UN support urged for declaring natural heritage of humanity

WASHINGTON – The editor of USLatin Magazine, Samuel Sales Saraiva, has once again requested the support of UN Secretary-General – now Ban Ki-Moon – and of Ambassadors of UN member States in examining the possibility of presenting the Resolution "Declaration of the Planet's Forest Resources and Hydrographic Basins as the Natural Heritage of Humanity and, at the same time, Defining as a Universal Crime any action that Causes Damage to the Environment."

The initial text, published last December by Forbes Magazine, an ABC television channel (Eyewitness), and other media, also considered the "training of a UN peacekeeping force to monitor and guard the preservation of biological and hydrological world heritage." However, Mr Saraiva eliminated this item from the text, considering it controversial, to the detriment of the issue being discussed.

For Mr Saraiva – who is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) – believes that bureaucratic indolence and ideological or sectarian barriers cannot justify the delay in the adoption of unavoidable and necessary measures for the preservation of the planet – even more so now, as it faces the dark and threatening scenario in the UN report regarding climatic changes indicated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC).

Al Gore, former Democratic Party candidate for the Presidency of the USA, made the following comment on the proposal: "Suggestions from persons like you, filled with sincere interest in the enhancement of environmental quality, are of extreme value."

For his part, Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), who is one of the highest officers in the field, stated his support for Mr Saraiva's proposal: "His suggestions may contribute effectively to the consolidation of actions aimed at the conservation and management of Earth's resources."

Virgin Earth Challenge award

When Mr Saraiva was asked if he would submit his proposal for consideration for the Branson/Gore "Virgin Earth Challenge" award, offering US$25,000.000 to those who contribute to the stabilisation of the climate of Earth, he stated that he was only fulfilling his duty as a citizen.

However, he emphasised that for issuing a proposal of global dimensions, it would be of the utmost importance to have the support of such entities as Duke Energy, Microsoft, General Electric, DuPont, Caterpillar, and Alcoa, whose officers have already shown sensitivity and concern regarding this issue when they suggested to President Bush important measures for the preservation of our planet.

"Philosophically," Mr Saraiva points out, "our proposal is matched with the superior desire for immediate action from all those who worry about the future of Earth, and particularly with the proposal floated by representatives of several countries at the World Water Assembly for Elected Representatives & Citizens, aiming to establish access to clean water as a Fundamental Right."

Additionally, he said that if the necessary support for the discussion of his proposal doesn't come from the countries that constitute the so-called First World, it could come from the Latin American, Asian, and African nations, whose concerns are driven by the environmental problems they are already facing.  More at www.uslatinmagazine.com