THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS
Thursday, 23 May 2013
UNEP and the Executive Director in the News
Xinhua (China): UNEP says Bright Moon partnership reaffirms China's green
aspirations
Scoop (New Zealand): UN Urges Collective Efforts to Achieve ‘Water Secure World’
Council on Foreign Relations (US): Tracking the Traffickers: Eradicating Rhinos
Sudan Vision (US): Attention by African Leaders has to be Diverted towards the
Issue of Desertification and Drought for Finding Solutions, Inverview
Premium Times (Nigeria): Niger Delta activist plans ‘special present’ for retiring
Shell CEO
Morung Express (India): Think. Eat. Save.’
Gulf Weekly (UAE): Dariyush is eco-friendly
Udenriksministeriet (Denmark): Inauguration of the new UN City in Copenhagen 5
July 2013
Panorama (Armenia): Today is International Day for Biological Diversity
Sacramento Bee (US): U.S. Clean Diesel Technology Exports an Economic
Powerhouse
Responding to Climate Change (UK): Comment: Business needs a carbon budget to
hit 2°C target
Dar Erste (Germany): Cameroon Rain Forest Protection
Other Environment News
Reuters (UK): China says its legal ivory trade not to blame for poaching
AP: College fossil-fuel divestment movement builds
AFP: Solar plane sets distance record on US tour
Wall Street Journal (US): Utility CEOs Slam EU Energy Policy
Reuters (UK): In China, food scares put Mao’s self-sufficiency goal at risk
Interfax News (Russia): Forest fires in Siberia shrink six-fold within three days
Age (Australia): Greens fighting for non-existent trees, says forestry official
Times of India (India): Greens hail ministry of environment and forests move to protect
dolphins
Phil Star (Philippines): Phl ranks 23rd in quality management of resources
Santiago Times (Chile): Assessing Piñera’s state of the nation: Energy and
environment
Biz Day (Zimbabwe): Don’t damage environment, Chinese mines in Zim told
Environmental News from the UNEP Regions
ROAP
ROLAC
RONA
ROWA
Other UN News
Environment News from the UN Daily News of 23 May 2013
Environment News from the S.G.’s Spokesman Daily Press Briefing of 22 May 2013
To read a specific news article, press the ctrl button on your keyboard then click on the
news headline you want to read
UNEP and the Executive Director in the News
Xinhua (China): UNEP says Bright Moon partnership reaffirms China's green
aspirations
21 May 2013
The UN Environment Program (UNEP) agency said Monday China is currently a strategic and
significant player in the advancement of green transformation and sustainable development
globally.
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said China is well placed to help the world tackle a host
of ecological challenges including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and wildlife
poaching.
"With often double digit growth, the future of the planet is in a significant way linked to the
sustainable development ambitions of China now and in the future," said Steiner during the 2013
Bright Moon event held in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
The Bright Moon Action is supported by the Africa Regional Bureau of Xinhua News Agency, the
UNEP and China Top Brands Magazine of Xinhua News Agency.
This initiative was formed in 2009 to showcase China's commitment to green economy and
sustainable development ethos while raising public awareness on them through the media.
Greening the Chinese Dream was the theme of this year's Bright Moon Event and UN officials,
senior executives of Chinese enterprises agreed that the Asian giant is on the threshold of an
ecological transformation that will have ripple effects across the globe.
Steiner noted that China's phenomenal economic growth has impacted on the environment hence
the need for innovative partnership between the government, industry and citizens to address this
challenge.
"The Chinese government understands the environmental challenges better than anyone and we
welcome the country's investments and policy directions in favor of a green economy and an
ecological civilization," Steiner said.
Currently, the UNEP has partnered with several Chinese institutions to promote environmental
sustainability in the country and the global south.
"UNEP has been working with the government of China in establishing a low carbon resource
efficient green economy that will support sustainable development. It is the challenge of our
century to have economic growth that decouples development from the use of increasingly scarce
natural resources," Steiner noted.
He said the Asia Pacific region is currently a trailblazer in consumption of materials but China has
demonstrated commitment to reverse the status through promoting ecosystems protection and
renewable energy.
The UNEP chief said the media has a critical role to play in raising the visibility of green economy
and sustainable development.
The UN agency has forged a vibrant partnership with Xinhua News Agency to raise awareness on
environmental themes including ecosystems restoration, action on chemical waste, pollution,
climate change and wildlife protection.
Likewise, the global environmental body has partnered with China to spearhead campaign against
food waste that has posed serious health and environmental hazards in China and other
emerging economies.
He added that China has taken a frontline in the campaign against wildlife poaching and
plundering of natural resources in Africa.
Recently, the UNEP enlisted Chinese celebrities to raise awareness on slaughter of African
elephants and rhinos as demand for ivory and horns rises in the newly rich societies of Asia.
The UNEP chief noted that the October Global South-South Expo to be hosted by the agency and
China will offer an opportunity for countries to share knowledge, technologies and innovations that
drive a green economy.
Senior executives of Chinese corporations told delegates attending the Bright Moon event that
green consciousness has gained traction in the private sector as firms invest in technologies to
reduce on their carbon and water footprint.
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Scoop (New Zealand): UN Urges Collective Efforts to Achieve ‘Water Secure World’
23 May 2013
Unless greater efforts are made to reverse current trends, the world will run out of freshwater, the
United Nations said today marking the International Day for Biological Diversity and urging
stronger scientific alliances to understand and protect natural resources.
“We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where
water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future demands for
water will not be met,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the Day.
“Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily available as
freshwater,” he added.
Of the total volume of water on Earth, freshwater makes up around 35 million km3, or about 2.5
per cent of the total volume, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Water scarcity affects almost every continent and more than 40 per cent of the people on our
planet, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said. With current trends, 1.8 billion
people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025, and two-thirds of
the world’s population could be living under water stressed conditions.
“Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are central to achieving the vision of a water
secure world,” Mr. Ban said, noting the mutually supporting roles of forests, wetlands and soil
biodiversity.
“Integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning can also help us build better water futures
for cities, where water stresses may be especially acute given the rapid pace of urbanization,” he
added.
This year’s theme for the Day is ‘Water and Biodiversity’, which coincides with the UN designation
of 2013 as International Year of Water Cooperation. The Year is being coordinated by UNESCO
on behalf of UN-Water.
“This is an opportunity for us to join efforts to enhance fair and innovative water management
arrangements and to share best practices for the preservation of wetlands – streams, lakes,
coasts and marine zones – that play a substantial role in ensuring biodiversity,” Irina Bokova,
head of UNESCO, said in her message for the Day.
Ms. Bokova and Mr. Ban noted the importance of strong scientific alliances as part of a global
effort to protect natural resources. They encouraged parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity who have not already done so to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Adopted in 2010, the
Nagoya Protocol also sets a goal of cutting the current extinction rate by half or more by 2020.
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity, the UN General Assembly encouraged the use of the
Convention on Biological Diversity’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi
Targets in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. Last year’s Conference on
Sustainable Development (Rio+20) also recognized the role of ecosystems in maintaining water
quantity and quality.
He stressed that a focus on water and biodiversity is particularly important now as the
international community strives to hasten progress towards the eight anti-poverty targets known
as the Millennium Development Goals by the 2015 deadline and to plan a new set of development
targets.
“As the international community strives to accelerate its efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals and define a post-2015 agenda, including a set of goals for sustainable
development, water and biodiversity are important streams in the discussion,” he noted.
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Council on Foreign Relations (US): Tracking the Traffickers: Eradicating Rhinos
22 May 2013
Demand for rhino horn increased exponentially over the past few years. The market is heavily
concentrated in Asia, particularly Vietnam. Rhino poaching has leapt to keep pace with demand.
South Africa’s rhinos are among the most affected. According to the Wildlife and Environment
Society of South Africa (WESSA), in 2010, 2011, and 2012, the number of rhinos killed for their
horns went from 333 to 448 to 668. So far in 2013, 216 rhinos have been poached in South
Africa’s Kruger national park alone. That is more death the past five months than in the years
2000-2008 combined. The rhino population in Mozambique, which was wiped out by large game
hunters a century ago and later reintroduced to the national parks, has again been eradicated; this
time with the connivance of some of Mozambique’s own rangers.
Convictions for poaching and trafficking in rhino horn are rare. But the U.S. attorney’s office in Los
Angeles, California announced on May 16 the conviction of Vinh Chung “Jimmy” Kha, and Felix
Khaon for, among other crimes, smuggling rhino horn into the United States with the intent of
selling it to Vietnam. In Vietnam, and other parts of Asia, powdered rhino horn is considered a
cure for everything from a headache, hangover, or cold to cancer; and is also often advertised as
an aphrodisiac. It holds no such properties. In fact, rhino horn is keratin, the same substance as
human hair and fingernails. Despite this, rhino horn sells for between U.S. $25,000 and $40,000
per kilogram.
A Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference in March 2013,
appears to have invigorated the international community to act to save these great creatures.
South Africa is threatening to re-erect the boundary fences between the South African and
Mozambican halves of Kruger national park. Some game parks in South Africa have taken the
additional measure of poisoning their rhinos’ horns to deter consumer demand. The poison is
combination of a parasiticide normally used against ticks on livestock and a pink dye that can be
detected by airport scanners and is visible even when in powdered form; meaning potential
consumers will know what they are buying. The parasiticide is not lethal, but it does make the
consumer “seriously ill.” A logical next step is campaigns to raise awareness of rhino horn’s
complete lack of medicinal properties and that the animals die, horribly, through the process.
Similar campaigns are running in Asia against elephant poaching. They are spearheaded by
celebrities such as China’s Li Bingbing, an actress and UNEP goodwill ambassador, and retired
NBA basketball player Yao Ming.
These initiatives are key because they focus on a crucial truth; anti-poaching and conservation
efforts must be holistic to be effective. By addressing conservation efforts not just at halting the
poachers, but also in decreasing the demand for rhino horn altogether, poisoning the horns and
educating consumers is an important step forward.
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Sudan Vision (US): Attention by African Leaders has to be Diverted towards the
Issue of Desertification and Drought for Finding Solutions, Inverview
23 May 2013
The Great Green Wall (GGW) is considered a highly important economic project the peoples of
Africa rely on as it is expected to bring in unlimited economic benefits to the inhabitants of this
extended belt going across the continent from the east up to the west contributing to checking
drought and desertification.
The belt offers an African solution to the desertification question that has remained a chronic
headache for Africa. This situation has prompted the African leaders into exploring urgent
solutions to the African problems and for this purpose those leaders, including Sudanese
President Omar Al Bashir, met the Chadian capital N’djamena to find an end to those problems.
The Sudan will have the largest GGW stretch of 1,500 kilometers long and 25 kilometers wide.
Being concerned with the local, regional and international issues, Sudanow.info conducted a
conversation with Dr. Hassan Abdul Gadir Hilal, the Minister of Environment and Urban
Development and Chairman of the Governing Council of the UN Environment Programme. The
dialogue follows hereunder:Q: Where has the GGW project notion come from?
A: The idea of the project sprang from an initiative by former Nigerian President Olusegun
Obasanjo in 2005. It is an arborous belt or a row of trees that contributes to checking the desert
creep that has grown in the African Continent. It is made by planting trees acclimatized to the
African environment to curb soil erosion, slow down the speed of the wind and soil seepage of the
rain-water. The rich and poor Savanna belt has begun to get narrow, adversely affecting the living
standards of the inhabitants, aggravating poverty and crime alike. Therefore, attention by African
leaders has to be diverted towards the issue of desertification and drought for finding solutions.
Beach
Beach
Q: Why has implementation of the project been delayed that long while it is one of the grand
develop0ment projects the African Continent relies on?
A: The delay was due to difficulties of securing funds from the international financing institutions.
For this reason it came in the limelight only in 2009 and 2010 when the Sudan endorsed and
signed on the project and paid its share, being aware of its special importance for protecting the
Sudan’s important gum Arabic belt, bearing in mind that the Sudan is among the world’s biggest
producers of this crop.
Q: To what extent can the Sudan benefit from this great project?
A: The Sudan will benefit to a great extent because it passes by the gum Arabic belt which is
inhabited by more than 10 million people, stretching from Gedaref in the east to Darfur in the west
and passes close to North and South Kordufan and the Blue Nile which are considered among the
richest regions. For this reason, the GGW has to be linked with the gum Arabic belt for the part it
can play in the rural development process of building towns, schools and hospitals and securing
potable and irrigation waters as those regions lie at the end of the rich Savanna and beginning of
the poor Savanna where the Sahara starts.
The GGW provides a means for checking the desert creep and preserving the biological diversity
of the Sudan. All such projects are aimed at confronting the climatic change which is considered a
basic reason for expanding the ozone hole that results from the thermal emissions from the big
industrialized countries. For this reason, efforts must be accelerated for arborous and forestry
plantation and probing the green economy field which means dissemination of the green culture
and expansion of anything that may contribute to reinstatement of the global equilibrium and to
preventing pollution of environment and potable water in addition to taking care of the sewerage
and environment-friendly clean development.
At present, we are faced with environmental problems related to gold mining and mercury and
work in this field must be in conciliation with the environment and we have issued Khartoum
Declaration that provides for a capital free of mercury by 2015. All these efforts must be together
during the next two years so that the Sudanese individual can enjoy a clean healthy life of a clean
breathing air and water.
The Sudan, fortunately, was not among the states declared by the United Nations Organization as
having multiple aspects of poverty and environmental destitution because that Sudan has made
the right and positive start in the field of environment that led to good results. The policies we have
set distance us from the environmental risks and destitution.
Q: How many African countries which are taking part in the GGW?
A: They are 11 African countries which are: Chad, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal, Mali,
Ethiopia, Mauretania, Eritrea and Djibouti. All these countries will benefit from the project while the
Sudan will have the longest stretch of 1,520 km long and 25 km wide, possessing all of the green
belts, covering all of the country’s states which are endangered by desertification and drought,
particularly those lying within the gum Arabic belt.
Q: How do you assess the forestry belt in the Sudan? Has it been affected by the desert creep in
the past period?
A: Some forests have disappeared and nobody has shown any concern. New policies have now
been set for promoting the role of the forests. We should not reserve lands and just say those are
reserved for forest plantation. This is not enough and such a reservation must be followed by
rehabilitation as leaving lands without rehabilitation is an environmental destruction. It is not
enough to say that we have reserved 30 million feddans (acres); the question is how many
feddans we have rehabilitated. If they are left without being rehabilitated, those lands will cause an
environmental imbalance because they will turn into a desert.
Q: Has the Sudan presented any environment protects to the international financing institutions? If
it has, what was the response by those institutions for financing those projects?
A: Yes. The Sudan has presented 17 projects at Rio 20+ conference in Brail besides 18 other
projects under consideration and will be submitted to the UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya. From our
position on the presidency of UNEP Governing Council, we are going to make contacts with the
relevant organizations and institutions for finding the necessary funds to finance those projects for
promoting the environment in the country.
Q: The Sudan has manifested a political will with regards to the GGW project as it was evident in
its high-level delegation led by the President of the Republic. Have noticed such a political will with
the other countries which took part in the conference?
A: The participation by President Omar Al Bashir was of a tremendous effect, giving a driving
momentum to the conference. We have noticed this through the increasing concern with the
Sudan’s participation. All recommendations and proposals presented by the Sudan were
approved by the conferees. Those included a proposal for establishment of the African Carbon
Bank which is a united bank for Africa that will be related to enhancing efforts for soaking up
carbon in the Continent for curbing the negative effects of the thermal emissions. It is presumed
that the rich countries compensate the poor and developing ones in accordance with the
international agreements and Kyoto conference and Durban conference of South Africa. The
carbon trade is aimed at making plantations for soaking up the carbon and other gases are
emitted from the vast space and cause the ozone hole. Through our presidency of UNEP and the
UNEP ministerial conference we will try to rally the resources to create a capital for the African
Carbon Bank for all African countries to benefit from. Half of the African countries, which are GGW
members, including the Sudan, have now paid their shares.
Q: How do you view the situation of the environment in the Sudan? What are the specific risks?
A: The environmental risks include the medical leftovers from the surgical operations, whether
obstetric or gynecological or other operation. Incinerators must be found to change those leftovers
into ash that must be buried
Because if put in the open, they will endanger the environment. We have called for the provision
of numerous incinerators instead of the single incinerator which now operates in the Chinese
Hospital of Omdurman. We need more than 50 incinerators in Khartoum State and 50 other
incinerators for the other states to help improve the environment and a healthy living system.
Q: Are there any contacts being made with international financing institutions to finance the GGW
project?
A: Yes. The World Bank has allocated 100 million US dollars for the project, in addition to
contributions by institutions concerned with environment. Some 7.5 million US dollars has been
earmarked for the studies, experts and technicians. The work on the project will start during this
2013.
Q: Where will the GGW Agency and the African Carbon Bank be seated?
A: The Agency will have its headquarters in N’djamena while the Carbon Bank will have its seat in
Khartoum. This is a great political and diplomatic gain for the Sudan as we always seek to occupy
leading positions in such organizations which can be run by Sudanese experts and personnel we
have the chance to nominate to those positions to make up for the scarce opportunities the
Sudanese experts find in the international organizations. Moreover, UNEP will set up in Khartoum
a big regional office which we hope will be of benefit to the Sudanese experts and technicians for
employment and training.
Q: When will be the kick-off for implementation of the N’djamena summit recommendations and
GGW commencement?
A: Work on the project will commence as of 2013 which is the founding year The Sudan is ready
to implement its part of the GGW through its water and sewerage system projects for making
forests besides settlement of the nomadic tribes along the belt, putting an end to disputes over
water and grass. Expect the regions of the belt within the Sudan will be, economically, more
attractive than mining and oil regions because the former possess renewable, rather than
depleted resources. I also expect our gum Arabic production and our other forest products will go
up to the highest level. This will be reflected in a positive way on the country’s environmental
conditions through removal of the organic pollutants which are harmful to human-beings in
addition to taking care of the biological and arborous diversities. Our plan is to increase the green
lands from 11% to 25% in the Sudan.
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Premium Times (Nigeria): Niger Delta activist plans ‘special present’ for retiring
Shell CEO
23 May 2013
A Niger Delta activist said on Wednesday that his organisation is planning a ‘special present’ of
“polluted oil water champagne” as a parting gift for the Chief Executive Officer of oil giant, Shell,
Peter Voser, as he retires from the company, whose Nigerian subsidiary has been accused of
several oil pollution incidents in the region.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Celestine AkpoBari, an environmental and human rights activist
from Ogoniland in the oil-rich Niger Delta region is already in London preparatory to the
presentation ceremony expected to take place during the Shell Shareholders presentation
ceremony on Thursday at the Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, Puddle Dock, Blackfriars.
It was gathered that Mr. Akpobari, who works for Social Development Integrated Centre (Social
Action) Nigeria, and is the National Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity Forum, has been asked by some
other activists in the Niger Delta region to present, on their behalf, polluted oil water from
Ogoniland in a champagne bottle and to formally present to Mr. Voser, an invitation letter to attend
a retirement party in the Niger Delta.
The activist said the presentation would be “in recognition of Shell’s unprecedented achievement
in causing the massive oil pollution that has caused decades of environmental destruction of the
Niger Delta region, particularly in Ogoniland.”
“The protest comes almost two years after a damning report by the United Nations concluded that
a succession of oil spills by Shell in Ogoniland over half a century will require $1billion start-up
finance and 35 years to clean-up,” Mr. Akpobari said. “One of the report’s findings was that
communities’ drinking water was contaminated with dangerous concentrations of benzene and
other pollutants.”
The activist, an Ogoni, said he had originally planned to travel to the Hague for Shell’s annual
general meeting (AGM), where he would have made the presentation to Mr. Voser, but was
denied travel visa after he disclosed his mission for his trip.
“I have travelled all the way from the Niger Delta to ask Shell what it has been doing in the past
two years since the UN report established its responsibility for the devastating pollution in my
homeland,” the activists told reporters outside his hotel.
“We see no evidence of Shell starting the clean up process. The only evidence that we see is the
oil in our water; the smoke in our air; the crops that die and our livelihoods and culture that are
destroyed every day,” he said.
“All the things that Ken Saro-Wiwa fought and died for, we are still fighting for them. While Peter
Voser is retiring to spend more time with his family, the people in Ogoniland, like other parts of the
Niger Delta region, are still fighting for a livable environment for their families.”
On Tuesday, the activist, who was at the Parliamentary building to meet with the All Party
Parliamentary Group on Nigeria, had useful discussions on the UNEP Report implementation,
with a demand for further push for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) currently
pending before the National Assembly.
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Morung Express (India): Think. Eat. Save.’
21 May 2013
The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio on Monday started the Sustainable Development
Forum Nagaland campaign for World Environment Day by appearing in a photograph, holding the
campaign logo and further taking forward the message of WED 2013, based on this year’s
international theme as declared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): “Think.
Eat. Save.” A press note by Vishü Rita Krocha from SDFN informed that the campaign has been
proposed by the SDFN to celebrate WED by virtue of initiating a sustained campaign throughout
Nagaland through its members and friends.”
The main objective of the campaign is to encourage people to create awareness on the
environmental impact of food waste. It aims to encourage people to reduce food waste, save
money and minimize environmental impacts.
The Chief Minister during his meeting with SDFN members on Monday morning impressed upon
the need to save food, while expressing concern that Naga society is “overindulging in food.” He
stated, “People discuss about what is healthy but we discuss what is tasty” and added, “Think and
Eat.”
The Campaign will involve people from all walks of life, where they will be asked to pose and get
themselves photographed with the SDFN WED campaign placards or even a digital image on the
computer screens, wherein by doing so, they pledge that they will reduce/avoid food waste and
consume sustainably.
The press note informed that Nagaland University, different religious heads and organizations,
offices, public places like popular joints and commercial establishments, hospitals and the public
in general would also be approached for the same, while Churches, mosques, gurudwaras,
temples will all be especially requested to sermonize on the global and local problem of food
waste and unsustainable consumption in the days/services before June 5. The SDFN Campaign
for World Environment Day is scheduled to culminate with the WED Program which will be jointly
organized by the Forest Department and NBCC at the NBCC Convention Hall on June 5.
The partner organizations, individuals and groups associated with the SDFN include NEPED,
Honey Mission, Bamboo Mission, Bio-resource Mission, Entrepreneur Associates, YouthNet, ECS
Tuensang, PBC Longleng, SRTT-NEIDA, WALO Mon, DICE Foundation, YARD among others.
The Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland is a forum where the Naga civil society,
representatives of the government, non-government, media, academia, industry and
entrepreneurs collectively discuss and work together in facilitating the state towards a sustainable
development pathway.
SDFN will further host the 3rd Sustainable Mountain Development Summit of the Indian Mountain
Initiative (IMI), scheduled to be held on September at Kohima this year with Water, Forest and
Agriculture as themes. The first two summits were held in Nainital and Gangtok in 2011 and
Sikkim in 2012 respectively. It may be noted that the Indian Mountain Initiative was formed with
the objective to provide stakeholders from the states of Indian Himalayan Region, a platform to
come together and discuss issues related to the development of the Himalayan region and its
communities. It also aims to reach consensus on priorities and action plans and recommend the
same to the relevant authorities.
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Gulf Weekly (UAE): Dariyush is eco-friendly
21 May 2013
Young artist Dariyush Postwalla hopes his award-winning painting will encourage people to plant
more trees and stop abusing the earth’s valuable resources, writes May Al Mousawi.
The 11-year-old British School of Bahrain pupil took part in the United Nations Environment
Programme’s (UNEP) 21st International Children’s Painting Competition and was one of 12
youngsters to receive prizes for their environmental artwork, beating more than 630,000 entries
from children aged between six-and-14 in the annual competition.
Under the topic ‘Green Communities’ Dariysuh tackled the theme with imagination and flair and
painted a hurting world with bandages and symbols of different forms of pollution, radiation and
toxic waste.
As the regional winner for West Asia, Dariyush received a prize of $1,000, a trip to the Tunza
International Youth Conference on the Environment in Dubai and a digital camera at a prize-giving
ceremony in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Indian-born Dariyush, who lives in Sehla, said: “We were given the theme of the environment and
the idea of drawing the world just popped into my mind.
“It has been affected by different things such as pollution so I decided to put bandages on the
world to show how and why it is hurting.
“It is dying because people are polluting it and cutting trees down without growing more to replace
them. People are also using too much water, food and minerals and they should try and save the
planet.
“Bahrain isn’t very green and we should plant more trees.”
The winning work of art took Dariyush three days to complete. He heard about the competition
through his former art teacher, Clare Dixon-Clarke.
“As a keen artist, Dariyush is always keen to experiment with mixed media,” she said. “His
enthusiasm knows no bounds. I was delighted when I found out that he had won. It was
thoroughly deserved and an amazing achievement.”
Dariyush is thrilled to be part of the line-up of young winning artists. The UNEP has kept his
painting and it will be used to raise environmental awareness through exhibitions, websites,
posters and publications as well as to raise funds to further promote environmental activities.
The International Children’s Painting Competition is UNEP’s flagship art and environment event.
Since 1991, it has received more than three million entries from children in 190 countries. The
competition is organised in partnership with the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and
Environment, Bayer and the Nikon Corporation.
Dariyush said: “There’s a photo of my painting on the internet but the UN took the painting and is
using it to promote awareness of the environment.
“When I was in Brazil they showed all the winners the paintings that had won in previous years
and mine is going to be part of that collection now.”
He hopes to use his prize winnings while he is on vacation during the summer in England and
explained how it would be great to watch his favourite team, Manchester United, live in action.
Although he dreams of one day playing professional football he also hopes his love of maths will
help him carve a career with numbers but explained that it’s still ‘too early’ to decide.
The creative minds of dad Jehangir, a business manager for the Fermax company, and mum
Perin, a housewife who loves to knit, have helped their three boys excel, as brothers, Rushad, 13,
and Shiavax, 15, are ‘excellent artists’ too, according to Dariyush.
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Udenriksministeriet (Denmark): Inauguration of the new UN City in Copenhagen 5
July 2013
23 May 2013
enmark has hosted UN organizations since 1957. Hosting the UN provides significant benefits for
the UN development organisations and thus also for the countries receiving development
assistance through these organisations.
Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Christian Friis Bach says: "The new UN City sends
a clear signal that the Danish government wants to strengthen the UN. I attach particular
importance to the gathering of the UN organisations under one roof which makes them able to
cooperate better and ensures synergy and impact. Through the new UN City, Denmark truly
contributes to the objective of One UN”.
Denmark currently hosts seven UN organisations - United Nations Office for Project Services
(UNOPS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF), the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality
and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) - and with the establishment of the UN City, it will
be possible for more organisations to settle in Copenhagen. As an example, the Global Green
Growth Institute (GGGI) recently established an office in UN city, while UNEP will open a new
technology centre, which will also be located in the UN city.
The construction of the UN City's first part was handed to the users 1 January this year. After the
completion of the technical installations, the organisations have now moved into the building. The
construction of the second part of the UN City is still in process and will be handed over to the
users by January 1 2014. As an integrated part of the UN City, the Danish Government has also
provided a new high-tech warehouse to UNICEF, which was put into full operation at the turn of
the year.
