Shifting the responsibility for providing evidence to the proponents of an activity. Increasing public participation in decision making.ĥ. Considering the full cost of environmental and health impacts over time.Ĥ. Exploring alternatives, including the alternative of "no action."ģ. The precautionary principle is a guiding principle. used to postpone cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degrada-tion.1Yet, the Precautionary Principle is a broad statement of principle, subject tovarying interpretations. Taking anticipatory action to prevent harm in the face of scientific uncertainty.Ģ. conclusive scientific proof linking that particular substance or activity to environmental damage. The precautionary principle is increasingly recognized as a foundation for decision making to protect human heath and the environment. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation." The roots of the precautionary principle can be traced to statements by Aldo Leopold (1949) and Sir Austin Bradford Hill (1965), and it is also addressed in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development of 1992: "In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Subsequently known as the Wingspread Statement, the precautionary principle was defined as follows: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” On Januthe precautionary principle was defined at a weekend meeting at Wingspread, headquarters of the Johnson Foundation in Racine, Wisconsin. The precautionary principle requires that, if there is a strong suspicion that a certain activity may have environmentally harmful consequences, it is better to control that activity now rather than to wait for incontrovertible scientific evidence. VicForests submitted that s 2.2.2. Originally published as a bulletin feature for the newsletter of CHE-WA (Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Washington State chapter) produced by Steven G. The precautionary principle - if in doubt, decide in favour of the environment - plays a significant role in the current environmental (and health) law and. VicForests further argued that the precautionary principle was not engaged in relation to those species. Lessons Learned: Looking Back to Go ForwardĪ series of articles exploring historical events that provide an important lesson for ensuring a more sustainable and healthy environment.
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