Charter of Rights and Freedoms

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY DECEMBER 10, 2014

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by: Annette Smith

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
DECEMBER 10, 2014

Today, December 10th, 2014 is Human Rights Day.

hr3It is a day that marks the 66th anniversary of the United Nations Charter on human rights. It is a day celebrated in 192 United Nations member states throughout the world, in observance of a charter that provides for the support and protection of human rights.

Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the late president Franklin Roosevelt, in 1948 wrote the following in a special document which “declares” the rights that everyone in the entire world should have:

“In small places, close to home — so close that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world”

What is the declaration?

The Declaration is not in itself a legally binding document. However, it contains a series of principles and rights that are based on human rights standards that are found in other international instruments that are legally binding.

Relevant excerpts in regards to the noise and pollution issue that we face on a daily basis;

Article 1 – All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 12 – No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, or home

.Article 24 – Everyone has the right to rest and leisure.

Article 29 – Everyone has duties to the community and are encouraged to be defenders of human rights.

In 1997, Mary Robinson, second United Nations High Commission for Human Rights encouraged grass roots movements in communities to know, demand, and defend their rights.

“Human rights belong to people; human rights are about people on the ground and their rights.”

Challenges lie ahead. Many in the international community believe that human rights, democracy, and development are intertwined.


Source Victims of Industrial wind FB page. Dec 10 2014

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Contradictions and bias undermine credibility of the Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise Study

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MULTI-MUNICIPAL WIND TURBINE WORKING GROUP
MARK DAVIS, DEPUTY MAYOR, ARRAN-ELDERSLIE, CHAIR / STEWART HALLIDAY, DEPUTY MAYOR, GREY HIGHLANDS, CO-CHAIR 1925 BRUCE ROAD 10, BOX 70, CHESLEY, ON NOG 1L0 / 519-363-3039 / FAX: 519-363-2203 areld@bmts.com
3 December, 2014

RE: HEALTH CANADA WIND TURBINE NOISE STUDY
AN OPEN LETTER TO

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister pm@pm.gc.ca

The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health minister_ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca

Contradictions and bias undermine credibility of the Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise Study

The Multi-municipal Wind Turbine Working Group is comprised of elected municipal councillors and appointed citizens from parts of Southern Ontario where approximately 30% of industrial wind turbines are concentrated. Over the past several years we have received a growing number of delegations from constituents
whose health has been adversely affected by proximity to the wind turbines. It is not easy to listen to people who continue to suffer from ringing and pressure in the ears, pounding vibrations in the head and chest, nausea, dizziness and the ongoing inability to sleep. Their stories are especially disturbing because we know these people; we know they are not lying; and it is our responsibility under the Municipal Act to protect their health.

We are dismayed that the recently released Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise and Health Study has ignored the distress of real people by hiding behind meaningless “estimated” noise projections and predictive modeling rather than first making professional clinical observations based on the histories of actual sufferers.
Investigation of anecdotal evidence is the foundation of all medicine. The Health MULTI-MUNICIPAL WIND TURBINE WORKING GROUP Page 2 of 4 Canada study summary contains no reference to the growing body of research that contradicts the main theme of the summary. Our Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hazel Lynn has found 18 peer-reviewed studies that “provide reasonable evidence . . . that an association exists between wind turbines and distress in humans”. The Brown County (Wisconsin) Board of Health has declared its wind turbines a “public health nuisance” and a “human health hazard for all people . . . who are exposed to Infrasound/Low Frequency Noise and other emissions
potentially harmful to human health”. Continue reading Contradictions and bias undermine credibility of the Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise Study →

German Wind

The unsinkable German anti-CO2-Titanic just found its iceberg

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Unpleasant encounter with hard facts

Guest opinion by Fred F. Mueller

Until just a few days ago, the determination of the German government to halt the presumed Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming (CAGW) seemed to be absolutely imperturbable. The main driver behind the German resolve to hammer down CO2 emissions both domestically and abroad while at the same time finishing off its last remaining nuclear power generating units is Chancellor Angela Merkel. The daughter of a clergyman socialized in the formerly communist east of the country, she is known for her outstanding political cleverness and flexibility in avoiding conflicts she feels she can’t win. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects where this cleverness is superseded by an almost fundamentalist doggedness when it comes to certain key points – such as exterminating nuclear power or saving the planet from overheating.