CPH City & Port Development (By og Havn in Danish) is the developer/owner of the UN City,
which has been designed by architects 3 x Nielsen. When the total construction is completed, the
house will be able to accommodate as much as 1700 UN work stations. The building contains
meeting room facilities and a conference hall that can accommodate up to 450 people, and it has
been built as an energy class 1 house with solar cells on the roof, use of seawater for cooling and
rainwater for toilets. In 2012, the building received the EU Commission's Green Building Award.
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Panorama (Armenia): Today is International Day for Biological Diversity
22 May 2013
The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations–
sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is currently held on May 22.
From its creation by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in 1993 until 2000, it
was held on December 29 to celebrate the day the Convention on Biological Diversity went into
effect. On December 20, 2000, the date was shifted to commemorate the adoption of the
Convention on May 22, 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, and partly to avoid the many other holidays
that occur in late December.
A wide range of events are organized globally to increase the understanding of the important role
of biodiversity in our future. Celebrations are organized by: the Secretariat of the Convention on
Biological Diversity, which forms part of the United Nations Environmental Programme; many
national governments; and a range of non-governmental organizations.
Activities include:
Translating booklets, leaflets and other educational resources into local languages.
Distributing information on biodiversity via schools, colleges, universities, newspapers, radio and
television.
Exhibitions and seminars for students, professionals and the general public.
Showings of movies on environmental issues.
Presentations of programs to preserve endangered species or habitats.
Planting trees and other plants that help prevent erosion.
Politicians may also give speeches on local environmental issues and other events may include
competitions for children and young people to take photographs or create artwork centered on the
annual theme of the day.
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Sacramento Bee (US): U.S. Clean Diesel Technology Exports an Economic
Powerhouse
22 May 2013
On the occasion of World Trade Week, the Diesel Technology Forum today highlighted the
importance of diesel engines, fuels and equipment in global commerce and international trade.
"Diesel technology powers the global economy, and it so happens that the U.S. is a leader in the
manufacturing of the new generation of clean diesel technology. Altogether, diesel product and
fuel exports represented $46.2 billion of U.S. exports, according to a recent study by Californiabased Aspen Environmental and M-Cubed. Most notably, diesel technology has an export-tovalue ratio that is five times higher than the national average," said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive
Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.
"The U.S. exports a significant amount of high-value diesel products and fuels: taken together
these commodities represent 4.4 percent of $1.06 trillion dollars in exports.[i] Refineries account
for the largest proportion of diesel-related exports, at $9.5 billion. U.S. vehicle and equipment
manufacturing has resulted in strong U.S. export figures from other diesel industry segments
including truck manufacturing ($9.1 billion, or 36 percent of total production) and construction
equipment ($7.8 billion or 18 percent of production).
"Diesel engine manufacturing is particularly notable, accounting for $6.9 billion in exports (22
percent of production), and nearly one in four diesel engines made in the U.S. were destined for
export.
"America's clean diesel technology is the very kind of reliable, durable, energy efficient, and low‐
emissions products that are highly-valued exports increasingly in demand around the world. From
diesel-powered generators that provide critical electrical power to farm tractors and equipment
that enable greater food production and productivity with less fuel, to construction machines and
equipment that build and maintain the critical transportation and utilities infrastructure, diesel
technology is at work, making progress possible around the globe.
"Diesel is one our nation's greatest environmental and economic success stories. By using the
world's cleanest diesel fuel, making engines that have near zero emissions and increased fuel
efficiency, and renewable fuel capability, diesel engines and equipment are now well positioned
as a technology of the future and will continue to play a vital role not only in growing our core
domestic economy in the U.S., but enabling progress and improving the quality of life in
developing countries around the globe."
The United Nations Environment Programme has noticed the impressive emission reduction
achievements made from the introduction of clean diesel fuel and emission reduction technologies
here in the U.S. and is working to introduce these technologies to markets around the globe. "The
first step on the path to a global clean diesel future is the availability of low sulfur diesel," said
Schaeffer. "In fact, the U.S. is now a net exporter of ultra low sulfur diesel sending over 262
million barrels of clean fuel abroad in 2012 and sparking new demand for engines and emission
reduction technologies made in the U.S."
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Responding to Climate Change (UK): Comment: Business needs a carbon budget
to hit 2°C target
23 May 2013
Japan’s former climate ambassador Yoshi Nishimura says paying more attention to the carbon we
emit than setting arbitrary reduction targets is the best way to get the private sector to steer us
away from dangerous levels of warming.
Efforts to fight climate change have so far focused on setting emissions reduction targets. This
strategy is not working.
As the UNEP emissions gap report shows, the current focus on cuts, the reducing paradigm, has
left us with a significant shortfall in what needs to be done to avoid dangerous levels of warming.
Focusing instead on how much carbon we can emit, is a better route to ensure we hit our goals.
Let’s call that the emitting paradigm.
Both aim to achieve the adopted 2°C temperature target but they are very different in a multitude
of ways.
Carbon Brief survey
The so-called gigatonne gap highlights how emission levels must be altered if we are to avoid 2°C
of warming (Climate Action Tracker/Ecofys/Climate Analytics/PIK)
In the current Kyoto Protocol-led reducing paradigm, governments are the key players.
Each government sets and pledges its ambition arbitrarily. If a government raises its ambition, it
has to regulate the private sector more by mobilizing stringent commanding and controlling
measures.
They also have to find funding in their ever diminishing tax coffers for the technical innovations
required for the switch to the low carbon economy.
Crucially, in this reducing paradigm, the private sector dampens governments’ ambitions since
firms risk losing out to foreign competitors. In reality, the much vaunted public-private partnership
is lacklustre. No wonder governments have been modest in their ambitions and vociferous in
pointing the finger at one another.
If 18 years of quarrel-prone UN negotiations testify to anything at all, it is to the interminable failure
of ambition. Are we going to continue this until the middle of the next century?
Healthy economy, healthy climate
If we move to the emitting paradigm, adopted targets can be achieved cost-effectively if private
sector initiatives are mobilized to their full extent, poverty alleviated and global economy kept
thriving.
As the above graph shows, there is only so much that can be emitted from here through 2050 if
we are to achieve the 2°C target.
The private sector, not government, is emitting. This is quite simply because the consumers
behind them draw benefits and utilities from emissions.
Businesses and consumers are both beneficiaries and polluters. Isn’t it just and fair to force those
beneficiaries to pay for the right to use up the finite remaining carbon budget?
The finite carbon budget is a global commons for humanity. It is going to be the collective property
of all the governments of the world.
Governments must decide to put collective property rights on the budget and sell those new
assets in the form of allowances to firms that want to emit.
If this is done by instalments through 2050, the finite carbon budget will be sold out and the 2°C
target achieved.
The right signal
During the course of the coming decades, a universal single carbon price will emerge and go
gradually upward incentivizing firms and consumers to shift to low-carbon investment and
consumption.
The price signal incentivizes the private sector to innovate and invest. No need to backload
allowances to prop up the carbon price. Its universality means no competitiveness concerns
whatsoever.
Furthermore, governments of the world will get a new large source of revenues from the sale of
their assets, which they could use to help countries in need.
In the emitting paradigm, governments establish a new market framework and retire from the
centre stage. Firms and consumers will instead come to the fore and play a new market game.
Expensive and ineffective governments will go away and price-driven business decisions reign.
Only here can the private sector excel as the whole system becomes price-driven. They are in
their element aren’t they? This is the best public-private partnership to save the planet in the least
expensive way.
Policy makers should start exploring a new game in the emitting paradigm as it is feared the old
reducing game is unlikely to achieve a temperature target like 2°C.
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Dar Erste (Germany): Cameroon Rain Forest Protection
Link to Broadcast available at:
http://mediathek.daserste.de/sendungen_a-z/314636_mittagsmagazin/14833464_alle-beitraege-die-sendung-vom-22-mai-2013-?buchstabe=M
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Other Environment News
Reuters (UK): China says its legal ivory trade not to blame for poaching
29 May 2013
China's small traditional trade in carving uses ivory acquired through legal auctions and in no way
encourages or worsens the problem of elephant poaching in Africa, a senior Chinese official said
on Tuesday.
Demand for ivory as an ornamental item is soaring in Asia and especially in China, driven by the
rising purchasing power of the region's newly affluent classes as well as growing Chinese
investment in Africa and demand for its resources.
That has led to an increase in the illegal slaughter of African elephants for their ivory, with some
wildlife groups estimating that over 90 percent of the ivory on sale in China is illegally sourced.
But Yan Xun, chief engineer of the wildlife conservation department under the State Forestry
Administration, said it was unfair to blame China for the rise in poaching.
"Has China's legal ivory trade caused the poaching of wild elephants? I don't think there's
necessarily a connection," he told a news briefing.
"The reasons for poaching wild elephants around the world are very complex, including
competition for resources between people and elephants, livelihood issues for local people, war
and ... the mistaken belief ivory generates huge profit margins."
China only permits 37 companies to work with ivory and 145 to sell the finished product. They use
no more than a total of 5,000 kg of legal ivory every year, he said.
"I'd like to say that the Chinese ivory trade is mainly to hand down the art of exquisite carvings
using ivory. This is not any ordinary trade," Yan added.
"The Chinese government has been paying great attention to the protection of elephants and we
legally source ivory through international auctions," he said, adding China has to date sourced
some 60 metric tons (66 tons) of ivory this way.
Convicted ivory smugglers can be jailed for life, Yan said.
While China has shown no sign of banning the ivory trade, Thailand's prime minister said earlier
this year that her country would do so, promising legislation that could help the country avoid
international trade sanctions after criticism by environmental groups.
China is the world's largest illegal ivory market, followed by Thailand, according to the World Wide
Fund for Nature.
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AP: College fossil-fuel divestment movement builds
22 May 2013
Student activists at more than 200 colleges are trying a new tactic in hopes of slowing the pace of
climate change: They are asking their schools to stop investing in fossil fuel companies.
The Fossil Free campaign argues that if it's wrong to pour pollution into the air and contribute to
climate change, it's also wrong to profit from it. The strategy, modeled after anti-apartheid
campaigns of the 1980s, aims to limit the flow of capital to fossil fuel companies by making their
stocks morally and financially unattractive. In theory, that could lead to a slowdown in how much
fossil fuel is burned and indirectly speed investments in renewable energy.
The students say it's hard for colleges and universities to ignore the arguments when scientists
are teaching about the threats of climate change, and when the core mission of such institutions is
to prepare young people for the future.
"We know this is something that's going to really matter in our lifetimes," said Sophie Harrison, an
18-year-old freshman at Stanford University. "The world that we're going to be raising our kids in
is going to be very different from the one we were born into."
It is far from certain that the campaign will help change the behavior of fossil fuel companies or
public attitudes about climate change.
And unlike apartheid, the target of previous divestment campaigns, there is no ready alternative to
fossil fuels. The global economy is powered by coal, oil and natural gas. Affordable, low-carbon
alternatives to these fuels aren't widely available.
Campaign organizers acknowledged their efforts may take years to have any effect, but they are
frustrated, they said, that not enough has been done to address climate change.
The campaign targets companies that own most of the world's coal, oil and natural gas reserves.
While many schools argue divestment would harm their endowments, an analysis conducted for
The Associated Press casts doubt on that. The research firm S&P Capital IQ found that by one
measure, endowments would have been better off had they divested 10 years ago.
The firm calculated the total returns of the broad U.S. market as tracked by the S&P 500 index,
with and without the companies singled out by Fossil Free. An endowment of $1 billion that
excluded fossil fuel companies would have grown to $2.26 billion over the past 10 years, but an
endowment that included investments in fossil fuel companies would have grown to $2.14 billion.
That extra $119 million could pay for 850 four-year scholarships, assuming tuition of $35,000 per
year.
The stakes are even bigger for some schools. Fossil Free is targeting Stanford's $17 billion
endowment, and last year 72 percent of Harvard University's student body voted for divesting its
$30 billion endowment. Harvard officials responded by saying they have "a strong presumption
against divestment."
Financial giants such as HSBC, Citibank and the credit rating agency Standard & Poor's have
raised concerns about the financial stability of fossil fuel companies — if the world decides to
drastically reduce carbon emissions.
But that's a big "if," and Wall Street analysts who cover oil company stocks are unconcerned.
Fadel Gheit, an analyst at Oppenheimer & Co., says there is "no way" that a campaign like this
could change a company's energy mix, let alone the entire world's.
Endowments don't have enough financial clout to affect the flow or cost of capital for fossil fuel
companies, he said, and fossil fuels are too integral to the world economy.
"Let's see when these kids get a job, if they are going to walk to work or drive," he said.
Industry groups and observers say going fossil-free would involve much more than just
divestment.
"We all bear some of the blame for continued use of fossil fuels — it is not fair to put the blame
solely on the oil companies," Harvard professor Daniel Schrag, director of the school's Center for
the Environment, wrote in an email to the AP.
Reid Porter, a spokesman for the American Petroleum Institute, argued that oil and natural gas
fuel the economy "in the most efficient and reliable way possible."
But Fossil Free is growing, and it's backed by some powerful interests.
Major foundations — including the Rockefeller Family Fund — have donated more than $8 million
to 350.org, Fossil Free's parent group, and a network of influential advisers and volunteers are
building a global network to support the campaign.
The campaign started in 2010 at Swarthmore College, a liberal arts school outside Philadelphia. It
has spread to private and public schools across the nation, including Harvard and Stanford, as
well as Yale, Cornell, Ohio State and the University of Colorado. Five schools — Unity College
and College of the Atlantic in Maine, Hampshire College in Massachusetts, and Sterling and
Green Mountain colleges in Vermont — have already voted to divest, and student votes are
pushing for action at dozens more.
The original Swarthmore group was motivated by a visit to mining sites in West Virginia, where
companies were removing entire mountaintops to get at coal.
"It's devastating. It's people's land, people's livelihoods being ripped out of the ground, literally,"
said Kate Aronoff, a Swarthmore junior from New Jersey and student activist. Aronoff said the
student group returned to Swarthmore and quickly "came to divestment as something that lines up
with our priorities."
During the 1980s, more than 225 U.S. companies stopped doing business in South Africa as
public and stockholder sentiment turned against maintaining ties because of the country's
institutionalized racism, or apartheid. At least 27 states, 88 cities and many universities adopted
policies restricting investments, leading to a loss of billions of dollars of capital in South Africa.
Some of the people who oversee endowments say the issues aren't so clear-cut this time around.
An analysis at Swarthmore found that fossil fuel divestment would cost the endowment $11 million
to $14 million a year, said Gil Kemp, a member of the Swarthmore Board of Managers.
"I don't think that there is a single board member that doesn't agree with students that climate
change is a huge issue for our world. The difference is in choice of tactics," said Kemp, who
donated $20 million to the school in February.
In 1986, after years of pressure from student groups, Swarthmore agreed to eliminate investment
links to South Africa. After that divestment, the board changed the school's policies, and Kemp
said it now makes a practice of "not using the endowment for non-financial purposes."
The Fossil Free campaign is also attracting older people, including an influential Wall Street
veteran whose views have changed over time. Bevis Longstreth's first public offering as a young
Wall Street lawyer was for a coal company.
"I thought coal was magnificent," he said.
Longstreth is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, a former commissioner with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and a former member of the American Stock
Exchange Board of Governors. He was appointed to the SEC by President Ronald Reagan. He
now argues fossil fuels are damaging the environment and thinks the divestment campaign can
help change that.
"I believe the pressure will build" on fossil fuel companies, Longstreth said, adding that two things
always get Wall Street's attention: the possibility of making a lot of money — or losing money.
"There's going to be a tipping point. And when that happens we're going to have the mother of all
crowds jamming one exit" to sell fossil fuel stocks, he said. "The smart fossil fuel companies will
diversify."
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AFP: Solar plane sets distance record on US tour
23 May 2013
The first manned aircraft that can fly day and night powered only by solar energy set a new
distance record Thursday when it landed after the second leg of a cross-country US tour.
The Solar Impulse project, founded and led by two Swiss pilots, aims to showcase what can be
accomplished without fossil fuels, and has set its "ultimate goal" as an around-the-world flight in
2015.
Solar Impulse landed in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas at 1:08 am (0608 GMT) after an 18 hour and 21
minute flight from Phoenix, Arizona, a distance of 1,541 kilometers (950 miles), organizers said in
a statement.
"This leg was particularly challenging because of fairly strong winds at the landing. It also was the
longest flight -- in terms of distance -- ever flown by a solar airplane," the plane's pilot Andre
Borschberg said.
"You have to understand that the pilot needs to stay awake for more than 20 hours without any
autopilot," added Borschberg, who holds the record for the longest solar-powered flight, at 26
hours.
The previous distance record was attained by Solar Impulse one year ago on a 1,116 kilometer
(693 mile) flight from Switzerland to Spain.
The first leg of Solar Impulse's US tour took place on May 3, when Swiss aviator Bertrand Piccard
flew the aircraft from the San Francisco, California area to Phoenix.
On the first leg the plane -- which has a slim body and four electric engines attached to enormous
wings -- flew quietly at an average speed of about 30 miles (49 kilometers) per hour.
Energy provided by 12,000 solar cells powered the plane's propellers.
The Solar Impulse plane takes off from Moffett Field in Mountain View, California, on May 3, 2013.
The first manned aircraft that can fly day and night powered only by solar energy has set a new
distance record after completing the second leg of a cross-country US tour.
The plane can fly at night by reaching a high elevation of 27,000 feet (8,230 meters) and then
gently gliding downward, using almost no power until the sun comes up to begin recharging the
solar cells.
The US itinerary allows for up to 10 days at each stop in order to showcase the plane's
technology to the public. Another stop is planned in the US capital Washington before the trip
concludes in New York in early July.
The stopovers will allow Piccard and Borschberg to share duties and rest between flights.
A dashboard showing the live speed, direction, battery status, solar generator and engine power,
along with cockpit cameras of both Piccard and his view from the plane, are online at
live.solarimpulse.com.
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Wall Street Journal (US): Utility CEOs Slam EU Energy Policy
22 May 2013
The chief executives of eight leading energy utilities Wednesday criticized the European Union’s
political leaders for the bloc’s fragmented energy policy, calling for a more favorable market
environment to encourage investment in energy infrastructure.
In a joint statement, the CEOs of some of Europe’s largest utilities, including Germany’s E.ON SE
and France’s GDF Suez SA, warned that the European energy industry’s “perilous situation”
needs to be addressed urgently.
“The current lack of visibility on energy policies and regulatory uncertainty will inevitably lead to an
absence of energy investment, with negative effects on security of supply, employment and
reactivation of the European economy,” they said.
The managers criticized lawmakers in the EU and at national level for failing to provide a market
environment that creates incentives for investment in new energy infrastructure—from production
of energy to transportation and storage—while containing the related costs.
Signatories of the statement include the CEOs of Germany’s E.ON and RWE AG, Italy’s Enel SpA
and Eni SpA, Spain’s Iberdrola SA and Gas Natural SA, France’s GDF Suez and Dutch gas trader
GasTerra.
The comments come as European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels Wednesday to discuss
energy and tax evasion. Energy consumption in Europe has declined during the financial crisis,
while coal and gas-fired power plants have also been hit by a combination of relatively high
commodity prices and low electricity tariffs. The unabated and rapid expansion of renewable
energy is also taking a toll on conventional power generation.
Additionally, the collapse of the EU’s carbon-dioxide emissions trading scheme—once the flagship
in the bloc’s fight against global warming—has raised questions about the effectiveness of
Europe’s energy policy.
The utilities also criticized European governments for inconsistent policy frameworks, with each
member state promoting renewable energy separately.
“In concrete terms, European energy companies are the subject of a perfect storm, which is
endangering security of supply and the transformation towards a low-carbon economy, as well as
undermining their capacity to attract capital,” the companies said.
Market observers have warned that Europe needs a less fragmented energy policy, particularly in
terms of supporting renewable energy.
“European-level ambitions for the renewable energy sector will only be realized with a more
coherent and stable pan-European perspective on the financial returns investors should expect,”
said Cornelius Brandi, chairman of law firm CMS.
Mr. Brandi added that Europe could lose out against other regions of the world if it fails to adopt a
new energy policy approach. Some countries, including Saudi Arabia and Japan, have recently
announced massive investment into or generous support mechanisms for renewable energy.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, declined to comment on the statement, but
pointed out that the fragmented state of the European energy market is down to energy packages
having not been implemented by member states.
The commission has for months been trying to gather support for reform of its CO2 trading
system. But plans to temporarily revive CO2 allowance prices by postponing the issuance of any
new permits for up to seven years were derailed in April when the European Parliament rejected
the move.
The ETS was launched in 2008 to protect the environment by raising the cost of polluting and
encouraging businesses to invest in cleaner technologies. But weak industrial activity across
much of a continent in recession has eroded CO2 permit prices.
The European Commission has also repeatedly said it is in the process of working out new
climate protection strategies in an effort to provide the energy industry with a longer-term policy
framework that encourages investment in new power generation capacity as well as energy
infrastructure.
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Reuters (UK): In China, food scares put Mao’s self-sufficiency goal at risk
22 May 2013
The discovery of dangerous levels of toxic cadmium in rice sold in the southern city of
Guangzhou, the latest in a series of food scandals, has piled more pressure on China to clean up
its food chain – possibly at the expense of Mao Zedong’s cherished goal of self-sufficiency.
The ruling Communist Party has long staked its legitimacy on its ability to guarantee domestic
staple food supplies, and has pledged to be at least 95-per-cent self-sufficient even as demand
increases and the fastest and biggest urbanization process in history swallows up arable land.
That has led to a drive for quantity rather than quality – securing bumper harvests even from land
contaminated by high levels of industrial waste and irrigated with water unfit for human
consumption. “China has a big population and we used to face food shortages so the government
has focused on quantity,” said Li Guoxiang, a researcher at the state-backed Rural Development
Institute of the China Academy of Social Sciences.
But food safety is becoming a bigger worry than food security after a series of scandals ranging
from melamine-tainted milk to toxic heavy metals in rice and vegetables – and raising the share of
imports may be the least-worst option.
The government, under increasing public pressure and facing anti-pollution protests, has
promised to reverse some of the damage done to the environment by three decades of breakneck
industrial expansion. But the scale of the problem is huge, especially as China looks to maintain
its economic growth, find jobs for millions of new urban residents and ensure that just 9 per cent
of the world’s land can feed a fifth of the global population.
“Quantity is still a precondition, but the government is now putting lots of effort into safety, and
high-quality food imports will definitely increase,” said Li. “People will realize there are more
advantages than disadvantages regarding rising food imports and things are turning in that
direction.”
China is already the world’s biggest soybean importer after making a strategic decision to
outsource production, mostly to the United States. Some predict Beijing might have to do the
same with other land-intensive farm products like beef – a move that would benefit big producers
like Australia.
While it has vowed to remain self-sufficient in major staples, imports of rice and corn are expected
to hit record levels this year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts. Wheat
imports, too, are seen at a near record.
Inspectors in Guangzhou collected samples from 18 locations in the city and found cadmium
levels in eight exceeded the national standard of 0.2 micrograms per kilogram, with some as high
as 0.4 mg/kg, the local government said late last week.
Though experts insisted the health risks were very low and China’s standards for rice, its staple
food, are far higher than the rest of the world, authorities swiftly came under attack from users of
China’s popular microblogging service Weibo. Guangzhou was eventually compelled to reveal the
tainted rice originated from central China’s Hunan province, the country’s biggest rice-producing
region.
Hunan produces 30 million tonnes of rice a year, 15 per cent of the national crop, but it is also a
big miner of nonferrous metals and toxic elements such as arsenic and cadmium. In many cases,
waste water run-offs from the mines are used directly to irrigate farmland, and tailings also tend to
be badly managed.
Yin Lihui, an official with the provincial environmental protection administration, told state media
that nonferrous metals mining in Hunan has caused heavy pollution in a region dubbed the “home
of rice and fish.”
“We call it ‘integrated food and mining complexes’ – basically food production and mining
happening at the same place together, and this isn’t rational,” said Chen Nengchang, a researcher
at the Guangdong Institute of Environmental and Soil Sciences who works on projects to
rehabilitate land damaged by mining and heavy metal pollution. “The problem is that China has a
big population and scarce land and soil, so we need to figure out another way of dealing with this.”
To ensure food supplies, China has said it will limit the amount of land given to development. This
will not only require the government to declare farmland out of bounds to industry, but also require
ruined wasteland to be returned to life. Some researchers say as much as 70 per cent of China’s
farmland is affected by pollution. After decades of contamination, land must be restored if it’s to
return to agriculture.
That takes time and money. High real estate prices in urban areas make it relatively easy to find
the money to clean up land contaminated by chemical or heavy metal waste, but cleaning up the
countryside is a greater challenge, said Richard Fuller, president of the Blacksmith Institute, a
New York-based non-profit group that helps clean up polluted sites in China and elsewhere.
“There are solutions for the majority of damaged sites but it’s going to take time, technology and
money.”
An official at China’s environmental ministry said last month that a nationwide soil survey revealed
traces of toxic heavy metals that were deposited as long as a century ago. It also revealed
extensive use of banned pesticides – a sign that farmers, under pressure to produce more, may
be as culpable as heavy industry.
“Sea and river pollution, heavy metal pollution of the soil and atmospheric pollution are very
serious causes of environmental damage, but we should say that the biggest contributor is
agriculture,” said Wen Tiejun, dean at the School of Agricultural Economics at China’s Renmin
University.
Experts say 60 per cent of the pesticides used on China’s severely overworked farms are used
improperly, further contaminating the food chain. Chinese farmers are also known to use arsenic
in animal feed to help fight disease and speed growth, raising levels of the toxin in rice to
dangerous levels in some regions.
With all this pressure on China’s farmland and water supplies, senior agricultural officials are
beginning to question the long-held goal of self-sufficiency.
“An appropriate increase in imports, if it doesn’t affect our country’s security, will be of benefit in
easing domestic resource and environmental pressures,” Chen Xiwen, head of the Communist
Party’s top working group on rural policy, told a forum this month.
“We do need to consider a more positive strategy toward going overseas, and make full use of the
global market.”
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Interfax News (Russia): Forest fires in Siberia shrink six-fold within three days
21 May 2013
As of Monday morning, the Siberian Federal District had 27 forest fires burning on 2,591.7
hectares, the district forestry department said.
"Thirteen wildfires were confined on 2,102.7 hectares, among them two fires on 1,860 hectares in
the Chadanskoye forest district in the Republic of Tuva and on 190 hectares in the
Zakamenskoye forest strict in the Republic of Buryatia," the report said.
Siberia had 26 forest fires on 16,463.1 hectares on May 17 morning. The fire zone has reduced by
6.4 times since then.
Fires are burning in Buryatia (seven fires on 212.5 hectares), Tuva (five fires on 2,152 hectares),
the trans-Baikal territory (four fires on 84.7 hectares), the Irkutsk region (six fires on 101.5
hectares) and the Krasnoyarsk territory (five fires on 41 hectares).
Some 34 forest fires were put out on 13,502.6 hectares in Tuva, Buryatia, the Krasnoyarsk and
trans-Baikal territories, and the Irkutsk and Omsk regions in the past 24 hours.
