Number: 1990-17
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation and other U.S. conservation groups are aware of the increasingly interrelated and international character of many serious environmental problems, and of the need for international action and cooperation to solve them; and
WHEREAS, Japan has become one of the most important nations in terms of its influence on the environment and potential for solving or exacerbating various environmental problems, having one of the world’s largest and strongest economies, and public and private sector activities influencing the development and use of all manner of technologies, consumer products, natural resources, energy sources, financial mechanisms, etc.; and
WHEREAS, various Japanese governmental and corporate activities, including over fishing and use of marine resource-depleting driftnets; exploitation of and trade in endangered or rare species of flora and fauna; destruction of primary forests through consumption of timber, financing of logging and other activities, all have adverse impacts on the environment of other nations; and
WHEREAS, Japan is now the largest single provider of foreign aid, loans and foreign investment, which at times have funded projects harmful to the environment and livelihoods of people living IN the affected areas; and
WHEREAS, Japanese organizations involved in development programs often lack sufficient training, experience and expertise IN formulating or implementing environmentally benign and sustainable development projects and policies, even within Japan itself, and Japanese-controlled corporations and the government of Japan have expressed little interest in reforming their activities significantly in order to address adequately Japan’s environmental influence outside its borders; and
WHEREAS, the relationship between the United States and Japan is of particular importance, often referred to as “the most important bilateral relationship in the world”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, hereby pledges to work with its affiliates, members, other conservation groups and Japanese conservation groups, corporations and government to promote common solutions to environmental threats and encourage environmentally responsible government and corporate activities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the government of the United States, including but not limited to the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce and Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to analyze the various environmental influences of activities by Japan’s government and corporations, and promote cooperative efforts to solve regional and global environmental issues in the summits of the industrialized nations, meetings of the World Bank and other multilateral development institutions, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Tropical Timber Organization, and other bilateral and multilateral forums.