The purpose of this study is to assess worldwide environmental-related issues in order to identify and analyze events that might trigger future international environmental treaties, conventions, or protocols and/or modifications to the existing ones.
Your views on these items and/or your suggestions of additional items are most welcome. Please email Elizabeth Florescu at millennium-project@igc.org.
The Millennium Project defines environmental security as environmental viability
for life support, with three sub-elements:
· preventing or repairing military damage to the environment,
· preventing or responding to environmentally caused conflicts, and
· protecting the environment due to its inherent moral value.
For an organization of the items in cathegories around the structure of this definition, please see ES-scanning-08.pdf for items identified between August 2002 and June 2008, or ES-2006-08.pdf (includes potential military implications) for items identified between July 2006-June 2008.
For a complete version of the monthly reports with Military Implications, see
the Army Environmental Policy Institute web page http://www.aepi.army.mil/rpt-weei.html
Following below, the items are organized by the months they were identified
-- updated monthly.
2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
July-August 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
2007
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
2006
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
2005
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
2004
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
2003
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
August-September 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
2002
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
New UN-linked Body Proposed to Protect Biodiversity
and Ecosystem Services
As the IPCC helped to put global climate change on the world agenda, a new organization
is proposed to do the same for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Building
on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Consultative Process Towards
an International Mechanism of Scientific Expertise on Biodiversity, the proposed
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
(IPBES) would bring together the policymaking and scientific communities from
the biodiversity and ecosystem areas to provide timely information to support
decision making. The framework for the new UN-linked body was discussed at an
ad hoc intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder meeting held November 10-12,
2008 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, attended by over 175 participants from nearly 100
countries and more than 20 organizations. The meeting’s results will be
presented at the 25th session of the UNEP Governing Council.
Sources:
Ad hoc Intergovernmental and Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on an Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services http://ipbes.net/en/index.aspx
Summary of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental and Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on an
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
http://www.iisd.ca/ymb/ipbes/html/ymbvol158num1e.html
How Best to Put 'Nature-Based Assets' at the Top of the International Political
Agenda Focus of Malaysia Meeting http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=550&ArticleID=5972&l=en
International Conference on Military’s Role in
Climate Change
The Importance of Military Organizations in Protecting the Climate 2008 conference,
attended by over 100 military and environmental experts from 25 countries, plus
the EU and UNEP, discussed the security implications of climate change and the
role of the military community in addressing it. There was consensus that climate
change is a conflict multiplier with global security implications such as: “creating
new geopolitical areas of concern; inhibiting the ability to project power;
jeopardizing coalition partnerships; increasing operations other than war; overloading
UN peacekeeping deployments; and requiring urgent actions by military and civilian
leaders and the public” [1]. Therefore military organizations should increase
their role in protecting the climate by showing leadership in increasing energy
efficiency through procurement and operations, R&D centers of excellence,
and transfer of knowledge. Several best practices were discussed and a project
was proposed for a global public-private partnership to cooperate in efforts
to collect and destroy ozone-depleting substances. Some “visionary military
climate strategies” included “self-sustaining energy at the battlefront;
a Carbon Non-Proliferation Treaty; and cooperation on Arctic passage & resources”
[2]. The conference, which is the fifth in a series that began in 1991, was
held in Paris, November 3-5, co-hosted by the Institute for Governance and Sustainable
Development and collaborators.
Sources:
The Importance of Military Organizations in Protecting the Climate: 2008 http://www.igsd.org//conferences/Paris2008.php
[1, 2] Conference Conclusions and Opportunities for Co-operation. Stephen O.
Andersen, EPA Climate Liaison to the US Department of Defense http://www.igsd.org//conferences/Paris2008/3%20Andersen%20conclusions.pdf
Key role for military in climate change, US experts say
http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-change/key-role-military-climate-change-us-experts/article-177141
Arab Mediterranean Governments’
Environmental Security Cooperation
The conference Environmental Security in the Arab and Mediterranean sphere:
Role of the Civil Society was organized by the Association of the Mediterranean
Network for Sustained Development (ARREMED) and the Arab Environment and Development
Network (RAED), in Tunis. Attended by high-ranking diplomats and environment
and security experts, the conference discussed cooperation and common policies
for addressing environmental and human security in the Arab Mediterranean spheres.
