Canadian Council of Forest Ministers: criteria and critical elements.

Forest certification standards are embodied in the Canadian Council of Forest Minister's criteria and critical elements. Emphasis is given on the conservation of biological diversity, maintenance and enhancement of forest ecosystem condition and productivity, and resource conservation.

Clayoquot inventories creating false sense of scientific security.

Clayoquot Sound, Canada Ecological inventories of the Clayoquot Sound area in Canada are being conducted to provide information on ecosystems' abilities for self-maintenance and self-renewal. The results of the inventories are expected to shed light on the much-debatable issue of logging.

Companies covet genes; ethics and profits compete in the patenting of human genetic materials.

Ethical issues have been raised in the patenting of human genetic material. The patenting of the T-cell line of a Hagahai man from Papua New Guinea drew criticism from indigenous people on the aspects of exploitation. Supporters of genetic research believe that the practice advances medical science.

Conservation of indigenous knowledge serves conservation of biodiversity.

Indigenous ecological knowledge promotes the conservation of biodiversity, which strengthens cultural integrity and values. Participatory approaches with the use of ecological knowledge are important factors in decision making for sustainable development.

Demanding good wood: some current approaches to forest certification are dubious merit, and even the best have significant limitations.

Forest certification initiatives improve the potentials of forest management practices in Canada in the light of consumer boycotts of forest products. The Forest Stewardship Council, the Canadian Standards Assn, and the Pacific Certification Council provide the most significant certifications.

Forest Stewardship Council: Principles of Forest Management.

The Forest Stewardship Council's Principles of Forest Management defines the rules which have to be complied with to obtain certification. These guidelines focus on the rights of tenants, indigenous people, community, and forest workers.

Free nature.

Interview with philosopher Arne Naess about nature, social justice and strategies for change Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess shares his insights on environmental concerns and the concept of deep ecology. Deep ecology focuses on the need to institute changes from within one's self based on innermost feelings to attain self-realization.

Get a Life!

Knowing home: NisGa'a traditional knowledge and wisdom improve environmental decision making.

Problems concerning resource management draw attention to traditional ecological knowledge as a means of gaining a clear perspective of ecological processes and sustainability practices. The NisGa'a people of British Columbia, Canada, are traditionally taught to observe and respect nature.

Nukes aren't green; international judges stress ecological concerns in ruling on the legality of nuclear weapons.

The International Court of Justice ruled against the use of nuclear weapons under international law. The decision was influenced by the threats that nuclear weapons pose on the environment and their negative effects on sustainable development.

Pacific Certification Council: principles.

The principles of the Pacific Certification Council provide ways of achieving success in forest management processes. The first principle gives timber managers insights on protecting the forest landscape. The second principle focuses on taking precautions in all plans and activities.

Population, Consumption and the Environment: Religious and Secular Responses.

Still the worst: an ambitious clean-up scheme failed and a cover-it-over fix was rejected, so it's back to square one for the Sydney tar ponds.

Sydney, Australia The Joint Action Group established by Canada's federal, provincial and municipal governments tries its hand in developing a solution to clean tar ponds in Sydney, Australia. Several attempts have been made in the past but to no avail. The group received $1.67 million in funding for the project.

The first little pig was right; Kim Thompson's straw bale house is sturdy and cheap.

Kim Thompson, owner of Straw House Herbals in Ship Harbour, Nova Scotia, has carved a name for herself in construction history for building the first code-approved, load-bearing straw bale structure in Canada. The structure was built using inexpensive local materials.

The Green Corporation: The Next Competitive Advantage.

The VCR doesn't work; Canada's voluntary programme for climate change prevention is not doing the job.

Voluntary Challenge and Registry Canada's Voluntary Challenge and Registry program has been criticized for its inefficiencies in promoting greenhouse gas stabilization. The approach was developed out of the requests of companies for a cost-effective way of addressing this environmental issue.

The Working Centre: Experiment in Social Change.

Valuing Local Knowledge: Indigenous People and Intellectual Property Rights.

When Corporations Rule the World.

Wolves may get Rhum.

Wolf reintroduction in Rhum, Scotland A wolf reintroduction program on Rhum, a remote island in Scotland and a nature reserve, has been proposed as part of UK's thrust for wildlife and environment conservation. Advocates of the program drew their inspiration from successful programs in Southern England and Northern Scotland.