PSR Calls on Governments of the Americas to Go Further for Health and the Environment

3/5/2002

From: Karen Perry, 202-667-4260, ext. 249 or Tarek Rizk, 202-667-4260, ext. 215, both of Physicians for Social Responsibility

OTTAWA, March 5 -- As Western Hemisphere Ministers of Health and Environment end their first ever meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) has joined with NGOs from throughout the Western Hemisphere to call on the ministers for greater action.

"The commitments from this group of Ministers are admirable," said Karen Perry, MA, deputy director of Environment and Health Programs for PSR. "But the final outcome was lacking several key health and environment provisions that should concern everyone in this hemisphere."

In a statement released by PSR along with other Western Hemisphere groups including the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, the shortcomings of the meeting's final report were explained. They include consideration of health and environment in free trade negotiations, ratification of the Stockholm Convention before the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the elimination of lead in gasoline throughout the Americas by 2008.

Another major concern of the meeting was the absence of a commitment to the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

"There is abundant evidence that climate change has serious health implications for the people of the Americas," said Perry. "A commitment to ratifying the Kyoto Protocol would protect the environment and improve the quality of life throughout the Western Hemisphere."

At the conclusion of their meeting, the Ministers released a communique outlining their achievements. They include prioritizing the provision of clean water, expanding research and knowledge development and developing better indicators, especially in the area of children's environmental health. However, much of the language left serious threats to health and environment unresolved.

"Gathering these ministers together was an achievement in itself," said Perry. "But the final result is largely lacking in any real measurable commitments to action. The governments of the Americas squandered an opportunity to advance a bold model for the World Summit on Sustainable Development."