“Governments should unify policies on environmental security and strengthen
partnership in matter of scientific research between Arab countries and prepare
a survey of possible risks to evaluate their impact and their cost,” stipulates
the conference declaration. Highlighted was that tackling environmental issues
is imperative mainly in conflict-threatened regions. Along the same lines, the
Arab Environment: Future Challenges report launched at the annual conference
of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development held in Manama, Bahrain, recommends
urgent action in four major areas: fresh water scarcity, desertification, air
quality, and marine pollution, all of which will likely worsen due to climate
change.
Sources:
Environmental experts advocate common Arab-Mediterranean vision http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2008/11/11/feature-01
Arab, Mediterranean governments urged to boost cooperation in environmental
security http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-11/10/content_7188556.htm
Regional conference on environmental security opens http://www.tap.info.tn/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23393&Itemid=255
Arab Environment: Future Challenges http://www.afedonline.org/afedreport/
State of the Arab environment 2008: 'A lot has been achieved, but much more
is still needed' http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=97278
An International Energy and Environmental
Security Foresight Network
The Energy and Environmental Security Ecosystem (EESE) is a project initiated
by the U.S. Energy Department’s intelligence and counterintelligence unit,
for compiling and sharing intelligence and improving understanding of possible
security implications of energy and environmental security issues. It will involve
a coalition of countries and will consist of a members-only website for selected
government, industry and expert representatives, and eventual face-to-face meetings.
“The character of the energy and environmental security challenge requires
a radically different, more globally systemic process,” says a report
by Natural Resources Canada, mentioning the EESE project. Countries involved
or interested include Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil Canada, China, France, Germany,
India, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the U.S. Others may join later. The
project is to be launched in the first half of 2009.
Source:
Canada may join U.S.-led energy, environment security project http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5idqDzQ-rStLqmwfoW2VXiMY7E7UQ
Global Intelligence; Developing a Globally Networked Intelligence Capacity (power
point presentation) http://www.dniopensource.org/Conference/files/Carol%20Dumaine%20FINAL%2009-12-08.ppt
Support Grows for Integrating Environment, Energy, Economy, Security in U.S.
Government http://newsecuritybeat.blogspot.com/2008/11/support-grows-for-integrating.html
Vietnam Cracking Down on Environmental
Violators
Over the past several months, Vietnamese authorities have taken strong measures
against some environmental polluters, and the Minister of Natural Resources
and Environment has ordered the government to get tough on polluters, levied
heavy fines on one factory, and threatened criminal prosecutions. The country
is having a hard time, however, in balancing the need for cleaning up its environment
with the necessity of attracting and keeping industrial development.
Source:
Vietnam Cracks Down on Polluters http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1851331,00.html
Technological Advances with Environmental Security
Implications
Autonomous Robots May Need Environmental Concerns
Current work on intelligent battlefield robots by Ronald C. Arkin at Georgia
Tech is focused on building into their programming regard for such elements
as rules of engagement and the Geneva Convention.
Source:
A Soldier, Taking Orders From Its Ethical Judgment Center http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/science/25robots.html?_r=1
New Technique May Solve Wind Farm Interference with Radars
Cambridge Consultants Ltd. of Cambridge UK and Boston MA is working on the development
of a holographic-infill radar, which aims to solve the problem of wind turbine
interference with air traffic radars. The system works by covering the area
of the turbines with a short-range radar “patch” with a different
characteristic. A test has shown that the method provides a Doppler effect for
a target moving on the ground different from one produced by a turbine, a distinction,
which it is believed would enable a full-scale system to detect an aircraft
intrusion into a wind farm interference area. Flying tests are planned.
