4th Sept: It's a wrap4 September 2002
Hello. WSSD - World Summit on Sustainable Development? World Summit on Shoddy Deals more like! The talks come to a close today with a stunning lack of progress.
The only new targets relate to marine protected environments and access to sanitation. There have been no steps forward on any other issues and many targets have been trashed altogether.
These talks have proved to be a betrayal of hundreds of millions of people around the world who are suffering the effects of environmental damage and poverty.
Tony Juniper, Director Designate,
Friends of the Earth
But our fingers are still tightly crossed for one potential victory.
Friends of the Earth International campaigners succeeded in making delegates aware of underhand plans by the US to prevent progress on new rules for big business. As a result, Ethiopia and Norway raised their objections to what the US was doing. This could mean that we have stopped the US in their tracks and kept this issue on future agendas, but we probably won't know this for sure until very late tonight.
Colin Powell was booed and jeered during his speech this morning as he tried to put a positive spin on what the US has done. Many angry campaigners staged a 'walk-out'.
Earth - sold to big business?
We also made a few changes to our Hear our voice art action to symbolise what a disaster the Earth Summit has been. It shows how the world has been SOLD and its people BETRAYED.
Although I am very upset at the outcomes, I have had an amazing exerience here working with colleagues from around the world and local people. I haven't seen much of South Africa, but I've had enough of a taste to know I want to see more. Luckily I now have a few weeks of exploring ahead of me.
While I'm away, my colleagues will continue to fight for rights for people and rules for big business.
Love Sarah
Sarah Donnelly, our Policy and Campaigns Co-ordination Assistant is sending daily updates direct from the Earth Summit.
Images: © Friends of the Earth