"Seven large forest fires on 13,286 hectares were extinguished in the Republics of Tuva and
Buryatia," the report said.
The wildfire situation in Tuva has stabilized. A fire of 10,540 hectares in the Kaa-Khemskoye
forest district was put out alongside three other large fires on 2,191 hectares.
Some 467 forest service specialists and smokejumpers, 86 fire trucks and nine aircraft were
fighting the blaze.
The fire safety regime was introduced throughout the Kemerovo region, in eight districts of the
Republic of Buryatia and in one district of the Irkutsk region.
An emergency situation regime has been in place throughout Tuva since May 8. The same
regime is in effect in the trans-Baikal territory and two districts of the Republic of Buryatia.
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Age (Australia): Greens fighting for non-existent trees, says forestry official
23 May 2013
Indonesia has accused environmental groups of protesting against the removal of trees that don't
exist.
The country's top forestry official says an international petition to save Aceh's forest that has
gained international attention and well over a million signatures is based on flawed assessments.
Environment groups claim that the Aceh government is planning to convert 1.2 million hectares of
existing tropical forest into oil palm, logging concessions, mines and roads, with devastating
effects.
This handout photograph released by the Coalition To Save the Tripa Peat Forest on June 29,
2012 shows a vast area surrounded by palm oil plantations burning during clearing in the area of
Tripa peat forest in Aceh province located in Indonesia's Sumatra island. According to the
coalition before 2008 the area covered by the palm oil plantation were once peatland forest close
to the boundary of the Leusur ecosystem a protected area rich in biodiversity and endangered
wildlife.
Environment groups say this vast area in the Tripa peat forest in Aceh has been burnt to make
way for oil palm plantations. Photo: COALITION TO SAVE THE TRIPA PEAT
But Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, the head of Indonesia's forestry monitoring body, says the province's
proposed plan would conserve about 1.8 million hectares of Aceh's forest, only slightly less than
an earlier plan from 2000.
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He claimed conservationists had chosen instead to compare the new plan to a much more progreen proposal by the former provincial government from 2010, which was never implemented,
and which would have meant Aceh had about 3 million hectares of forest under protection.
That equates to 68 per cent of the land mass, compared with the 45 per cent in the government's
current plan.
Still from video to go with Michael Bachelard's Indonesian Gold Mining story. 2012A young miner
treads the forest path towards an illegal gold mining camp in the hills near the village of
Geumpang in Aceh.
A young miner treads the forest path towards an illegal gold mining camp in the hills near the
village of Geumpang in Aceh. forestpath.jpg
Some of these areas had previously been unprotected, and some were to have been reforested
under that plan.
A local moratorium on new logging concessions had also helped protect Aceh's forests, some of
the last large-scale forested areas in Indonesia.
But the new government, elected in April last year, has ditched the moratorium and the former
governor's plan, and formulated its own, which protects 1.2 million hectares less than the 2010
proposal, but only about 100,000 hectares less than the 2000 spatial plan, which was the last plan
passed into law.
The Indonesian central government ministry has said that plan is likely to pass. Mr Kuntoro said
the 2010 plan "cannot be used for comparison," because it was never implemented.
But the Aceh-based environmental activist who began the petition, Rudi Putra, said the new plan
would still see significant areas of forest cut down as old logging concessions are reactivated.
He said illegal permits to open forests were already being issued before the spatial plan is even
agreed. New road construction and poaching was also affecting wildlife in the area, which
contains some of Indonesia's last wide tracts of lowland tropical forest.
"The key aspect of the new Aceh government's spatial plan is how much of these very sensitive
areas are to be threatened with expansion of logging, road building, plantations and mining, even
if they are officially classified as forests," Mr Rudi said.
"I think over 1 million people signed this petition because they share the concerns of Aceh's
people, and because they care about the fate of tigers, elephants, orangutans and rhinos, the
incredible biodiversity of Aceh's forests, and global climate change."
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Times of India (India): Greens hail ministry of environment and forests move to
protect dolphins
23 May 2013
NGOs and marine biologists have welcomed the directive of the ministry of environment and
forests (MoEF) to state governments not to allow setting up of dolphinariums in the country.
There is a feeling that the issue of marine mammals, which includes not only dolphins, but also
whales and porpoises, has not been dealt with the seriousness it deserves in terms of their
conservation management.
"There is no denial that dolphinariums have a certain educative value in terms of creating
awareness, but the matter has to be weighed against the conservation value of these mammals,"
Manoj Borkar, a marine biologist said.
The dolphinariums will impose drastic restrictions as it is a captive environment as against the
natural conditions of high seas and oceans. "Those conditions cannot never be simulated in a
tank not matter how big it is," an animal lover said.
The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), a NGO, termed the MoEF
move as a giant leap for animal protection in India. "MoEF has made a landmark decision with its
new policy not to allow dolphinariums to be established in India," a FIAPO spokesperson said.
"It is a huge victory for the dolphins," the spokesperson added.
Dolphins and all cetaceans should be seen as "non-human persons" and they along with all other
animals should have their own specific rights and it is morally unacceptable to keep them captive
for the purpose of entertainment, FIAPO stated.
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Phil Star (Philippines): Phl ranks 23rd in quality management of resources
20 May 2013
The government was urged to make sure that it is getting a fair share in the extraction of mineral
resources.
In its 2013 Resource Governance Index, New York-based Revenue Watch Institute gave the
Philippines a composite score of 54 out of 100, ranking it 23rd among 58 resource-rich countries
surveyed for quality of management of oil, gas, and mining sectors.
The composite score was described as “partial,” next to “satisfactory” and above “weak” and
“falling.”
Released last week, the index assesses the quality of four key governance components in natural
resource management: Institutional and legal setting, reporting practices, safeguards and quality
control, and enabling environment.
“The index finds that only 11 of the countries surveyed – less than 20 percent - have satisfactory
standards of transparency and accountability,” the report said.
Revenue Watch said the Philippines ranked in the top half of countries surveyed on all four
components, suggesting that the government has made meaningful progress toward improved
resource governance.
Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Ranking on top of the index were Norway, the US and United Kingdom with composite scores of
98, 92 and 88.
At the bottom of the list were Equatorial Guinea, Turkmenistan and Myanmar with composite
scores of 13, five and four.
As a way forward, Revenue Watch calls on governments of resource-rich nations to disclose
contracts signed with extractive companies; ensure that regulatory agencies publish timely,
comprehensive reports on their operations, including detailed revenue and project information;
extend transparency and accountability standards to state-owned companies and natural
resource funds; curb corruption and respect civil, political and freedom of the press; and adopt
international reporting standards for governments and companies.
In its country-specific report, Revenue Watch said the Philippines’ natural mining resources
include major copper deposits, chromium, gold, and silver.
“However, with low royalty rates and an ineffective fiscal system, the government receives only a
small share of this resource wealth,” the report said.
Revenue Watch said the Philippines produced 11 percent of the world’s nickel supply in 2010.
Minerals made up eight percent of its merchandise exports in 2011, it added.
The government is preparing to legislate a new revenue sharing scheme to give the state a larger
share of revenue from the extractive industry.
Revenue Watch recognized the good institutional and legal setting governing the extractive
industry in the Philippines but noted the “notorious” delay in remittance of the revenue share of
local government units hosting mining companies.
Revenue Watch also noted the “uneven disclosure of mining data” in the Philippines.
“The current administration provides more information than its predecessors,” the report said.
“Maps of licensing areas are posted online and copies of contracts can be requested from the
director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. However, joint operating agreements between the
state-owned Philippine Mining Development Corporation and private firms are not made public,
and access to environmental impact assessments is still restricted.
“The central bank is the main source of data on production, foreign direct investment, and mining
exports. Local governments are less transparent, and their failure to accurately report on artisanal
mining skews national statistics.”
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Santiago Times (Chile): Assessing Piñera’s state of the nation: Energy and
environment
22 May 2013
While boasting of the highest growth rate among the world’s highly developed economies in his
state address Tuesday, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera confronted looming concerns for the
environmental quality of the country’s progress. Environmentalists, however, lamented that the
president did not tackle fundamental ecological concerns.
High voltage power lines near Rancagua, Chile.
“In terms of caring for the environment and nature, we have implemented a much more modern
and efficient framework, with stricter and more severe regulations — because true development
has to be sustainable, and it simply isn’t right now,” Piñera said.
Protests against Chile’s exploitation of natural resources frequently manifest in the streets of the
smoggy capital city — where sky-high air contamination rates earn the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) worst ranking — throughout the conservative
incumbent’s term.
Flavia Liberona, executive director of environmental organization Terram, was disappointed with
the brevity of the president’s thoughts on conservation.
“The Piñera administration, like the [opposition] Concertación’s recent terms, have allocated little
time, effort and political will to protecting the environment,” she told The Santiago Times.
The conservationist acknowledged the improvement of emissions standards and the Environment
Ministry’s amplified authority to regulate projects, but hoped for more enthusiasm for legislation in
the works.
Piñera’s new regulatory system has faced several high-stakes tests in its first few months. Despite
remarks on his administration’s environmental record, Piñera discussed improving the
sustainability of the country’s energy, water and urban development — all of which remain
contentious points for those concerned with sustainable growth.
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Biz Day (Zimbabwe): Don’t damage environment, Chinese mines in Zim told
23 May 2013
The visiting vice premier Wang Yang on Wednesday urged Chinese companies to practice
responsible mining so as not to damage the environment.
The premier, who is on a visit to the country, was addressing a press conference here, which was
also attended by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Deputy Mines Minister, Gift Chimanikire said this week that there was a lot of illegal mining by the
Chinese, which was cuasing a lot of enivronmental damage.
Among the Chinese companies officially licenced to mine in Zimbabwe, is Anjin Investments, one
of the biggest diamond mining company in Marange.
Yang also bemonaed the adverse impact of Chinese economic and population growth on Chinese
ecology.
The cost of environmental degradation in China was about $230 billion in 2010, or 3.5 percent of
the nation’s gross domestic product — three times that in 2004, in local currency terms according
to recent news reports.
The statistic came from a study by the Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, which is part
of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The figure of $230 billion was based on costs arising from pollution and damage to the
ecosystem, the price that China is paying for its rapid industrialisation.
Yang also pledged more financial support to Zimbabwe, although the figure was not disclosed.
Zimbabwe is currently in negotiations to access credit lines with among others China Eximbank
and China Development Bank.
China has become one of Zimbabwe’s trading partners after South Africa.
Yang also congratulated Zimbabwe on the new constitution, signed into law, by President Robert
Mugabe.
The Chinese Vice-Premier said political stability was the best form of protecting the investment.
Yang arrived in Zimbabwe on Tuesday as part of his official trip to Africa to review trade and
development ties.
The Chinese premier is the third ranking among China’s four vice-premiers in President Xi
Jinping’s communist party.
Mugabe who has faced travel bans to the West for poor human rights record in the past decade,
turned to the “Look East” policy toward China and Asian nations to attract the much needed
investment.
Yang is expected to travel to Ethiopia later this week.
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Environmental News from the UNEP Regions
ROAP MEDIA UPDATE
THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS
Thursday, May 23, 2013
UN News centre: UN urges collective efforts to achieve ‘water secure world’ on
Day for Biological Diversity
22 May 2013
Unless greater efforts are made to reverse current trends, the world will run out of freshwater,
the United Nations said today marking the International Day for Biological Diversity and urging
stronger scientific alliances to understand and protect natural resources.
“We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and
where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future
demands for water will not be met,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the Day.
“Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily available
as freshwater,” he added.
Of the total volume of water on Earth, freshwater makes up around 35 million km3, or about 2.5
per cent of the total volume, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Water scarcity affects almost every continent and more than 40 per cent of the people on our
planet, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said. With current trends, 1.8 billion
people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025, and two-thirds
of the world’s population could be living under water stressed conditions.
“Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are central to achieving the vision of a
water secure world,” Mr. Ban said, noting the mutually supporting roles of forests, wetlands and
soil biodiversity.
“Integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning can also help us build better water
futures for cities, where water stresses may be especially acute given the rapid pace of
urbanization,” he added.
This year’s theme for the Day is ‘Water and Biodiversity’, which coincides with the UN
designation of 2013 as International Year of Water Cooperation. The Year is being coordinated
by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water.
“This is an opportunity for us to join efforts to enhance fair and innovative water management
arrangements and to share best practices for the preservation of wetlands – streams, lakes,
coasts and marine zones – that play a substantial role in ensuring biodiversity,” Irina Bokova,
head of UNESCO, said in her message for the Day.
Ms. Bokova and Mr. Ban noted the importance of strong scientific alliances as part of a global
effort to protect natural resources. They encouraged parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity who have not already done so to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Adopted in 2010, the
Nagoya Protocol also sets a goal of cutting the current extinction rate by half or more by 2020.
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity, the UN General Assembly encouraged the use of
the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi
Targets in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. Last year’s Conference on
Sustainable Development (Rio+20) also recognized the role of ecosystems in maintaining water
quantity and quality.
He stressed that a focus on water and biodiversity is particularly important now as the
international community strives to hasten progress towards the eight anti-poverty targets known
as the Millennium Development Goals by the 2015 deadline and to plan a new set of
development targets.
“As the international community strives to accelerate its efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals and define a post-2015 agenda, including a set of goals for sustainable
development, water and biodiversity are important streams in the discussion,” he noted.
In a press conference in New York, Braulio de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the
Convention on Biological Diversity said biodiversity needs to be seen as part of a ‘win-win’
solution for sustainable development.
“It’s very easy to say that yes, we should provide water for everyone, but how do we do that, so
the traditional way of doing this is to work in silos,” Mr. Dias said, stressing the importance of
thinking beyond traditional engineered solutions in a more integrated, collaborative way to
effectively deliver on the MDGs.
He also noted that Governments sometimes make decisions based on “short-sighted
information” without informing sufficiently communities about the impact of those decisions on
local ecosystems.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44967&Cr=water&Cr1=biodiversity
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Indian Express (India): ‘Indigenous knowledge more helpful in water conservation
23 May 2013
On the International Day for Biological Diversity, Rajendra Singh, known as the 'Waterman of
India' said that the present education system needs to step out from the confines of textbooks
and adopt indigenous knowledge systems for water conservation.
Citing example of Rajasthan farmers, where he and his NGO Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) has
brought water to over a thousand villages, Singh said "adopting indigenous practices was the
key to success in Rajasthan.
"Neither I nor any farmer had any professional knowledge about the water systems. We
observed the Earth and took decisions on the basis of our observations and indigenous
knowledge".
Singh was speaking at a conference in Lucknow-based Ram Manohar Lohia National Law
University to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, with focus on water and
biodiversity.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indigenous-knowledge-more-helpful-in-waterconservation/1119445/
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The Hindu (India): Ignore biodiversity management at your own peril
The United Nations designated May 22 as the “International Day for Biological Diversity,” to
increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. “Water and Biodiversity” is this
year’s theme. We cannot imagine one without the other. Water and biodiversity are sources of
life and livelihood or options for reducing poverty and enhancing human welfare. Basic human
needs such as air, water, food, clothing and medicines are the products of water/biodiversity.
Seventy per cent of the world’s poor lives in rural areas and depends directly on biodiversity for
its survival and well-being.
Stress factors
However, when the population and its requirements start to increase, there is proportionate
stress borne by water and biodiversity. This contributes to global challenges such as climate
change, rising food and energy costs and global economic crises, along with exacerbating
poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.
Lack of access to safe drinking water is an important issue, especially in developing countries.
About 2.8 billion people (40 per cent of the world’s population), experience some form of water
scarcity. Lack of basic services (water supply and sanitation) leads to insecurity, political
instability and even armed conflict in developing countries.
There has been considerable structural transformation in developing countries during the postglobalisation era. A substantial reduction in agriculture along with a rapid increase in
industrialisation and urbanisation has led to severe land use changes. Forests and wetlands
(hot spots for water and biodiversity) have been reduced and degraded. In addition, the
indiscriminate discharge of wastes into water bodies has damaged the environment, with
enormous and sometimes irreversible impact. However, managing these resources is essential
if the world is to achieve sustainable development.
Water science
Understanding the role of biodiversity in the hydrological cycle enables better policymaking. The
term “biodiversity” refers to the variety of plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems
in which they occur. Water and biodiversity are interdependent. In reality, the hydrological cycle
decides how biodiversity functions. In turn, vegetation and soil drive the movement of water.
Every glass of water we drink has, at least in part, passed through fish, trees, bacteria, soil and
other organisms. Passing through these ecosystems, it is cleansed and made fit for
consumption. The supply of water is a critical “service” (of benefit to humans) that the
environment provides. Biodiversity is what underpins the ability of nature to recycle water
throughout.
Forests, for example, influence the hydrological cycle by directly affecting the rates of
transpiration and evaporation, and how water is routed and stored in a watershed. Forest soils
readily absorb, capture and sustain certain quantities of water. Deforestation increases soil
erosion which reduces land productivity and causes water scarcity in downstream areas. Onethird of the world’s largest cities get a significant portion of their drinking water supply from
forest areas. Forests are a part of biodiversity and cities depend on biodiversity for their water.
Challenges and concerns
Plants, soils and animals not only sustain the hydrological cycle, but also play a significant role
in purifying water. Wetland plants remove high levels of nutrients, such as phosphorus and
nitrogen, thus preventing them from reaching drinking water. Toxic substances such as heavy
metals from water are also removed. Normally, when water flows downstream, its quality may
improve drastically, as the biodiversity (mainly bacteria, animals and plants), breaks down
impurities and makes it fit for drinking.
Lack of recognition: There has been a widespread failure to recognise water and biodiversity’s
vital role in providing food, energy, disaster relief and environmental sustainability. The main
reason is that there are no proper markets or values for the goods and services (which lift
millions of peoples suffering from poverty and diseases) derived from ecosystems.
Common property resources: Forests/mangroves, oceans, rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes,
estuaries etc., are predominantly common property resources with state ownership. However,
communities are historically enjoined in their rights in extracting the benefits — as fishing in the
oceans, and timber and other product extraction from forests. The free rider problem leads to
the over-extraction of resources and species extinction.
Competition and conflict: The competition and conflict for water by divergent users/groups
(agriculture and industry, upstream and downstream users) is an emerging issue. Similarly, the
many users of bio-resources, such as fishermen and forest dwellers, compete with one another.
Degradation: There is evidence of the degradation of water and biodiversity through (a) drying
rivers, wetlands and aquifers (b) bio-accumulation of agrochemicals and heavy metals in fish
and other edible species (c) algal blooms from high nutrient loads (c) silting of dams and
nutrient loss due to the fragmentation of rivers, and (d) the disappearance of natural forests.
Much of this is caused by short-sighted development.
Lack of pollution mitigation: Most countries have the legislation to protect their water resources
(particularly from the point source of pollution), but the implementation of laws often lags behind
because responsibilities are dispersed and costs are high. Unfortunately, non-point pollution
from agriculture often constitutes a greater total pollutant load than the point-sources, and
proper management options are not in place.
Inadequate investments: The investments for the conservation of water and biodiversity sources
are not sufficient. For example, in the water sector, most investments are for water resource
development like irrigation, hydropower and drinking water supply, but are limited in supporting
the continuous availability of fresh water.
What is needed
The environment supplies our basic necessities and biodiversity and underpins the ability of the
environment to continue these services. Our aim must be to see how biodiversity and water can
be used wisely to help us achieve our development goals. Considering the dynamic nature and
multiple uses of water and biodiversity, its management is a complex task. Although water and
biodiversity is a global issue, the problems and solutions are often very localised. The following
steps are proposed:
Governments and international communities must work together and make more and immediate
investments in water and biodiversity management. In this regard, the various conventions
(Ramsar Convention for Wetlands Protection, Convention on Biological Diversity, etc.) should
fulfil their objectives.
Internalising the external costs of water and biodiversity by (a) providing incentives through
payments for ecosystem services, which encourage local communities to maintain the integrity
of forests and watersheds, and (b) applying the “polluter pays” principle.
Along with specific national planning on water and biodiversity such as “National Water Policy,”
multi-sectoral plans on water management that consider biodiversity and ecosystems as an
integral part are needed.
The economic values of different water and biodiversity spots should be estimated for effective
policy decisions. For example, the water-related ecosystem services by forests (water
provisioning, regulation of water flows, water purification and erosion prevention) collectively
account for a value of $7,236/hectare/year or more than 44 per cent of the total value of forests.
The need for a holistic and integrated approach to biodiversity and water management. The
ecosystem approach (strategy for the integrated management of land, water, and living
resources) and the integrated water resources management strategy (promotes the coordinated
use of water, land and related resources, to maximise the resultant economic and social
development without compromising the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems) should be
benchmarks.
Since water and biodiversity are closely associated with the enhancement of life and welfare,
people’s involvement is significant. In this regard, the media have a crucial role in awareness
generation. Non-governmental and community organisations must help in coordinating
conservation programmes.
Biodiversity/water benefits should be shared by the community. A large number of bio-resources
(fish, seaweeds, corals, medicinal plants, etc.) serve as basic raw materials in the manufacture
of different consumer products.
However, the benefits derived from the business are not shared equitably by local communities.
Considering this, the Convention on Biological Diversity has proposed to its parties to implement
the “access and benefit sharing” principles, and promote them as an incentive mechanism to
preserve our natural biodiversity.
(Dr. Prakash Nelliyat is an environmental economist with the National Biodiversity Authority,
Chennai. The views expressed are personal. E-mail: nelliyatp@yahoo.co.uk)
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ignore-biodiversity-management-at-your-ownperil/article4740211.ece
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APP: UN chief calls for int’l efforts to achieve ‘water secure world’
22 May 2013
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has called on the international community to work towards
a “water secure world” as part of the global ecosystem plan noted in the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and post- 2015 agenda. “Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny
amount of the water on our planet is easily available as freshwater,” the secretary-general said
in a message issued here by his spokesperson to mark the International Day for Biological
Diversity, which is being observed on Wednesday.
In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted May 22 as the International Day for
Biological Diversity, to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme
for this year’s observance is Water and Biodiversity.
Presently, “we live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply
and where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards,” the secretary-general said.
In his message, the UN chief noted that biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are
central to achieving the vision of a “water secure world.”
More specifically, “ecosystems influence the local, regional and global availability and quality of
water,” the secretary- general said.
For example, “forests help regulate soil erosion and protect water quality and supply” and
“wetlands can reduce flood risks,” Ban said, adding that “soil biodiversity helps maintain water
for crops.”
That’s why last year’s Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development recognized the role of
ecosystems in maintaining water quantity and quality, he said.
“Integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning can help us build better water futures
for cities, where water stresses may be especially acute given the rapid pace of urbanization,”
he added.
The secretary-general also called on countries to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on Access to
Genetic Resources and “therefore help us all to work toward the future we want.”
The Nagoya Protocol was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity at its tenth meeting on Oct. 29, 2010 in Nagoya, Japan.
The protocol is aimed at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a
fair and equitable way.
http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=235810&Itemid=2
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Business Standard (India): Formation of Biodiversity Management Committees
stressed
22 May 2013
Assam Forest and Environment Minister Rakibul Hussain today said the government was
stressing the need to form Biodiversity Management Committees involving local governance
bodies.
"It is very important to conserve biodiversity and our water resources, so we are stressing on the
formation of Biodiversity Management Committees involving local governance bodies to
regulate and keep a check on the use of natural resources", the Minister said today at a function
organised to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity here.
Children should be moulded from a very tender age and made to understand the severe
implications resulting from loss of biodiversity so that "we can hope to save our future
generations", he added.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Wetlands) Ranjana Gupta delivering the welcome address said
Assam was blessed with natural resources and biodiversity.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Biodiversity and Climate Change) and Member Secretary of
Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB), A K Johari made a presentation on the need to
conserve freshwater ecosystems and the need to learn to share water resources.
The Assam State Biodiversity Board and the Assam Forest Department jointly organised a
function to mark the Day whose theme for this year's celebration was 'Water and Biodiversity'.
The Minister also released two booklets, the Bengali Version of the Biological Diversity Act 2002
and Assam Biodiversity Rules, 2010 and Glimpses of Biodiversity in Assam.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/formation-of-biodiversity-managementcommittees-stressed-113052200875_1.html
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Times of India (India): World Biodiversity Day: It's time for celebration
22 May 2013
"If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that
allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save us" - David Suzuki.
David Suzuki is a Canadian science broadcaster as well as an environmental activist. Mr.
Suzuki also happens to be known for his TV and radio series where viewers are shown
interesting things about the natural environment around us.
My name is Biodiversity (the variety and complexity of species in ecosystems) and I am so
excited because my birthday is coming up on the 22nd of May. It's time for this year's theme; it's
Water & Biodiversity. I am becoming even popular in countries where I was never popular
before. This tells us that with the efforts of raising awareness about this celebration, we have
accomplished a lot in these years, even more than anyone could ever imagine. So, help me
strive to achieve success throughout the world by learning more about me.
In this year's International Day for Biological Diversity (Or World Biodiversity Day) celebrations, I
will be sharing the spotlight with a good friend of mine....Water! Water is an essential part of
everyone's life, which even affects mine. Neither Biodiversity nor any other living thing on this
planet of ours can survive without its guidance/assistance.
Many useful ways have been brought up to protect me and all of them have been quite useful
as well. The promotion of recycling has resulted in less garbage disposal in years and for years
to follow. The three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle - have all been a part of our daily lives. Most
developed countries are taking up this process by letting residents know that they need to be
putting out garbage once a week on that designated day. Some cities, such as Oslo, have also
enhanced the way of living by not having garbage to fill up their garbage cans anymore. They
have realized that if they can burn garbage to produce electricity or even to produce heat, they
could save money as well as help protect the environment. Oslo has also been thinking about
importing garbage to produce more power. These types of unique ideas really just make my day
as I read and witness what is going on to promote about my causes and how we should nurture
this land of ours so that our children of the future may be able to witness what we have seen.
In conclusion, I would like all of you to at least do one act of kindness on this year's IBD Day on
the 22nd of May for me and I will reward you back by letting you witness one of nature's finest
beauties.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/contributors/contributions/harnoor-gill/World-BiodiversityDay-Its-time-for-celebration/articleshow/20205838.cms
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The News (Pakistan): PMNH to organise speech contest today
22 May 2013
Speech competition, nature photography and painting competitions among students from twin
cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will be held here at Pakistan Museum of Natural History
(PMNH) today (Wednesday).
To commemorate International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated each year on May 22 to
highlight the significance of Biodiversity conservation and importance of biodiversity in
ecosystem.
This year’s theme of the Day is “Water and Biodiversity,” water is essential for life. and no living
being on planet Earth can survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being
as well as for the preservation of the environment. The theme Water and Biodiversity was
chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of
Water Cooperation.
Designation of IDB 2013 on the theme of water provides Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) and the public at large the opportunity to raise awareness about this vital issue,
and to increase positive action.