Source:
Cambridge Consultants Ltd. http://www.cambridgeconsultants.com/news_pr202.html
Is it plane? How to make radar work in wind farms http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12551574
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Variable Heating Provides New Flexibility for Gas Sensors
Researchers Barani Raman and associates at the US National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST) have developed a new “sensitive detector technology
capable of distinguishing hundreds of different chemical compounds with a pattern-recognition
module that mimics the way animals recognize odors”, according to a NIST
announcement. The current unit comprises eight types of sensors in the form
of oxide films deposited on the surfaces of 16 microheaters that allow the sensors
to be heated to 350 temperature points between 150°C and 500°C, and
“relies on changes in electrical conductance in the sensing film to detect
the presence of adsorbed gases. Temperature changes may be used to create response
‘fingerprints’ for different gases.” The new technology is
better than previous devices at recognizing previously un-sensed compounds and
at dealing with sensor wear over time.
Source:
Sniffing Out a Better Chemical Sensor http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/techbeat/tb2008_1028.htm#nose
New Material Stores Methane in Dry Form
An inexpensive dry material that will absorb large quantities of methane is
being developed by Prof. Andy Cooper, Director of the Centre for Materials Discovery
at the University of Liverpool’s Department of Chemistry. The technique
is to form methane hydrate by mixing water droplets with a special form of silica
that stops them from coalescing, forming a ‘dry water’ powder that
absorbs large quantities of methane rapidly at around 0° C.
Source:
Chemists at the University of Liverpool have developed a way of converting methane
gas into a powder form in order to make it more transportable. http://www.physorg.com/news146398407.html
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
Compressed Air Car May Offer Environmental Advantages
Zero Pollution Motors of New Paltz, NY is developing a compressed air vehicle
planned for US production in 2010. The car may be viewed as an analogue of an
electric car, with the battery replaced by a tank filled with air previously
compressed by any electric energy source. The air runs a 2-, 4- or 6-cylinder
engine, replacing the pressure otherwise generated by the explosion of fossil
fuel vapors in the cylinders.
Source:
Pure Driving: The Revolutionary Compressed Air Vehicle http://zeropollutionmotors.us
Proposed Uniform Device-Charging Scheme Could Yield Environmental Benefits
Green Plug of San Ramon California seeks adoption of its environment-friendly
charging technology for battery-operated devices. The technique depends on a
“smart” universal plug-in-the-wall charger that communicates with
a proprietary chip in the attached user device to determine what voltage level
to provide to it for recharging. Adoption of this hardware (which would use
a single connector configuration) would allow a single multiple-outlet charger
to service all portable devices at a given location. In addition to eliminating
the proliferation of discarded obsolete chargers into electronic waste dumps,
the technology, unlike conventional transformer-type chargers, also uses almost
zero power when not actually supplying current.
Sources:
Pulling the Plug on Phantom Power http://www.greenercomputing.com/podcast/2008/11/21/pull-plug-phantom-power
Green Plug: http://www.greenplug.us/index.php
Environmentally Polluting Ash Turned into Concrete-like Structural
Material
Prof. Mulalo Doyoyo of Georgia Tech’s School of Civil and Environmental
Engineering has developed a new structural material, Cenocell, that is produced
by treating with organic chemicals fly ash and bottom ash left over from coal
burning systems. It offers high strength and light weight, uses no cement, and
could replace concrete, wood and other materials in many applications.
Source:
Strong, lightweight green material could replace concrete, but contains no cement
http://www.physorg.com/news146851488.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
UN Secretary General Reiterates the Link between Environment and Security
On the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment
in War and Armed Conflict, celebrated on November 6, UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon renewed the call for “protecting the environment as a pillar of
our work for peace.” Reiterating that “The environment and natural
resources are crucial in consolidating peace within and between war-torn societies,”
he gave the example of the transboundary cooperation in the Great Lakes Region
of Africa to manage their shared natural resources, and underlined that lasting
peace in war-torn regions like Darfur and Afghanistan is not possible without
restoration of the ecosystem to support livelihoods. He noted that although
“The natural environment enjoys protection under Protocol 1 of the Geneva
Conventions… this protection is often violated during war and armed conflict.”
