Action Briefing Feb 2003 - Mar 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

War In Iraq: An Individual FoE Member's Perspective

War on Iraq is an issue on which Friends of the Earth currently has no specific policy* but our principles as Friends of the Earth and as environmentalists must have some implications. Sustainability, oil and the conventions regulating international relations are three such principles. In this article I will examine as an individual FoE member what these principles might mean in practice.

In terms of sustainability, a war on Iraq is almost certainly a bad thing. The current regime in Iraq is deplorable but the least destructive way to curtail the proliferation and use of weapons of mass destruction is through UN inspections. War will mean destroying public buildings, homes, essential utility distribution systems, disrupting food supply and, if radioactive weapons (i.e. depleted uranium shells) are used then long term impact on people and the environment will be severe. And clearly war means both civilian and military casualties on a vast scale.

Oil has been suggested as a reason for war. Clearly a pro-US regime in Iraq will ease the supply of oil by increasing production (and the potential for greatly expanding oil production does exist in Iraq). But with the world facing climate change due to pollution caused by burning fossil fuels is this really the way we should be thinking? Shouldn't we instead be putting the same resources into promoting alternative energy in order to cut pollution create a better future for ourselves and the planet?

The apparent willingness of the US, UK and others to bypass international conventions, the UN and the views of their populations is a worry. The UN is the best and only real forum for international politics and although not perfect it is the best we currently have. To bypass it means international law and cooperation become optional, making it harder to promote environmental policies which are international in nature. The result will be a race to the lowest common denominator with nations competing to undercut each other.

The war on Iraq is globally opposed and opinion polls in the US and UK reflect this, yet governments aren't listening. On February 15th there will be a mass protest in London starting at 1pm from Embankment. This should be the biggest demonstration in this country for many years and will be replicated in 50 countries or more across the globe. I personally would encourage people to attend this and also to write to their MPs to express their views.

Simon Ware

* Since the publication of this newsletter, Friends of the Earth has condemned the rush to war against Iraq, stating that it threatens an environmental and social disaster. A statement against the war can be found at www.foei.org. Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland has also issued the following statement against the war:

"Friends of the Earth strongly condemns the looming war against Iraq and deplores the humanitarian and environmental impacts that will result from such a war. Given the likely impacts, Friends of the Earth believes that the proponents of war against Iraq have failed to justify military action. Friends of the Earth supports global treaties, diplomacy, and negotiation to resolve disputes and to promote human rights, environmental protection, and sustainable societies. Under the prevailing circumstances, pre-emptive military action contradicts such an approach, and risks furthering a vicious circle of terrorism and violence that would damage prospects for sustainable development in the Middle East and elsewhere around world.

It appears that a major motive for the proposed war, led by the US and the UK, is a perceived need to safeguard access to oil in the region. Friends of the Earth believes that the only solution to the problem of oil dependency by highly industrialized countries is a rapid move to clean and sustainable energy sources. Military action to secure oil supplies threatens to increase environmental injustice. It would concentrate control over resources amongst the richer over-consuming nations. Worse, it would increase the rate of consumption of fossil fuels, and thus emissions of climate-changing greenhouse gases, with
the most severe impacts being felt in poorer developing nations.

Friends of the Earth's present opposition to a war against Iraq does not imply any support for or endorsement of the repressive policies of the Iraqi regime."

A briefing paper on the likely effects of war against Iraq on the environment, and on the relationship between oil and the war can be found at: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/war_iraq.pdf