Hey kids! Let's create an International Court for the Evironment!

Stephen Hockman QC is proposing a body similar to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to be the supreme legal authority on issues regarding the environment.

The first role of the new body would be to enforce international agreements on cutting greenhouse gas emissions set to be agreed next year.

But the court would also fine countries or companies that fail to protect endangered species or degrade the natural environment and enforce the "right to a healthy environment".

The innovative idea is being presented to an audience of politicians, scientists and public figures for the first time at a symposium at the British Library.

Mr Hockman, a deputy High Court judge, said that the threat of climate change means it is more important than ever for the law to protect the environment.

The UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland this month is set to begin negotiations that will lead to a new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol in Copenhagen next year. Developed countries are expected to commit to cutting emissions drastically, while developing countries agree to halt deforestation.

Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, has agreed the concept of an international court will be taken into account when considering how to make these international agreements on climate change binding. The court is also backed by a number of MPs, climate change experts and public figures including the actress Judi Dench.

I don't know about you but  if "M" thinks we need a Kangaroo Court to try environmental scofflaws, then lets go for it. We could turn James Bond from a guy hunting down and killing international terrorists and crooks into an enviro-friendly, global warming crusader who kills people for exhaling too much carbon dioxide.

All we need to know about how far gone is Great Britain can be seen by how seriously their political leadership is looking at this cuckoo idea. It throws the idea of sovereignty out the window while empowering the most undemocratic, rabidly anti-capitalist clique on the planet.

...Which is why Obama will probably go for it.

Posted at 12:14 PM | Email | Permalink |