[See also UN Secretary-General on the International Day for Preventing the
Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict in October 2007
environmental security reports]
Sources:
A Day to Prevent Exploitation of the Environment in War http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-06-02.asp
Action on Nature Part of United Nations Approach to Peace, Says Secretary-General,
In Message for World Day to Prevent Exploitation of Environment during Conflict
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11900.doc.htm
Global pact on explosive remnants of war vital tool to end scourge – Ban
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28869&Cr=weapon&Cr1=treaty
Forums Discuss Water-Related Security Issues
The conference Water for Peace – Peace for Water: Lessons from the Past
and Current Challenges, jointly organized by the UNESCO International Hydrological
Programme (IHP), the Chirac Foundation, and the French Agency for Development,
addressed two issues: transboundary water and cooperation, and access to water
in fragile states. The outcomes [to be available soon] will be considered in
the Political Process of the Fifth World Water Forum, to be held in Istanbul,
March 15-22, 2009.
The International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environment and the
First Arab Water Forum took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 16-19, 2008
and addressed challenges related to water resources in the area and strategies
to address them, including new technologies and Arab water policies for development
and water crisis management. In his opening address, Prince Khalid bin Sultan
bin Abdulaziz warned of possible terrorism targeting water resources and called
for a water summit similar to the world economic summits. [See also Unless
Water Management Improves, Conflicts over Water Are Inevitable in August
2006 and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Water for Peace and Peace for Water Conference http://www.fondationchirac.eu/en/water-for-peace-and-peace-for-water-november-13/
The 3rd International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments (2008)
And The 1st Arab Water Forum http://www.psipw.org/article_208.html
International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environment Opened http://www.mofa.gov.sa/Detail.asp?InNewsItemID=86326
The Convention on Cluster Munitions Opens for Signature on December
2nd
The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) will be open for signing at a special
conference in Oslo, December 2–4, 2008. The CCM prohibits the use, development,
production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions. It was adopted at
the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions in May 2008. [See also
International Convention on Cluster Munitions Adopted by 111 Countries in May
2008 and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Military Implications:
[Same as previous on this issue] Although the U.S. does not support the Cluster
Munitions Convention, it would be wise for the military to make plans for the
elimination of cluster bombs, as international support for their prohibition
continues to grow.
Source:
Banning Cluster Munitions – making it happen in Oslo http://www.osloccm.no/
EU Arctic Policy Guidelines
The recently published EU ‘Communication’ concerning the Arctic
stipulates that the Arctic becomes a priority in the European Northern Dimension
policy due to potential implications for European security and stability. It
outlines the EU Arctic framework built around three main policy objectives:
“1) Protecting and preserving the Arctic in unison with its population;
2) Promoting sustainable use of resources; and 3) Contributing to enhanced Arctic
multilateral governance.” [See also European Parliament Adopted Resolution
on Arctic Governance in October 2008 and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
The EU and the Arctic region http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/arctic_overview_en.html
Commission green-lights industrialisation of Arctic http://euobserver.com/9/27152/?rk=1
Shippers, oil companies gauge benefits of less Arctic ice http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/603373.html
Outer space policy
Increasing Militarization of Space Might Require Outer Space Treaty Review
The European Space Agency Ministerial meeting in The Hague, Netherlands held
November 25–26 adopted a new European space policy, which increases ESA’s
role in addressing climate change and global security, setting new objectives
and budgets for the agency. The programs include: Earth Observation activities
(including the second segment of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security
Space Component); the Meteosat 3rd generation and a novel Climate Change Initiative;
continued improvement of the Galileo navigation satellite system; and start
of a Space Situational Awareness programme to help protect European space systems
against space debris and the influence of adverse space weather. [See also Increased
Use of Space Technology for Monitoring Environmental Events in September
2008 and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
The Space, Security and the Economy report by Economists for Peace
and Security warns that the present U.S. space dominance policy threatens an
arms race in space with possible devastating consequences for the economy and
the growing scientific and commercial uses of space. The report calls for greater
transparency in military space spending, and detailed information about government
and commercial space activities. Along the same lines, the report From Venus
to Mars: the European Union’s steps towards the militarisation of space
by the Netherlands-based think-tank Transnational Institute argues that European
and international trends to increasingly use space for military rather than
civilian objectives might trigger a new arms race; and, therefore, the UN Outer
Space Treaty might need to be reconsidered and broadened.
