HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0986.713 2018-2020 i
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From: Deborah Sevy
Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2020 8:01 AM COUNTY CLERK
To: Council Testimony COUNTY OF HAWAII
Subject: Support Resolution 678-20 RECEIVED
Aloha Council Members
I am in support of resolution 678-20. As a long time resident of Hawaii Island I am very concerned about the health
risks to Hawaii residents that much research suggests. Let us follow the scientific precautionary principle:
Precautionary principle
From Wlkipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The precautionary principle (or precautionary approach) is a broad epistemological, philosophical and legal
approach to innovations with potential for causing harm when extensive scientific knowledge on the matter is lacking,
It emphasizes caution, pausing and review before leaping into new innovations that may prove disastrous.L, Critics
argue that it is vague, self-cancelling, unscientific and an obstacle to progress.
The principle is often used by policy makers in situations where there is the possibility of harm from making a certain
decision (e.g.taking a particular course of action) and conclusive evidence is not yet available. For example, a
government may decide to limit or restrict the widespread release of a medicine or new technology until it has been
thoroughly tested. The principle acknowledges that while the progress of science and technology has often brought
great benefit to humanity, it has also contributed to the creation of new threats and risks. It implies that there is a
social responsibility to protect the public from exposure to such harm, when scientific investigation has found a
plausible risk. These protections should be relaxed only if further scientific findings emerge that provide sound
evidence that no harm will result.
The principle has become an underlying rationale for a large and increasing number of international treaties and
declarations in the fields of sustainable development, environmental protection, health, trade and food safety,rl
although at times it has attracted debate over how to accurately define it and apply it to complex scenarios with
multiple risks. In some legal systems, as in law of the European Union, the application of the precautionary principle
has been made a statutory requirement in some areas of law.0
Regarding international conduct, the first endorsement of the principle was in 1982 when the World Charter for
Nature was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, while its first international implementation was in 1987
through the Montreal Protocol. Soon after, the principle integrated with many other international treaties and
guidelines such as the Ria Declaration and Kyoto Protocol.
Thank you for your time!
I trust you will do the right thing for the citizens of Hawaii County!
Aloha,
Deborah Sevy Comm. o.
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