August 26, 2002

National environment group Friends of the Earth (FoE) has today called for a formal explanation of why a US nuclear submarine surfaced off the Gold Coast yesterday without the knowledge or consent of the Defence Department or Australian Government. The incident was reported in today's edition of the Gold Coast Bulletin following numerous reports from concerned locals.

August 25, 2002

Friends of the Earth International, the world's largest environmental federation, is demanding that corporations do not just talk green, but are held accountable for their behaviour. Amidst much talk at the Johannesburg Earth Summit of voluntary measures for corporations to achieve sustainability, FoE is calling for a legally-binding corporate code of conduct.

August 16, 2002

AMSTERDAM, Aug.16 -- Some corporations continue to abuse the rights of people, destroy the livelihoods of communities, and pollute water and forest resources for future generations, according to a new report by Friends of the Earth International published today.

August 8, 2002

Approximately 100 peasants affected by OCP pipeline construction marched in the streets of Lago Agrio, Ecuador this morning, and headed to the Mayor Head Offices, protesting against the violent and repressive involvement of the state armed forces in every stage of the construction process of the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline (OCP - Oleoducto de Crudos Pesados). Afterwards they headed towards the city´s State Attorney Offices in order to demand the freedom and immediate release of Mr. Juan Chasipanta Coquilago, who has been imprisoned since July 16th, when he was arrested, with other six people, who identify themselves as ?Affected by OCP? and resist the laying of the pipeline through their properties.

August 6, 2002

Fifty-Seven Years From Hiroshima, World Is Further Away Than Ever From Nuclear Disarmament

Friends Of The Earth Australia
Australian Peace Committee
Australian Anti-Bases Campaign
Ozpeace
Medical Association For The Prevention Of War

Fifty-seven years from the day on which the US bomber Enola Gay dropped the first nuclear weapon ever to be used, the world is as far away as ever from eliminating nuclear weapons, and may be inching closer to actually using them again.

July 26, 2002

Despite the discovery of a second earthquake fault line under the new reactor site in Sydney, the Federal Government is pushing ahead with controversial plans to dump the reactorís waste in South Australia. Science Minister Peter McGauran today released the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the National Radioactive Waste Repository. National environment group Friends of the Earth has condemned the move as ill conceived and ignores significant community and South Australian government opposition.

July 17, 2002

New evidence from British scientists has been published which raises serious questions about the safety of GM food.

The research, published by the UK's Food Standards Agency, showed for the first time that genes inserted in GM crops are finding their way into human gut bacteria. Many GM crops have antibiotic-resistant marker genes inserted in them, and there are fears that if material from these marker genes passes into humans, people's ability to fight infections may be reduced.

June 15, 2002

From 6.30am today, Narangba residents and supporters continue to have a presence on the site of the proposed nuclear irradiation plant, immediately north of Brisbane. Opponents of the plant include Brisbane-based community groups EnuFF (Everyone for a Nuclear-Free Future), the Stop Food Irradiation Alliance, and Friends of the Earth, supporting the many local residents who oppose the plant. Other national environment groups have also pledged support.

June13, 2002

Friends of the Earth Australia (FoEA) has today condemned US plans to withdraw from the Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. The treaty is considered a cornerstone of peace initiatives over the last few decades, withdrawal bringing increased uncertainty and instability. Australiaís increased support for US unilateral decisions brings further concerns for our region.

June 11, 2002

Environment groups in Canada and Australia have united to oppose a planned uranium mine at Honeymoon in northern South Australia. The move coincides with the annual meeting in Canada today of the Toronto based uranium miner Southern Cross Resources (SXR) at which the company is expected to announce further details on project financing.