Sources:
Ministerial Council 2008 http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Ministerial_Council/index.html
From Venus to Mars. The European Union’s steps towards the militarisation
of space http://www.tni.org/detail_pub.phtml?&know_id=276&menu=11e
Space, Security and the Economy http://www.epsusa.org/publications/papers/spacesecurity.pdf
Experts Call For Global Network to Prevent Asteroid Disasters
The report Asteroid Threats: A Call for Global Response by the Association
of Space Explorers presented for consideration by the UN calls for an international
contingency plan to counter threats from Near Earth Objects (NEO), such as an
asteroid impact on the Earth. It points out that although a possible collision
is predictable up to 15 years in advance, developing the technology needed to
divert an incoming asteroid may require international cooperation. The UN Committee
on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space will debate the report at its 2009 session
to be held in June 2009.
Sources:
Asteroid Threats: A Call for Global Response http://www.space-explorers.org/ATACGR.pdf
Experts call for global network to prevent asteroid disasters http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Experts_call_for_global_network_to_prevent_asteroid_disasters_999.html
U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Navy in Sonar Case
On November 12th the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to lift restrictions on the Navy’s
use of sonar off the coast of California, arguing that national security interests
prevail over possible damages that such sonar might cause to whales and dolphins.
[See also Sonar Restrictions Debate Continues in January 2008 and other
previous environmental security reports on the same issue.]
Sources:
Navy Wins, Whales Lose U.S. Supreme Court Sonar Case http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-12-10.asp
Climate Change
Scientific Evidences and Natural Disasters
The World Meteorological Organization’s Global Atmosphere Watch
reports that climate-warming greenhouse gases reached record levels in 2007.
Using the NOAA annual greenhouse gas index, it found that the total warming
effect of long-term greenhouse gases has increased by 1.06% compared to 2006
and by 24.2% since 1990. WMO’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reports that, compared
to the previous year, CO2 rose 0.5%, methane 0.34%, and nitrous oxide 0.25%,
while slight decreases were noted for chlorofluorocarbons (mainly due to the
implementation of the Montreal Protocol).
The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season set a few records in U.S. and Cuban recorded
history––as to number, force, frequency and length of storms, say
meteorologists. Data on consequences are still being calculated.
Food and Water Security
About 960 million were malnourished and over 100 million people worldwide were
driven into poverty this year due to the food and fuel crisis. The World Bank
warns that the situation will continue to get worse as unemployment rates rise,
commodity prices remain volatile, and governments face shortages in public money
and outside financial assistance. The financial crisis is eclipsing and aggravating
the food crisis. Production is threatened by: farmers’ increasingly difficult
access to credit, high input costs, and a growing monopoly over seed and agrochemical
sales.
“The impact of natural resource degradation is potentially even more devastating
in financial terms than the current global meltdown,” said Christian Mersmann,
Managing Director of the Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification,
at the seventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation
of the Convention. Some 12 million hectares of land are lost yearly due to degradation
and environmental causes. Desertification threatens regions that are already
the most vulnerable: 65% of agricultural lands in Africa––where
60% of the population depends on agriculture, and nearly 70% of the Arab region.
