+- BAJR Federation Archaeology (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk)
+-- Forum: BAJR Federation Forums (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: The Site Hut (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Thread: Environmental Justice (/showthread.php?tid=1838)
Pages:
1
2
Environmental Justice - drpeterwardle - 9th March 2005
I would like to report to BAJR/Britarch what was discussed at the seminar on environmental justice organised by The Labour Lawyers Association and the Environmental Law Foundation at the House of Commons today. The seminar sought to discuss the following:
1. how the regulatory regime can better protect disadvantaged communities facing environmental harm;
2. how to reduce barriers to access to justice for environmental matters;
3. how to address the cost of enforcing environmental law.
Unfortunately, the agenda was changed in order to try to either wrong foot the Minister for the Environment (Elliot Morley), or be topical in the light of a key high court ruling, to discuss issues of costs, in the court sense, in environmental litigation.
However, what is clear is that there is a recognition by government that people are being denied access to environmental justice because big business can out-resource them; and the risk of losing a case, and costs being awarded against the individual or non government organisation, is too great for challenges to made.
The jury is out on whether environmental tribunals would be a better alternative than general courts for hearing serious environmental cases.
Magistrates and judges are to receive training in environmental matters and shortly only those that have had that training will be able to hear such cases.
All in all I think steps in the right direction are being taken by government although I am concerned by some things. Unfortunately the discussion time was taken up by people wanting to bend the minister?s ear about individual issues, rather than engage in dialogue about how strategic change can happen.
The minister said however that The Environmental Law Foundation?s document on environmental justice was heeded.
Other things that came out are:
That there is a shortage of expert witnesses.
That Consideration is being given to magistrates and judges having an expert witness sit next to them on the bench.
The new government statement on sustainable development published yesterday has not been widely reported.
Peter Wardle
(Who has no idea why he was invited to a Labour Party Focus Group!)
Environmental Justice - troll - 24th March 2005
Any suggestions as to how a copy of the Government`s statement on "sustainable development" can be obtained? Would be nice to air it here perhaps?
Environmental Justice - BAJR Host - 24th March 2005
agreed
Environmental Justice - drpeterwardle - 27th March 2005
The policy document in on the DPM web site I think as a new PPG.
I think more important are the statements by Tessa Jowell I have read in the European versions of newspapers.
For example it will be acceptable to digitally record and produce a virtual image of a listed building and then demolish it.
Peter Wardle
Environmental Justice - voice of reason - 27th March 2005
Don't believe everthing you read in the papers - actually, what she is suggesting is an enhanced record of Listed buildings which are demolished, and in that she should be encouraged.
Read the rest of 'her' essay at http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/586CB2C9-D8FA-4DCB-AD50-6D6705F2FECE/0/better_places_live.pdf
The rest of it sets the political context for the future of heritage management for the next term of Blatcherism. All should read it to understand the environment in which the next ten years of archaeological endeavour in Britain will operate and how we will be viewed professionally by the policymakers. Far more relevant than bleating incessantly about what the IFA does and doesn't do, frankly.
Environmental Justice - troll - 28th March 2005
Will have a good look at that-should make for a pulse-raising read methinks....On the "bleating" front, can I assume then that the IFA played no part in the consultation phase of said "policy" document? Am I also to assume that they have no future role to play or, indeed, are irrelevent in the ongoing professional crisis? Consistent "bleating" is relevent and, sadly inevitable-regardless of grand policies from the Gods, the IFA will be at the helm as those so far removed from reallity perceive them to be THE professional Institute.......
Environmental Justice - voice of reason - 28th March 2005
Can you explain what this 'professional crisis' is please?
Environmental Justice - troll - 28th March 2005
Sir, your question can best be answered by having a trawl through posts on this site over quite some time-rather than my going over old ground, perhaps other bajr contributors would like to help me out here? In short, in the current commercial environment, the finite resource suffers badly at the point of trowel-those who set standards don`t or won`t police them and turns a blind eye to cowboys. Further, professional field archaeologists do not enjoy secure employment/conditions/rights and are valued at a level slightly higher than a junior member of staff in a well-known American fast"food" chain. P.s I like the term "Blatcherism" most muchly...
Environmental Justice - Oxbeast - 29th March 2005
I was a little shocked at Tessa Jowell's commesnts as reported in papers. I took tham to mean that listed buildings will be 'preserved by record' where a more innovative building could be built. Presumably this could mean all of them.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1444430,00.html
Not sure if this is on Dr warldles thread about environmental protection, but it certainly concerns the governments attitude to the built environment. Dr wardle mentions that the minister's ear was being bent by special interests. The point of the IFA is that they should be representing our special interests.
I welcome all the other indications of environmental law being enforced more effectively.
Environmental Justice - troll - 29th March 2005
If the interpretation of Oxbeast is correct-is Tessa whatsherface in violation of the Valetta Convention? Can citizens now apply to have Buck House/Parliament House recorded then removed on the grounds that a democracy would be deemed innovative as a replacement?
