Toxics Action at Dell HQ, Texas

In 2006 when computer giant Dell announced they'd quit using the most harmful toxic chemicals in their electronics by the end of 2009.

At the time that was a great start and CEO Michael Dell set the bar for the rest of the industry with his public commitment. Now it's almost June 2010 and Dell still hasn't made a single computer that's free from PVC plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs).

Meanwhile many of its competitors have already done so. Why is Dell going back on its very public promise? There's no excuse. You can ask Dell to do better.

Please write and tell CEO Michael Dell to honour his commitments and phase out the use of toxic chemicals.

Eoin Dubsky
Online Organizer Greenpeace International
http://www.greenpeace.org Facebook Twitter

Daniel Cohn-Bendit's speech on the Greek economy crisis

We, at Cyprus Social Ecology Movement, feel the need to congratulate the Green MEP, Daniel Cohn-Bendit for his passionate speech in European Parliament regarding the Greek economy crisis.

During his speech, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, uncovered the financial games against Greece, from countries within EU. "France and Germany" said, "are forcing Greece to take drastic measures against the Greek people, and on the other hand, they demand from Greek government to purchase army equipment of billion euros worth, from them.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit pointed out the absolute need for full demilitarization of Greece and Turkey, being the only solution for financial recovery of these two countries. He also gave emphasis on the urgent need of the Turkish troop's withdrawal from Cyprus!

We feel that Daniel Cohn-Bendit's speech constitutes a serious and very positive and realistic opinion and we strongly believe that our Government, as well as the Greek and Turkish governments, should take well into consideration.

Unfortunately, this statement by the co-president of the Green/EFA group in the EP should be given more value and attention by all of us.

The fact that, till today, there was no official reaction by the Cyprus Green Party, is giving us the impression that we spoil every opportunity we have for the solution of our problem and we avoid to listen any realistic suggestions.
The political orientation of a Green party should be based on such opinions, away from any nationalistic and separative positions.

Cyprus Social Ecology Movement

Caroline Lucas becomes Green Party's first MP

The Green Party has gained its first ever Westminster MP. In a major electoral success, the party's leader and MEP Caroline Lucas took the seaside seat of Brighton Pavilion from Labour.

Britain is the only country in Europe which has never had a Green MP elected to its national parliament.

Her victory is a remarkable achievement for the party, which has sought to put environmental issues at the heart of the General Election campaign.

Caroline Lucas, centre, celebrates becoming Britain's first Green Party MP after winning the Brighton Pavilion seat

Speaking after the result was announced she said: "Today the people of Brighton Pavilion have made history by electing Britain's first Green MP to Westminster.

"Thank you so much for putting the politics of hope above the politics of fear and I pledge that I will do my very best to do you proud.

"For once the word historic fits the bill."

One of the most tightly contested seats in the country, Brighton Pavilion was once a solid Tory stronghold, which was snatched by Labour in 1997.

Miss Lucas, 49, beat off female rivals Nancy Platts for Labour and Charlotte Vere for the Conservatives in an exciting three-way race.

A CND activist in her youth and a campaigner against US weapons on British soil, privately-educated Miss Lucas has more recently been a leader of the Stop the War Coalition.

he Green party leader has been hailed by the left-wing Guardian newspaper as one of their 'eco-heroes'.

Miss Lucas campaign was boosted by the support of actress Joanna Lumley who urged voters to shun mainstream politicians and back the Greens.

The Greens have mounted their biggest-ever general election campaign this year fielding candidates in 335 constituencies.

Her victory represents a shift towards a more radical style of politics.

As well as campaigning for environmental issues, the party backs higher taxation on the rich, permanent taxes on bankers bonuses and 20mph speed limits in all towns.

At the last election, Labour MP David Lepper took the seat with a 5,000 majority. But he announced his retirement before the General Election.

The Green party have been steadily building up their polling base in Brighton. At the last General Election, the Greens polled a best ever 22per cent of the vote in the constituency and have 9 local councillors in the area.

Cyprus and Denmark top the EU garbage heap

CYPRIOTS Danes and the Irish produce the most waste per capita in the whole European Union, while the Czechs, Poles and Slovaks the least, data from the EU's statistics office showed yesterday.

Eurostat said one Dane produced on average 802 kg of municipal waste in 2008, the highest rate in the 27-nation bloc. Cypriots generated 770 kg of waste on average – 10 kilos per person more than the average American - and the Irish 733 kg.

