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A Better Balance is Possible Between Trade & Environment

Sierra Club Canada's Trade and Environment Campaign is centered on the mounting evidence that unfettered economic globalization and its agenda of free trade, de-regulation, and privatization implemented over the past two decades without public consultation, has had a devastating impact on our immediate environment, the ecosystems of the planet and broader planetary cycles that are now deeply out of balance from pollution, depletion of resources and excessive CO2 and other emissions. The Trade and Environment Campaign focuses on: (i) the cascade of bi-lateral and internal FTAs being pushed through without adequate consultation or impact studies (ii) the imperative of re-negotiating NAFTA, and all free trade agreements, iii) working to rid all trade agreements of the unjust, undemocratic and unsustainable NAFTA Chapter 11 investor state mechanism, and iv) working towards fairer trade models and sustainable economic systems. The Trade and Environment Campaign works to increase awareness of how globalization, free trade and NAFTA impact the environment and ecosystems and works with the membership and other national NGO´s and coalitions to oppose trade agreements that are harmful to the environment, local economies, and sovereignty.

Latest Posts

The End of Growth CBC Idea with Jeff Rubin and David Suzuki

Submitted by Janet Eaton on Wed, 2013-03-20 22:24

You can listen to this CBC Ideas podcast on the following website. Jeff Rubin and David Suzuki provide their rationale for the end of economic growth. Rubin seems to feel that the increase in oil prices accompanying the decline in clean, affordable oil will lead to a slowing of growth and hence deglobalization. Suzuki discusses limits to growth in general, while citing alternatives such as Degrowth, Transition Towns and localization. Suzuki mentioned the International Degrowth Conference of the Americas in Montreal last spring at which he was a keynote speaker. fyi-janet

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In Canada-EU Trade Talks, Lessons from South Korea?

Submitted by Janet Eaton on Wed, 2013-03-20 21:55

By Nirmala Menon, March 12, 2013 Could beef and autos-the stumbling blocks that have held up Canada's trade deal with South Korea for years-also stall Canada's current negotiations with the European Union? Canada wants greater market access for its beef into European markets. But France and Ireland, major beef producers in Europe, are reluctant to allow big quota increases, according to people familiar with the talks. For autos, Ottawa wants the EU to relax so-called rules of origin-a requirement that a majority of its auto-parts exports are actually Canadian made. Canada says that's impossible because of the highly integrated nature of the North American industry.... Read more »

Facing the Threat of the Trans-Pacific Treaty

Submitted by Janet Eaton on Wed, 2013-03-20 21:47

By Raul Burbano, Kristen Beifus and Manuel Pérez-Rocha

A 16th round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations is underway in Singapore this week. Canada and Mexico join the nine other TPP countries for the second time since the U.S. government invited its NAFTA partners to join late last year.

The TPP is a super-sized trade deal-expanding on so called "next generation" trade and investment deals that NAFTA countries have pursued in the wake of the stalemate at the World Trade Organization. This pluri-lateral agreement poses serious new threats to North American communities -- threats that a tri-national movement of trade justice activists is preparing to fight in the lead-up to a possible July TPP negotiating round in Canada.... Read more »

North American Unity Statement Opposing NAFTA Expansion through the TPP

Submitted by Janet Eaton on Wed, 2013-03-20 21:43

The People’s Round on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Canada & Mexico have joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership FTA, a new trade & investor rights deal being written by multi-national corporations with the United States & 8 other Pacific Rim countries.
Labor leaders, trade justice & food sovereignty groups, family farmers, immigration reformers, public health & internet freedom advocates, environmentalists, students, small businesses and communities from Canada, Mexico & the United States call for 1,000 organizational signers of the Tri-National Unity Statement!
The 99% can not afford another NAFTA, another bad sequel!

NORTH AMERICAN UNITY STATEMENT OPPOSING NAFTA EXPANSION TRHOUGH THE TPP... Read more »

How do we redesign a new economic theory framed by ecological systems?

Submitted by Janet Eaton on Wed, 2013-02-20 19:41

Myths and assumptions underscore classical economics – we need a new economic theory grounded in contemporary understanding. by Jonathan Dawson, Guardian Professional, Thursday 7 February 2013

Economics as we know it today is broken. Unable to explain, to predict or to protect, it is need of root-and-branch replacement. Or, to borrow from Alan Greenspan, it is fundamentally "flawed".

But where do we look for inspiration in facilitating what is the mother of all paradigm shifts? Interestingly, the most insightful and strikingly innovative ideas are coming from all directions other than the economics profession.... Read more »