Precautionary principle
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Transcript of Precautionary principle
Definition• The precept that an action should not be taken if the consequences are uncertain and potentially dangerous
Guilty until proven innocent
• Industry would have to demonstrate that a development would cause no biodiversity loss before proceeding
http://conservationbytes.com/2013/07/18/guilty-until-proven-innocent
http://www.american.com/archive/2011/may/the-problems-with-precaution-a-principle-without-principle
‘Better safe than sorry’
Means that no activity which ‘raises threats of harm to human health or the environment’ should proceed until proven ‘safe.’
Innocent until proven guilty• industry may proceed if no one can find species that will be directly affected
Misunderstood and Misrepresented
• Misunderstood, because precaution is so often wrongly claimed to be unscientific or anti-technology.
• Misrepresented, because a large part of the resulting stigma can be a systematic – even deliberate – effect of power!!
Examples of Precautionary Principle Targets
• Environment Global warming/cooling Loss of species Population explosion
• Energy Nuclear power plants
• Food safety Genetically modified crops Mad cow disease Mercury in fish Chlorinated water
• Chemicals DDT and other pesticides BPA
• Health Vaccinations New drugs
• Technology Cell phones and towers
Examples of Precautionary Principle Users
• EPA CO2 pollutant classification Mining and power plant permits
• Community development planners
Smart growth/sustainable development/livable communities/Agenda 21
• Transportation departments Rail and other public
transportation Alternative cars
• Dept of Energy Nuclear plants
• FDA New drug approval times Drugs withdrawn from market
• Consumer Product Safety Commission
Crib recalls