Countries still strongly affected by food crises include Kenya (where officials
have been accused of artificially creating a maize shortage), Zimbabwe (where
the political impasse has only made the situation worse), Afghanistan (where
attacks on food convoys amplify food insecurity), Swaziland (threatened by another
year of drought), Haiti (where 26 children have died in just four weeks from
malnutrition), Bangladesh (where broken dams have flooded 13 Khulna villages),
North Korea (where there are signs of massive malnutrition despite efforts to
hide the evidence), West Africa (where the UN is seeking US$361 million to solve
the crisis), and the horn of Africa (with 12 million hungry in Ethiopia, 3 million
in Somalia, 2 million in Kenya and Uganda, plus more in Eritrea and Djibouti).
In Latin America, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
(ECLAC) projects that 10 to 15 million more people could slip below the poverty
line in 2008 as a result of food price volatility.
Experts reiterated that half the world will face water shortages by 2080, with
Asia being the most affected due to its large population, melting of Himalayan
glaciers, and low-lying costal areas. Southeastern U.S. states are being advised
to diversify their water supplies in expectation of a drier future climate.
In Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin, irrigated agriculture could be halved
by 2050; and in the Sahel region, an estimated 110 million people might be affected
by Niger’s seasonal flooding decrease due to changes in rainfall patterns
and human exploitation.
Migration
Because rising sea levels are expected to eventually submerge most if the Maldives’
1,200 islands, President Mohamed Nasheed announced that the country will create
a $1 billion fund from tourist revenues to explore the possibility of buying
land to move its 400,000 population.
A year after cyclone Sidr hit in Bangladesh, 1 million people are still homeless.
Additionally, some Bangladeshis have already begun relocating to higher lands.
They argue that developed nations should be more open to accepting refugees.
Half of Nigeria’s 150 million people might face displacement, as it is
threatened by three effects of climate change: desert expansion in the North,
farmland erosion in the East, and flooding from the Atlantic Ocean in the South.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Advanced computer models using new surface temperatures data showed that changes
in temperatures at the poles over the 20th century could occur only if greenhouse
gas emissions and ozone depletion are factored in. This improved understanding
of how the ice sheets will evolve over this century, explained the team of scientists
led by East Anglia’s Nathan Gillet.
A report by the Dirección General de Aguas de Chile, the country’s
official water authority, warned that the Echaurren glacier and other smaller
glaciers near Santiago could disappear over the next half-century. The Echaurren
glacier supplies 70% of Santiago’s water needs and is the main source
for the Maipo River and its tributaries, the water sources for the region’s
agriculture. Water scarcity might cause massive population displacement in central
Chile.
Rising Sea Levels
Satellite observations reveal that since 1993 sea level has risen by 3.3 mm
a year, almost double the rate of the previous 50 years. While for 1993-2003,
about half of the sea level rise was due to the oceans expanding as they became
warmer and the other half was due to shrinking land ice, since 2003, about 80%
of the annual sea level rise can be attributed to land ice loss from glaciers,
Greenland, and Antarctica.
Early Warning
Indonesia launched a sophisticated new tsunami warning system that runs a computer-simulated
model and can predict waves’ arrival times and heights, enabling fast
emergency measures. Although it will take some more years to cover all the coastal
regions, the construction of the system is ahead of the 2010 completion target
and was able to predict the tidal wave that struck the Sumatran coast in September.
An ‘adaptation scan’ developed by Tauw and BuildDesk of the Netherlands
could help policymakers assess the effects of climate change in their respective
areas. It operates using complex combinations of two databases––one
with effects and the other with measures, and generates several direct and indirect
possible consequences.
Adaptation
Preparations of coastal communities for addressing possible natural disasters
are increasing across the globe. The UK has commissioned a study on towns vulnerable
to flooding. California is starting a series of adaptation efforts including
moving a highway farther inland and constructing flood-resistant buildings.
