WASTE (Women Assessing the State of the Environment Action Plan) Call to Action for US Women Pittsburg, USA November 8-10 2001 The Rachel Carson Institute (RCI) at Chatham College, and the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) have joined efforts to support women’s leadership for environmental change. Consistent with the legacy of Rachel Carson, Chatham Class of 1929, and carrying on the work of WEDO’s founder, Bella Abzug, the WASTE (Women Assessing the State of the Environment) Summit intendos to advance women’s perspectives on critical sustainable development issues facing the United States. There were two main outcomes. First, Summit participants produced a U.S. women’s environmental action agenda, reflecting critical concerns of women, integrating national and grass roots campaigns around common themes, and generating recommendations for US policy. This consensus document, drafted by Summit participants and sponsoring organizations, will then be taken back to communities, networks, and organizations for their endorsement. Second, the WASTE summit recommendations will feed directly into Women’s Action Agenda 2015, a global document that is being drafted by WEDO through consultations with women around the world. Modeled after Women’s Action Agenda 21, that had such an important impact on the United Nations Earth Summit in 1992, this document will serve as the status report of government progress since 1992 and the blueprint of women’s concerns and strategies for sustainable development for the new century. It will also be used to lobby for change on national and international levels and will be taken to the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development, or Earth Summit 2002, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 2002.
The WASTE Summit is timed to respond to the current environmental policy crises in the U.S. and to capitalize upon the opportunity presented by the preparations for Earth Summit 2002, as the world assesses the ten-year progress in sustainable development since the historic United Nations meeting held in Rio, Brazil in 1992. It is an opportune and critical time for women to assess the state of the environment! Historically, women have been the ones who have led their communities to challenge environmental impacts, chronicle the health effects of chemical contamination and transform waste into productive usages. Our project is built on the premise that women are witnessing the wasting of the earth and rejecting the impact that such waste has on biological systems, as well as family and children's health. We believe that there is a strong, if nascent, women’s environmental health movement in this country. When linked with women’s voices across movements in this country and with women worldwide, creative and effective strategies will be advanced. When women organize, change occurs!
Goals of the WASTE Summit at Chatham College: Create a strong and knowledgeable network of women in the U.S. The Summit aimed to establish a network of women supporting each other’s concerns, while building a strong constituency for environmental change. Develop a U.S. Women’s Environmental Action Agenda The Summit produced a comprehensive set of actions to be endorsed by participating groups and taken back to their communities and constituencies. It will be used for lobbying at national and international levels. Recommend proposals for U.S. domestic and global policy Each thematic panel of the Summit generated recommendations for US national and global policies, reflecting existing work by participating organizations.
Connect U.S. women to the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002 Women around the world have utilized the United Nations sponsored World Conference to establish knowledge networks, share strategies, set common benchmarks for national government policy and influence international institutions. The WASTE Summit recommendations will feed into WAA 2015, global documents of women’s goals for sustainable development and link US campaigns to global ones. Spark collaborative projects and advocacy campaigns We did not intend to create new organizations from this gathering, but we hope that existing groups may come together around new goals, strategies or projects, while supporting each other’s current priorities. Support campus based organizing on key issues of concern With the Student Action Summit, Sunday, November 11, we provided students with the skills to link the WASTE Summit agenda to issues of concern on their campuses, in the areas of environment, women’s rights and economic globalization. PROGRAM
Nov. 10 Saturday 7:30 - 8:45 am Student Caucus Coalition meetings, caucuses. Continental breakfast in the Welker Room 9:00 -10:15 am Panel Sessions Two: Sustainable Development and Consumption Energy and consumption/ Moderator: Joseph MacNeil Rev. Joy Kaufmann, Interfaith Network on Climate Change Daphine Wysham, Sustainable Energy and Economics Network Jeanne Clark, Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future Judith Johnsrud, Pennsylvania Based Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Energy Reproductive Health, Population, and Consumption/ Moderator: John Laird Jael Silliman, University of Iowa, Women’s Studies Ellen Marshall, International Women's Health Coalition Loretta Ross, Center for Human Rights Education Jennifer Heitel, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, George Washington University Local Agenda 21 and Decision-Making/ Moderator: Mary Kostalos Caren Glotfelty, Heinz Endowments Senior Program Office for Environment Thais Corral, Rede de Desenvolvimento Humano (Human Development Network) Prabha Khosla, Consultant & Former Director of ICLEI's Local Agenda 21 Campaign