Only a few weeks ago, Germany engaged in a new initiative to revitalize the ailing international effort to reverse the course of constantly increasing worldwide CO2 emissions by replacing the vintage Kyoto protocol by more stringent and binding reduction targets at the UN conference that will be held in Paris in November/ December 2015. To this effect, Germany convinced the other European Union states to agree to a 40 % reduction scheme by 2030, sweeping across opposition from negatively affected member countries using a combination of compromises, financial incentives and sheer politico-economic pressure. As a result, the EU came out with bold CO2 reduction commitments. These in turn were meant to be used as a political lever during the preparatory meetings taking place in the current run-up to the big show.

The push for increased CO2 sobriety…

In order to underscore its ambition to shine out as a beacon of climate saving efforts, the German government additionally decided to further strengthen its position by renewing domestic efforts aimed at achieving its own commitment of reducing national CO2 emissions by 40 % (compared to 1990) until 2020. This target had at first seemed to be easily attainable since the country benefitted from the opportunity to decommission the ridiculously inefficient and energy-squandering industry it inherited from the former communist DDR. But in the past years, this special effect waned and the CO2 emissions even reversed course and climbed again. This countertrend was further underpinned when in the wake of the Fukushima events; the German government ordered to halt eight out of 17 existing nuclear power plants and decided to phase out the remaining ones by 2022. The share of nuclear power was largely taken over by lignite- and coal-fired units, with the result that in the field of power generation, Germany was unable to achieve any reduction since 2000. During the same time period, the electric power markets were flooded with heavily subsidized “green” power, causing prices to collapse to a point where conventional power utilities were unable to generate sufficient revenues. Share prices collapsed and more than ten thousand qualified jobs disappeared. In the centers of political power in Berlin, the grievances of the sector went unnoticed and even the most urgent submissions fell on deaf ears. To add insult to injury, just a few weeks ago, the sector was confronted with tough additional regulations requiring it to further reduce its CO2 emissions, while signs of mounting albeit muted unease in a growing number of industrial sectors heavily burdened by skyrocketing energy prices were ignored. Continue reading The unsinkable German anti-CO2-Titanic just found its iceberg →

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Shirley Wind Human Health Hazard Declaration * BCCRWE Requests Your Words of Support *

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At the October 14, 2014 Brown County Board of Health meeting a motion was made to declare the Shirley Wind turbines a Human Health Hazard. The following motion was unanimously approved by the Board:

“To declare the Industrial Wind Turbines at Shirley Wind Project in the Town of Glenmore, Brown County, WI. A Human Health Hazard for all people (residents, workers, visitors, and sensitive passersby) who are exposed to Infrasound/Low Frequency Noise and other emissions potentially harmful to human health.”

Brown County is located in Wisconsin, USA.

Brown County Citizens for Responsible Wind Energy (BCCRWE) has issued a press release regarding this Human Health Hazard declaration, which can be seen at :http://bccrwe.com/index.php/8-news/16-duke-energy-s-shirley-wind-declared-human-health-hazard  BCCRWE is requesting your words of support for this action.

Research indicates that industrial wind turbines can negatively affect the physical, mental and social well-being of individuals if placed too close to homes. BCCRWE has been working
intensively for the past 5 years with professional researchers, physicians, acousticians, and legislators to protect citizens of Brown County, the state of Wisconsin, the United States, and those in other countries from the negative health impacts resulting from industrial wind turbines being built too close to people.

BCCRWE welcomes and encourages individuals, organizations, and governmental agencies from around the world to send their words of support regarding the Board of Health’s action. BCCRWE will pass your emails on to the Brown County Board of Health as support for their courage, integrity, responsibility, intellectual honesty, and care in declaring the industrial wind turbines at Shirley Wind to be human health hazards.

If you or others you know have experienced negative health impacts from living in close proximity to industrial wind turbines and would like to share that experience along with your words of support with the Brown County Board of Health, please do so.

Send your words of support, and if applicable your experiences, to:
BOHsupport@bccrwe.com

Thank you,

Brown County Citizens for Responsible Wind Energy

BOH Support Request (1)

legal challenges

Industrial Wind Turbines …. The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

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Industrial Wind Turbines

The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Written by: Anna Sand
This Monday and Tuesday, will bring to a finale a 4 year legal battle. The fight? To stop the construction of 9 industrial wind turbines (IWT) in Ostrander Point, one of North America’s most important migratory routes for birds and home to endangered species.
The battle pits residents and environmental groups, like Nature Canada, against Gilead Power Corporation and the Government.