However the data also showed that even though Danes produce more waste, Denmark burned 54 per cent of its waste, recycled a further 24 per cent and composted 18 per cent, putting only 4 per cent of it into landfills.

Cyprus, however, stowed 87 per cent of the rubbish in landfills and recycled only the remaining 13 per cent, compared to 48 per cent in Germany – the top country for recycling in the EU.

The island was in sixth highest position when it came to landfill dumping. But taking into account the fact that the other countries ahead of Cyprus - five eastern European states - only produce half the amount of rubbish per person, the situation changes.

The Czechs produced 306 kilos of rubbish per capita, the Poles 320 kilos and the Slovaks 328 kilos.

The figures leave Cyprus clearly in the landfill lead along with Malta, which although produces 100 kilos per person less, throws 97 per cent on landfills and recycles only three per cent.

Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou said yesterday the difference between Cyprus and Denmark when it came to the waste issue was that the latter had efficient system to dispose of it. “This is the difference. It’s what you do with the waste after you produce it,” he said.

“Other countries have policies to cut waste, strict checks strict recycling laws. Not anyone who wants is allowed to dump waste.

He said that in other countries companies, supermarkets and others who produce a lot of waste are not allowed to dump them in landfills. They are forced to take them for recycling.

“They are very strict,” he said. “We have landfills and we dump whatever we want.”

Last week DISY deputy Kyriacos Hadjiyiannis described Cyprus as an “open landfill” during a House

Environment Committee.

Chairman Andreas Fakontis said 113 landfills are currently in operation across Cyprus and there was absolutely no policy for scaling back the production of refuse. He said no measures are taken to cut waste and save money by having smaller waste processing units.

He also said abandoned landfills were one of the most serious environmental problems in Cyprus. “While they are closed, they continue to be sources of pollution; the ground continues to be contaminated; the aquifers; toxic substances are produced and foul smell,” Fakontis said.

Fakontis added that people continue to dump rubbish in these landfills illegally.

The House wants inspectors who will be responsible to penalise those who dump waste illegally by imposing a substantial on-the-spot fine.

Fakontis said the government has given its okay but these ‘green’ inspectors have not been appointed yet।

CyprusMail

Stop “Red Arrow’s” dangerous games….

Cyprus Social Ecology Movement is considering the “Red Arrows” RAF planes exhibition completely unacceptable to be held in the air space of Cyprus

These exhibitions have nothing to offer to our country except the dangers of a possible accident and of course the air and noise pollution to the people living in the involved areas.

We demand immediate action against the authorization of such exhibitions by the local authorities and Cyprus Government. We feel that it is about time to stop being the “good guys” for the British Army Forces based in Cyprus and to put an end to this ridiculous action, every now and then in the sky of our country.

The continuous visits of “Red Arrows” in Cyprus are, beside the dangers, affecting the reputation and the independence of the Republic of Cyprus

Cyprus Social Ecology Movement

Commission sends written warning to Cyprus on air quality

The European Commission is pursuing infringement proceedings against five member states, including Cyprus, for failing to comply with the EU's air quality standards for dangerous airborne particles known as PM10.

These particles, emitted mainly by industry, traffic and domestic heating, can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. Slovenia and Sweden are being referred to the European Court of Justice, while final written warnings have been sent to Cyprus, Portugal and Spain. In a separate case, Bulgaria is receiving a final written warning over its failure to control concentration levels of sulphur dioxide.

The Commission's action follows the entry into force in June 2008 of the new EU Air Quality Directive, which allows member states to request, under certain conditions and for specific parts of the country, limited extra time to meet the PM10 standard which has been in force since 2005.

At the beginning of 2009, first warning letters were sent to member states that had by then not submitted notifications or had not notified the Commission about all air quality zones exceeding the limit values for PM10.

Following this warning, most of the member states involved submitted notifications for a time extension. Although Cyprus, Portugal and Spain did submit notifications for time extensions, the Commission rejected most of the notified air quality zones on the grounds that they did not meet all the conditions required by the Directive. The Commission has therefore decided to send a final written warning to the three member states.

EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik stated that ''air pollution is bad for our health'' and that ''member states must comply with EU air quality standards quickly and reduce emissions.''

''I am pleased to see that over recent years we have met PM10 limit values in a number of areas throughout Europe, but much more effort is still needed if we want full compliance,'' he added.

(Cyprus Weekly)

Minimum wage increased to €840

THE MINIMUM wage is being increased to €887 from €840 effective from Thursday, the Labour Advisory Committee announced yesterday.

