Editorial

1989 Environmental Policy and Law  
The new year started with good news for the environment and with promise of more to come. The Montreal Protocol to control substances which deplete the ozone layer came into force at the beginning of January (see page 2). Shortly afterwards the Environment Ministers of European Community Member States decided to move faster than required by the Protocol, and it is expected that the London Conference on the Ozone Layer--with broader participation --will do likewise. Atmospheric protection was
more » ... o the goal of the legal experts who met in Ottawa in February (see page 8), where many new proposals were made. The results of the Sofia Conference concerning a convention on the transport of hazardous waste came more quickly than expected. Since then, however, doubts have been voiced that a convention can be adopted that is strong enough to meet demands and in timefor the signing ceremony scheduledfor the 22 March in Basle (see report on page 5). As UNEP's Executive Director is still optimistic that a positive outcome can be achieved in the short time left, we hope to be able to print the convention in the next issue. Other good news was that some Southeast Asian nations have moved to protect their tropical forests. In the wake of severe flooding in the country, blamed on uncontrolled deforestation, the Thai Government issued a decree in January abrogating all logging concessions. In Indonesia, the Government has said that it will tighten controls over holders of timber concessions and permit holders who violate forestry regulations are liable to have their licences revoked. Although this is a start, it is clear to all concerned that only a global forest conservation and replanting programme, which will require unprecedented international co-operation and political support, can hope to save the world's tropicalforests. Such a programme would be the good news for the start ofnext year!
doi:10.3233/epl-1989-19101 fatcat:s35gavew5vaotjypto2n7ry4wi