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10:15 -10:30 am Break 10:30 -11:30 am CROSS CURRENTS: Sustainable Development and Consumption Moderator: Thais Corral 11:30 -12:15 pm Preparing for Earth Summit 2002: Assessing US Government Progress JeffreyBarber, Citizens Network 12:15 -1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 -2:30 pm Panel Sessions Three: Globalization and US Policy Global Economy, Trade and the International Financial Institutions / Moderator: Charlotte Lott Marceline White, Women’s EDGE Carol Welch, Friends of Earth International Betsy Apple, EarthRights International Nadia Johnson, Women's Environment & Development Organization US Support for International Commitments/ Moderator: Ellen Dorsey Ellen Dorsey, Rachel Carson Institute, Overview Sharyle Patton, Health and Environment Program Commonweal, Persistent Organic Pollutants Sheila Dauer, Amnesty International, Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women Women in Environmental Decision-making/ Moderator: William H. Aiken Winsome McIntosh, Rachel’s Network Leslie Wolfe, Center for Women Policy Studies Chief Bisi Ogunleye, Country Women's Association of Nigeria and Women's Environment & Development Organization 2:30 - 3:20 pm CROSS CURRENTS: Globalization and US Policy Moderator: Srilatha Batliwala 3:30 - 5:30 pm Closing Plenary: Making the Global Connection Across the Issues Performance by members of the Chatham College Music Faculty & Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Presentation of WASTE Action Plan, Ellen Dorsey & June Zeitlin Zehra Aydin-Sipos, Division for Sustainable Development, Major Groups Coordinator Lois Gibbs, Executive Director, Center for Health, Environment and Justice 6:30 - 9:00 pm Toxic Landscapes Eco Art Exhibit and Gallery Opening (transportation provided) Dinner (on your own) The meeting managed to reach its objectives and, while the final report is being finalized, below are the main issues gathered in a declaration of US women covering the most relevant results to WAA2015.
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U.S. Women Declaration Preliminary Draft 1. We the women of the United States juggling with multiple responsibilities in the home, at the workplace and in the community with unique knowledge of the environment have a critical influence on the livelihood in our families, communities, society and the US economy specifically and global environment at large. The 50 % women constituency in the United States is indispensable and cannot continue to be absent from decision-making processes and particularly in the environment. With this in mind the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) convened the first World Women’s Congress for a Healthy Planet in Miami, Florida, which brought together more than 1,500 women from 83 countries and from the US to plan a joint strategy. The Congress formulated and adopted Women’s Action Agenda 20015, a blueprint for st a healthy and peaceful planet in the 21 century that also served as the basis for introducing sections on gender equality in the official UNCED final documents—Agenda 21 and The Rio Declaration. 2. Planning for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in the U.S. has taken on a renewed sense of urgency with the recent backsliding on key national and international environmental agreements. Furthermore, recent events in the Climate Change meeting at The Hague and the Racism in Durban have undermined its global image and further isolated the United States. This notwithstanding, the current air strikes against Afghanistan will further segregate the US, threaten world peace, and further pollute the environment. 3. Moved by these challenges, the Rachel Carson Institute and WEDO convened women experts from around the United States, and abroad, for the WASTE Summit –Women Assessing the State of the Environment, to develop concrete policy recommendations and community actions to stop the wasting of the earth and contribute to an updated version of WAA2015 , the Women’s Action Agenda for a Peaceful and Healthy Planet 2015 (WAA2015). We women representing the United States, attending the Women Assessing the State of the Environment Summit (WASTE) November 8-11, 2001 in Chatham College in Pittsburgh Inspired by the spirit of Bella Abzug, founder of WEDO, former U.S. Congresswoman and a global feminist activist and Rachel Carson a pioneer of the environmental movement and member of the Class of 1929 at Chatham College Gathered in the common spirit as citizens, activists, scientists, service providers, technocrats, students, women, mothers, artists, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) representatives, women networks, associations, faith-based organizations, labor and trade unions, working across the United States on environmental issues are: Saddened by the horrific terrorist attack in New York, Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh that left over 6,000 innocent people dead, thousands more injured and maimed and enormous destruction to property and environment Concerned by the isolation and failure of the United States Government to ratify key International treaties and commitments such as the Kyoto Protocol, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Basel Convention, London Convention Protocol, Rotterdam Convention, Stockholm Convention (POPs), Aarhus Convention, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child and to observe the internationally accepted Precautionary Principle Appalled by the lack of corporate responsibility of U.S. Trans National Corporations (TNCs) abroad and their continued exploitation of local people, disrespect for indigenous customs and traditions and undermining national laws and legislation. Deeply concerned by the ongoing air strikes by the United States in Afghanistan and the enormous costs of U.S. military actions to the nation, harm to innocent civilians to world peace and environmental degradation Bearing in mind that we need to build a U.S. women’s constituency that will confront the environmental and sustainable development issues Recognizing the challenge brought about by the strong influence of the right wing, religious right groups, fundamentalists in U.S. foreign policies, particularly on the environment.