Coincidently, the period 2005-2015 is the International Decade for Action ‘Water for life’. Talking
to APP, Spokesperson Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Rehana Batool said IDB is
celebrated all over the world which symbolizes and highlights that nations throughout the world
cooperate to halt and reverse the accelerating loss of biological and genetic resources of the
planet earth.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-179079-PMNH-to-organise-speech-contest-today
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Daily Times (Pakistan): International day for Biological Diversity
Habitat loss of endangered species on the rise in Pakistan
By Amar Guriro
KARACHI: Deforestation, soil erosion coupled with water-logging have hastened the rate of
extinction of range animals - bird, reptiles, mammals, fish and plant species - which are already
endangered due to climate change, cautioned environmental experts.
The nature conservationists have expressed their concerns that fast reducing freshwater
resources in Pakistan would further jeopardise these species.
In a message issued on International Day for Biological Diversity, which is observed on May 22
globally, environmentalists have said the ecosystems, particularly forests and wetlands, could
only be protected by ensuring clean water for animals and plants.
The 2013 theme - Water and Biodiversity - was chosen to coincide with the United Nations
designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. The theme speaks to the
important role of biodiversity and ecosystems in providing water security and sustainable
development.
The experts have also expressed their concern on construction of mega dam along River Indus,
which is being supposed as country’s lifeline. “Flow of water in the rivers is essential to maintain
flora and fauna along the banks of rivers and delta, consequently IUCN made a strong
recommendation to the government for releasing a minimum 35 million acre-feet of water
downstream Kotri barrage of River Indus”, says Tahir Qureshi, marine coastal expert,
associated with IUCN Pakistan.
He stated that Pakistan was a country rich in biodiversity and home to more than 1,250 species
of plants and animals, which are suffering due to clean water shortage. The biodiversity in
Pakistan, which has a number of the world’s rarest animals and plants, are now in danger from
habitat destruction and overuse, coupled with rising population. This has put immense pressure
on the country’s natural resource base.
“Since humans are the custodians of earth therefore it is their prime responsibility to use the
natural resources equitably for a sustainable future. All species on earth are dependent on each
other, hence by conserving biodiversity we conserve life on earth,” said Mahmood Akhtar
Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN Pakistan.
Providing and sustaining water for needs of people around the world is already a major
challenge for sustainable development in both the developed and developing countries.
Experts said wetlands could help reduce risks of flooding, while restoring soils could decrease
erosion and pollution, and help increase water availability for the crops. “Protected areas can
assist in providing water for the cities. These are, but a few examples of how ecosystem
management can help us solve water-related problems.”
According to the statement, IUCN Pakistan, since commencement of its operations in Pakistan,
had successfully implemented numerous biodiversity and water related initiatives. IUCN also
supports the Government of Pakistan in meeting its obligations as a signatory to the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is dedicated to promoting sustainable development.
IUCN has also joined hands with UNESCO and Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department to
get 111,852 hectares designated as Pakistan’s second Man and Biosphere (MAB) reserve to
enable scientific study and robust governance. Once designated, this area will be one of the 610
MAB sites in the world.
Expanding its work to the coast of Sindh, IUCN through the Sindh Coastal Community
Development Project has also been involved in training the communities to plant mangroves,
monitoring mangrove plantation and assessing the environmental impacts of aquaculture
activities undertaken by the Sindh Fisheries Department. In the north, IUCN’s biodiversity
conservation work includes, developing the Murree Biodiversity Park, spanning over 17.4
hectares.
Keeping in the current challenging situation, these measures are just a small drop in the ocean.
Pakistan is at a higher risk of losing its rich biological heritage; already 37 species of mammals
are threatened, along with 25 species of birds, while 500 species of plants have become rare.
The need of the hour is to link development frameworks with ecosystem restoration, and
biodiversity conservation with livelihood opportunities, and to be able to demonstrate this
relationship from policy-to-practice levels.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C05%5C22%5Cstory_22-52013_pg12_8
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e-pao (China): International Biological Diversity Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
22 May 2013
Directorate of Environment , Government of Manipur observed International Day for Biological
Diversity under the theme of "Water and Biodiversity" at Kangla Hall here today.
The observance function was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment)
PC Lawmkunga as Chief Guest and Director of Environment Dr M Homeshwar as President,
while Dr Kh Shamungou and Prof W Vishwanath as Guests of Honour.
Addressing the gathering, PC Lawmkunga stressed on the importance of preserving water
bodies as humans cannot survive without water, and appealed to all to use water judiciously
and prevent occurrence of water crisis in future.
http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=27..230513.may13
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China Daily (China): China's nature reserves exceed global average
23 Amy 2013
The size of nature reserves in China reached almost 15 percent of the country's total land area
by the end of 2012, exceeding the global average of 12 percent.
Li Ganjie, vice-minister of environmental protection, announced the figure at a celebration of the
2013 International Day for Biological Diversity on Wednesday.
The figure has grown from 6.9 percent in 1993 to 14.9 percent today. The number of nationallevel nature reserves has increased from 77 to 363, marking the achievements the Chinese
government has made to promote biodiversity since the country signed the United Nations
Convention on Biological Diversity 20 years ago.
"Setting up nature reserves is seen as the core measure in biodiversity conservation to prevent
the current loss of species and habitats," said Zhang Shigang, country coordinator of the United
Nations Environment Program China.
That's why the theme of the 2013 International Day for Biodiversity in China is "biodiversity and
nature reserves", while the international theme is "water and biodiversity".
"The United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment indicates that in the past 50 years, 60
percent of the world's ecosystems have been degraded. Loss of biodiversity reduces our food,
medicine, clean air and water. The ecosystem that human beings rely on is fragile," said Zhang
Xinsheng, chairman of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Council.
http://www.china.org.cn/environment/2013-05/23/content_28907451.htm
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Daily Times (Pakistan): Water and biodiversity moot today
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is being celebrated on Wednesday and this
year’s theme of the Day is ‘Water and Biodiversity’.
Water is essential for life. No living being on planet earth can survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being, as well as for the preservation of the environment.
Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Pakistan
Museum of Natural History (PMNH) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD) have jointly chalked out a series of events at PMNH, Garden Avenue,
Shakarparian, Islamabad to celebrate IDB in an effective way for creating awareness among the
masses and students about the significance of Biodiversity. staff report
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C05%5C22%5Cstory_22-52013_pg5_11
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Malaysia Sun (Malaysia): UN urges collective efforts to achieve water secure
world' on Day for Biological Diversity U.N. – Environment
22 May 2013
150 Unless greater efforts are made to reverse current trends, the world will run out of
freshwater, the United Nations said today marking the International Day for Biological Diversity
and urging stronger scientific alliances to understand and protect natural resources.
"We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and
where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future
demands for water will not be met," Mr. Ban said in his message for the Day.
"Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily available
as freshwater," he added.
Of the total volume of water on Earth, freshwater makes up around 35 million km3, or about 2.5
per cent of the total volume, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Water scarcity affects almost every continent and more than 40 per cent of the people on our
planet, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said. With current trends, 1.8 billion
people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025, and two-thirds
of the world's population could be living under water stressed conditions.
8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025, and
two-thirds of the world's population could be living under water stressed conditions.
"Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are central to achieving the vision of a
water secure world," Mr. Ban said, noting the mutually supporting roles of forests, wetlands and
soil biodiversity.
"Integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning can also help us build better water
futures for cities, where water stresses may be especially acute given the rapid pace of
urbanization," he added.
This year's theme for the Day is 8216;Water and Biodiversity', which coincides with the UN
designation of 2013 as International Year of Water Cooperation. The Year is being coordinated
by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water.
"This is an opportunity for us to join efforts to enhance fair and innovative water management
arrangements and to share best practices for the preservation of wetlands - streams, lakes,
coasts and marine zones - that play a substantial role in ensuring biodiversity," Irina Bokova,
head of UNESCO, said in her message for the Day.
Ms. Bokova and Mr. Ban noted the importance of strong scientific alliances as part of a global
effort to protect natural resources.
Ban noted the importance of strong scientific alliances as part of a global effort to protect natural
resources. They encouraged parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity who have not
already done so to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits
arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Adopted in 2010, the Nagoya Protocol also
sets a goal of cutting the current extinction rate by half or more by 2020.
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity, the UN General Assembly encouraged the use of
the Convention on Biological Diversity's Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi
Targets in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. Last year's Conference on
Sustainable Development (Rio20) also recognized the role of ecosystems in maintaining water
quantity and quality.
He stressed that a focus on water and biodiversity is particularly important now as the
international community strives to hasten progress towards the eight anti-poverty targets known
as the Millennium Development Goals by the 2015 deadline and to plan a new set of
development targets.
"As the international community strives to accelerate its efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals and define a post-2015 agenda, including a set of goals for sustainable
development, water and biodiversity are important streams in the discussion," he noted.
"As the international community strives to accelerate its efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals and define a post-2015 agenda, including a set of goals for sustainable
development, water and biodiversity are important streams in the discussion," he noted.
In a press conference in New York, Braulio de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the
Convention on Biological Diversity said biodiversity needs to be seen as part of a 8216;win-win'
solution for sustainable development.
"It's very easy to say that yes, we should provide water for everyone, but how do we do that, so
the traditional way of doing this is to work in silos," Mr. Dias said, stressing the importance of
thinking beyond traditional engineered solutions in a more integrated, collaborative way to
effectively deliver on the MDGs.
He also noted that Governments sometimes make decisions based on "short-sighted
information" without informing sufficiently communities about the impact of those decisions on
local ecosystems..
http://www.malaysiasun.com/index.php/sid/214702118/scat/b8de8e630faf3631/pp/1
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Sanghai Express (India): Bio-diversity day
22 May 2013
Like in other parts of the world, international Biological diversity Day was observed here in the
State.
Under the joint aegis of Directorate of Environment and Manipur Bio-diversity Board, the global
observance were organised at Kangla and Manipur Zoological garden, Iroisemba.
The Kangla observance was held with Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) PC
Lawmkunga and State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority Chairman Dr kh
Shamungou as the chief guest and functional president respectively while MU (Life Science)
Prof W Biswanath and Directorate of Environment Director M Homeshwor were the guests of
honour.
While PC Lawmkunga also attended the Iroisemba observance as the chief guest, Principal
Chief Conservator of forests AK Rana graced the occasion as the functional president.
Dr M Ruhikumar of Central Agriculture University and MU Life Science Professor Dr PK Singh
were also present as the guests of honour.
In both these observances, speakers highlighted rapid ecological imbalance and deterioration of
the environment in addition to expressing grave concern on the serious threat posed to
indigenous flora and fauna consequent to environmental degradation.
http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=6..230513.may13
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India Blooms News Service (India): Assam observes Int'l Biological Diversity day
The Assam State Biodiversity Board and the Assam Forest Department jointly organised a
function to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity at Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok in
Guwahati on Wednesday.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Water and Biodiversity’.
Assam Forest and Environment minister Rockybul Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion.
During the programme, the Minister said, "It is very important that we understand the need to
conserve biodiversity and our water resources."
“We are stressing on the formation of Biodiversity Management Committees involving local
governance bodies to regulate and keep a check on the use of natural resources,” the Minister
said.
“Children should be moulded from a very tender age and made to understand the severe
implications resulting from loss of biodiversity. In this way we can hope to save our future
generations."
Chief Conservator of Forests (Wetlands), Ranjana Gupta said that, Assam is a state blessed
with natural resources and biodiversity.
Gupta stressed on the need to conserve biodiversity as it is vital for survival of the human
population.
During the function, the minister released two booklets, the Bengali Version of the Biological
Diversity Act 2002 & Assam Biodiversity Rules, 2010 and Glimpses of Biodiversity in Assam.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Biodiversity & Climate Change) and Member Secretary of Assam
State Biodiversity Board (ASBB), A K Johari made a presentation on the need to conserve
freshwater ecosystems and the need to learn to share water resources.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, V K Vishnoi stressed on the
importance of linking water resources with working plans undertaken to conserve the same.
Secretary, Environment and Forests, Nafifa Ahmed said there is the need to create awareness
among the people on the importance of conserving biodiversity and pollution of waterbodies and
said it is only with the help of the people that conservation efforts can be given a concrete
shape.
Renowned scientists and ASBB Board Members Dr Anil Goswami, Dr Sarat Barkakoti, RC
Goswami, Dr PC Bhattacharjee, Dr Aparajita De were also present at the function.
As part of the celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity 2013 a Painting and Quiz
competition among school children was also held on May 19 at the Assam State Zoo.
Minister Rakibul Hussain and other dignitaries present gave away the prizes to the winners of
the competition. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
http://www.indiablooms.com/EnvironmentDetailsPage/2013/environmentDetails230513a.php
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Daily Mirrror (Sri Lanka): Biodiversity for sustainable development: Sri Lankan
perspective .
23 May 2013
There is growing recognition of the fact that biological resources and diversity are vital to
humankind’s economic and social development. It is accepted that diversity is a global asset of
tremendous value, and that it needs to be preserved for future generations. At the same time,
the threat to species and ecosystems has never been greater than it is today.
In response, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened the Ad Hoc
Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity in November 1988 to explore the need for an
international convention on biological diversity. The Convention was opened for signature at the
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and entered into force in December 1993. Sri Lanka
signed the convention in 1992 and ratified it in March 1994. Presently, 192 countries and the
European Union are parties to the convention. The United States of America (USA) has signed
the convention in 1993 but not yet ratified it.
What is Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
The CBD is an international legally binding treaty and is the main document regarding
sustainable development. Its three main goals are 1) conservation of biological diversity, 2)
sustainable use of biological components, and 3) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising
from genetic resources.
The objective of the CBD was to develop national strategies for the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity. The agreement covers all ecosystems, species, and
genetic resources. It sets principles for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from
the use of genetic resources, notably those intended for commercial use. It also covers the
rapidly expanding field of biotechnology through the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety which
seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms,
resulting from modern biotechnology.
The CBD recognized, for the first time in international law, that the conservation of biological
diversity is an integral part of the development process. Importantly, it is legally binding;
countries that are ‘Parties’ to it are obliged to implement its provisions. In line with this, Sri
Lanka too has implemented its own policy framework to comply with the CBD.
Biodiversity in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots identified in the world and has the highest
biodiversity per unit area of land amongst Asian countries. The wet zone rainforests are home
for nearly all of the country’s woody endemic plants, and about 75 percent of its endemic
animals. The genetic diversity of agricultural crops is also quite remarkable, with 3,000 varieties
of rice having been recorded. Many of the indigenous varieties of rice are tolerant to pests,
adverse climate, and soil conditions. In addition to the diversity seen in coarse grains, legumes,
vegetables, spice crops, roots and tubers, there are over 170 species of ornamental plants.
Several threats to Sri Lanka’s biodiversity were identified many years ago. The major threat is
the ever-increasing demand for land for human habitation and related developmental activities.
Poor land use planning, indiscriminate exploitation of biological resources, weak enforcement of
legislation, the absence of an integrated conservation management approach, loss of traditional
crop and livestock varieties and breeds, pollution, human – wildlife conflicts, an increasing
spread of unknown invasive species, and increasing human population density, are some of the
other critical threats to biodiversity.
For a developing country like Sri Lanka, it is a challenge to balance both ecological and
economic development targets. However, development activities should be done in a way, and
at a rate, that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity. Biodiversity is a
measure of sustainable development which means that ‘growth today will not deprive the quality
of life of future generations’.
CBD and Sri Lanka
Since the ratification of the CBD 19 years ago, Sri Lanka has made some progress. In 1999,
Sri Lanka prepared and published a comprehensive Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan
(BCAP). The BCAP identified four broad areas of ecosystem diversity: forests, wetlands, coastal
and marine systems, and agricultural systems. This was updated with the publication of an
Addendum to the BCAP in 2007 to reflect several issues that had a major bearing on
biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka, since publication of the BCAP. In the year 2004, Sri
Lanka also ratified the Cartagena Protocol. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is a subsidiary
agreement to the Convention.
During 2005 and 2006, Sri Lanka carried out extensive stakeholder consultations through the
National Capacity Needs Self-Assessment (NCSA) Project in order to identify national capacity
needs in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity. Subsequently, Sri Lanka has
drafted a Biosafety Regulatory Framework in 2005 and a National Policy on Bio Safety in 2011,
to regulate bio technology and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). These policies provide
protection from the importation of GMOs, the adverse effects from bio-technology, and
technology transfer issues, etc.
Nineteen years and counting
Even though Sri Lanka was able to establish a policy framework for bio-safety implementation,
the progress remains poor. As was highlighted at a recent IPS in-house seminar, Sri Lanka
does not have suitable laboratories to conduct GMO testing, which is a critical gap in
implementing the policy. Further, the national BCAP (and Addendum) have not been
implemented in a holistic manner. The special mechanisms required need to be identified and
operationalised, but this is delayed due to the need for funds and other support. The
coordination required for implementing the BCAP is also difficult due to the complexity arising
from the vast number of institutions and laws that govern biodiversity.
An area that has received less attention is Article 8(j) of CBD, which refers to traditional
knowledge of a country. Sri Lanka has to give high priority to this since the country has a very
rich traditional knowledge base, and has experienced several cases in the past where traditional
knowledge in agriculture and medicine was lost due to the lack of rules and regulations.
Indigenous knowledge and traditional crop varieties are integral features of the Sri Lankan
agriculture sector, but has failed to protect this.
Even though there are nearly eighty laws to protect biodiversity, but they need revising as many
of them are outdated. A proper implementation and monitoring process needs to be in place,
with closer linkages between the ministries that are responsible for sustainable development.
Biodiversity policies and plans have to be integrated with agriculture and fisheries policies. As
Braulio De Souza Dias, the Executive Secretary of the UN’s Biological Diversity Secretariat,
recently said – “Biodiversity and associated ecosystem services are the cornerstones of
sustainable development. It is important to ensure that both issues are not considered in
isolation”. With the rapid expansion of physical infrastructure development, it is vital that
biodiversity conservation is given due recognition in order to ensure that the ongoing
development embodies a strong sense of sustainability.
It has been 19 years since Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on Bio Diversity but it is clear that
much still remains be done in terms of creating effective policy frameworks and strategies for
their implementation. Concrete steps must be taken soon if Sri Lanka is to safeguard its rich bio
diversity, in the midst of the rapid development taking place.
(Dilani Hirimuthugodage is currently working as a Research Officer. Her research interests
include agricultural economics, infrastructure services (telecommunication, energy and
transport) and econometrics and economic modeling. She holds a BA in Economics with a
Second Class (Upper) and Masters in Economics (Distinction Pass) from the University of
Colombo, Sri Lanka. The article originally appeared in Talking Economics)
http://www.dailymirror.lk/business/features/29832-biodiversity-for-sustainable-development-srilankan-perspective.html
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Pakistan Today (Pakistan): International Bio-Diversity Day observed
Pakistan, a country rich in biodiversity and home to more than 1,250 species of plants and
animals, observed International Day for Biological Diversity on Wednesday, amidst serious
threats to natural resources.
Deforestation, soil erosion, salinity and waterlogging have become major threats to the
biodiversity in the country, which housed a sizeable number of the world's rarest animals and
plants, but these were now in danger due to habitat loss and overuse, coupled with rising
population. As a result, this had put immense pressure on the country's natural resource base.
International Day for Biological Diversity celebrated on May 22 each year, was aimed at
highlighting the need to stop the biodiversity loss if life is to be sustained on Earth.
The theme for the year 2013 is Water and Biodiversity, which had been chosen to coincide with
the United Nations designation of this year as the International Year of Water Cooperation.
The theme brought to the fore how water management was vital for the conservation of
biodiversity.
Providing and sustaining water for the needs of people around the world was already a major
challenge for sustainable development in both the developed and developing countries. The
ecosystems of our world, particularly forests and wetlands, ensured that clean water was
available to the animal and plant kingdoms.
Wetlands could help to reduce risks of flooding, while restoring soils would reduce erosion and
pollution and help to increase water availability for the crops.
Activist Rahat Jabeen talking to APP, said protected areas could assist in providing water for
the cities.
"Flow of water in the rivers is essential to maintain the flora and fauna along the banks of the
rivers and delta," said IUCN Pakistan Marine Coastal Expert Tahir Qureshi.
He said that in view of this essential requirement, IUCN had made a strong recommendation to
the government for releasing a minimum of 35 million acre-feet of water downstream Kotri
barrage.
"Since humans are the custodians of the earth, therefore it is their prime responsibility to use the
natural resources equitably for a sustainable future," said the expert.
IUCN Pakistan Country Representative Mahmood Akhtar Cheema supplementing his senior
colleague said all species on the earth depended on each other, so by conserving biodiversity
we would be conserving life on earth.
Biodiversity Conservation had been the core priority area for IUCN since its inception in 1948.
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/05/22/city/karachi/international-bio-diversity-dayobserved/
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Assam Times (India): International Day for Biological Diversity observed
22 May 2013
Aaranyak organised a mass signature campaign on the occasion of the International Day for
Biological Diversity with the current year theme of Water and Biodiversiy on Wednesday. As
part of the day-long programme Aaranyak team pitched tent beside Beltola-Basistha Road in
the city to facilitate environment enthusiasts among the public and students to tender their
signature and take a pledged towards biodiversity conservation. About 100 students from Bal
Bharati School at Survey participated in the programme along with common people from all
age groups who have appreciated the novel initiative of Aaranyak.
On this occasion Aaranyak also expresses its deep concern at the deteriorating state of
wetland in Guwahati city in particular and Assam in general. Deepar Beel which is the only
Ramsar site in Assam has been severely affected because of unregulated human activities
including encroachment, siltation due to unscientific hill cutting in Rani-Garbhanga forest in the
vicinity. Deepar Beel acts as a storm water reservoir of Guwahati city and thereby plays a
significant role in reducing flash flood in the city and recharging groundwater .
Aaranyak urges the chief minister of Assam to urgently initiate action to ensure protection and
conservation of Deepar Beel in the greater interest of protection of biodiversity in greater a area.
Deepar Beel plays a vital role in sheltering waterfowls of residential and migratory nature. Beel
has a perennial water-holding area of about 10.1 sq. km, which extends up to 40.1 sq. km
during floods. The depth increases up to 4 m, and drops to 1 m during winter. This large water
body is not only a food source and breeding ground for a large variety of aquatic birds but it also
houses a wide variety of amphibians, reptiles, insects, macrophytes, terrestrial weeds, lianas
and tree species of ecological and economic importance.
The Government of Assam declared 10.1 sq. km area of Deepar Beel as the ‘Deepar Beel
Wildlife Sanctuary’ in 1989. It was also proposed that the 4.1 sq. km core area be designated a
‘Bird Sanctuary’; about 122 species of seasonal, migratory and residential birds visit the Beel
every year. Considering the importance of the wetland, Deepar Beel has been included in Asian
Wetland Directory and has been also declared as a Ramsar Site in 2002.
A majority of the biological wealth in the wetland is in a state of gradual depletion due to the
increased impact of human interference. Although the area has been declared as Ramsar Site/
wildlife sanctuary, it has not received much attention regarding conservation.
The area is not well protected and there is no enforcement of strict laws of wildlife protection.
Regular fishing both in the buffer and core zones also contributes to the degradation of the
wetland.
http://www.assamtimes.org/node/8380
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New Indian Express (India): Snake show held on International Biodiversity day
22 May 2013
22nd May 2013 1- Students at the summer camp organized by Prakrithi Mitra National Green
Corps are awestruck at the snake show organised as a part of the International Biodiversity day
celebrations on Tuesday A Suresh Kumar A painting competition was organised by the Prakrithi
Mitra National Green Corps on the occasion of International Biodiversity day on Tuesday. The
theme was ‘Water and Biodiversity’ as this year has been designated as the international year
of water cooperation by the United Nations.
The event saw a good turnout with over 330 participants. A snake show was also organised to
create awareness among children as well as parents who accompanied them. The snake show
attracted 500 students. “We wanted to drive home the point that nature is not anti-human,
humans are becoming anti-nature. Children are apprehensive when it comes to snakes so we
wanted to create awareness on that,” said WG Prasanna Kumar,director of National Green
Corps. The organisation plans to conduct similar initiatives including a trip for the students at the
summer camp to visit the CoP-11 Biodiversity Pylon once the temperatures come down.
Although the event is held every year, this year happens to be special as the International
Biodiversity conference and Conference of Parties (CoP-11) was held in Hyderabad in October.
The conference has led to an increase in interest and enthusiasm towards the initiative, added
the chairman of National Green Corps.
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Snake-show-held-on-International-Biodiversityday/2013/05/22/article1600936.ece
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Himalayan Times (Nepal): Life and water
21 May 2013
Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity, a day when the world celebrates the web
of life around us. Our planet has an amazing network of plants, animals, insects, and microorganisms that live in a complex environment. We call this biodiversity. It encompasses all the
varieties of living beings in the world – from bacteria, fungi, humans, plants, birds, fish, and
insects to an array of other living creatures (biologically, the species), their respective dwellings
(the habitats), their overall heritable characteristics (the genes), and the interactive support
system they create together (the ecosystems).
The most interesting aspect of biodiversity is the coexistence, the interdependence, and the
interconnectedness between these hundreds of ecosystems, millions of species, and trillions of
genes. Every individual and every function within nature are interlinked and must be balanced.
The greater the biodiversity, the more capable living beings are to survive catastrophic events
and phenomenon like climate change.
Human beings are just one of the many actors in this interconnected web of life. We depend on
the natural environment and other species to help regulate the climate, control pollution, stop
erosion, fight disease, and provide us with our daily supply of food, shelter, clothing, water and
medicine. But, we have become selfish and carelesswhen it comes to sharing our space with
other species or giving back to the environment. We cut forests faster than they can grow; we
drain rivers and groundwater faster than they can recharge; we emit carbon dioxide faster than
it can be sequestered; and we extract bioresources far beyond the rate of natural regrowth. We
pollute rivers without a second thought; we haphazardly build cities; we exhaust soil of its
productivity; and, in doing so, we ignore how the effects of our actions ripple throughout the
entire web and eventually come back to us. This year, the International Day for Biological
Diversity highlights the theme ‘Water and Biodiversity’, drawing our attention to the
interdependence between the two resources. Water is a prerequisite for all forms of life – a must
for our survival. It rejuvenates natural ecosystems and even man-made urban landscapes. The
quality of water determines the richness of biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems such as rivers,
ponds, lakes, marshes, seas, and oceans.
Safe drinking water close to home is a basic necessity for everyone, and water is vital to grow
crops and to run a home or industry. But water, especially fresh water, is limited. The water we
get today will be the same we get tomorrow. The Global Environment Outlook-4 predicts that
water withdrawal by developing countries will increase by 50% by 2025 and that the amount of
water drawn from river basins far exceeds the minimum recharge levels. Current water use
practices are unsustainable, but maintaining biodiversity can help.
The provision of clean water is the most fundamental of the services that biodiversity provides to
us. The healthier ecosystems are, the greater their ability to hold and recycle fresh water. Vast
networks of plant roots play an important role in storing and circulating water. Biodiversity also
helps regulate rainfall. In the Amazon, 60% of precipitation comes from water transpired by the
dense forests. Various parts of the ecosystem also help purify water through a nutrient and
water cycling process. An article on algae in Nature elaborates on how “ecosystems with a
diversity of inhabitants are better at removing pollutants”. This is another important function of
our wetlands, and a pressing reason to conserve. Biodiversity help us combat several waterrelated stresses, including drought, desertification, erosion, and floods. The higher the
biodiversity the more water will be available for our use.