Final approval for the 5.6 per cent increase, which will bring the minimum wage to 50 per cent of the average national wage, rests with the Cabinet.

“The minimum wage, I would like to underline, is a tool which affects the most susceptible sectors of the employed population, and one which we intend to utilise in a correct manner,” said Labour Minister Sotiroula Charalambous after the meeting.

The minimum wage, for employees who have been at their place of employment for over six months, is currently fixed at €840. This will go to €887.

The minimum wage for new employees, who have been working at their place of employment for less than six months, and which currently stands at €791, is set to be increased to €835.

The measure drew sharp criticism from employers’ organisations, who said it would “create market distortions” and impact negatively on industry.

(The Cyprus Mail)

Stop the destruction of an ancient church

Cyprus Social Ecology Movement strongly protests against Cyprus Churches’ plans to construct an enormous new church in front of the ancient and historic chapel of Ayia Paraskevi in Akropolis, near Hilton hotel.

This new and very expensive church will close the only free side of the ancient church which is currently surrounded by the huge building of the Central Bank and the Head offices of the Bank of Cyprus.

In an effort to stop these plans, the Cyprus Social Ecology Movement is organizing a protest on Sunday, 21st February, 2010, at 10 am in the front yard of the ancient church and calls upon all people to join us.

We need to draw awareness and show our will to stop the destruction of a historic and cultural monument which has been the point of reference of the capital of Cyprus for over 500 years.

Government to secure sufficient water supplies

The government is fully aware of the challenges ahead and through the implementation of a sustainable water management policy is taking all necessary measures to ensure water security now and in the future, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Michalis Polynikis said Wednesday.

Addressing the fourth annual Water and Energy Exchange International Conference in Limassol, Polynikis said the primary objective is to secure enough quantities of potable water to cover at least the basic needs of the population and to eliminate dependency on weather conditions by installing sea water desalination plants.

Despite the construction of many surface water reservoirs since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, the dependency on rainfall still continues, he added.

The long and frequent periods of droughts, he said, have proved that storing rainwater into reservoirs only allows short-term planning and is not a sustainable long-term solution.

''Currently one mobile and two permanent desalination plants are in operation and additional desalination plants are planned to be constructed in the next couple of years with the objective to achieve water security so that every person has continuous access to safe water'', he added.

At the same time, he stressed, attention is turned on other non-conventional water resources, such as recycling of treated municipal effluents in order to cover the water needs of the agricultural sector and ensure a gradual integration into the water balance. Recycled water for irrigation and recharge purposes is a growing resource in Cyprus.

The Minister announced earlier in the week the end to water cuts, which were introduced about two years ago following sever drought.
(CNA)

Cyprus Social Ecology Movement

Cyprus Social Ecology Movement was founded in an effort to raise awarness of the people in Cyprus for the very serious social and environmental probles and issues.

Cyprus Social Ecology Movement is NOT just another political party. Actually is not a political party at all.

Our aim is to help, all together, away from "Leaders", big chiefs and political games we hope to succeed a better quality of life, a cleaner and healthier island and a respectful living standard.

We call upon all people living in Cyprus to join our movement. Everyone is welcomed. No matter in which nationality, religious or ethnicity belongs.

In our strungle, everybody is important and has a very serious role to play.

For more information please write us to: gr.greens@gmail.com

MISSING PERSONS: SHOCKING NEW TESTIMONY SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED

In a shocking revelation on Turkish Star TV Turkish actor Attila Olgac confessed last week that he killed Greek Cypriot prisoners of war in cold blood during the invasion of the Turkish army in 1974.

“I killed ten people”, he said and explained that the first one he shot on the head was a 19-year old Greek Cypriot national guardsman who was tied with hands behind his back. "As I went to him he spat on my face and I shot him in the head" he said.
Olgac, who stars in a popular TV series “The valley of the wolves”, said that after he killed the Greek Cypriot soldier he killed “nine more”.
More than 1,600 of Greek Cypriots have been missing since 1974 and although 400 identifications by DNA have revealed the identity of the deceased, accounts by people like Attila Olgac should provide info on the identity, location and circumstances under which these particular deaths and “disappearances” occurred.
Regarded as a serious breach of Article 13, of the Geneva Convention, the next day of the confession found the leadership of the Cyprus government, legal experts and The Committee of the Missing Persons, planning the next move.
It is important that this atrocity is examined and investigated with great determination. The time has come to question the responsibility of the Turkish army for the war crimes it committed during the invasion of 1974.
The Cyprus Government has to insist that the Turkish Army withdraws from the island and the necessary steps need to be taken to investigate the testimony of Attilla Olgac and all other crimes committed during the 1974 invasion.
Turkey continues to withhold all rights to searching for missing persons in the occupied areas of Cyprus and refuses to release any records concerning the missing people.
We believe our demand for the withdrawal of Turkish troops can only be strengthened by this latest confession”.
It has to be remembered that after a military coup by the Greek junta against the legal government of President Makarios, Turkey invaded Cyprus and has since occupied 37% of the territory of our country.

