putenv in safe mode?

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