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) works across eight
mountainous countries in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region (HKH). It has a strong focus on both
biodiversity and water. Through knowledge generation and sharing, ICIMOD draws our attention
to the importance of the snow and glaciers in our mountains as sources of fresh water and to
the importance of the region’s rich biodiversity as a source of essential goods and services. It
also serves as a catalyst for forging regional collaboration to strengthen the action that links
biodiversity and water resource management.
It is time that we realize our own interdependence within the web of life and accept that we are
an important player. Every action we take towards the environment and other species will bring
reciprocal consequences. Our actions and efforts to safeguard biodiversity and water must be
combined, and our approach must be strongly interdisciplinary. If each of us play our part in
sustaining ecological processes, there is every possibility that with time, biodiversity will be
better conserved and services from ecosystems become more abundant — that is, no rivers will
run dry; there will be less erosion, landslides and floods; no agricultural fields will be barren; and
no households in the world will go without food and access to clean drinking water. Shakya is a
biodiversity analyst at ICIMOD. (bshakya@icimod.org)
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Life+and+water&NewsID=377276
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Mongabay: China approves another mega-dam that will imperil endangered
species
21 May 2013
Chinese environmental authorities have approved construction plans for what could become the
world's tallest dam, while acknowledging that the project would affect endangered plants and
rare fish species.
The 314 meter-high dam (1,030ft) will serve the Shuangjiangkou hydropower project along the
Dadu river in south-western Sichuan province, according to China's state news agency, Xinhua.
A subsidiary of Guodian Group, one of China's five major state-owned power companies, will
complete the project over a decade at an estimated cost of £2.9bn.
The dam will be far taller than the 185 meter-high Three Gorges dam along the Yangtze river—
the world's most powerful hydroelectric project—and slightly edge out the current record holder,
the 300 meter-high Nurek dam in Tajikistan. The world's second-tallest dam, the 292 meter-high
Xiaowan dam on the Lancang (Mekong) river, is also in China.
China's environment ministry acknowledged that the dam would have an impact on the area's
highly biodiverse flora and fauna.
"The project will affect the spawning and movement of rare fish species, as well as the growth of
endangered plants, including the Chinese yew, which is under first-class state protection," the
ministry said, according to Xinhua.
The ministry proposed counter-measures to mitigate the environmental impact, such as
"protecting fish habitats in tributaries, building fish ladders and increasing fish breeding and
releasing", Xinhua reported. The project is still awaiting a final go-ahead from China's state
council.
The Dadu river is a tributary of the 450 mile-long Min river, which cuts through the centre of
Sichuan province before joining the Yangtze further south.
Upon completion, the plant will have a total installed capacity of 2GW and produce nearly 8bn
KW-hours of energy a year, about twice as much as the Hoover dam in the US.
China's hydropower development has surged in recent years as the country moves to increase
non-fossil energy sources to 15% of its total energy use by 2020. Central authorities approved a
controversial cascade of 13 dams on the pristine upper reaches of the Nu (Salween) river in
January. The plans had stalled nearly a decade ago under pressure from environmental groups.
Scientists and environmental activists have raised concerns that a profusion of dams in southwest China could increase the area's risk of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and
landslides.
Another hydroelectric project on the Dadu river prompted social unrest in 2004, as tens of
thousands of farmers along its banks rioted against plans to relocate them. Authorities
responded by halting the Pubugou dam's construction for a year.
http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0521-gen-china-dadu-dam.html
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ROLAC MEDIA UPDATE
THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS
Thursday, May 23, 2013
For a full summary of news from Latin America and the Caribbean region, visit:
http://www.pnuma.org/informacion/noticias/2013-05/22/index.html
Ver todas la Noticias Ambientales
http://www.pnuma.org/informacion/noticias/2013-05/22/index.html
Manchete Notícias
UNEP: UNEP Champion Crosses United States in Solar Aircraft
Mayo 22, 2013
Team Led by Bertrand Piccard Highlighting Possibility of Clean Energy Future
La Nación Dominicana (República Dominicana): Celebran Día Mundial de la
Biodiversidad en Dominicana resaltando su valor
Mayo 22, 2013
Por Sesar Rodriguez Santo Domingo, RD.- La biodiversidad o diversidad biológica es la
variedad de la vida. Este concepto incluye varios niveles de la organización biológica.
Celebran Día Mundial de la Biodiversidad en Dominicana resaltando su valor Por Sesar
Rodriguez Santo Domingo, RD.- La biodiversidad o diversidad...
Prensa Latina (Antigua & Barbuda): Alertan de consecuencias del cambio
climático en Antigua y Barbuda
Mayo 22, 2013
22 de mayo de 2013, 09:38Saint John, 22 may (PL) El cambio climático mundial elevó los
precios de los alimentos con la consiguiente afectación de Antigua y Barbuda, país que importa
casi todo lo que consume, afirmó hoy la economista Marie McCarthy.
Alertan de consecuencias del cambio climático en Antigua y Barbuda 22 de mayo de 2013,
09:38Saint John, 22 may (PL) El cambio climático mundial...
Jamaica Observer (Jamaica): Celebrating biodiversity
Mayo 22, 2013
JAMAICA has been ranked fifth among islands of the world in terms of endemic plants. The
country also enjoys a high level of endemism for animal species.
Celebrating biodiversity JAMAICA has been ranked fifth among islands of the world in terms of
endemic plants. The country also enjoys a high...
ASICh (México): Conabio presenta proyecto a favor de la biodiversidad en
Chiapas
Mayo 22, 2013
La Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (Conabio) presentó el
Proyecto “Sistemas Productivos Sostenibles y Biodiversidad”, el cual se pretende aplicar en
Chiapas y cinco estados más del Sureste del país, con una aportación total de 30.
Conabio presenta proyecto a favor de la biodiversidad en Chiapas La Comisión Nacional para
el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (Conabio)
Prensa Latina (Nicaragua): Consideran problema nacional protección de
Bosawás en Nicaragua
Mayo 22, 2013
22 de mayo de 2013, 02:13Por Isabel Soto Mayedo Managua, 22 may (PL) La protección de la
reserva de biosfera de Bosawás, situada en el noreste de Nicaragua, es un problema del
Gobierno pero también de todos los ciudadanos, afirmó hoy el director del Instituto Martin
Luther King, Denis Torres.
...corazón o núcleo de Bosawás, desarrollando amplios procesos de deforestación,
compraventa de tierras comunales, ganadería extensiva, quemas de...
El Comercio (Ecuador): Ecuador es un país megadiverso
Mayo 22, 2013
La biodiversidad es el conjunto de las especies de plantas, animales y microorganismos.
También abarca los ecosistemas y los procesos ecológicos que estas especies integran.
Ecuador es un país megadiverso La biodiversidad es el conjunto de las especies de plantas,
animales y microorganismos. También abarca los ecosistemas...
Sustentare : El cambio climático dificulta la recuperación de los corales
Mayo 22, 2013
(Efe) La investigación del Centro de Excelencia para los Estudios de los Arrecifes de Coral
reveló que los movimientos de la corteza terrestre ocurridos durante millones de años crearon
los patrones de biodiversidad de los arrecifes actuales.
El cambio climático dificulta la recuperación de los corales (Efe) La investigación del Centro de
Excelencia para los Estudios de los Arrecifes...
SCP clearinghouse : Knowledge and Cooperation for Sustainability: Sign up
Today!
Mayo 21, 2013
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is pleased to announce the official launch
of the online Global SCP Clearinghouse at www.scpclearinghouse.org!
The Independent : China agrees to impose carbon targets by 2016
Mayo 21, 2013
Beijing’s thaw over greenhouse gases seen as major step in battling climate change
...thaw over greenhouse gases seen as major step in battling climate change The battle against
global warming has received a transformational boost...
Prensa Latina : ONU reitera necesidad de proteger la biodiversidad
Mayo 21, 2013
21 de mayo de 2013, 11:04Naciones Unidas, 21 may (PL) Naciones Unidas alertó hoy sobre la
creciente "inseguridad hídrica" en el mundo y la necesidad de proteger la biodiversidad y los
sistemas ecológicos como factores claves para garantizar la disponibilidad y calidad del agua.
ONU reitera necesidad de proteger la biodiversidad 21 de mayo de 2013, 11:04Naciones
Unidas, 21 may (PL) Naciones Unidas alertó hoy sobre la...
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RONA MEDIA UPDATE
THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Environmental-Expert:UNEP launches knowledge and cooperation platform for a
sustainable future
http://www.environmental-expert.com/news/unep-launches-knowledge-and-cooperationplatform-for-a-sustainable-future-374494
Doing more and better with less` just one click away
Nairobi -- In the face of economic crises, increasing environmental degradation and the menace
of climate change, the global community needs to do more and better with a more-efficient use
of the Earth's natural resources.
In order to advise on the necessary actions that will usher in a more sustainable future, the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which serves as the Secretariat of the 10Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP), today
launched The Global SCP Clearinghouse.
Policymakers and practitioners across the globe have developed initiatives and tools to
contribute to Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) down the years, but the existing
information is fragmented and bridges to connect people are missing.
The Clearinghouse uses social networking principles to bring together the global SCP
community and create a one-stop hub for SCP knowledge and cooperation. It provides a unique
place to browse a diverse range of regional and thematic communities, from sustainable public
procurement and cities and buildings, to sustainable production, lifestyles and education.
It seeks to inspire governments, the business sector, researchers, civil society and all SCP
practitioners or other interested parties to share initiatives, news, ideas, best practices and tools
to create a living worldwide database, create a network of experts, and foster and strengthen
partnerships through a cooperation marketplace, working groups and forums.
'Sustainable consumption and production is not just about consuming less; it is also about doing
more and better with less, about increasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable
lifestyles, and contributing to poverty alleviation,' said Achim Steiner, UN Under-SecretaryGeneral and UNEP Executive Director.
'By bringing everyone together to create a pool of knowledge and a cooperative marketplace,
UNEP hopes to hasten the switch to more sustainable lifestyles, and to assist in making these
lifestyles available to people in developing countries,' he added.
The science showing that humanity's current lifestyles are unsustainable is overwhelming. The
world's population of seven billion people currently needs the resources of one-and-a-half
planets to feed itself. If current consumption trends continue, by 2050 - when the population is
expected to reach nine billion - resources equivalent to those provided by three Earths will be
needed.
Adding to these pressures is rapidly accelerating urbanization. Though cities occupy just three
per cent of the Earth's land surface, they consume 75 per cent of natural resources, produce 50
per cent of global waste and account for 60-80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Urbanization is only going to further skew the disproportionate rates of consumption.
SCP can help the world's poor by creating new markets, green and decent jobs, (for example,
organic food, fair trade, sustainable housing, renewable energy, sustainable transport and
tourism) as well as more efficient, and equitable, management of natural resources.
It also offers the possibility for developing countries to 'leapfrog' to more resource-efficient,
environmentally sound and competitive technologies, bypassing inefficient and polluting phases
of development.
When Heads of State gathered in Rio de Janeiro for the Rio+20 summit last year, they
recognized the need for change and agreed to implement the 10YFP, a global framework for
action that enhances international cooperation to develop, replicate and scale-up SCP and
resource-efficiency initiatives at national and regional levels.
Within days of its pre-launch at the UNEP Governing Council meeting in February, the Global
SCP Clearinghouse recorded nearly 800 new members, from more than 500 organizations
based in about 100 different countries.
Initiatives already submitted to the Clearinghouse include:
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A project to mainstream education for sustainable consumption in Chile, Indonesia and
Tanzania, conducted with the support of national ministries of both education and
environment;
The Sustainable Rice Platform launched by UNEP, the International Rice Research
Institute, Louis Dreyfus Commodities and Kellogg, aimed at spreading good sustainable
technologies and practices for rice - a food crop that feeds half the planet;
A public campaign in Brazil, supported by the largest supermarket chains, to cut by 40 per
plastic bag use in stores by 2015;
The International Purchasing Network of Japan (IGPN), which promotes the spread of
environmentally friendly products and services, share information and know how on green
purchasing;
The National Plan for Preventing Industrial Waste (PNAPRI) in Portugal, an initiative of
the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning focusing on the reduction of the
hazardous nature and quantity of waste generated in production processes associated to
industrial activity, by using pollution prevention methodologies and technologies.
The World Resources Forum (WRF), which is a science-based platform for sharing
knowledge about the economic, political, social and environmental implications of global
resource use. It promotes innovation for resource productivity and sustainable
consumption and production by building bridges among researchers, policymakers,
business, small- and medium-enterprises, non-governmental organizations and the public
The Global Network of Sustainable Lifestyles, which is an initiative of the Collaborating
Center on Sustainable Consumption and Production and the German Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The network is built on the principles of
communicating and translating practices of sustainable lifestyles and making them
accessible and understandable from the social, economic and environmental
perspectives;
The Earth Charter Initiative, which promotes the transition to sustainable ways of living
and a global society founded on a shared ethical framework that includes respect and
care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights, respect for
diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace.
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Global SCP Clearinghouse website to find out
about SCP worldwide, sign up or register as an expert or resource person.
The development of the Global SCP Clearinghouse was supported by the European
Commission, Norway, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Spanish
Ministry of Agriculture, food and Environment, and the Swedish Ministry of the Environment.
About UNEP
Created in 1972, UNEP represents the United Nations' environmental conscience. Based in
Nairobi, Kenya, its mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the
environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of
life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry
and Economics - based in Paris - assists governments, local authorities and decision-makers in
business and industry to develop and implement policies and practices focusing on sustainable
development. The division leads UNEP's work in the areas of climate change, resource
efficiency, harmful substances and hazardous waste.
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ABC: UN: Poaching Threatens Central Africa Peace
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/poaching-threatens-central-africa-peace-19229131
The illegal trade in elephant ivory may constitute an important source of funding for armed
groups, including the Lord's Resistance Army, threatening peace and security in central Africa,
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the Security Council.
In a report obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, Ban said that the situation has become
so serious in some countries that governments are already using the army as well as police and
paramilitary forces to hunt down poachers.
"Poaching and its potential linkages to other criminal, even terrorist, activities constitute a grave
menace to sustainable peace and security in central Africa," the secretary-general said, urging
affected governments to consider poaching a major national and regional concern requiring
concerted action.
Ban pointed to the slaughter of more than 11,000 elephants in a park in northeastern Gabon
between 2004 and 2013, more than 300 elephants killed in one area of a park in Cameroon in
the last two months of 2012, and 86 elephants — including 33 pregnant females — slaughtered
in a week in March 2013.
Ban said poachers are using more sophisticated and powerful weapons, "some of which, it is
believed, might be originating from the fallout in Libya" following the uprising that ousted
longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
The report said the growing instability was apparent in the Central African Republic where rebel
groups united to oust longtime president Francois Bozize in March. Since then, the rebels have
been accused of employing sexual violence, killing civilians and rampant looting.
Ban urged the Security Council to consider sanctions against those who have committed "gross
human rights violations."
Ban also said suspected attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army continue to be reported in
remote border areas of the Central African Republic and Congo, resulting in civilian casualties,
abductions and the displacement of people.
LRA fighters began their attacks more than 20 years ago in northern Uganda. When Ugandan
troops flushed them out of the country, they moved into South Sudan, Congo and the Central
African Republic.
The secretary-general said the U.N. human rights office is finalizing a report on LRA abuses
from its formation in 1987 until 2012.
"The report finds that the LRA is responsible for more than 100,000 deaths and that between
60,000 and 100,000 children are believed to have been abducted by the rebel group and that
2.5 million civilians have been displaced as a result of its incursions," Ban said.
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UN News Centre: UN Global disasters forum opens with condolences for
Oklahoma City tornado victims
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44959&Cr=disaster+risk&Cr1=
21 May 2013 – A United Nations forum dedicated to building resilience to disasters and making
communities safer opened today in Geneva with expressions of sympathy for the people of
Oklahoma City over the loss of life caused yesterday by a deadly tornado.
“Our thoughts and hearts go to the people of Oklahoma and we hope that help will reach those
in need soon,” Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told participants at the opening of the 4th
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which is on the theme: “Invest Today for a Safer
Tomorrow.”
The tornado, one of several over the past few days to hit various cities in the Midwestern United
States, damaged schools and took many lives, including those of at least 20 school children.
Separately, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his sadness at the news of the death and
destruction in Oklahoma City as a result of Monday’s tornado, and sent his deepest
condolences to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone affected by the storm.
Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement that the Secretary-General has written to the
Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, to express his solidarity and to offer the UN’s assistance, if
requested, to help with the recovery efforts.
“The impact of this disaster,” Mr. Eliasson noted in his remarks, “was evident for one of the
world’s most economically developed countries. Think how much more dangerous the situation
is in places where people are poor and living in fragile homes with insufficient water and health
services.”
The Global Platform was established in 2007 as a biennial forum for information exchange,
discussion of latest development and knowledge and partnership-building across sectors, with
the goal to improve implementation of disaster risk reduction through better communication and
coordination amongst stakeholders.
The forum is organized by UNISDR, the UN’s office for disaster risk reduction and secretariat of
the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Some 4,800 participants have registered to
attend this week’s event, including delegates from national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, civil society, the private and public sectors, international
organizations, parliamentarians, scientists and academics.
The 2013 Global Platform will devote special attention to three critical areas: private sector
investment in disaster risk management; the work of local communities, networks, and
supporting policies in building resilience; and local and national efforts to implement the Hyogo
Framework for Action, as well as on an action agenda for building disaster resilience in a post2015 successor agenda.
Mr. Eliasson said that building resilience to disasters and making communities safer is “our
collective and shared responsibility,” adding that his visit to Japan earlier this year was a lesson
on the urgency of reducing the risks for disasters.
In March 2011, Japan was struck by an earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 20,000
people in the eastern part of the country. The tsunami also slammed into the Fukushima Daiichi
nuclear power station, located in Fukushima Prefecture, disabling cooling systems and leading
to fuel meltdowns in three of the six units.
“Japan is leading a model of disaster risk reduction – but even in this advanced country, the
deadly combination of multiple hazards was overwhelming and catastrophic,” said Mr. Eliasson.
He noted that the risks are higher in poor countries and for poor people, but the strategies are
the same. “Everywhere on Earth, we reduce risks by identifying and addressing which factors
drive the risks and what we can do about them.”
In this effort, the Deputy Secretary-General stated, the private sector is crucial, adding that how
they utilize and invest their resources can mean the difference between life and death.
He added that disaster risk reduction is essential to reach the anti-poverty targets known as the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which world leaders have pledged to achieve by 2015.
“There can be no sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation if water sources
and latrines are vulnerable to natural hazards. Hospitals and other community structures must
be resilient. It is not acceptable that so many people die in disasters because of shoddy building
standards. We have seen several such tragic disasters in recent times.”
He urged participants to build on the achievements of the Hyogo Framework – a global blueprint
for disaster risk reduction efforts that was adopted by Governments in 2005 and aims to
substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015.
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The Raw Story: United Nations: Pinning Oklahoma tornado on climate change is
wrongheaded
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/21/united-nations-pinning-oklahoma-tornado-on-climatechange-is-wrongheaded/
Pinning the deadly tornado in the US state of Oklahoma on climate change is wrongheaded,
even though the world is set to see a rise in high-profile weather disasters due to global
warming, the leader of a UN body said Tuesday.
Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said
data was still coming in about Monday’s massive tornado which tore through a suburb of
Oklahoma City, killing at least 24 people.
“Could there be better preparedness in general? Yes. What could better preparedness have
been? Well it’s very difficult to say at this stage,” Pachauri told reporters in Geneva.
“But one really cannot relate an event of this nature to human-induced climate change. It’s just
not possible. Scientifically, that’s not valid,” he said.
The tornado followed roughly the same track as a May 1999 twister that killed 44 people, injured
hundreds and destroyed thousands of homes.
Tornadoes frequently touch down on Oklahoma’s plains, but Monday’s twister struck a
populated urban area.
Because of the hard ground, few homes are built with basements or storm shelters where
residents can take cover.
Oklahoma City lies inside the so-called “Tornado Alley” stretching from South Dakota to central
Texas, an area particularly vulnerable to tornadoes.
Experts warn that other extreme weather events — like last year’s Hurricane Sandy in the
Caribbean and United States — could strike more often due to climate change, as global
temperatures rise and governments struggle to rein in emissions of greenhouse gases which
are blamed for the phenomenon.
“Changes that are taking place, and that we’re concerned about, include an increase in
heatwaves, both in intensity and frequency, increase in extreme precipitation events and also
extreme sea-level related impacts because of the increase in Arctic sea level,” Pachauri said.
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E&E: Thawing tundra soils could produce lower CO2 emissions than previously
thought
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2013/05/22/stories/1059981563
Researchers have uncovered a mechanism in the Alaskan tundra that doesn't seem to follow
the climate change script for soil carbon.
For years, scientists have shown that rising temperatures stimulate microbes that decay plant
matter, releasing carbon more quickly into the atmosphere. But when Seeta Sistla, a doctoral
student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, came to collect data for a 20-year-old
experiment at the U.S. Arctic Long-Term Ecological Research site in northern Alaska, the soil
carbon levels at the site were curiously stable.
While climate change is warming the soil and spurring microorganisms to decompose leaves -which releases carbon into the air -- the growth of more shrubbery in the tundra is soaking up
that carbon and redistributing it back into the ground.
"What basically happened is that there was a feedback between the increased plant growth and
the increased decomposer activity," said Sistla, who published her findings in a recent paper in
Nature.
As microorganism activity goes up, the amount of carbon dioxide that is being released from the
soil will increase, and carbon that is stored in the soil will decrease. It takes only a few degrees'
temperature increase for microbial activity to double in soils, said Josh Schimel, a professor of
environmental studies at UC Santa Barbara and Sistla's academic adviser.
Over the past two decades, researchers have seen changes in the vegetation around the
tundra. Tall, deep-rooted trees and shrubs are taking the place of shallow-rooted plants. A
survey of the local plant community by soil biologist and co-author John Moore found that dwarf
birch shrubs increased by 94 percent, while lichens were almost completely wiped out.
"The question with Arctic warming is whether the increase in plant growth is going to outpace
the release of carbon dioxide because of increasing decomposition," Sistla said.
Warming may push carbon more deeply into the soil
The researchers collected samples dating back to 1989 from greenhouses at the Arctic LongTerm Ecological Research site, the longest-running whole system tundra warming experiment.
Overall, there was no change in total soil carbon over 20 years. While the surface layer lost
some of its carbon, there was a significant increase in the mineral soils more than 2 feet below
the surface. These soils typically don't hold a lot of carbon, but the researchers believe warming
has encouraged soil nematodes and mites, which help decompose leaves and other plant
matter, to make their way to the deeper soils.
"Deeper soil food webs are looking like surface soil food webs," Schimel said.
This redistribution of soil carbon storage raises questions of whether the balance provided by
larger plants will stand in the long term or whether the more active microbes detected in the
deeper soils will eventually offset the increased carbon in those deeper soils.
Arctic and boreal ecosystems carry about one-third of total global soil carbon, where plant
matter takes a long time to decay in the cold weather. When compared to the body of
knowledge on how forests and other "sinks" help prevent the acceleration of climate change,
soil carbon dynamics are a relatively new field of study.
A study published in February found that exposing permafrost to sunlight after a collapse could
convert soil carbon to carbon dioxide more quickly than previously thought (ClimateWire, Feb.
12).
"Because both processes are often not studied together, the 'net' effects of warming on [carbon]
storage in the tundra are poorly known," said Rose Cory, an environmental sciences and
engineering assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and co-author of
the permafrost collapse study. "This study addresses this knowledge gap by showing that
warming increased plant biomass, but also redistributes carbon into the soil resulting in no
change in soil [carbon] stocks."
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E & E News: Rare potent Okla. tornado fuels debate about disaster funding,
science
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2013/05/22/stories/1059981603
Rescuers were finishing a grim search for victims in central Oklahoma last night as scientists
confirmed that it was the strongest tornado to land in the United States since a deadly flurry of
them struck Southern states two years ago.
Search teams hammered at collapsed concrete structures and dug through piles of sticks and
bricks throughout yesterday along the twister's 17-mile path, which ends abruptly near the edge
of Moore, Okla. Officials expected to complete a third and final sweep through the clutter last
night.
The number of dead was officially listed at 24 this morning.
As the search shifted to cleanup, scientists at the National Weather Service upgraded their
estimate of the tornado's strength from an EF 4 to an EF 5 yesterday afternoon, making it the
most intense twister on the Enhanced Fujita scale. It had estimated peak wind speeds of 200 to
210 miles an hour and was about 1.3 miles wide.
"This was the storm of storms," said Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma City, where four people
are confirmed dead.
The funnel was a rare breed of tornado. Since 1950, only about 1 percent of all twisters to touch
down reached the intensity of a level 4, meaning that Monday's funnel is "a magnitude more
rare," said Greg Carbin, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
This is just the ninth time since 2000 that a level 5 tornado has been seen, out of 16,638
documented twisters. Six of those level 5 twisters arrived in 2011, wreaking havoc in states in
the central plains and in the South while making it the most expensive year ever for
thunderstorm-related losses. Damages amounted to $26 billion.
Robert Hartwig, president and chief economist of the Insurance Information Institute, drew
comparisons between Monday's storm and the tornado that pulverized Moore and surrounding
communities on May 3, 1999. Both were level 5.
Damage might reach $1.5 billion
He said a high estimate of economic losses could amount to $1.5 billion, of which insurers
would likely cover about $1 billion. If there's less damage, the losses might reach "several
hundred million" dollars.
"We have some history to guide us here," Hartwig said. "It's not a perfect analogy, but it's
possible."
Glenn Lewis, the mayor of Moore, also held that office when the last level 5 landed 14 years
ago. In a wavering voice during a televised press conference yesterday, he said the city is
storm-tested and better prepared now.
"But it doesn't get any easier, especially with the loss of life," he said.
Nine of the dead victims are children, seven of whom died while seeking shelter at their school.
Even before the search wound down, the storm sparked questions about whether climate
change contributed to the destruction. It also exposed political divisions around funding natural
disasters.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee,
stumbled into unknown territory yesterday when she declared on the Senate floor, "This is
climate change," when referring to tornadoes and other extreme weather.
There is not a clear link between climate change and tornadoes in the same way there is with
some other types of extreme weather events, according to scientists. The number of observed
U.S. tornadoes more than doubled from the 1950s, but that can largely be attributed to greater
use of tracking equipment and storm chasers.
"There isn't a lot of good historical data on tornadoes, because our ability to track them has
changed over time. So it's not really possible to make a sensible statement about trends that
occurred in the past," said Michael Oppenheimer, a professor of geosciences and international
affairs at Princeton University.
Climate science 'not clear' on tornadoes
Additionally, there has not been a significant change in the frequency of the strongest tornadoes
over the past 55 years, according to NOAA.
In a report last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said there is "low
confidence in projections of small spatial-scale phenomena such as tornadoes and hail because
competing physical processes may affect future trends and because current climate models do
not simulate such phenomena."
Yet Pennsylvania State University climate scientist Michael Mann indicated in an emailed
statement that it is too early to rule out a link between climate change and powerful twisters.
