putenv in safe mode?

[Jeffry Killen]

Hello;

the following begins with the error generated by the following code

Warning: putenv() [function.putenv]: Safe Mode warning: Cannot set
environment variable 'GDFONTPATH' - it's not in the allowed list in /
var/www/vhosts/jekillen.com/httpdocs/view/cap/class/capClass.php on
line 32
/*
class _CAP
{
private static $_relPath = 'cap/class/'; // **** set for
environment
private static $_codeLen = 0; // set in capClassGLBS.php,
currently 6
private static $_fontPath = '';
private static $_fontList = array();
private static $_CODE = '';
private static $_STRLST = array();
public function __construct($_cdLen)
{
self::$_codeLen = $_cdLen;
self::$_fontPath = realpath('cap/ttf_font');
require_once($_relPath.'capClassDef.php');
require_once($_relPath.'capClassGLBS.php');
putenv('GDFONTPATH='. realpath('cap/ttf_font'));////
<<<<<---
self::$_fontList = $font;
require_once($_relPath.'authenticationClss.php'); //
self::$_CODE = new authenticate();
self::$_STRLST = $_charLst;
}
*/
Do I have to get php.ini files edited to get around this?
Server is on remote hosting service server so I don't
have access to server admin functions.

I have no experience with php.ini other that initial
configurations and I don't remember if there can
be a local php.ini file (I think that is the right file name)

Thanks for time and attention
JK