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4.5
In 1990, Capital Research Center published one of the first analyses of the environmental movement's political agenda and funding sources -- "Protecting the Evnironment: Old Rhetoric, New Imperatives," by Jo Kwong Echard. The Center has, since 1984, specialized in such research. Its periodic "Studies in Organizational Trends" are valuable resources.Now Capital builds on this exemplary foundation with the release of James M. Sheehan's "Global Greens: Inside the International Environmental Establishment." Sheehan -- who directs international policy at Competitive Enterprise Institute -- gathers uder one roof, so to speak, pertinent facts about the political and monetary relationship between the UN and international environmental groups. His documentation is so devastating that even black helicopter critics will be forced to achknowledge the threat to American sovereignty is real."Global Greens" begins with an analysis of how environmental groups have transformed into unelected, UN-accredited "representatives of the public" -- non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These self-appointed, quasi-governmental groups participate at every level of treaty and international law negotiations. The list of issues that fall under their purview is extensive -- global warming, international trade, fishing, biotechnology, population control, food security, forestry, and the world bank. Environmental NGOs have tied these issues together under the sustainable development aegis -- the old socialist imperative of controlled economic development and wealth redistribution repackaged in new, post cold war rhetoric. "Global Greens" documents the events that have propelled this agenda forward.Sheehan insists that, "if the battle over environment is the equivalent of yesterday's Cold War, then environmental pressure groups...must support and promote the actions international agencies take to intervene in markets and regulate private decision-making around the world." The only way this agenda can succeed, however, is with American tax dollars. According to Sheehan, green organizations "need increased appropriations for agencies like the World Bank, the Global Environmental Facility, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Most of all, they need to strengthen the United Nations system on whose behalf they...urge Congress to make full payment of back 'dues.'" In short, "Global Greens have put their faith in the 'process.' They have achieved success even when their ideas have been discredited. What's needed now," Sheehan concludes, "is the vigilance to detect their maneuverings and the skill to overcome them."This strategy requires a well-informed public and legislature. "Global Greens" -- a scant 200 pages -- is the perfect resource to put in the hands of anyone who needs to get "up to speed" on the issue -- especially newly elected local, state and federal officials.