But what is the problem? Aren’t wind turbines GREEN? Why would environmental groups be in direct opposition to a green energy project? Conversely, with such a small project and such opposition, why hasn’t Gilead just walked away?  The reason?  The hidden stakes are much bigger than they might first appear.

Part of the problem is the location: Ostrander Point, Prince Edward County. Sometimes called the New Niagara on the Lake, the ‘County’ has grown in popularity in recent years. An island 3 hours east of Toronto; it’s home to over 35 wineries, organic farms,
the world famous Sandbanks Provincial Park, a National Wildlife Reserve and Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, which attracts birders from around the world. Ostrander Point and the County, it turns out, are homes to endangered species and are directly in
one of the most important migratory routes for birds in North America.

Unfortunately, Gilead has much bigger plans than just 9 IWT. If Gilead wins this fight, they plan to build another 90 Industrial Wind Turbines across the County.

Little Old Ladies with Sticks

Okay, they aren’t holding sticks but… holding bake sales, tea parties, selling t-shirts and anything else they can do, this mighty band of opposition, the ‘Turtle Defenders’ – after the endangered Blanding’s Turtle whose home sits directly in the path of the planned
IWT construction – includes some spit fiery seniors! So far they’ve raised over $193,000 to fight against the construction of the turbines. (Clearly, the public supports them.) It’s both a sad and empowering sight. Little old ladies up in arms and not backing down,
sitting behind their lone (but determined!) lawyer, Eric Gillespie, a specialist in environmental law. The Gilead Corporation, on the other hand, is flanked by a team of high priced lawyers, including government lawyers paid for with tax payer dollars. David
versus Goliath. Continue reading Industrial Wind Turbines …. The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing →

ERT Appeal

PECFN will be defending the ERT ruling that denied the MOE approval

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Court of Appeal Schedule

downloadOn December 8 and 9 PECFN will be defending the ERT ruling that denied the MOE approval of development at Ostrander Point.  The case will be heard in the Appeal Court of Ontario, Osgoode Hall Rm 2 starting at 1030.  Osgoode Hall is adjacent to the Toronto City Hall on Queen St. in Toronto at the corner of University Ave.  We expect PECFN to be well represented on the spectators’ benches – hopefully with Turtle shirts in evidence.  The PECFN case and intervenors (Nature Canada and South Shore Conservancy) will be heard first.  Gilead and the MOE with intervenor Canadian Wind Energy Association will be heard on Tuesday with a reply allowed for PECFN afterwards.

Cheryl Anderson

www.saveostranderpoint.org

Appeal NRWC Wind Project

NRWC project estimates “1372” Truck Deliveries and Removals PER TURBINE Site!!

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The following chart is taken from page 23 of the NIAGARA REGION WIND FARM CONSTRUCTION PLAN REPORT.   1342 Trucks Deliveries and Removal Per Turbine.  That’s 1342 x 77 turbines = 103 334 Heavy Industrial Trucks running up and down our country roads.

If you want to help prevent  this from happening then donate to the MAWT Inc. Legal Fund.  Donate Now Before it’s to late!

103 334 Trucks!!

truck loads

Adverse Health Effects, Direct Effects, ERT Appeal, Health Canada's wind Turbine Noise and Health Study, Health effects from wind turbines

Health Canada study: Ontario wind turbine rules not protecting citizens

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December 3, 2014

NEWS RELEASE

Health Canada study: Ontario wind turbine rules not protecting citizens

The results of a Health Canada study released November 6 show that Ontario is not protecting the health of residents living near wind turbines, and that longer setbacks between the wind turbines and homes are required.

Health Canada’s summary of its Wind Turbine Noise and Health study results included the fact that responses to the study’s questionnaire show participants reporting experiencing distress or annoyance when wind turbine noise was at 35 decibels/dBA.   Current Ontario regulations are based on the World Health Organization Night Noise limit of 40 dBA but that limit was designed solely for traffic and airport noise.  Continue reading Health Canada study: Ontario wind turbine rules not protecting citizens →

Protecting our children from Industrial Wind Power Emissions is our first priority!