

Global bodies like the World Bank and InternationalMonetary Fund (IMF) finance major projects like dams, oilpipelines and mines that threaten local water supplies, land,homes and people’s livelihoods. Since 1992 the World Bankhas poured more than US$10 billion into oil and gasextraction. A Christian Aid report in 2003 said: “thepresence of oil in a developing country makes life worse,not better, for the people who live there – particularly thepoorest people”.

Governments – under pressure from bigbusiness – are deepening inequalitiesand failing to protect people and theplanet. It’s time for a change.

Tricky business – rules riggedagainst the poor

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Under World TradeOrganisation rules,governments can bepenalised if, in trying toprotect local businessesor the local environment,they get in the way of so-called free trade.

Just 500 big companiesnow control two-thirds of world trade. It’s theiragenda that prevails not that of people and the environment.

“The Earth was not givento us for anyone tomonopolise and dominateand destroy. It was givenfor life, food, clothing andshelter. Without the air,water and land we allsuffer.” – Margie Richard,campaigner for justice forUS communities affectedby industrial pollution.

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While foreign companies have made huge profits from Nigerian oil, localpeople have seen little benefit but plenty of problems __ from spills toburning of waste gas (pictured) and violent conflict.

The good news is that there are clear ways to tip the scalesin favour of people and the environment.

To start with, governments should regard the environmentand people’s needs as goals that can be met at the sametime. For example communities should be consulted abouttheir transport needs, money should be put into betterpublic transport, which would help reduce traffic, improveroad safety, cut pollution and create jobs too.

Economic policies that focused on managing the world’sresources more wisely would be better for people and theenvironment. Friends of the Earth is campaigning forgovernments to agree global rules that protect the planetand give local communities priority over so-called free trade.Strong and binding laws could make corporationsresponsible for their impact on communities and theenvironment worldwide.

Perhaps most important, people affected by environmentaldamage need to know their rights and be able to exercise them.

In Teesside in the north east of England, one of the UK’smost deprived areas, the Wilton chemical complex pumpsout more than 700 tonnes of cancer-causing chemicalsevery year. With Friends of the Earth’s support acommunity centre has been set up and local people nowhave access to training, research and resources to helpthem make sure industry hears their voices.

Environmental justice is fundamental tothe work of Friends of the Earth. If takento heart by big business, governmentsand citizens’ groups at home andoverseas, it could change the way theworld works.

Fair shares

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Companies working on theproposed Yusufeli Dam inTurkey – which would haveaffected up to 30,000people – withdrew from the project aftercampaigners protested at the likely impact onvillagers and wildlife.

The Fuel Poverty Act whichFriends of the Earthcampaigned for meanseveryone in the UK shouldhave a warm home –through greater energyefficiency, not using more fuel.

With Friends of the Earth’ssupport the LongsightTransport Group in adeprived area ofManchester won a new busservice after childrencomplained that their usualbus often failed to get themto school on time.

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Hartlepool, north east England,has had more than its fair share ofindustrial pollution. In 2003 localpeople mounted a successful legalchallenge to the scrapping of oldUS ships in the area __ they wereworried about the impact onwildlife and health.

What you can do

Each of us can reduce our impact on the planet, otherpeople and generations to come by thinking about how weuse resources, by polluting less, and by exercising ourrights to press for change.

Climate change: There are lots of ways to help tackleclimate change – and they’re all about cutting the amountof carbon dioxide being pumped into the air. You can makeyour own home more energy efficient by insulating itproperly, using low-energy light bulbs and switching to agreen energy supplier – one that uses renewable sourceslike wind, solar and hydro power. Visit www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/choose_green_energyfor our green-energy league table. If you want to do moreyou could take Friends of the Earth’s Climate Challenge.Phone 020 7490 1555 for details.

The UK Governmentwants a 60 per cent cut incarbon dioxide emissionsby 2050 to avoiddangerous climatechange. Achieving this willmake life better foreveryone today and forfuture generations.

A UK citizen creates morethan 100 times as muchcarbon dioxide as theaverage citizen of Malawi– yet it is people incountries like Malawi thatface the greatest risk fromclimate change.

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Friends of the Earth has successfullycampaigned for doorstep recyclingschemes throughout England and Wales.Recycling makes for a cleaner, healthierenvironment for everyone – particularlypeople living near waste tips, who tend tobe the poorest.

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1 Cycling instead of drivingmeans cleaner air – and it’sgood exercise for your heart.