Climate change is likely to increase a quantity called "convective available potential energy," or
CAPE, which is a measure of how much energy is in the atmosphere to drive a storm, he said.
Mann added that it compares to the amount of moist energy in the atmosphere.
Climate change also may increase clashing between cold air masses from the north with
warmer, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, a condition that helps fuel destructive storms, he
said. The wild card -- and unknown factor -- is how rising temperatures will influence lateral wind
shear, another key storm ingredient.
"But if one factor is likely to be favorable, and the other is a wildcard, it's still more likely that the
product of the two factors will be favorable," Mann said. "Thus, if you're a betting person -- or
the insurance or reinsurance industry for that matter -- you'd probably go with a prediction of
greater frequency and intensity of tornadoes as a result of human-caused climate change."
But Harold Brooks, who studies the connection between tornadoes and climate at NOAA's
National Severe Storms Laboratory, said "the big question" is whether reduced shear, or tamer
layers of wind at different heights above ground, will offset the tornado-fueling energy that
warming brings to thunderstorms.
"Since tornadoes are so sensitive to the wind shear [effect], it's not clear what's going to happen
to tornadoes at all," Brooks said.
Funding questions 'grossly insensitive'
Whatever impact that climate is, or isn't, having, it is unlikely that lawmakers in Oklahoma will
embrace the discussion. Sen. James Inhofe (R) has defined himself, happily, as a skeptic of
climate change, and other members of the state's delegation emphasize shrewd spending of
public money.
That includes funding for disaster relief. In January, Inhofe and fellow Oklahoma Sen. Tom
Coburn joined 34 other Republicans to oppose the $50.4 billion relief package for survivors of
Superstorm Sandy. Three of the state's five members of Congress, all Republican, also voted
no. Rep. Tom Cole, whose district includes Moore, supported the Sandy measure.
A key reason for Oklahoma's opposition to the Sandy bill was the lack of budget reductions
elsewhere, also known as offsets.
Still, it's unlikely that Monday's tornado will spark the same debate, because the Federal
Emergency Management Agency has enough money in its existing accounts. That means
lawmakers won't have to vote on an emergency spending bill.
"The Sandy situation was very different," said Sheryl Kaufman, the communications director for
Rep. Jim Bridenstine, a freshman congressman from Oklahoma's 1st District. She said too
much money in the Sandy bill goes to nonemergency efforts.
She also pointed to another difference.
"We're still pulling people, bodies, out of the rubble," Kaufman said. "I think this is grossly
insensitive that the press is jumping all over talking about this, how relief is going to be paid for.
It's really a very insensitive thing for people to be doing, frankly."
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E & E News: USAID unveils strategy to broaden access to clean water
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2013/05/22/stories/1059981587
Warning that climate change, population growth and rising energy costs are squeezing the
world's water supply, the U.S. Agency for International Development yesterday released a
sweeping new strategy to manage the increasingly scarce resource.
The first-ever water blueprint doesn't call for new funding, but rather aims to ensure the
estimated $425 million the agency spends on water projects dovetails with two overarching
objectives: improving health outcomes and enhancing food security. It also puts global water aid
at the heart of U.S. national security.
"Water problems will contribute to instability in countries important to U.S. security interests," the
report notes. "Growing demands on limited fresh water, degradation of fresh water quality, and
greater variability in rainfall patterns are potential drivers of tension."
According to USAID, more than 780 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and about
2.5 billion people lack access to sanitation. By 2025, two-thirds of the world's population is
expected to be living under "severe" water stress conditions.
Under the new directive, USAID has set a goal of providing 10 million people with sustainable
and improved water services and 6 million people with improved access to sanitation over the
next five years.
USAID Global Water Coordinator Chris Holmes noted Congress passed a requirement back in
2005 that required the United States to develop a water strategy that included criteria for how to
prioritize aid. And over the years, he said, the understanding of the links between water, food
security and health has expanded.
"It became apparent that there was a need to develop an integrated approach where we would
link our water process to our health and food security approach," he said.
Climate change, the new strategy notes, already is causing rapid glacier melt and decreases in
snowpacks that will upend water supplies. At the same time, rising sea levels are causing saline
intrusion into river deltas, ruining croplands and drinking water while fiercer and more frequent
storm surges are battering coastlines from Bangladesh to the New Jersey shore.
"The effects of climate change in combination with other drivers of stress on water resources will
increasingly restrict access to safe water and sanitation, and make food security even harder to
achieve," the report warns. It adds the impact of climate change on rain-fed agriculture could be
"particularly acute" as changes in rainfall patterns and insufficient water storage cripple crop
yields.
A strategy to save lives
Meanwhile, the report points out, lack of access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation
remains a dire problem, leading to direct health problems. About 2 million people die from
diarrhea each year, most younger than 5. And more than 88 percent of diarrhea cases are
attributed to unsafe drinking water and are preventable, the report says.
It also highlights the risks to women and girls in poor countries who may miss work or school
when menstruating or face sexual assaults when walking far distances to collect water.
The strategy was unveiled yesterday by USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, Sen. Richard Durbin
(D-Ill.) and Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas). The lawmakers praised it as a major policy initiative.
"It will save water and it will save lives," Durbin said in a statement. "USAID's new plan will bring
water and sanitation -- the most basic of human needs -- to millions of people around the globe,
dousing the flames of global poverty, disease and conflict."
Activists said that they also are pleased with the policy paper but that the key to making a dent
in solving the global water crisis will be in how well USAID puts its plan in motion.
"It's a step in the right direction," said Elizabeth Shope, an international policy advocate at the
Natural Resources Defense Council. "The next thing to look at is how the strategy is
implemented over the coming years. It's important that USAID focus the majority of the aid
they're giving on those who need it most, the poorest countries, rather than on just a handful of
strategic priority countries."
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During drought, some tree species absorb less CO2 -- study
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2013/05/22/stories/1059981574
New research out of Indiana University shows that some tree species absorb less carbon
dioxide during droughts, possibly compounding the effects of climate change.
Trees in Indiana's Morgan-Monroe State Forest such as sugar maple, tulip poplar and sassafras
took in less carbon dioxide during dry conditions last year.
"If we see a similar effect in future drought events, then what we have is actually a positive
feedback to climate change," said Indiana University researcher Kim Novick.
"So some climate change process, specifically increased frequency or severity of drought, can
lead to an effect in the forest, which is reduced carbon assimilation or a less amount of CO2
being removed from the atmosphere. And this effect would tend to accelerate climate change
even faster moving forward."
Oak and hickory trees were found to be more resilient; "they seemed to be able to
photosynthesize like nothing really was happening," said Richard Phillips, another researcher
on the project. However, Phillips said it was unlikely that oak trees would be able to naturally
replace species less susceptible to drought.
Indiana's Department of Natural Resources is studying the feasibility of large-scale oak
regeneration (Gretchen Frazee, Indiana Public Media, May 20). -- EH
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E&E News: Senate Dems link deadly tornado to warming; scientists say it’s
complicated
http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2013/05/21/stories/1059981568
Senate Democrats pride themselves on being on the side of science on global warming issues.
But in their rush to link yesterday's devastating Oklahoma tornado with man-made climate
change, Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) might have overstated
the current state of climate change research.
Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Boxer said yesterday on the Senate floor
that the tornado that hit an Oklahoma City suburb yesterday "is climate change."
"We were warned about extreme weather," she said. "It's going to get hot, but you're also going
to have snow in the summer in some places, you're going to have terrible storms, you're going
to have tornadoes and all the rest."
Whitehouse sounded the same theme.
"Have you noticed the floods and wildfires and droughts and blizzards and temperature
records?" Whitehouse said during his weekly floor address on climate change.
Conservatives rushed to pan Whitehouse and Boxer for making this link.
Marc Morano of the skeptics blog Climate Depot called them "alarmists" and said they had
"descended into buffoonery trying to exploit a natural disaster in Oklahoma."
But while the vast majority of climate scientists agree with Boxer and Whitehouse over Morano
that human emissions are driving climate change and increasing the frequency and severity of a
variety of extreme weather conditions, the case for climate-fueled tornadoes is not quite as
established.
"It's quite possible that there is a small climate change component in there, but it is also clear
that that is hard to say with any certainty," said Kevin Trenberth of the Climate Analysis Section
at the USA National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Trenberth said that while warmer water in the Gulf of Mexico is clearly adding to the amount of
moisture in the air and the rainfall accompanying the thunderstorm in which the tornado is
embedded, it is less clear what effect it may be having on the force of the winds that do the
most damage. If warming does contribute to tornadoes, it may be an addition of only 5 or 10
percent, he said. However, that would amplify the destructive power by a factor of 15 to 30
percent.
Part of the uncertainty in measuring that effect is that there are other factors that explain an
uptick in tornadoes measured in recent years, including better tracking technology and more
people living in tornado-affected areas, he said.
Richard Somerville of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said links between climate
change and other events, like heat waves and droughts, are much more firmly established.
"We cannot say that climate change 'is responsible' for severe tornadoes like the Oklahoma
storm," he said. "We also cannot say that there 'is absolutely no connection' between climate
change and tornadoes. We are near the beginning of a long road of research needed to explore
and understand possible links."
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AVIATION: Green groups rally for progress on global emissions deal
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/stories/1059981590/search?keyword=Green+groups+rally+f
or+progress+on+global+emissions+deal
Environmental groups protested outside a meeting of delegates to the International Civil
Aviation Organization yesterday in Montreal against the agency's slow progress on a global
agreement to reduce greenhouse gases from the aviation sector.
"People don't like delays on their flights, and they don't like delays on this issue," said Keya
Chatterjee, international climate policy director with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
ICAO, a body of the United Nations, has been quietly regulating international air travel since
1944. It has set standards on issues such as cargo, aircraft noise and air traffic control. This
week the 36-member ICAO Council will discuss market-based measures to reduce carbon
pollution from airplanes.
"People didn't rally around a limit on tarmac time," Chatterjee said. "But there are people out
there who really care about pollution from planes, and they want this sector to put a price on
carbon so that airlines will take actions to reduce emissions."
WWF was joined at the protest by Canadian nonprofits Équiterre, Association Québécoise de
Lutte Contre la Pollution Atmosphérique (AQLPA) and the David Suzuki Foundation.
"With climate change fueling warmer temperatures and increasing extreme weather events like
record floods, droughts, blizzards and hurricanes, reducing carbon emissions from aviation is
critical," Louise Levesque, AQLPA's director of communications, said in a statement. "We
cannot allow the politics of delay to stand in the way of cleaning up our skies."
'Stopped' clock may soon tick
ICAO negotiations on aviation pollution were spurred by European Union climate change
legislation that came into effect Jan. 1, 2012. The law regulates the entire duration of all flights
to and from Europe under the E.U. Emissions Trading System.
The European Union delayed implementation of the law on foreign airlines in November
following strong opposition from non-European countries claiming the law violates their
sovereignty. The European Union agreed to "stop the clock" to give ICAO time to craft a global
agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions from the rapidly growing aviation sector.
But progress has been slow. A high-level meeting of ICAO members in March saw persistent
disagreement on how to implement market-based mechanisms to cut down emissions
(ClimateWire, April 1). Delegates have also clashed over the commitment level of lessdeveloped countries.
"We hoped that they would bring to the table some ability to find some compromise. What has
transpired, however, in the three meetings of that group, unfortunately we've had very little
progress," Kerryn Macaulay, Australia's representative to ICAO, said in an interview with
Reuters.
The European Union has committed to fully implementing its law unless real progress is made
at the ICAO Assembly meeting in September. The full 192-member assembly meets every three
years.
Meanwhile, the United States enacted a law in November barring U.S. airlines from complying
with the ETS. And China has indicated it might cancel about $11 billion in jet orders from the
German company Airbus in retaliation to the law.
Failure to craft a global deal in ICAO this week could, therefore, put the industry back on track
toward a trade war.
Realignment of market forces?
At a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing last year, Secretary of
State John Kerry, a Democratic senator to Massachusetts at the time, highlighted the need to
combat global climate change. He also pushed for terms in the legislation that required the
nation to engage in the international negotiations surrounding aviation emissions (ClimateWire,
Aug. 1, 2012).
"Now that this impasse is behind us, the onus is on all of us to reach an agreement to reduce
greenhouse gases from the commercial aviation sector," Kerry said after Congress passed the
legislation. "At least now we're all sitting on the same side of the table, working to negotiate a
solution that will pay dividends for our climate. I'm hopeful that over the course of the next few
months, our negotiators can roll up their sleeves and hammer out a legitimate agreement in
advance of next year's ICAO Assembly meeting."
Environmental groups are now urging Kerry and President Obama to take a leadership role in
establishing a market-driven agreement to limit carbon dioxide emissions from aviation.
Airlines can reduce their carbon footprint by upgrading their fleets, reducing the load on their
planes, adding more efficient wingtips or advocating for policies that allow them to fly more
direct routes, WWF's Chatterjee said. She argued that a price on carbon sets an incentive
structure for airlines to pursue these solutions.
"Setting those market forces right is how you solve the climate change problems in this sector,"
she said.
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Politico: Report: Grid vulnerable to attacks
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/report-grids-are-vulnerable-to-attacks-91705.html?hp=r10
The country’s aging electric grid is vulnerable to attacks from foreign countries such as North
Korea, a new congressional report says, calling for stronger mandatory standards to protect it.
The report, written by the staffs of Reps. Ed Markey and Henry Waxman, is based on
information provided by more than 100 electric utilities.
More than a dozen utilities said they constantly, sometimes on a daily basis, face attempted
cyberattacks. One utility said it was the target of about 10,000 cyberattacks each month,
according to the report.
But the report shows that many utilities comply only with the standards set forth by the industryrun North American Electric Reliability Corp., which is charged with ensuring grid reliability.
“Almost all utilities cited compliance with mandatory NERC standards. Of those that responded
to a question of how many voluntary cyber-security measures recommended by NERC had
been implemented, most indicated that they had not implemented any of these measures,” the
report says.
In addition, the report says most utilities “have not taken concrete steps to reduce the
vulnerability of the grid to geomagnetic storms.”
Markey (D-Mass.) and Waxman (D-Calif.) called on Congress to pass legislation to authorize
the federal government to require actions to protect the grid.
“National security experts say that cyber attacks on America’s electric grid top the target list for
terrorists and rogue states, yet we remain highly vulnerable to attacks,” Markey said in a
statement. “We need to push electric utilities to enlist all of the measures they can now, and
push for stronger standards in Congress that will keep our economy and our country safe from
cyber warfare.”
Markey and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.)
sponsored the GRID Act in 2010, which would give FERC the authority to “require necessary
actions to protect the grid,” according to the report. While the bill passed the House, it was not
taken up by the Senate.
The report stemmed from Waxman and Markey’s January information request to 150 utilities
and other stakeholders. Sixty percent of those polled had responded as of early May, and the
lawmakers based the report on the information they provided.
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NY Times Blog: Seeking Clarity on Terrible Tornadoes in a Changing Climate
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/seeking-clarity-on-terrible-tornadoes-in-achanging-climate/
As I explained earlier this week, questions related to any impact of human-driven global
warming on tornadoes, while important, have almost no bearing on the challenge of reducing
human vulnerability to these killer storms. The focus on the ground there, of course, will for
years to come be on recovery and rebuilding — hopefully with more attention across the region
to developing policies and practices that cut losses the next time. (With this in mind, please read
John Schwartz’s great feature, “Why No Safe Room to Run To? Cost and Plains Culture.”)
The vulnerability is almost entirely the result of fast-paced, cost-cutting development patterns in
tornado hot zones, and even if there were a greenhouse-tornado connection, actions that
constrain greenhouse-gas emissions, while wise in the long run, would not have a substantial
influence on climate patterns for decades because of inertia in the climate system.
Some climate scientists see compelling arguments for accumulating heat and added water
vapor fueling the kinds of turbulent storms that spawn tornadoes. But a half century of
observations in the United States show no change in tornado frequency and a declining
frequency of strong tornadoes.
Does any of this mean global warming is not a serious problem? No.
It just means assertions that all weird bad weather is, in essence, our fault are not grounded in
science and, as a result, end up empowering those whose prime interest appears to to be
sustaining the fossil fuel era as long as possible. I was glad to see the green blog Grist
acknowledge as much.
On Tuesday, I sent the following query to a range of climate scientists and other researchers
focused on extreme weather and climate change:
The climate community did a great service to the country in 2006 in putting out a joint statement
[from some leading researchers] on the enormous human vulnerability in coastal zones to
hurricanes — setting aside questions about the role of greenhouse-driven warming in changing
hurricane patterns….
In this 2011 post I proposed that climate/weather/tornado experts do a similar statement for
Tornado Alley.
I’d love to see a similar statement now from meteorologists, climatologists and other specialists
studying trends in tornado zones. Any takers?
Before you dive in to the resulting discussion, it’s worth reading Andrew Freedman’s helpful
Climate Central piece, “Making Sense of the Moore Tornado in a Climate Context,” and a Daily
Beast post by Josh Dzieza. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has posted a
helpful new fact sheet, “Tornadoes, Climate Variability, and Climate Change.”
Read on for the conversation on tornadoes and global warming, with some e-mail shorthand
fixed.
First, I’m posting the comments that were focused on policy, then those focused on the details
of the science:
Roger Pielke, Jr., professor of environmental studies, the University of Colorado (a signer of the
2006 hurricane statement):
People love to debate climate change, but I suspect that the community’s efforts are far better
placed focusing attention on warnings and response. That is what will save lives and continue
the really excellent job that has been done by NOAA and the National Weather Service. I’d
much rather see a community statement highlighting the importance of NOAA/NWS funding!
There will always be fringe voices on all sides of the climate debate. With the basic facts related
to tornadoes so widely appreciated (unlike perhaps drought, floods, hurricanes), I think that
those who see climate change in every breeze are not particularly problematic or worthy of
attention.
Here are some of those basic facts:
1. No long-term increase in tornadoes, especially the strongest ones.
2. A long-term decline in loss of life (the past year saw a record low total for more than a
century).
3. No long-term increase in losses, hint of a decrease.
4. To date 2013 has been remarkably inactive.
5. The Moore tornado may have been the strongest one this year, bad luck had it track through
a populated area (Bill Hooke brilliantly explained the issue here).
6. That said, climatology shows that Moore sits at the center of a statistical bullseye for tornado
strikes for May 20th.
Kerry Emanuel, professor of atmospheric science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (a
signer of the 2006 statement):
I see the political problem with tornadoes as quite different from the hurricane problem we wrote
about some years ago. To my knowledge, there are no massive subsidies to build in tornado
regions, nor is insurance premium price fixing a big problem. Also, federal flood insurance is
largely irrelevant to this problem. About the only thing in common is federal disaster relief, but it
is hard to believe that people only build houses in huge swaths of tornado-susceptible territory
because they believe they will be bailed out.
As you mention in your blog, the issues here revolve around such practical measures as safe
rooms, and the role of government in mandating or subsidizing them. Perhaps one positive
outcome of the latest horror story is that safe rooms in public buildings such as schools and
hospitals will be mandated, given that they are apparently not all that expensive.
In my view, the data on tornadoes is so poor that it is difficult to say anything at all about
observed trends, and the theoretical understanding of the relationship between severe
thunderstorms in general (including hail storms) and climate is virtually non-existent. I regard
this as a research failure of my profession and expect there will be a great deal more work on
this in the near future. What little exists on the subject (e.g. the Trapp et al. paper from a few
years ago) suggests that warming will increase the incidence of environments conducive to
severe thunderstorms in the U.S. But this counts on climate models to get these factors right,
and it may be premature to put much confidence in that.
Daniel Sutter, a professor of economics (focused on tornadoes), Troy University, offered the
following thought after citing the Dot Earth comments of Kevin Simmons, his co-author on a
recent book on tornadoes and society:
I would just add that the high cost per life saved through safe rooms which Kevin and I find in
our research really indicates that tornado safety is about reducing and not eliminating risk. Safe
rooms provide essentially absolute protection, but are expensive enough that many would likely
judge them too expensive. We need to focus on ways to reasonably reduce risk. For instance,
have engineers inspect schools and make sure the safest areas are indeed being used for
shelter, or to see if there are relatively inexpensive designs that could strengthen interior
hallways some.
I hate to say anything before I know for sure what the final story is from the Plaza Heights
school, but the two schools yesterday appear to have provided pretty decent protection,
especially since many homes around Briarwood school looked totally destroyed. Wind
engineers have developed safe room designs which are great and engineering marvels, but we
probably need designs that provide a good measure of safety at a portion of the price.
Also with regard to your previous post about flimsy homes, consider the contrast between how
cars and houses are marketed. Cars are sold under brand names, and we have a dual system
of federal regulation of designs for safety and auto makers designing cars that are safer than
federal regulations require, with certification by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Houses are mainly sold without brand names (I couldn’t tell you who built the house I own here
in Alabama) with safety assurances coming through building codes. Many times we see that
homes perform poorly in tornadoes or hurricanes, while during a commercial break on the
Weather Channel last night there was a car ad touting the model’s crash test rating from the
IIHS. If houses are indeed flimsy, there is probably a systematic reason for this.
Thomas Knutson, a research meteorologist at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (a signer of the 2006 hurricane
statement):
While the debate/discussion about possible climate change impacts (or not) on tornadoes is
interesting, I thought that the helpful aspect of Kerry’s approach in 2006 was to set aside the
climate change debate aspect and instead focus on something we could all agree on.
For example, in the tornado case, if some group of people who otherwise disagree about the
climate change issue, could at least agree that it makes sense to have better physical designs
of structures, have available shelters in mobile home parks, etc. in an effort to save live, would
this be a useful statement to make? Maybe Bill [Hooke], Harold [Brooks] or others would have a
good list of recommendations that make sense regardless of whether the tornado climate is
stationary or not.
William H. Hooke, associate executive eirector and senior policy fellow, American
Meteorological Society:
This has been a terrific discussion and Tom Knutson is getting us to a good spot.
Two points could be made in any such statement:
1. Nature is essentially playing that kids’ game of “Battleship” with us. Population growth and
urban sprawl have transformed much of Tornado Alley from a rural area to a target-rich
environment, as I described in a post two years ago.
2. It’s not enough to improve warnings. Those getting the warnings need real options for action.
Evacuation is risky. Shelter-in-place in tornado shelters (used once in a blue moon if at all) has
the obvious downside that unless maintained, they become a haven for snakes, vermin,
insects… generally unpleasant destinations. Some owners of tornado shelters have had to lock
them up because they’ve become “attractive nuisances” in the legal jargon, serving as venues
for pot parties, etc. Better option is the “safe room” interior to the house that is used daily or
frequently for other purposes.
Here’s the science-focused part of the discussion:
Kevin Trenberth, distinguished senior scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research:
You do everyone a disservice to discount climate change the way you do. Of course tornadoes
are very much a weather phenomenon. They come from certain thunderstorms, usually super-
cell thunderstorms that are in a wind shear environment that promotes rotation. That
environment is most common in spring across the US: when the storm track is just the right
distance from the Gulf and other sources of moisture.
The main climate change connection is via the basic instability of the low level air that creates
the convection and thunderstorms in the first place. Warmer and moister conditions are the key
for unstable air. The oceans are warmer because of climate change.
The climate change effect is probably only a 5 to 10% effect in terms of the instability and
subsequent rainfall, but it translates into up to a 33% effect in terms of damage. (It is highly
nonlinear, for 10% it is 1.1 to the power of 3 = 1.33). So there is a chain of events and climate
change mainly affects the first link: the basic buoyancy of the air is increased. Whether that
translates into a super-cell storm and one with a tornado is largely chance weather.
Martin P. Hoerling, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
I am unaware, but interested to learn more, about the scientific evidence that supports the
statement in Kevin’s e-mail. The context of the sentence is in regard to tornadoes, but perhaps
the comment he makes pertains to something else….it is unclear and confusing without the
source reference:
Here is his statement he offers that I’m especially curious about:
“The climate change effect is probably only a 5 to 10% effect in terms of the instability and
subsequent rainfall, but it translates into up to a 33% effect in terms of damage. (It is highly
nonlinear, for 10% it is 1.1 to the power of 3 = 1.33).”
There are some additional points that Kevin raises which are interesting, but incomplete. He
writes:
“The main climate change connection is via the basic instability of the low level air that creates
the convection and thunderstorms in the first place. Warmer and moister conditions are the key
for unstable air. The oceans are warmer because of climate change. ”
The environment conducive for severe tornadic storms requires many ingredients, not least of
which is the vertical shear of the wind in the storms environment, especially in the region near
the base of the cloud (Harold can give the specifics). A further potential climate change
connection, which Kevin overlooks, is the impact of a warmer world on the strength of the
prevailing winds, and their increase in strength with height. Indications from peer review (e.g.,
Trapp et la. 2007, PNAS) is that changes in shear will act in opposition to changes in stability,
making an overall assessment of possible impacts of climate change on severe convection
difficult at this time.
It should be obvious that if stability and moisture were the main connections to severe
convection, then summer (rather than spring) would be the season of most severe weather over
the U.S. The dynamical ingredients associated with wind shear, and the triggers for releasing
the latent and sensible instabilities, are critical to the problem.
Trenberth, replying to Hoerling:
With respect to climate change, one has to ask what are the influences on the atmosphere
either from changes in atmospheric composition etc. or the places where memory occurs of the
accumulated effects: mainly the oceans. Yes wind shear, and weather systems etc. are
important but they are largely internal to the atmosphere and dependent on the synoptic
situation.
Even models that suggest a change in overall mean winds or wind shear at some point in the
future may not be particularly relevant with respect to the weather and the synoptic situations.
And those models don’t exactly simulate today’s conditions well anyway. We will still have
spring. It may come a bit earlier in general (changing the timing of the tornado season) but I
have no doubt it will come.
Tornadoes require thunderstorms and wind shear, which occur in spring, not summer. Indeed
the location of the storm track relative to the Gulf and sources of moisture is pretty critical. If it is
too far north then there is no link (last year), or too far south then the wind shear is lost. You
should recognize the unique situation in the U.S. where more tornadoes occur than anywhere
else in the world, and the geography, Rockies, Gulf etc. plus seasons and weather all come into
play. It is trite to say “what about summer!”
…There are many papers detailing changes in water vapor and precipitation (although the
literature is confusing). Here is an example that tries to cut through some confusion.
Trenberth, K. E., 2011: Changes in precipitation with climate change. Climate Research, 47,
123-138, doi:10.3354/cr00953. [PDF]
I have then presumed that an increase in intensity and a change in wind speed goes up as wind
speed cubed with respect to power dissipation and damage potential.
Martin Hoerling, replying to Trenberth:
To the point of Trapp et al., they discuss more than the effect of changes in thermodynamic
stability. To be sure, increased thermodynamic instability, increased moisture content in the
atmosphere (2 factors that Kevin called out), and increased vertical wind shear within 5
kilometers above the ground create an environment more favorable for a tornado outbreak. In
particular, tornadoes are more likely to occur when both low stability (reflected in high values of
“convective available potential energy” or “CAPE”), and high shear are present.