Hidden Costs of Unsustainable Development

The need for expensive desalination is just one cost of over-development. Through rapid, unplanned building, Cyprus has virtually destroyed most of its underground water resources by over-extraction and the subsequent destruction of what should be a renewable resource. And that’s not all.

Peyia example again
Other examples of required infrastructure to support new building, funded by the taxpayer, are extensive road improvements, storm drainage and central sewage treatment. Peyia once again serves as an example of the hidden costs of development. The building boom of the past ten years has added thousands of new buildings, all on septic systems for toilet and household liquid waste. Such dense construction in a short period has added considerable strain on the land and there is evidence of leakage into the underground water. Boreholes in some areas have e-coli contamination. EU legislation requires a central sewage treatment plant for coastal towns with a population over 1,000, but this is only now being studied and it will be several years before this is in place in Peyia.
In addition, serious saltwater intrusions into the underground water have already been documented. From 1990 to a peak in 2000, extraction rates in Peyia quadrupled. For some time, underground water from areas containing high nitrates and salinity is mixed with water from areas that are not so badly polluted. This results in a deteriorating quality of the water supply, although the analyses indicate that the water currently still meets EU standards.
There is also a problem with municipalities extending the boundaries of their water systems. Each town has speciifc areas that they are obliged to provide with water. If any building permission is granted beyond this area, it is the builder’s responsibility to provide water for that development, as a condition of the grant of planning permission. What often happens, however, is that new buildings are constructed and then there is a request that the Municipal water be extended to cover the new houses. This of course puts great strain on the supply system and adds greatly to the costs of the Municipality when it extends the water network.
Serious problems exist in many areas of Peyia because of a lack of rainwater drainage. Over the last decade, many of the ravines and river beds have been built upon, which results in serious flooding when it rains. The very centre of the village is a virtual rushing torrent during even modest rainfall. With the natural drainage areas now covered in concrete, and no storm drainage in place, there is nowhere for the rain to go. In October 2006, Peyia suffered damage during a storm which resulted in a flash flood sweeping down from the higher, now built-up areas. By the time this torrent reached the coastal areas, it was well over a metre high and roaring along at a dangerous rate, sweeping away all that was in its path. At about 8:30 am, it swamped a seaside hotel, which was inundunated with a wall of mud and debris, sending tourists and staff scurrying for their lives during breakfast. It was a miracle no one was injured or killed in Peyia, although two people died in the next village which has also suffered from heavy, unplanned development.
The Municipality of Peyia took this very seriously. Requests were sent to the Ministry of Interior for financial support to clear the ravines and gullies of the storm debris and to fund the needed anti-flood culverts. It was the Ministry of Interior’s own Townplanning and Housing Department that had approved all the over-building that was the apparent cause of the storm damage. Unfortunately, Peyia’s request for assistance was denied. The community, now facing the constant threat of flooding whenever there is a storm, had little choice but to fund the anti-flooding measures from its own resources. So far over 2 million euros have been spent on this drainage project and it is still not completed. Some doubt that it will be effective, especially since the water is merely being diverted to the sea, which will cause pollution. It would have been prohibitively expensive to build a proper holding reservoir and filtering system to recycle the rainwater. There has also been a recent scandal about a resident who moved the surveyor’s markings so as to avoid damage to his land.

Lessons learned?
Some day soon we hope that townplanning in Cyprus will incorporate the requirement for proper infrastructure BEFORE granting permits for building sprees. Not only is it more cost effective to do this before rather than after, but it is also more logical. This is the usual procedure in most EU countries where developers must contribute to the costs of the new infrastructure needed to service their developments.
The challenge facing us today in Cyprus is : do we have the political will to change a system where consumers pay for costly infrastructure while developers make even more profits? This is a classical case of privatising profit while socialising costs.
It is up to all of us to stop it!