2 Better insulated homeswould save energy and lives.

3 Make your voice heard –join Friends of the Earth andcampaign for a cleaner,safer environment.

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Transport: Thinking carefully about how we travel – onholiday, for business or the school run – can help tacklepollution and climate change. Using the car less, going bytrain rather than short-haul flights, walking, cycling and car-sharing can be easy and fun. You can get advice on themost energy-efficient cars from the EnvironmentalTransport Association (www.eta.co.uk). And you cansupport Friends of the Earth’s campaign for a transportsystem that puts people and the environment first atwww.foe.co.uk/campaigns/transport/press_for_change/.

Losing waste: Many of the things we use every day –like office paper and aluminium cans – are produced athigh cost to wildlife, habitats and communities. By buyingcarefully and reducing the amount of rubbish we produceand throw away, we can help improve the environment forpeople living near landfill sites and for future generations,and help reduce the amount of natural resources beingextracted from the Earth. Visit www.wastewatch.org.uk, orget a copy of Don’t throw it all away, Friends of theEarth’s popular guide to reducing waste: phone 020 74901555.

Toxics: Some of the thousands of chemicals andhousehold products being produced today are storing upreal problems. Try to recycle your batteries (or userechargeable ones), mobile phones and fridges. Fifteenhigh street retailers, covering 8,000 individual stores, havesigned up to Friends of the Earth’s safer chemicals pledge,committing to phase out risky chemicals from their ownbrand products. You can support the campaign to get moreretailers to sign up at www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/safer_chemicals/press_for_change/league_table/pledge.html/

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Trade justice: Buying fairly traded products such ascoffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa, honey and bananas putsmoney back into local communities. Farmers get a fair pricefor their products, enabling them to feed and educate theirfamilies. But there’s more to making trade fair than buyingFair Trade – you can also join Friends of the Earth’scampaign for changes to trade rules at www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/global_trade/press_for_change/.

Invest ethically: Through our investments, pensions andmortgages, which provide businesses with the bulk of theirmoney, we can help challenge the more destructivebehaviours of big business. Banks like Triodos and the Co-operative Bank offer more ethical pensions, lifeinsurance, ISAs and savings plans. Check with the EthicalInvestment Research Information Service at www.eiris.org;or phone 020 7840 5700.

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DIY giant B&Q haspioneered environmentalpolicies in its stores, forexample on workingconditions in developingcountries, without seeingcuts in profits.

For the UK to use only itsfair share of the world’sforest resources by 2050,we need to cut our timberuse by 75 per cent.

Environmental protectionis not anti-commerce.Draft European Unionchemicals regulationswould cost less toimplement than theywould save in health carecosts and losses tobusiness.

Fairly traded products guaranteebetter income and workingconditions for smallholders indeveloping countries. Lookfor the Fairtrade Mark.

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If you want to stop companies destroying the environmentand communities in pursuit of profit, you can supportFriends of the Earth’s Corporate Accountability campaign,by visiting www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/corporates/press_for_change/join_list/.

Real food: You can help protect the environment, yourhealth and that of farmers by buying locally produced,pesticide-free, organic food where possible. Farmers’markets in your area are good places to find fresh localproduce at a reasonable price. You can support the rightsof farmers and consumers internationally to say no to GM:sign-up to the Bite Back petition to stop the United Statesforcing the Europe to accept GM food. Visit www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/global_trade/press_for_change/bite_back/

1 Recycling aluminium canscould help the UK use 90 percent less aluminum by 2050– which would be our fairshare of this preciousresource. And it would avoidthe impact on communitieswhere raw materials aremined.

2 Friends of the Earth hascalculated that oil giantExxonMobil (Esso) hascaused between 3.4 and 3.7per cent of total attributableclimate change since 1882.The findings could prove vitalto claims against companiesby victims of climate change.

3 Consumer pressure onretailers is persuading moreand more of them to phaseout risky chemicals fromtoys, foods and cosmetics –so protecting vulnerablepeople and futuregenerations.

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Friends of the Earth’s work forenvironmental justiceProtecting everyone’s future by tackling the roots ofenvironmental abuse and its impact on vulnerable people

Contact Friends of the Earthfor more information aboutour campaign forenvironmental justice andhow to join us.Full campaign information, briefingsand reports are on our website.

Information Service:Freephone 0808 800 1111Email: info@foe.co.ukWebsite:www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/corporateswww/foe.co.uk/campaigns/global_trade

The Friends of the Earth network has put the case forenvironmental justice at the heart of its campaigns.Here’s how:

The Fuel Poverty ActIn 2000 the Government admitted there was an average ofmore than 30,000 needless winter deaths a year becauseof cold. Since then we and others have won the FuelPoverty Act, meaning “fuel poverty” among elderly peoplehas fallen sharply and less energy is wasted.

