GAIA Global Day of Action, 14 July 2003:


| Jun 10, 2003



The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives / Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA) is organizing a Global Day of Action (GDA) on waste and incineration on 14 July 2003 (for information on GAIA and the GDA, visit www.no-burn.org). The GDA coincides with the 7th Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (7th INC) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), 14-18 July 2003, Geneva. Participating groups will have the option of undertaking their activities on 14 July 2003 or immediately before or after this day to suit local conditions.

Now on its second year, the GDA aims to spread the message, locally and globally, that governments and industries must stop the toxic practice of burning waste and genuinely address escalating waste problems without harming the people's health, the environment and the economy. The GDA is an occasion for groups to band together, say NO! to environmentally-destructive and health-threatening methods of managing waste and push for real solutions.

GAIA will also mark the GDA 2003 with the global launch of "Waste Incineration: A Dying Technology," a GAIA Report that discusses the problems with waste incineration and explains viable alternatives to this obsolete method for dealing with waste. The Report also talks about the expanding rejection of incineration across the globe. Write to GAIA if you are interested in reviewing or releasing this invaluable campaign resource. The Report is written by Neil Tangri of Essential Action (US) for GAIA.

To join the GAIA Global Day of Action, please write to Manny C. Calonzo at manny.gaia@no-burn.org or log on to www.no-burn.org Confirm your intent to get involved. Share what you plan to do. Join us!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Background. The first ever-global day of action against waste incineration happened on 17 June 2002, coinciding with the 6th INC of the Stockholm Convention on POPs. Over 130 environmental and citizen groups from 54 countries spoke as one global force, urging governments and industries to stop waste incineration and the continued generation of POPs in accordance with the spirit and intent of the Stockholm Convention.

Notwithstanding our steady success in fighting off waste burners and in promoting alternatives, the incineration industry continues to promote this polluting and wasteful technology around the world. Companies continue to ply their wares, often marketing their incinerators such as gasification, plasma arc, pyrolysis, "waste-to-energy" and other "clean" or "green" modern technological "solutions" for waste disposal. Proponents of these back-end "solutions" keep on deceiving decision makers and citizens with their outmoded and discredited burn or bury formula for managing waste. Hence, the need to boost and strengthen our local and global campaigns.

Themes. This year's GDA will draw attention to a number of themes. The broad selection of themes will allow participating groups to choose which one will go well with their local issue context and priorities.

  • The harmful effects of waste incineration on children's health
  • The implementation of the Stockholm Convention on POPs with specific reference to the treaty provisions on incineration.
  • The adverse impacts of waste incineration on local communities and economies
  • The World Bank Group's promotion of waste incineration
  • The promotion of practical alternatives, including clean production, zero waste and sustainable waste management systems

    • Activities. Participating groups are planning a variety of events and initiatives to mark the GDA, reflecting the energy and diversity of the GAIA global family. Local activities being planned include protest actions in Canary and Minsk, fora in Kolkata, Moscow and Yerevan, information dissemination in Lagos and Maputo, radio advocacy in Kampala, Manila and Port au Prince, launch of web pages on incineration and alternatives in Paris, Prague and Warsaw, lobbying at the INC7 in Geneva, release of the "Waste Incineration: A Dying Technology" report in several cities, direct actions in undisclosed facilities, letter writing to government officials and media work.

    Manny C. Calonzo








    Version: DRAFT 2.0 (June 1, 2006)