What is 'Global Responsibility' to PSGR?
How we do what we do.
How do PSGR define ‘Global Responsibility’?
PSGR (New Zealand) recognizes that all life support systems on our planet are interconnected and interdependent and that our actions today impact future generations. Human wellbeing is dependent on healthy ecosystems, and global responsibility requires that where there is uncertainty decision-makers proceed cautiously and transparently to protect the public interest and ensure ecological sustainability.
Global responsibility encompasses matters of lawful conduct of national and international (e.g. the United Nations) governments. Governments are required to give priority weight to the public interest and environment protection in the shaping of laws and in governance efforts to ensure compliance with those public law principles - particularly in matters of agriculture, trade, medicine, science and technology.
Global responsibility is intricately connected to the creation of not just law, but also timely, effective and appropriate monitoring and regulation of modern technologies and polluting industries to protect human and ecosystem health to ensure obligations in law are fulfilled.
What we do, and how we do it:
PSGR works to educate and inform so that decisions made today will protect and sustain the integrity of our original healthy genome; and protect and improve human and ecosystem health.
PSGR recognises that there is concrete evidence planetary boundaries are being exceeded, with multiple, complex, adverse anthropogenically created issues including climate change; bioaccumulating pollution; soil and water degradation; and increased chronic health conditions risking wellbeing and health.
PSGR acknowledges that there is a need for ‘Democratic Renewal’ - for an enhanced participatory process to ensure public information adequately represents risk to protect future generations.
PSGR recognises earth jurisprudence, which acknowledges and values interconnectedness of earth systems, considering humans part of the web of life, reflecting kaitiakitanga. The wellbeing of humans depends on how humans nurture, guard and protect the wellbeing of Earth.
PSGR recognises that scientists, academics and health professionals working in the public or private sector may have important information that will help inform New Zealand civil society.
PSGR has identified the need for a practical collaborative space to bring complex and challenging health and environmental concepts to the public arena.
Transparency is critical. PSGR recognises that many powerful non-government organisations (including charities) in the public arena do not declare funding (1) and that most funding to political parties in New Zealand is not declared. (2) PSGR declares all funding over $1000.
PSGR accepts that our economy is nested in our ecology. The market sits alongside the commons, the household and government. PSGR works to inform and educate so that the non-material (socio-cultural) value of environment and health is acknowledged in decision-making in order to best prevent unanticipated adverse events that may be extraordinarily difficult to amend.
Where there is uncertainty, and effects are potentially irreversible, PSGR advocates for a strong interpretation of the Precautionary Principle to protect future generations
PSGR seeks to support the statutory obligations of our government to protect the health of the New Zealand public; our environment and native ecosystems; and future generations
PSGR cautions that in the public interest, greater public knowledge regarding the significant risk to children, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy from bioaccumulating urban, agricultural and industrial chemicals. Effects can be severe and untreatable, and greater education is warranted in order to prevent harm, and instead protect biological, and especially neurological functioning and wellbeing.
PSGR takes particular effort to highlight evidence-based research produced by independent scientists and researchers in often controversial areas where a disproportionate amount of scientific evidence may be produced by companies and industry funded organisations which may skew the data in favour of the industry with the financial interest.
Originally published on PSGR.org.nz