Factory pollution and poverty In 2001 Friends of the Earth revealed that of the 11,400tonnes of cancer-causing chemicals spewed into the airby large factories in England, 82 per cent were fromfactories in the most deprived wards. Since then theseemissions have fallen and the Environment Agency isdoing its own environmental justice analysis.

Friends of the Earth is:• working with vulnerable communities to challenge

harmful local government and industry decisions.

• working to ensure communities have rights toinformation and decision making.

• encouraging politicians to place environmental justice atthe centre of policy on climate and transport, and to linkit to employment, health and overseas development.

• working with Friends of the Earth International to tacklebarriers to a safe and healthy environment, includingtrade rules and weak regulation of dangerous industries.

Environmental justicedirectory

Black EnvironmentNetwork1st Floor, 60 High Street,Llanberis, Wales, LL55 4EUTel: 01286 87071www.ben-network.org.uk

Corporate ResponsibilityCoalition (CORE)Pressing for binding rules to stopcompanies putting theenvironment and human rightsat risk.www.corporate-responsibility.org

Corporate WatchResearch and publishing groupsupporting grassroots and directactivism against largecorporations.Tel: 01865 791391www.corporatewatch.org.uk

DEFRAGovernment departmentcovering agriculture and theenvironment.Ergon House, 17 Smith Square,London SW1P 3JRHelpline: 08459 335577www.defra.gov.ukwww.doingyourbit.org.ukemail: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

DTIDepartment for Trade andIndustry.www.dti.gov.uk/energywww.dti.gov.uk/ccpowww.dti.gov.uk/renewable

Environmental JusticeFoundationWorks to protect the naturalworld and the people and wildlifethat depend on it by linkingenvironmental security, humanrights and social need.5 St Peter’s Street,London N1 8JDTel: 020 7359 0440www.ejfoundation.org

Ethical InvestmentResearch Service (EIRIS)Provides research into corporatebehaviour for ethical investors.Tel: 020 7840 5700www.eiris.org

Fairtrade FoundationWorking directly with producersto promote fair trade practices.www.fairtrade.org.ukTel: 020 7405 5942

New EconomicsFoundationA think tank promoting innovativesolutions on economic, socialand environmental issues.3 Jonathan StreetLondon SE11 5NHTel: 020 7820 6300www.neweconomics.org

Our World is Not For SaleNetwork challenging the currentmodel of globalisation embodiedin the global trading system.www.ourworldisnotforsale.org

Pesticides ActionNetworkCampaigns on the toxic effectsof pesticides and the alternatives.Tel: 020 7274 8895www.pan-uk.org

Trade Justice MovementCoalition campaigning for traderules that benefit poor peopleand the environment.Tel: 020 7404 0530www.tradejusticemovement.org.uk

SustainAlliance for better food andfarming.94 White Lion StreetLondon N1 9PFTel: 020 7837 1228www.sustainweb.org

SustransPractical projects encouragingpeople to walk, cycle and usepublic transport.35 King St, Bristol, BS1 4DZTel: 0117 926 8893www.sustrans.org.uk

Transport 2000National environmental transportcampaign.www.transport2000.org.uk

Triodos BankEthical bankingBrunel House,11 The Promenade,Bristol BS8 3NNTel: 0117 973 9339www.triodos.co.uk

Waste WatchPromotes waste reduction,re-use and recycling.Tel: 0870 243 0136www.wastewatch.org.uk

World DevelopmentMovementCampaigns to tackle the rootcauses of poverty.25 Beehive Place,London SW9 7QR UKTel: 020 7737 6215wdm@wdm.org.uk

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Friends of the Earth is:

the UK’s most influential national environmental campaigning organisation

the most extensive environmental network in the world,with almost one million supporters across five continents and over 60 national organisations worldwide

a unique network of campaigning local groups, working in over 200 communities throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland

dependent on individuals for over 90 per cent of its income.

Friends of the Earth inspires solutions to environmental problems, which make life better for people

Friends of the Earth

26-28 Underwood Street, London N1 7JQ

Tel: 020 7490 1555 Fax: 020 7490 0881 Email: info@foe.co.uk Website: www.foe.co.uk

Friends of the Earth Trust company number 1533942, registered charity number 281681C Printed on paper made from 100 per cent post-consumer waste T591 October 2004

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