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Alarmed by our unsustainable consumption levels exceeding 85% of the global share at the expense of the present and future generation Worried by the high levels of toxic contamination in our water, food, ecosystems, in breast milk and air pollution in the US and also its contribution to the generation of global pollution and dumping. Disturbed by the championing role of the US on globalization both domestically and abroad which has further marginalized women and people of action and increased the gap between the rich and poor within and between nations Distressed by the US unconditional support and full backing of international financial conditions imposed upon developing countries by the World Bank, IMF the WTO through current financial arrangements Upset by the failure of our government to take seriously environmental health risks leading to rising rates of cancer particularly cancers affecting women and lack of commitment in confronting environmental links to this disease. Hold our government accountable for actions at local, state and national level to educate its citizens on its foreign policy and to communicate the consequences of its actions at all levels particularly abroad. Acknowledging that women have never been part of the problem and therefore as nonpartisan stakeholders must be part of the solution, and Convinced that the US has enough power, technology and that the US people have the will to contribute positively to the world peace, justice, women’s equality, and prosperity recommend that to stop the Wasting of the Earth, we must… Women should be at every table. Build alliances. No one person has the power to solve things alone. We must form coalitions Go global with our activism Enact the precautionary principle Ensure women's leadership at regional, national and international level in addition to grassroots environmental activism where we are the founders, backbone & foot soldiers. There ain’t no power like the power of women cause the power of women don’t stop. Say What. Enforce UN Resolution 1325, which calls for women at every negotiating table Integrate the Human Rights Framework into the World Summit on Sustainable Development and make sure that human rights are localized in the US.
Multilateral Cooperation: Develop massive sustainable development program in the Middle East. This will contribute to US national security Enforce a complete and total ban on anticrop weapons Ratify and adopt key international treaties and commitments, such as: Kyoto Protocol Basel Convention London Convention Protocol Rotterdam Convention Stockholm Convention (POPs) Aarhus Convention Biodiversity Convention CEDAW Convention on the Rights of the Child… Develop and implement a mini Marshall plan in South Central Asia Create new multilateral standards to supercede standards of the WTO Promote people-based development, communities should have the right to choose their path towards or away from ―development‖
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Education and Awareness: Improve education and consciousness: help the public, especially women, understand the geo-political issues that makes this country and world click Recognize that female literacy is key to sustainable development Enable broader education, awareness and training to address environmental problems that exacerbate a child's risk of contracting disease Help women to stand for their rights through leadership development, education and advocacy skills building so they can demand change Empower women within the labor movement through education, access and inclusion in programs and decision-making Educate health benefits of breast feeding and how it helps strengthens a child’s immune system, prevent diabetes and asthma, prevent allergies and regulate breathing in infants.
Government Appropriations Recommendations: Decrease military budget, replace it with health care and education spending (for sustainable development) Continue the important work that has already been initiated to sustain the National Longitudinal Cohort Study, a multi-year epidemiological study with close to 100,000 children Continue to support the national network of Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Support the network of ten Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units created by CDC and EPA as a national resource for pediatricians that serves to strengthen public health prevention capacity and reduce environmental health threats to children Support and strengthen Office of Children's Health Protection at EPA Mobilizing necessary resources for increased basic, applied and epidemiological research Facilitate governments, agencies and civil society in recognizing the importance of ensuring a safe "first environment" the womb Establish comprehensive, health-based Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines Ensure government enforcement of International Labor Organization (ILO) standards for children and legal workplace inspections on health and safety practices, and OSHA and Department of Labor standards. Establish governments policies at all levels that fully take into account children's differences in chemical exposures Create a US National Sustainable Development Plan Create a national Office of Sustainable Development Create a National Policy Framework for promoting sustainable development and consumption Increase ODA (official development assistance) for sustainable development Ensure that governments and international agencies commit to action now
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Establish an International Right to Know law that would make available to communities information on US-based corporations, labor practices, human rights record & environmental practices.
