How to Petition for Precautionary Measures

Precautionary measures protect public and environmental health.

The Precautionary Principle aims to minimize public or environmental threats. This principle, first introduced in Europe in the 1970s, mandates precautionary measures whenever an action is deemed potentially harmful. Measures are eased when the persons responsible provide evidence that no harm will result from the action. The Precautionary Principle, endorsed by the United Nations in 1992 and adopted by the European Commission in 2000, is featured in many U.S. environmental statues. The Pollution Prevention Act, for example, sets prevention as the main goal in national environmental programs.

Instructions

1. Attend public meetings to seek community input on the issue. Discuss possible precautionary measures. Redraft the petition afterwards to include ideas gathered from these meetings. The petition should best reflect the community's needs.

2. Gather signatures and written statements from people potentially affected by the action. Speak with certified doctors, scientists and university professors. A credible petition requires expert testimony and evidence of public impact.

3. Schedule meetings with local government officials. Solicit their support in promoting the petition. Schedule a time to address the local city or state council regarding the proposed measures.

4. Work with a lawmaker to draft a bill or an amendment to an existing bill. The legislation should be broad in language -- allowing the measures to set the basis for future legislation, court decisions and policy initiatives. Consult a government budget agency to calculate the cost of implementing and enforcing the bill. A higher cost may deter legislators from giving the bill their support.

5. Organize a press conference or public rally to draw media attention to the bill. Resubmit copies of the petition to voting legislators. This will remind them of the public appeal and the scientific basis behind the proposed legislation. Organize community members to call and write their elected representatives in support of the bill.

References

• San Francisco Environment; The Precautionary Principle & the City and County of San Francisco; March 2003
• University of Georgia; Implementing the Precautionary Principle; Emily Franzen and Laurie Fowler;
• Science and Environmental Health Network; Precautionary Principle; March 2011
• UN Conference on Environment and Development; Cutler Cleveland and Ida Kubiszewski; November 2007

Resources

• "Regulation"; The Paralyzing Principle; Cass R. Sunstein; Winter 2002-2003
• UN General Assembly; Report of the UN Conference on Environment and Development; June 1992
• Petition for Haitians Facing Deportation; January 2011