Using a framework of human rights and transitional justice for post-conflict environmental protection and remediation

The chapter analyses examples of post-conflict environmental damage and suggests how human rights legal mechanisms could provide vital assistance in their remedy. Environmental remediation in the post-conflict context tends to emanate from environmental obligations, if it is recognized at all. Transitional justice mechanisms and human rights obligations, however, are developing in terms of environmental protection. Environmental damage is, clearly, a human rights issue, especially in the protection of survival resources, such as water and food, as well as health-which are vital in a post-conflict context. Human rights can also help address toxic remnants and natural resource depletion. With the expansion of economic, social, and cultural rights to incorporate environmental dimensions, and even what would traditionally be viewed as pure environmental concerns at times, such a framework could provide strong legal obligations on states to undertake environmental clean-up and restoration-and strong mechanisms to review state actions and ensure environmental remediation. © Karen Hulme, 2017

Enhancing Environmental Protection During Occupation Through Human Rights

Environmental protection is not specifically included in treaty law relating to State obligations during situations of occupation. While clearly not of the same scale as damage caused to the environment during armed conflict, damage caused during occupation is often similar in nature – largely due to those who seek to exploit any governance vacuum and a failure to restore damaged environments. What can human rights offer in helping to protect the environment during occupations? What protection can be offered by an analysis of environmental human rights law

Taking care to protect the environment against damage: A meaningless obligation?

Little attention is paid to the obligation of 'care' in Article 55(1) of Additional Protocol I. Beyond a general principle of upholding environmental value in times of armed conflict, what is the scope and content of the obligation? If it is worthless, what makes it so? Since the care provision includes the same high threshold of harm found elsewhere in the environmental provisions, has this stumbling block now been removed by state practice? Rule 44 of the Customary Law Study might appear to suggest that this is so, or does it? Ultimately then, is the care obligation worth caring about? © Copyright International Committee of the Red Cross 2010

Assessing the insurance role of microsavings

The paper contends that more attention should be paid to micro savings in view of multiple ways in which it can help poor to deal with economic insecurity. The paper presents information to show that while microsaving programs have spread, their full potential is far from being realized. It presents a detailed analysis on the basis of data from a selection of micro savings programs to show how savings help the poor to smooth consumption and undertake investment. The paper urges for a strong campaign to popularise micro saving programs.Economic insecurity, Micro credit, Micro insurance, Micro savings, Micro finance institutions, Poverty

The role of technology in the zone of proximal development and the use of Van Hiele levels as a tool of analysis in a Grade 9 module using Geometer’s Sketchpad

In 2010 a course called MathsLab was designed and implemented in a Johannesburg secondary school, aimed at Grade 9 learners, with the objective of using technology to explore and develop mathematical concepts. One module of the course used Geometer’s Sketchpad to explore concepts in Euclidean geometry. This research report investigates whether technology can result in progression in the zone of proximal development as described by Vygotsky. Progression was measured through the use of a pre- and post-test designed to allocate Van Hiele Levels of geometric thought to individual learners. Changes in the Van Hiele Levels could then verify movement through the zone of proximal development. The results of the pre- and post-tests showed a definite change in learners’ Van Hiele Levels, specifically from Van Hiele Level 1 (visualisation) to Van Hiele Level 2 (analysis). This observation is in line with research that places learners of this age predominantly at these levels. Some learners showed progression to Van Hiele Level 3 (ordering) but this was not the norm. The value of using technology in an appropriate and effective manner in mathematics education is clear and is worthy of further research

Using International Environmental Law to Enhance Biodiversity and Nature Conservation During Armed Conflict

Biodiversity and nature are severely impacted by armed conflict, particularly those fought in biodiversity-rich environments. Whether harm is caused directly by bullets and bombs, through the seepage of toxic chemicals into rivers and soils, the ground-churning tracks of tanks, or the ‘conservation vacuum’ the result is often the same — severe, possibly permanent, ecological change. International humanitarian law (IHL) has consistently come up short in delivering environmental protection on the battlefield. Can international environmental law (IEL) fare any better? The International Law Commission (ILC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have both submitted major new guidelines in the last two years, following more than a decade of in-depth analysis of the IHL rules governing protection of the environment in relation to armed conflict. However, neither body was able to analyse the applicability of IEL obligations during armed conflict. Several authors have more recently entered this space, but none have so far undertaken a rule-by-rule analysis and spanning such a range of treaties. This article assesses the potential of the main biodiversity and nature conservation treaties to offer further environmental protection during armed conflict. Identifying complementary IEL obligations, particularly in relation to the conduct of hostilities, could be valuable to both mirror and reinforce IHL protections, and would ensure that IEL treaty bodies and third states have a basis upon which to promote conservation work with the parties to the conflict

Diabetes text-message self-management support program (SMS4BG): a pilot study

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of diabetes and costly long-term complications associated with poor glycemic control are issues facing health services worldwide. Diabetes self-management, with the support of health care providers, is critical for successful outcomes, however, frequent clinical contact is costly. Text messages via short message service (SMS) have the advantage of instant transmission at low cost and, given the ubiquity of mobile phones, may be the ideal platform for the delivery of diabetes self-management support. A tailored text message-based diabetes support intervention called Self-Management Support for Blood Glucose (SMS4BG) was developed. The intervention incorporates prompts around diabetes education, management, and lifestyle factors (healthy eating, exercise, and stress management), as well as blood glucose monitoring reminders, and is tailored to patient preferences and clinical characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To determine the usability and acceptability of SMS4BG among adults with poorly controlled diabetes. METHODS: Adults (aged 17 to 69 years) with type 1 (n=12) or type 2 diabetes (n=30), a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) over 70 mmol/mol (8.6%), and who owned a mobile phone (n=42) were recruited to take part in a 3-month pilot study of SMS4BG. At registration, participants selected the modules they would like to receive and, where appropriate, the frequency and timing of blood glucose monitoring reminders. Patient satisfaction and perceptions of the usability of the program were obtained via semistructured phone interviews conducted at completion of the pilot study. HbA1c was obtained from patient records at baseline and completion of the pilot study. RESULTS: Participants received on average 109 messages during the 3-month program with 2 participants withdrawing early from the study. Follow-up interviews were completed with 93% of participants with all reporting SMS4BG to be useful and appropriate to their age and culture. Participants reported a range of perceived positive impacts of SMS4BG on their diabetes and health behaviors. HbA1c results indicated a positive impact of the program on glycemic control with a significant decrease in HbA1c from baseline to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A tailored text message-based intervention is both acceptable and useful in supporting self-management in people with poorly controlled diabetes. A randomized controlled trial of longer duration is needed to assess the efficacy and sustainability of SMS4BG