Secondarily, the presence of an elevated mixed layer (reflected in moderate values of
“convective inhibition” or “CIN”) can delay the onset of storms, such that when they occur, they
do so more explosively and in the form of more long-lived, isolated supercells, which can spawn
tornadoes. Trapp et al. suggest that the number of days during which meteorological conditions
are favorable for severe storms may increase during latter decades of the 21st century, primarily
due to increased instability, though they indicate that the projected decreases in vertical wind
shear may oppose thermodynamic destabilization..
Harold Brooks, National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, Okla.:
I’m not sure what we’ll be able to come with, but some basic points.
1. Interannual variability is incredibly large. It will be very difficult to detect long-trend trends. In
the last 3 years, we’ve set records for the most F1+ tornadoes (back to 1954) in a 12
consecutive month period and for the fewest F1+ tornadoes. I think there’s evidence to suggest
that we have seen an increase in the variability of occurrence in the US.
2. Probability of occurrence is mostly driven by wind shear and intensity is almost completely
independent of the thermodynamics. The observations are clear on that. As a result, expected
changes in occurrence and intensity would be driven by wind shear changes. NOAA is doing
some new work on this, but Brian Soden indicated to me that ~2/3 of the CMIP runs showed an
increase in CAPE and a decrease in shear over the US.
3. There are more F1+ tornadoes in warm winter months and fewer in warm summer months.
Given that there are more in the mean in the summer than winter, overall, if we take the
warmest 10 Januarys, 10 Februarys, etc. back to 1954 and count the tornadoes in them and
compare it to the coolest 10 Januarys, 10 Februarys, etc., there are ~20% fewer tornadoes in
the collection of warm months.
Inside Climate News: More tornadoes from global warming? Nobody knows
A deadly tornado hit suburban Oklahoma City on Monday. A quick look at some basic facts:
Q. Is global warming to blame?
A. You can't blame a single weather event on global warming. In any case, scientists just don't
know whether there will be more or fewer twisters as global warming increases. Tornadoes
arise from very local conditions, and so they're not as influenced by climate change as much as
larger weather systems like hurricanes and nor'easters. They're not easy to incorporate in the
large computer simulations scientists use to gauge the impact of global warming.
And when scientists ponder the key weather ingredients that lead to twisters, there's still no
clear answer about whether to expect more or fewer twisters. Some scientists theorize that the
jet stream is changing because sea ice in the Arctic is shrinking. And the jet stream pattern
drives weather in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Canada
CTV News: More than 91,000 litres of oil spilled from derailed Sask. train
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/more-than-91-000-litres-of-oil-spilled-from-derailed-sask-train1.1291174
JANSEN, Sask. -- A freight train jumped the tracks in southeastern Saskatchewan Tuesday and
spilled more than 91,000 litres of oil.
The accident happened as the Canadian Pacific Rail eastbound train was rolling through an
area near the village of Jansen, about 150 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon.
The company said five cars derailed, but only one leaked its contents. A total of 575 barrels hit
the ground, said spokesman Ed Greenberg.
"There is one car that was leaking product," Greenberg said. "It has been contained into the
area around the car."
The leaking car was well back in the 64-unit train and remained upright. The other four cars
were on their sides.
Excavation equipment was being sent to the site to build a wall of dirt to further contain the spill.
Reeve Bruce Elke with the rural municipality of Jansen was content with the way the situation
was being handled, although he noted he was seeding his farmland and had not been to the
scene.
"My understanding was that it wasn't that big a spill and everything is going well," Elke said.
Oilspills of any sort have been increasingly under the microscope as debate rages over how
best to get Canadian oil to foreign markets.
CP Rail has been increasing crude shipments as production ramps up from the oilsands and
pipeline companies struggle to increase capacity quickly. Canadian National Railway
(TSX:CNR) moved more than 30,000 carloads of crude to various North American markets last
year and believes it can double that business in 2013.
However, in New York earlier this month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper suggested rail was a
riskier way to go while stumping for U.S. approval of the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to
the Gulf Coast.
Tuesday's spill marked at least the third involving a CP train in the last few months.
In April, about 20 freight cars, including two that were carrying light sweet crude oil, went off the
tracks near White River, Ont., about halfway between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. While
it was initially thought that only 630 litres of oil leaked, the total was revised to about 63,000
litres.
In March, a Canadian Pacific train derailed in Minnesota. At the time, Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency said 76,000 litres leaked onto the still-frozen ground.
In January a Canadian National train collided with a road grader near the community of Paynton
in Saskatchewan. Police said at the time that about 1,000 litres of oil leaked from two tankers in
that crash.
Greenberg said the train that detailed Tuesday was carrying other products besides oil, but
there was no indication they were hazardous.
"It was a mixed freight train, so there were other rail cars with other commodities on it."
Firefighters from Jansen were called in as a precaution.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada was sending an investigator to the site.
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CBC News: Boil Water Advisory in effect across Montreal
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2013/05/22/montreal-boil-water-advisory.html
A boil water advisory is in effect for much of Montreal, including all areas south of the
Metropolitan Expressway (Highway 40), from LaSalle to Pointe-aux-Trembles and including the
borough of Anjou.
The towns of Charlemagne, Mont-Royal, Hampstead, Westmount, Côte-Saint-Luc and Montreal
East are also affected.
The advisory is in effect for an undetermined amount of time.
The city will be holding a press conference at 11:30 a.m. on the advisory. For more information,
residents can contact the City of Montreal by dialing 311.
According to city officials, the decision to implement a water advisory follows the results of a
sample analysis at the Atwater filtration plant.
Residents are advised to boil their water for at least one minute before using it.
Tap water that has not been boiled is safe to use for cleaning and bathing
Boil water advisory in effect for most of Montreal: Most of Montreal's drinking water is unfit for
consumption, according to city officials.
Almost the entire city of Montreal is under a boil water advisory, after tests at a city filtration
plant showed the water was not safe to drink.
City officials advised residents Wednesday morning that the drinking water is unfit for
consumption everywhere south of Highway 40, also called the Metropolitan Expressway.
That includes the neighbourhoods of Mount Royal, Westmount, Cote Saint Luc, Montreal East
and Verdun.
In all, approximately 700,000 residents are being advised to bring their water to a rolling boil for
60 seconds before drinking it or using it for cooking, washing food, or brushing teeth.
Non-boiled water can be used for washing clothes or for bathing. Parents are advised to ensure
that children do not swallow the water during bathtime.
The advisory comes after a failed test result at the Atwater filtration plant, which is currently
undergoing maintenance work. The city says it’s unclear how long the boil water advisory will
last.
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CBC News: What is 'Tornado Alley'?
Areas in central U.S., south-central Canada experience high incidences of tornadoes
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/05/21/f-tornado-alley-explainer.html
U.S. President Barack Obama made a disaster declaration for Oklahoma on Tuesday after the
state was hit by a powerful tornado that killed a reported 24 people in the town of Moore.
The tornado in Oklahoma, which generated winds as strong as 320 km/h and was classified an
EF-4 on the enhanced Fujita scale, fell in a geographical area of the U.S. generally known as
“Tornado Alley.”
Here’s a closer look at this storm-plagued region — and its counterparts in Canada.
What is “Tornado Alley”?
“Tornado Alley is a colloquial expression, there’s no formal definition of it,” says Howard
Bluestein, professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma.
He says it’s a geographical area in the U.S. that not only experiences a high frequency of
tornadoes, but “fairly substantial” ones as well.
According to the website of the National Severe Storms Laboratory, which is operated by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Tornado Alley “is a nickname
invented by the media for a broad area of relatively high tornado occurrence in the central U. S.”
The science news site LiveScience reports that, over the past decade, the area covered by
Tornado Alley has averaged 298 tornadoes for the month of May alone.
Where is it located?
Tornado Alley is generally described as an area running from north-central Texas, up through
central Oklahoma and central Kansas into Nebraska, and curving off into Iowa, says Bluestein.
Some people include parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well.
Although it is not considered part of Tornado Alley, Florida also sees a high incidence of
tornadoes, having averaged 66 a year between 1991 and 2010, according to the NOAA.
“Florida gets a lot, but they’re not the supercell tornadoes,” says Bluestein, referring to the
classification of large, destructive tornadoes that plague the central U.S.
Canada has its own Tornado Alley, says Geoff Coulson, a warning-preparedness meteorologist
at Environment Canada.
“There are a couple of areas that we look at as being very active for tornadoes, as well as other
forms of summer severe weather,” says Coulson.
One is in southern Ontario stretching from Windsor up through London to Barrie, Coulson says.
The other is the southern prairies, extending from Alberta to Manitoba.
Why are these areas prone to tornadoes?
A tornado is a fiercely churning column of air that extends from the base of a cloud to the
Earth’s surface. It is formed through the mixture of warm, moist air with cooler, drier air.
Tornado Alley is the product of several meteorological factors, says Bluestein. The first is that
the area is downstream of the Gulf of Mexico, which is a source of warm, moist air. The Rocky
Mountains to the west, on the other hand, produce cooler, drier air.
Bluestein says that when winds from the west become superimposed over winds from the
south, it can result in a change of wind direction and speed, which is called wind shear. This can
result in great instability in the atmosphere.
The reason the Canadian prairies are vulnerable to tornadoes is that they get much of the
warm, moist air working its way up from the American Deep South, which then combines with
the drier air from the Rockies, says Coulson.
Meanwhile, southwestern Ontario is “prone to a lot of humidity in the spring and summer
months,” which acts as “a fuel to drive the formation of thunderstorms,” says Coulson.
During the summer, lake breezes also play a role, he says. As those lake breezes move inland,
they collide with cooler land air and force the air to rise, in some cases in “a fairly violent
fashion.”
Has climate change influenced the intensity of tornadoes in these areas?
Energy from climate change has increased the temperature of the oceans by about one degree
Fahrenheit over the last 30 to 40 years, and as a result, there’s about a four- to five-per-cent
increase in the amount of water vapour over the oceans, says Kevin Trenberth, a senior
scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo.
Tornadoes like the one in Oklahoma effectively begin with moisture coming from the Gulf of
Mexico, and any additional vapour will likely affect their severity, says Trenberth.
“The estimate is that [the added vapour] produces a five to 10 per cent effect in terms of
precipitation and maybe as much as that in terms of the intensity of storms. It’s a relatively small
effect, but in the situation where you’ve already got strong storms from natural [weather]
variability, adding a little bit more means you can break records,” he says.
Environment Canada, however, is still investigating the correlation between climate change and
severe weather.
“I still haven’t seen any definitive studies on that,” says Coulson.
“One of the keys for us is getting a better database of historical events – how many [tornadoes]
were we getting in the early part of the 20th century, how many are we getting now.”
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CTV News: N.S. apple orchard quarantined after rare pest detected
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/n-s-apple-orchard-quarantined-after-rare-pest-detected1.1290748
KENTVILLE, N.S. -- Federal food safety officials have placed an apple orchard in Nova Scotia's
Annapolis Valley under quarantine after the detection of a destructive pest for the first time in
North America.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has found an infestation of apple proliferation
phytoplasma in an orchard near Kentville.
The agency, which did not identify the orchard, says the pest is found throughout Europe and is
considered one of the most critical diseases of apple trees.
The affected trees are of the Pacific Gala variety that were imported to Canada from the U.S. in
2008.
Officials say the source of the infestation is unknown and testing has begun at the U.S.
nurseries where the trees originated.
The disease can result in reduced growth and smaller, less sweet fruit.
It spreads primarily through infected planting material, but can also be transmitted between
plants by insects.
The agency says apple proliferation phytoplasma is a plant disease that does not pose a health
threat to humans or animals.
Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/n-s-apple-orchard-quarantined-after-rare-pestdetected-1.1290748#ixzz2U2SMct9r
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‫=============================================================‬
‫‪ROWA MEDIA UPDATE‬‬
‫‪THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS‬‬
‫‪Thursday, May 23, 2013‬‬
‫‪Oman Daily‬‬
‫مناقشة كيفية الحد من استخدام األكياس البالستيكية‬
‫ترأس سعادة محمد بن خميس العريمي وكيل وزارة البيئة والشؤون المناخية صباح أمس بقاعة االجتماعات بديوان عام وزارة البيئة‬
‫والشؤون المناخية االجتماع السادس لفريق عمل دراسة آثار استخدام األكياس البالستيكية على البيئة‪ ،‬وذلك بحضور أعضاء ممثلي‬
‫الجهات الحكومية في الفريق وهي وزارة البيئة والشؤون المناخية ووزارة التجارة والصناعة ووزارة الصحة ووزارة البلديات اإلقليمية‬
‫وموارد المياه والشركة العمانية القابضة لخدمات البيئة وجمعية البيئة العمانية‪.‬‬
‫وتم خالل االجتماع طرح عدد من المواضيع المهمة الخاصة بكيفية التقليل والحد من استخدام األكياس البالستيكية‪ ،‬ومناقشة مسودة القرار‬
‫الوزاري للحد من آثار األكياس البالستيكية وتحديد قيمة الغرامة المالية على كل من يخالف أحكام هذا القرار‪ .‬كما تم االطالع على الخطة‬
‫اإلعالمية للحملة ومناقشتها‪ ،‬واالطالع على قائمة الشركات المصنعة لألكياس البالستيكية والمسجلة بأمانة السجل الصناعي‪ ،‬وتحديد‬
‫موعد استضافة مصنعي األكياس البالستيكية بالسلطنة لمناقشتهم حول القرار الوزاري‪.‬‬
‫يذكر أن الفريق يتولى دراسة اآلثار المترتبة من استخدام األكياس البالستيكية على البيئة وكيفية الحد منها‪ ،‬وإيجاد الحلول المناسبة للتقليل‬
‫من استخدام هذه األكياس‪ ،‬وتوعية الناس بهذا الموضوع وآثاره الصحية والبيئية‪.‬‬
‫‪http://main.omandaily.om/node/136464‬‬
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‫‪Palestine‬‬
‫‪Al Ayam‬‬
‫"أريج" و"التعليم البيئي"‪ :‬فلسطين ثرية بمكنوزها الحيوي ومهددة فيه !‬
‫أصدر معهد األبحاث التطبيقية ‪ /‬أريج‪ ،‬ومركز التعليم البيئي ‪ /‬الكنيسة اإلنجيلية اللوثرية في األردن واألراضي المقدسة تقريرا ً وورقة‬
‫حقائق‪ ،‬لمناسبة اليوم العالمي لحماية التنوع الحيوي‪ ،‬الذي صادف‪ ،‬أمس‪.‬‬
‫وأكد معهد أريج‪ ،‬في تقريره أن األراضي الفلسطينية مصدر فريد بمكنوزها الحيوي‪ ،‬مشيرا ً إلى أن عوامل متعددة أسهمت في تنوع‬
‫الحياة النباتية والحيوانية البرية وغناها‪ ،‬ومن بينها أهم موقعها المميز‪ ،‬ذلك أنها تتمتع ببيئات وأقاليم متنوعة‪ ،‬فمنها الصحراوية‪ ،‬والجبلية‪،‬‬
‫والسهلية‪ ،‬والساحلية‪ ،‬عالوة على تباين التضاريس‪ ،‬وتداخل المناخات الداخلية‪ ،‬ووجود معظم تركيبات التربة‪ ،‬ما أدى إلى هذا التنوع‬
‫الفريد‪ ،‬ومكن العديد من النباتات من التوطن في فلسطين وساعد في تشكل المصادر الطبيعية والمورثات الجينية وتعددها ‪.‬‬
‫وأشار إلى أن األراضي الفلسطينية تضم نحو ‪ ٪3‬من التنوع الحيوي العالمي‪ ،‬وتحتوي على كثافة عالية من األنواع النباتية‪ ،‬وعدد كبير‬
‫من األنواع المتوطنة تصل إلى ‪ 120( ٪5‬نوعا) وعلى الرغم من صغر حجمها‪.‬‬
‫‪220‬عائلة نباتية‬
‫ً‬
‫وبين أن فلسطين واحدة من ‪ 25‬منطقة تعرف حاليا ببؤرة ساخنة للتنوع الحيوي العالمي‪ ،‬مشيرا إلى أن دراسة حديثة قام بها الفريق‬
‫المختص بالتنوع الحيوي في المعهد في العام ‪ ،2008‬وجدت أن الضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة تحتويان على ‪ 2,076‬نوعا من األنواع‬
‫النباتية المتوطنة‪ ،‬حيث أن ‪ 1,959‬نوعا نباتيا موزعة على ‪ 115‬عائلة تنمو في الضفة الغربية و ‪ 1,290‬نوعا نباتي موزعة على‬
‫‪ 105‬عائالت تنمو في قطاع غزة‪ ،‬منها ‪ 117‬نوعا تنمو فقط في القطاع ‪.‬‬
‫الغابات‬
‫ولفت إلى أن الغابات والمناطق الطبيعية الخضراء في فلسطين اندمجت مع مجمل أنماط السلوك االجتماعي المتوارثة‪ ،‬ومعتقدات وثقافة‬
‫اإلنسان وتاريخه‪ ،‬مشيرا ً إلى مجموع مساحة األراضي الحرجية المسجلة (المقررة رسمياً) سنة ‪ 2007‬مقدار ‪ 221,933‬دونما‪ ،‬حيث‬
‫نقصت بما يعادل ‪ ،29%‬مما كانت عليه سنة ‪ ،1974‬ومثلت ما نسبته ‪ 3.7%‬فقط من مجموع األراضي‪ ،‬أما مجموع مساحة األراضي‬
‫الحرجية المكسوة (الطبيعية والصناعية) سنة ‪ 1974‬فبلغ مقدار‪ 208,536‬دونما‪ ،‬ووصلت إلى ‪ 85,500‬دونم في سنة ‪ ،2007‬حيث‬
‫نقصت بما يعادل ‪ 59%‬مما كانت عليه سنة ‪. 1974‬‬
‫وأكد بناء على تحليل استخدامات األراضي الذي قام به المعهد لنظم المعلومات الجغرافية باستخدام الصور الجوية لعام ‪ ،2010‬أن هناك‬
‫ما ال يزيد على ‪ 78,921‬دونما من الغابات المكسوة بالغطاء النباتي‪ ،‬أي ما يشكل ‪ %1.38‬من مساحة الضفة الغربية ‪.‬‬
‫األنواع الحيوانية البرية‬
‫وأضاف ‪ :‬تمتاز فلسطين‪ ،‬أيضاً‪ ،‬بغنى الحياة البرية‪ ،‬حيث تعتبر موطنا ألكثر من‪ 30,904‬من األنواع الحيوانية البرية‪ ،‬منها ‪ 92‬نوعا‬
‫من الثدييات‪ ،‬و‪ 427‬نوعا من الطيور‪ 81 ،‬نوعا من الزواحف‪ 7 ،‬أنواع من البرمائيات‪ ،‬باإلضافة إلى ‪ 297‬نوعا من األسماك على‬
‫شواطئ قطاع غزة‪ ،‬و‪ 30,000‬نوع من الفقاريات ‪.‬‬
‫نباتات نادرة‬
‫كما بينت نتائج الدراسة التي قام بها معهد أريج أن ‪ 370‬نوعا من النباتات أصبحت نادرة أو نادرة جدا في الضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة في‬
‫السنوات الثالثين الماضية‪ ،‬كما أن هناك أكثر من ‪ 22‬نوعا من األنواع الحيوانية البرية من الثدييات‪ ،‬الزواحف‪ ،‬الرمائياتن والطيور‬
‫المهددة باالنقراض‪ ،‬هذا باإلضافة إلى ‪ 56‬نوعا من اسماك حوض البحر األبيض المتوسط "‪ %26‬من مجموع األسماك التي تعيش‬
‫مناطق البحرية قرابة سواحل قطاع غزة‪" .‬‬
‫من جهتها‪ ،‬أكدت ورقة‪ ،‬مركز التعليم البيئي ـ التي حملت عنوان " فلسطين ثرية بتنوعها الحيوي ومهددة فيه‬
‫أن التنوع الحيوي يعني تعدد جميع الكائنات الحية وتفاعلها‪ ،‬بداية بأصغر الكائنات التي ال تُرى بالعين المجردة‪ ،‬وانتهاء بأكبرها‬
‫كاألشجار والحيوانات العمالقة كالحيتان‪ ،‬فيما يُقدر الخبراء أن األنواع البيولوجية تتجاوز الثمانين مليون نوع‪ ،‬ولم يصنف العلم منها حتى‬
‫اآلن سوى ‪ 1.4‬مليون صنف‪ ،‬تتوزع إلى ‪ 750 :‬ألف حشرة‪ ،‬و‪ 41‬ألفا من الفقاريات‪ ،‬وربع مليون من النباتات‪ ،‬والباقي فطريات‬
‫والفقاريات و طحالب وسواها‪.‬‬
‫انقراض أنواع بيولوجية‬
‫وبين المركز انه استعان بمعطيات أبحاث ودراسات دولية متخصصة اشارت‪ ،‬الى انه منذ العام ‪ 1600‬حتى اآلن انقرض ‪ 724‬نوعا ً‬
‫بيولوجياً‪ ،‬بجوار وجود ‪ 3956‬نوعا مهددا بالخطر‪ ،‬و‪ 3647‬نوعا معرضا للخطر‪ ،‬و‪ 7240‬نوعا ً نادراً‪ ،‬وهناك ‪ %25‬من التنوع‬
‫البيولوجي معرض لخطر االنقراض في الثالثة عقود القادمة‪ ،‬في حين وصلت المناطق المحمية في العالم إلى حوالي عشرة آالف تغطي‬
‫ما يقرب من ‪ %6‬من مساحة كوكب األرض‪.‬‬
‫ولخصت الورقة حال التنوع الحيوي في فلسطين‪ ،‬بالقول ‪ :‬إن فلسطين تعتبر من أكثر بقاع األرض ثراء بالتنوع الحيوي‪ ،‬بفعل التباين‬
‫الكبير في أنظمتها المناخية‪ ،‬عدا عن التنوع الكبير في التضاريس وأنواع التربة‪ ،‬وكونها أهم ثاني معبر للطيور المهاجرة في العالم‪.‬‬
‫فيما يبلغ عدد النباتات قرابة ‪ 2700‬نوع‪ ،‬ويبلغ عدد األنواع المتوطنة منها في فلسطين حوالي ‪ 261‬نوعاً‪ 53 ،‬منها خاصة بفلسطين‪،‬‬
‫و‪ 12‬نادر جد‪ ،‬في وقت يهدد االنقراض حوالي ‪ 543‬نوعاً‪ ،‬عدا عن وجود ‪ 93‬نوعا ً من الثدييات ضمن ‪ 33‬عائلة‪ ،‬و‪ 530‬نوعا ً من‬
‫الطيور‪ ،‬بجانب ‪ 110‬انواع من الزواحف والبرمائيات‪ ،‬وزهاء ‪ 32‬نوعا ً أصيالً من األسماك ونحو ‪ 16 – 14‬نوعا ً دخيالً‪.‬‬
‫االحتالل والبيئة‬
‫وقالت الورقة إن فلسطين غنية بتنوعها الحيوي‪ ،‬لكنها مهددة فيه بالوقت ذاته‪ ،‬إذ يمارس االحتالل أبشع أنواع التدمير له‪ ،‬فينهب الماء‪،‬‬
‫ويُصادر األرض‪ ،‬ويقتلع األشجار‪ ،‬ويغلق الكثير من المحميات الطبيعية‪ ،‬ويقيم جدار الفصل العنصري‪ ،‬وما يمثله من تهديد بالغ الخطورة‬
‫على عناصر البيئة والتنوع الحيوي والحياة البرية‪.‬‬
‫وتطرقت المعطيات إلى مياه المجاري من المستوطنات التي تلوث األراضي الزراعية وتدمر التنوع الحيوي‪ ،‬وأشار إلى تلويث االحتالل‬
‫للهواء‪ ،‬وإقامته لمصانع كيماوية خطيرة كما في طولكرم وسلفيت‪ ،‬واستباحته للتراث المعماري بالهدم والمصادرة والتزوير والتهويد‬
‫والطمس‪ ،‬وتدميره للتوازن البيئي الطبيعي‪ ،‬وحرقه لألخضر واليابس بعدوانه المتواصل‪.‬‬
‫وفصلت الورقة الواقع االستيطاني‪ ،‬لما يمثله من تهديد للتنوع الحيوي‪ ،‬باإلشارة إلى أن عدد المواقع االستعمارية اإلسرائيلية في الضفة‬
‫الغربية‪ ،‬كما تفيد وزارة الدولة لشؤون الجدار واالستيطان‪ ،‬بلغ ‪ 474‬موقعاً‪ ،‬منها ‪ 184‬مستعمرة‪ ،‬و‪ 171‬بؤرة استعمارية‪ ،‬و‪ 26‬موقعا‬
‫غير واضحة األهداف‪ ،‬و‪ 93‬بناية استولى عليها المستوطنون جزئيا ً أو كليا في القدس‪.‬‬
‫‪=http://www.al-ayyam.com/article.aspx?did=216021&date‬‬
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‫‪Bahrain‬‬
‫‪Gulf Daily: Food security key to the future‬‬
‫‪MUNICIPALITIES and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi yesterday underlined‬‬
‫‪the need to protect sea resources and preserve fish stock for present and future generations.‬‬
‫‪He underscored the importance of promoting food security - stressing mounting global‬‬
‫‪challenges and upheavals, growing demand and changing demography.‬‬
‫‪Dr Al Ka'abi was addressing a key forum under the theme, "Food Security and the Future of‬‬
‫‪Fisheries", at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa.‬‬
‫)‪The ministry organised the event in co-operation with the Middle East and North Africa (Mena‬‬
‫)‪Investment Programme, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD‬‬
‫‪and the Economic Development Board.‬‬
‫‪Dr Al Ka'abi stressed the pivotal role of private sector in spearheading sustained development,‬‬
‫‪and hailed their contribution to the ministry-led projects in the sectors of marine resources and‬‬
‫‪fisheries.‬‬
‫‪He highlighted Bahrain's strategies which includes launching a string of projects to promote‬‬
‫‪aquaculture and passing necessary legislations for protection of the marine resources.‬‬
‫‪He also paid tribute to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa‬‬
‫‪for his directives to promote maritime resources and support fishermen, as part of efforts to‬‬
‫‪achieve food security and the millennium development goals.‬‬
‫'‪OECD president Carl-Christian Schmidt and Mena Investment Centre board of trustees‬‬
‫‪chairman Zakaria Hijris also addressed the forum.‬‬
‫‪http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=353799‬‬
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‫‪Akhbar‬‬
‫في افتتاح ندوة األمن الغذائي ‪ -‬وزير البلديات‪ :‬تطوير التشريعات لحماية الثروة البحرية‬
‫أكد الدكتور جمعة بن احمد الكعبي وزير شئون البلديات والتخطيط العمراني ضرورة تضافر الجهود على الصعيدين الحكومي والخاص‬
‫في سبيل المحافظة على الثروات البحرية والبيئة وتعزيز منهجيات توفير الغذاء السمكي لألجيال الحالية والمستقبلية‪ .‬وذلك وفقا‬
‫للمتغيرات العالمية المتسارعة على مختلف االصعدة التنموية وارتفاع عدد السكان التي نتج عنها ارتفاع الطلب على الغذاء مع تأثر‬
‫االنظمة الطبيعية المختلفة ومنها البيئات والمستوطنات البحرية‪ .‬وكنتيجة لهذه المتغيرات فقد تضافرت الجهود الدولية ‪.‬‬
‫جاء ذلك خالل كلمة وزير شئون البلديات والتخطيط العمراني بمناسبة عقد ندوة االمن الغذائي ومستقبل االنتاج السمكي العالمي التي‬
‫عقدت صباح يوم أمس «االربعاء» في قاعة المحرق بفندق الدبلومات‪ .‬تحت عنوان (االمن الغذائي ومستقبل االنتاج السمكي العالمي)‬
‫بالتعاون والتنسيق مع برنامج االستثمار في دول الشرق االوسط وشمال افريقيا )‪ (MENA‬ومنظمة التعاون االقتصادي والتنمية ومجلس‬
‫التنمية االقتصادية في مملكة البحرين ‪ (OECD’S).‬وحضر الندوة الدكتور نبيل محمد ابو الفتح وكيل شئون البلديات‪ ،‬وجاسم القصير‬
‫مدير ادارة الثروة البحرية وعدد من المسئولين في الوزارة‪.‬‬
‫وأكد الكعبي في كلمته على تعزيز دور القطاع الخاص في عملية التنمية البحرية المستدامة من خالل مشاركته في العديد من المشروعات‬
‫التي تنفذها الوزارة في مجال الثروة البحرية وتطوير قطاع االنتاج السمكي باإلضافة إلى توقيع مجموعة من االتفاقيات في مجال‬
‫االستزراع السمكي وخطة إلنشاء حاضنات سمكية لتدريب وبناء القدرات في مجال االستزراع وتأهيل المتدربين ليكونوا روادا لألعمال‬
‫مع اتاحة المجال لهم لتسويق المنتجات من خالل هذه الحاضنات‪.‬‬
‫وأضاف الوزير بأن المملكة عملت وضمن خطة استراتيجية على تطوير منظومة التشريعات والقوانين التي تحمي الثروة البحرية مع‬
‫تنفيذ عدد من المشاريع والبرامج المحققة لخطتها ومنها مشاريع االستزراع السمكي واالرياف الصناعية ومنع الصيد الجائر وتعزيز‬
‫الرقابة البحرية باإلضافة إلى دعم صغار الصيادين من خالل انشاء صندوق للصيادين‪.‬‬
‫وقال الكعبي‪«:‬نهدف من خالل هذه الندوة المتخصصة بمشاركة هذه النخبة من المتحدثين والخبراء إلى توفير الدعم العلمي واالداري‬
