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Greenaction endorses the Environmental Health Alliance's Be Safe campaign

The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) is spearheading a national campaign with hundreds of groups to build a unified demand for preventive, protective policies in America. The Environmental Health Alliance Be Safe campaign is an initiative to build a large coalition for pollution prevention and hold corporations and government accountable for protecting human health and the environment. We can elevate public support with a strong and diverse voice for precaution and propel the Be Safe precautionary approach message into the forefront of public and political consciousness.

Visit www.besafenet.com for more information.

See Also:

6/18/03 San Francisco Passes Historic Precautionary Principle Ordinance! Read SF Chronicle Editorial

Read about the Precautionary Principle

See the San Francisco Draft Purchasing Ordinance

For more information, contact:

Greenaction

(415) 248-5010

Environmental Health Alliance

BE SAFE Platform

Blueprint Ensuring our Safety And Future Economy

We choose a "better safe than sorry" approach motivated by caution and prevention.

We endorse the common-sense approach outlined in the Blueprint's four principles listed below.

BE SAFE'S Four Principles

HEED EARLY WARNINGS
Government and industry have a duty to prevent harm, when there is credible evidence that harm is occurring or is likely to occur -- even when the exact nature and full magnitude of harm is not yet proven.

PUT SAFETY FIRST
Industry and government have a responsibility to thoroughly study the potential for harm from a new chemical or technology before it is used -- rather than assume it is harmless until proven otherwise. We need to ensure it is safe now, or we will be sorry later. Research on impacts to workers and the public needs to be confirmed by independent third parties.

EXERCISE DEMOCRACY
Precautionary decisions place the highest priority on protecting health and the environment, and help develop cleaner technologies and industries with effective safeguards and enforcement. Government and industry decisions should be based on meaningful citizen input and mutual respect (the golden rule), with the highest regard for those whose health may be affected and for our irreplaceable natural resources - not for those with financial interests. Uncompromised science should inform public policy.

CHOOSE THE SAFEST SOLUTION
Decision-making by government, industry and individuals must include an evaluation of alternatives, and the choice of the safest, technically feasible solutions. We support innovation and promotion of technologies and solutions that create a healthy environment and economy, and protect our natural resources.