Regulatory / Research Front: Develop and link coherent laws that govern clean air, safe water & food Improve surveillance system and records on chemicals released into the environment Amend and enforce laws to ensure public's right-to-know about hazardous chemical, biological and physical substances in air, water, food, consumer products, workplaces, schools, recreation areas and other places frequented by children and women of child bearing age Develop national registries on childhood disease including birth defects Develop an international public health system to combat contemporary diseases—cancer, endocrine disruptors—through geographical mapping Promulgate regulations that provide basic rights Pass legislation preventing ―forum non conveniens‖ defense by TNCs from having trials held in developing countries instead of in the US Promote and use alternative energy research & development. Use alternative energies in government buildings and facilities. Establish incentives for using sustainable energy resources Hold corporations accountable for their toxic dumping and hazardous waste instead of taxpayers paying for their negligence.
Sustainable Development and Consumption Recommendations: Local Agenda 21 and Decision-making: Set benchmarks for women in the decision-making process Continually challenge men in power to integrate gender perspective Be more inclusive of ethnic and cultural groups that have been excluded in decision-making and dialogue Create public subsidy for women’s participation Bring out successful case studies – show immediate results, even if it is as small as getting a bus route into poor community Provide training for men at local and other levels of government on gender, power, and women’s involvement in local government Build alliances and partnerships at many levels and engage diverse groups (for example, work with local businesses for funding local initiatives) Engage youth – connect high school students to decision-makers Capacity-building – training on sustainable development Learn from our own groups - we have a lot to learn within the women’s movement Commitment of resources for implementation Disaggregated data on gender and environment at the local level
Reproductive Health and Consumption: Continue to recognize and educate the media that the linkages between women’s and the environment are complex and multi-faceted. The impacts are disproportionate to the effects on women’s health. Institute watchdog process to challenge inappropriate linkages between population and the environment so that population control ideologies are not perpetuated Emphasis on the development of education tools to see how women’s rights organizations and environmental groups can work together to develop understandings of women’s health and environmental pollution/stress and the empowerment of women Institute the precautionary principle for new genetics based technologies such as human cloning, antifertility vaccine, genetic modification of foods
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Challenging and educating the media about the simplistic and racist representations of women’s fertility that work to undermine women’s rights to have not have children Educating people and acknowledging that over-consumption and environmental depletion are not individually caused and can be solved by individuals alone. They are systemic and need to be addressed systemically, coupled with individual actions Discourse on consumption needs to be expanded to include issues of spirituality, cultural ecology, definition of human rights, and disparities between developing and developed world to contextualize and culturally ground a new vision of the meaning of a rich life
Reproductive Health and Consumption: Continue to recognize and educate the media that the linkages between women’s and the environment are complex and multi-faceted. The impacts are disproportionate to the effects on women’s health. Institute watchdog process to challenge inappropriate linkages between population and the environment so that population control ideologies are not perpetuated Emphasis on the development of education tools to see how women’s rights organizations and environmental groups can work together to develop understandings of women’s health and environmental pollution/stress and th empowerment of women Institute the precautionary principle for new genetics based technologies such as human cloning, antifertility vaccine, genetic modification of foods Challenging and educating the media about the simplistic and racist representations of women’s fertility that work to undermine women’s rights to have not have children Educating people and acknowledging that over-consumption and environmental depletion are not individually caused and can be solved by individuals alone. They are systemic and need to be addressed systemically, coupled with individual actions Discourse on consumption needs to be expanded to include issues of spirituality, cultural ecology, definition of human rights, and disparities between developing and developed world to contextualize and culturally ground a new vision of the meaning of a rich life
And… Support 50/50 Campaign to ensure that women are in all levels of government Support campaign finance reform Support and demand clean production Buy environmental justice with your purchasing decisions--purchase things that you believe helps workers in other countries
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