‫ألنشطة البرامج المتخصصة التي يتم تنفيذها في مملكة البحرين ومساندة ابحاث االستثمار من خالل جمع المعلومات والبيانات الحديثة‬
‫واالطالع على اخر الدراسات التحليلية وتطوير قواعد المعلومات والبيانات وتبادل الخبرات والتجارب وافضل الممارسات التي تسهم في‬
‫المحافظة واالرتقاء بالثروة البحرية»‪ .‬واضاف «نتطلع من خالل هذه الندوة إلى تطوير القدرات البحثية وشبكات المتخصصين والبرامج‬
‫التي باإلمكان استخدامها في تطوير وتنمية الثروات البحرية وعالم االسماك في دول الشرق األوسط وشمال افريقيا‪».‬‬
‫واوضح الكعبي «لقد خطت مملكة البحرين وبتوجيهات من الحكومة الموقرة برئاسة صاحب السمو الملكي األمير خليفة بن سلمان ال‬
‫خليفة رئيس الوزراء خطوات واسعة في مجال المحافظة على الثروة البحرية وتنميتها ودعم الصيادين وذلك ضمن جهود المملكة في‬
‫تحقيق األمن الغذائي واالهداف االنمائية لأللفية‪».‬‬
‫منوها بأن المملكة انضمت إلى مجموعة من االتفاقيات والمعاهدات الهادفة للمحافظة على الثروة البحرية والكائنات البحرية وعلى‬
‫االخص المهددة باالنقراض منها‪ ,‬اسهاما من مملكة البحرين في دعم الجهود الدولية في هذا المجال‪ .‬وان عقد هذه الندوة المتخصصة‬
‫اليوم بعد نجاح الندوة االولى التي تم عقدها في ‪ 8‬ديسمبر ‪ 2011‬انما يأتي ضمن جهود بناء القدرات واالطالع على افضل الممارسات‬
‫وتبادل الخبرات والتجارب مع المختصين والمنظمات المتخصصة في مجال المحافظة على الثروة البحرية‪.‬‬
‫وعلى صعيد متصل أكد الدكتور كارل كريستان سكيدمت رئيس منظمة التعاون االقتصادي والتنمية ‪ OECD’S‬على سعي المنظمة‬
‫لتطوير السياسات الرامية إلى تحسين الوضع االقتصادي واالجتماعي للسكان حول العالم‪ ،‬إذ تمثل المنظمة منتدى يجمع الحكومات ويتيح‬
‫لها فرصة للعمل جنبا إلى جنب بهدف تبادل الخبرات والتباحث حول إيجاد حلول للمشاكل المشتركة‪ ،‬إضافة إلى أنها تعمل مع الحكومات‬
‫للوقوف على أسباب التغيرات االقتصادية واالجتماعية والبيئية‪ ,‬وتقيس معدالت اإلنتاج وحجم تدفقات التجارة العالمية واالستثمار‪ ،‬كما‬
‫أنها تعنى بتحليل ومقارنة البيانات لوضع االحتماالت للتوجهات المستقبلية‪ ،‬وتضع المعايير لكل الخدمات بما فيها مجال االستثمار البحري‬
‫والثروة السمكية‪.‬‬
‫ومن جانبه اشار زكريا هجرس رئيس مجلس امناء مركز )‪ (MENA‬لالستثمار إلى اهمية القطاع البحري الذي يعد قطاعا جديدا لم‬
‫تكشف اسراره بعد‪ .‬منوها إلى وجود فرص استثمارية كبيرة داخل البحر في العديد من المجاالت الغذائية والعالجية والتجميلية‪ .‬موضحا‬
‫ان هناك طفرة عالمية في مجال االستثمار البحري على مملكة البحرين ان تواكبة وخصوصا بأن موقعها الجغرافي وكونها جزيرة‬
‫تحيطها المياه من جميع الجهات تتيح لها فرصة كبيرة لالستثمار في هذا المجال‪.‬‬
‫ونوه بان االستزراع السمكي يمثل ‪ %50‬من االستهالك العالمي‪ ،‬وعلية تجب اعادة النظر نحو هذا القطاع الثمين‪ ،‬وعدم االكتفاء بالجانب‬
‫الغذائي‪ ،‬فهناك طحالب وامالح ومخلوقات بحرية أخرى تدخل في العديد من الصناعات المفيدة ومن هنا تأتي هذه الندوة‪ .‬وقال‪«:‬على‬
‫مملكة البحرين ان تخطي خطوات في االقتصاد االزرق وعلى الجهات المسئولة تسهيل االجراءات لنمو هذا القطاع واستغالله بشكل اكبر‬
‫وذلك لخلق فرص عمل وقطاعات اقتصادية جديدة ‪.‬‬
‫‪http://www.akhbar-alkhaleej.com/12844/article/25737.html‬‬
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‫‪UAE‬‬
‫‪Albayan‬‬
‫مناقشة التنوع البيولوجي في ورشة عمل بالفجيرة‬
‫في إطار احتفال العالم باليوم الدولي للتنوع البيولوجي‪ ،‬أقام قسم حماية البيئة في إدارة الخدمات العامة والبيئة في بلدية الفجيرة ورشة‬
‫عمل في مدرسة مسافي للتعليم األساسي والثانوي‪ ،‬حيث يحتفل العالم سنويا في ‪22‬مايو بهذا اليوم‪ ،‬ويقام هذا العام تحت شعار "المياه‬
‫والتنوع البيولوجي‪".‬‬
‫وانطالقا ً من حرص بلدية الفجيرة على زيادة وتعزيز الوعي بأهمية الحفاظ على البيئة وأهمية المحميات الطبيعية‪ ،‬نظمت البلدية ورشة‬
‫تعريفية عن متنزه وادي الوريعة الوطني‪ ،‬حيث يعد وادي الوريعة أول محمية طبيعية جبلية على مستوى دولة اإلمارات‪ ،‬تم اإلعالن‬
‫عنها في عام ‪ ،2009‬وفي شهر أكتوبر للعام ‪ 2010‬تم انضمام محمية وادي الوريعة إلى قائمة "رامسار" لألراضي الرطبة ذات‬
‫األهمية العالمية‪.‬‬
‫منطقة جبلية‬
‫وتعتبر محمية وادي الوريعة مثاالً نموذجيا ً لبيئة المياه العذبة في منطقة جبلية‪ ،‬وتتميز بجيولوجيا فريدة ونظام هيدروجيولجي يدعم‬
‫مخزونها المائي‪ ،‬والذي بدوره يدعم نظاما حيويا غنيا بالتنوع البيولوجي‪ ،‬وهو ما يجعل من المحمية ذات أهمية ليس على المستوى‬
‫اإلقليمي فحسب‪ ،‬بل على المستوى الدولي‪ .‬وحضر ورشة العمل ‪ 74‬طالبة من طالبات المدرسة‪ ،‬باإلضافة إلى مدرسات المدرسة‪ ،‬حيث‬
‫تم خالل الورشة عرض فيلم عن منطقة وادي الوريعة‪ ،‬وتقديم عرض عن متنزه وادي الوريعة والتنوع البيولوجي الذي يحويه وأهمية‬
‫المياه العذبة فيه والتي تتواجد على مدار العام وتدعم التنوع البيولوجي في الوادي‪ ،‬وتم توزيع كتيبات تعريفية عن متنزه وادي الوريعة‬
‫الوطني‪.‬‬
‫تسعى البلدية لتطوير المحمية بشكل يتناسب والمعايير الدولية ذات الصلة عن طريق صيانة المحمية والحفاظ على مواردها وحماية‬
‫التنوع البيولوجي فيها‪.‬‬
‫‪http://www.albayan.ae/across-the-uae/news-and-reports/2013-05-23-1.1889277‬‬
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Gulf Today (UAE): EAD honours green contest winners
ABU DHABI: The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced on Wednesday the names
of the winners of its 12th Annual Environment Competition at the conclusion of an exhibition that
highlighted over 300 art entries from this year’s edition of a countrywide contest.
Developed by EAD in 2000, the Annual Environment Competition educates and engages school
and university students in the UAE by providing them with a forum to express themselves when
it comes to the key environmental challenges faced by the UAE. EAD implements the
competition in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council.
This year, the Annual Environment Competition saw its highest level of participation with over
450 schools and universities and over 1,700 individual entries from across the UAE delivering
creative content based on the theme: ‘The Green Economy: Does It Include You?’
The participating schools and universities ran internal competitions to select the best entries
from their institutions, which were then submitted for the nationwide finals of the competition.
Hundreds of drawings, paintings and posters (Public Service Announcements) from the
competition were then put on display at Abu Dhabi’s Mushrif Mall in April as the judges
assessed all the entries and participants before making the final cut.
http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/4d6090f6-bcdb-479c-99f6-f39ba19adfed.aspx
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Nation (UAE): Operation Hawksbill: TDIC swings into action to secure Saadiyat
nesting sites
Like many an expectant mother before her, she decided to give birth at a time that suited her
best.
And so, about 6am and with the rest of the city barely awake yesterday, the first Hawksbill turtle
of this year's nesting season crawled out of the sea to deposit her eggs on the beach at
Saadiyat Island.
Acting as midwives on this occasion were members of the island's beach patrol, trained as first
responders in turtle birthing.
Keeping a respectful distance, they put a call through to Dr Nathalie Staelens, the head of
environmental services at the Tourism Development Investment Company, whose task is not
just to build hotels and museums on Saadiyat, but also protect the island's wildlife and
outstanding natural beauty.
Dr Staelens says she rushed to the beach: "But she had just gone back to sea." Instead, she set
about securing the nesting site, which in about 60 days will produce perhaps as many as 70
baby turtles.
Hawksbills are a critically endangered species and Saadiyat is an important breeding ground.
But it is also home to a growing number of visitors, drawn by its hotels and beach clubs.
Keeping the balance between man and nature is a key part of TDIC's environmental mission.
According to Dr Staelens: "Turtles dig in a few spots to confuse potential predators before
laying, so we don't necessarily know which hole contains the eggs."
To protect the site, TDIC's team of environmentalists has staked out the sand around the nest
and marked it with warning tape.
Hawksbill turtle populations have declined by about 80 per cent over the past three generations,
with poaching and man-made habitat destruction the major causes. Fencing off the site alerts
passing beachcombers, and Saadiyat's beach-cleaning team, who normally like to keep the
sand scrupulously clean but whose vehicles would not be good news for turtle eggs.
Guests at the St Regis and Park Hyatt hotels, and the Monte Carlo Beach club, will also be able
to do their bit for turtle conservation.
Hotels will remove beach furniture at night and dim their outdoor lights during the hatching
season, with guests asked to stay off the beach after dark and make sure that their bedroom
curtains are tightly drawn. The problem, explains Dr Staelens, is that baby turtles find their way
back to the sea by following the reflection of the moon on the water: "So hatchlings get
confused by other lights and can become disorientated."
Based on previous years, between four and 10 female Hawksbills can be expected to nest on
Saadiyat between now and the end of the nesting season in July. Since 2010, TDIC's Hawksbill
Conservation Programme estimates that about 650 eggs have hatched on the island's main
beach. Saadiyat's deep sand and natural dunes make it ideal for Hawksbills, which are the only
species of turtle to breed in the Arabian Gulf. The island's building code requires all construction
to be 60 metres back from the seaward edge of the dunes, which are further protected by a
series of boardwalks.
After typically reaching maturity at the age of 30, females like to return to their birthplace to nest.
In the case of the youngest Saadiyat mothers, this means coming back to a landscape utterly
changed since they first swam away in the early 1980s.
Not that the presence of man is necessarily a bad thing. Being watched as closely as they are
on Saadiyat means that the eggs, and subsequently baby turtles, can be protected far more
effectively than they might be under other circumstances. "If the beach was totally left by itself
there could be predators or poachers," says Dr Staelens.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/operation-hawksbill-tdic-swings-intoaction-to-secure-saadiyat-nesting-sites
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‫‪Kuwait‬‬
‫معهد األبحاث‪ :‬الكويت تتمتع بمزايا الستغالل الموارد الطبيعية في إنتاج الكهرباء‬
‫كونا ‪ -‬أثبتت دراسة علمية حديثة صادرة عن معهد الكويت لالبحاث العلمية تمتع الكويت بمزايا وقدرة عالية تمكنها من استغالل الموارد‬
‫الطبيعية المتاحة في شكل طاقة شمسية النتاج الطاقة الكهربائية من االنظمة الكهروضوئية ‪.‬‬
‫وقال الباحث العلمي في مركز الطاقة والبناء بالمعهد د‪ .‬حسن قاسم لــ «كونا» ان هذه الدراسة تظهر باالرقام ان الكويت تتميز بتوافر‬
‫الطاقة الشمسية فيها بنسبة عالية تضعها بمصاف الدول الغنية بهذا النوع من الطاقة ‪.‬‬
‫وأضاف قاسم ان هذه النسبة تحددت عبر دراسات تفصيلية أجراها المعهد على استخدام تقنيات الطاقة الشمسية في البالد السيما صيفا‪،‬‬
‫حيث تكون الشمس قريبة من األرض بمتوسط زاوية انحراف لألشعة الشمسية يبلغ ‪ 13‬درجة عالوة على طول فترة النهار بمتوسط ‪11‬‬
‫ساعة مما يعني وفرة بالطاقة الشمسية ‪.‬‬
‫وذكر انه رغم تلك المزايا فان التنفيذ يبقى محدودا لعدم وجود عائد مالي للمستثمر ولتدني سعر الكهرباء في الكويت فضال عن الدعم‬
‫الحكومي الكبير للسعر المحلي للكهرباء ويصل الى ‪ 97‬في المائة تقريبا مما يجعل المنافسة غير عادلة ويضع االستثمار أمام تحد كبير‬
‫مع غياب دعم حكومي الستخدام األنظمة المنتجة للطاقة النظيفة ‪.‬‬
‫وبين ان تطبيق محطات االنظمة الكهروضوئية النتاج الطاقة يبقى محدودا في القطاع االنتاجي وهو منحصر حاليا بوزارة الكهرباء‬
‫والماء بسبب ارتفاع سعر التكلفة الفعلية النتاج الطاقة وارتباطه بسعر الوقود المستهلك ‪.‬‬
‫وقال قاسم ان وزارة الكهرباء والماء أعلنت في ملتقيات علمية عدة خطتها المستقبلية الستغالل موارد الطاقة البديلة‪ ،‬السيما الطاقة‬
‫الشمسية في انتاج الطاقة الكهربائية بغية تقليل االعتماد على مشتقات البترول كوقود لمحطات االنتاج الكهربائي‪ ،‬والتوجه الى مصادر‬
‫الطاقة النظيفة كمصدر بديل النتاج الطاقة في الكويت ‪.‬‬
‫‪http://www.alqabas.com.kw/node/767048‬‬
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‫‪ENVIRONMENT NEWS FROM THE‬‬
‫‪UN DAILY NEWS‬‬
‫‪23 May 2013‬‬
‫‪UN News Centre: UN urges collective efforts to achieve ‘water secure world’ on‬‬
‫‪Day for Biological Diversity‬‬
‫‪22 May 2013‬‬
‫‪Unless greater efforts are made to reverse current trends, the world will run out of freshwater, the‬‬
‫‪United Nations said today marking the International Day for Biological Diversity and urging‬‬
‫‪stronger scientific alliances to understand and protect natural resources.‬‬
‫‪“We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply and where‬‬
‫‪water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future demands for‬‬
‫‪water will not be met,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the Day.‬‬
‫‪“Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily available as‬‬
‫‪freshwater,” he added.‬‬
Of the total volume of water on Earth, freshwater makes up around 35 million km3, or about 2.5
per cent of the total volume, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Water scarcity affects almost every continent and more than 40 per cent of the people on our
planet, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said. With current trends, 1.8 billion
people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity by 2025, and two-thirds of
the world’s population could be living under water stressed conditions.
“Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are central to achieving the vision of a water
secure world,” Mr. Ban said, noting the mutually supporting roles of forests, wetlands and soil
biodiversity.
“Integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning can also help us build better water futures
for cities, where water stresses may be especially acute given the rapid pace of urbanization,” he
added.
This year’s theme for the Day is ‘Water and Biodiversity’, which coincides with the UN designation
of 2013 as International Year of Water Cooperation. The Year is being coordinated by UNESCO
on behalf of UN-Water.
“This is an opportunity for us to join efforts to enhance fair and innovative water management
arrangements and to share best practices for the preservation of wetlands – streams, lakes,
coasts and marine zones – that play a substantial role in ensuring biodiversity,” Irina Bokova,
head of UNESCO, said in her message for the Day.
Ms. Bokova and Mr. Ban noted the importance of strong scientific alliances as part of a global
effort to protect natural resources. They encouraged parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity who have not already done so to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Adopted in 2010, the
Nagoya Protocol also sets a goal of cutting the current extinction rate by half or more by 2020.
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity, the UN General Assembly encouraged the use of the
Convention on Biological Diversity’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi
Targets in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. Last year’s Conference on
Sustainable Development (Rio+20) also recognized the role of ecosystems in maintaining water
quantity and quality.
He stressed that a focus on water and biodiversity is particularly important now as the
international community strives to hasten progress towards the eight anti-poverty targets known
as the Millennium Development Goals by the 2015 deadline and to plan a new set of development
targets.
“As the international community strives to accelerate its efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals and define a post-2015 agenda, including a set of goals for sustainable
development, water and biodiversity are important streams in the discussion,” he noted.
In a press conference in New York, Braulio de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention
on Biological Diversity said biodiversity needs to be seen as part of a ‘win-win’ solution for
sustainable development.
“It’s very easy to say that yes, we should provide water for everyone, but how do we do that, so
the traditional way of doing this is to work in silos,” Mr. Dias said, stressing the importance of
thinking beyond traditional engineered solutions in a more integrated, collaborative way to
effectively deliver on the MDGs.
He also noted that Governments sometimes make decisions based on “short-sighted information”
without informing sufficiently communities about the impact of those decisions on local
ecosystems.
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UN News Centre: UN agency to open nuclear emergency preparedness centre in
Fukushima
22 May 2013
Experts from the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are heading to Japan
to launch an emergency preparedness and response centre in Fukushima, the coastal city
devastated two years ago when a massive earthquake and tsunami set off meltdowns at a
nuclear power plant.
The IAEA, supported by the Government of Japan, will designate a new Response and
Assistance Network (RANET) Capacity Building Centre in Fukushima next week, according to a
news release from the UN nuclear watchdog.
The Centre will be home to several IAEA activities aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness
and response capacity, both in Japan and worldwide, in light of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
power plant accident.
In March 2011, Japan was struck by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and forceful tsunami that killed
more than 20,000 people in the eastern part of the country. The tsunami also slammed into the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, disabling cooling systems and leading to fuel meltdowns
in three of the six units. The incident was reported to be the worst nuclear accident since the 1986
Chernobyl disaster.
Briefing the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna two months ago, Yukiya Amano, the Agency’s
Director General, said it had been a challenging two years, especially for the people and
Government of Japan, but also for the IAEA. “However, the worst elements of the accident are
behind us and we are now in the post-accident phase.”
“The Agency continues to work hard to help Japan deal with the consequences of the accident.
Member States are also making serious efforts to implement the lessons learned from this and
from previous accidents,” noted Mr. Amano.
The RANET Centre will be part of that ongoing effort. A ceremony to mark the designation of the
Centre will be held next week, on 27 May.
The Centre’s first activity, an IAEA RANET workshop, will start the following day, and conclude on
31 May. About 40 experts from 18 countries will participate in the workshop, which will involve a
field exercise in Fukushima Prefecture, according to the Agency’s news release.
Through RANET, the IAEA can mobilize the expert support and equipment to facilitate the
provision of international assistance by request under the Convention on Assistance in the Case
of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.
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UN News Centre: UN global disasters forum opens with condolences for
Oklahoma City tornado victims
21 May 2013
A United Nations forum dedicated to building resilience to disasters and making communities
safer opened today in Geneva with expressions of sympathy for the people of Oklahoma City
over the loss of life caused yesterday by a deadly tornado.
“Our thoughts and hearts go to the people of Oklahoma and we hope that help will reach those
in need soon,” Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told participants at the opening of the 4th
Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which is on the theme: “Invest Today for a Safer
Tomorrow.”
The tornado, one of several over the past few days to hit various cities in the Midwestern United
States, damaged schools and took many lives, including those of at least 20 school children.
Separately, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his sadness at the news of the death and
destruction in Oklahoma City as a result of Monday’s tornado, and sent his deepest
condolences to those who have lost loved ones and to everyone affected by the storm.
Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement that the Secretary-General has written to the
Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin, to express his solidarity and to offer the UN’s assistance, if
requested, to help with the recovery efforts.
“The impact of this disaster,” Mr. Eliasson noted in his remarks, “was evident for one of the
world’s most economically developed countries. Think how much more dangerous the situation
is in places where people are poor and living in fragile homes with insufficient water and health
services.”
The Global Platform was established in 2007 as a biennial forum for information exchange,
discussion of latest development and knowledge and partnership-building across sectors, with
the goal to improve implementation of disaster risk reduction through better communication and
coordination amongst stakeholders.
The forum is organized by UNISDR, the UN’s office for disaster risk reduction and secretariat of
the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Some 4,800 participants have registered to
attend this week’s event, including delegates from national and local governments, non-
governmental organizations, civil society, the private and public sectors, international
organizations, parliamentarians, scientists and academics.
The 2013 Global Platform will devote special attention to three critical areas: private sector
investment in disaster risk management; the work of local communities, networks, and
supporting policies in building resilience; and local and national efforts to implement the Hyogo
Framework for Action, as well as on an action agenda for building disaster resilience in a post2015 successor agenda.
Mr. Eliasson said that building resilience to disasters and making communities safer is “our
collective and shared responsibility,” adding that his visit to Japan earlier this year was a lesson
on the urgency of reducing the risks for disasters.
In March 2011, Japan was struck by an earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 20,000
people in the eastern part of the country. The tsunami also slammed into the Fukushima Daiichi
nuclear power station, located in Fukushima Prefecture, disabling cooling systems and leading
to fuel meltdowns in three of the six units.
“Japan is leading a model of disaster risk reduction – but even in this advanced country, the
deadly combination of multiple hazards was overwhelming and catastrophic,” said Mr. Eliasson.
He noted that the risks are higher in poor countries and for poor people, but the strategies are
the same. “Everywhere on Earth, we reduce risks by identifying and addressing which factors
drive the risks and what we can do about them.”
In this effort, the Deputy Secretary-General stated, the private sector is crucial, adding that how
they utilize and invest their resources can mean the difference between life and death.
He added that disaster risk reduction is essential to reach the anti-poverty targets known as the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which world leaders have pledged to achieve by 2015.
“There can be no sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation if water sources
and latrines are vulnerable to natural hazards. Hospitals and other community structures must
be resilient. It is not acceptable that so many people die in disasters because of shoddy building
standards. We have seen several such tragic disasters in recent times.”
He urged participants to build on the achievements of the Hyogo Framework – a global blueprint
for disaster risk reduction efforts that was adopted by Governments in 2005 and aims to
substantially reduce disaster losses by 2015.
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ENVIRONMENT NEWS FROM THE
S.G’s SPOKESMAN DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
23 May 2013
UN News Centre: Secretary-General's message on the International Day for
Biological Diversity
21 May 2013
As the international community strives to accelerate its efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals and define a post-2015 agenda, including a set of goals
for sustainable development, water and biodiversity are important streams in the discussion.
Although seemingly abundant, only a tiny amount of the water on our planet is easily available as
freshwater. We live in an increasingly water insecure world where demand often outstrips supply
and where water quality often fails to meet minimum standards. Under current trends, future
demands for water will not be met.
Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are central to achieving the vision of a water
secure world. Ecosystems influence the local, regional and global availability and quality of water.
Forests help regulate soil erosion and protect water quality and supply. Wetlands can reduce
flood risks. Soil biodiversity helps maintain water for crops. Integrating nature-based solutions
into urban planning can also help us build better water futures for cities, where water stresses
may be especially acute given the rapid pace of urbanization.
Recognizing the importance of biodiversity, the United Nations General Assembly has
encouraged the use of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011-2020 and its Aichi Targets in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda. Last
year’s Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development also recognized the role of ecosystems in
maintaining water quantity and quality. Where once the focus was on trade-offs between water
use and biodiversity, today we are coming to understand how biodiversity and water security are
mutually reinforcing.
This shift from conflict to synergy is particularly welcome in this, the International Year of Water
Cooperation.
On the International Day for Biological Diversity, I also call on all Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity who have not already done so, to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on Access to
Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization,
and therefore help us all to work toward the future we want.
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