An Alaska village is planning to move their entire community due to rising sea
levels. The coasts of New Jersey and New York City have to prepare to be radically
altered by 2100. The Netherlands is considering a proposal to build islands
off the coast like barrier reefs to deal with rising waters. Australia and Indonesia
are in talks to create a center to prepare the region to deal with natural disasters.
The coasts of Bangladesh, and of Gujarat in India, are already changing and,
as a result, some families are moving. The EU pledged to provide technical and
financial assistance to Pacific nations affected by climate change.
The sixteenth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum adopted a declaration
to enhance cooperation for improving risk reduction, preparedness, and management
to fight climate change, including building domestic disaster management capabilities.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
In the preamble to the Poznan meeting to be held December 1-12 as part of negotiations
for a post-2012 treaty, the UN released an analysis of greenhouse gas emissions,
showing that of 40 industrialized countries that have greenhouse gas reporting
obligations under the Kyoto Protocol 16 are on target, and 20 countries––including
Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and Spain--are lagging.
However, it notes, “the biggest recent increase in emissions of industrialized
countries has come from economies in transition, which have seen a rise of 7.4%
in greenhouse gas emissions within the 2000 to 2006 time-frame.” The report
did not include large emerging economies like those of India and China.
Australia said that it will advocate that rich developed countries––such
as Singapore and South Korea––be also included in any binding targets.
The “Algiers Declaration” by Africa’s 53 countries calls for
the development of a common vision and to act as a bloc in the negotiations
for the new global warming treaty.
Sources: (some selected sources)
WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin 2007: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels Reach New
Highs http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/ghg/documents/GHG_833_en.pdf
Latin American ministers gather at UN to tackle social impact of financial,
food crises http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29087&Cr=Latin+America&Cr1=
UN gathering takes on causes and impact of land degradation http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28810&Cr=Desertification&Cr1=
Environmental experts advocate common Arab-Mediterranean vision http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2008/11/11/feature-01
Experts: Half world faces water shortage by 2080 http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/11/18/asia/AS-Malaysia-Water-Shortage.php
O give me a home... http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12601940&subjectID=348924&fsrc=nwl
The Dutch adaptation scan for local authorities http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EMS2008/00647/EMS2008-A-00647.pdf
Indonesia launches tsunami warning system http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/11/indonesia-tsunami-warning-system
Climate Change-Latin America: Frightening Numbers http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44818
Press briefing on Key Greenhouse Gas Data and expected outcomes of Poznan: http://unfccc.int/press/items/2794.php
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Biodegradation of Carbon Nanotubes Could Mitigate Potential Toxic Effects
Work done by Dr. Alexander Star, Dr. Valerian Kagan, and colleagues, at the
Univ. of Pittsburgh, and reported in Nanowerk, has shown that carbon nanotubes,
which can have negative biological effects, can be destroyed by natural biodegradation
through enzymatic catalysis, using horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide
over a period of several weeks. This technique is milder and more natural than
the previous method, which involved a harsh solvent consisting of sulfuric acid
and high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.
Source:
Biodegradation of carbon nanotubes could mitigate potential toxic effects
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=8093.php
Microplastics Recognized as Environmental Threat to Oceans
A note has been published on the results of a conference held last month to
discuss the increasing threat to the maritime environment posed by plastic “microparticles”
(< 5 mm). A report quoted a speakers as stating that, “as plastic items
break down, any toxic additives they contain—including flame retardants,
antimicrobials, and plasticizers—may be released into the ocean environment”,
“plastics can act like sponges to collect hydrophobic persistent organic
pollutants, such as PCBs”, and “microplastics can impact marine
food chains”.
Source:
International scientists to discuss effects of 'microplastics' on marine environment
http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/news/2008_0903.cfm
Why small plastic particles may pose a big problem in the oceans http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/sample.cgi/esthag/asap/html/es802970v.html
EU ObservatoryNANO Project in Expanded Operation
The EU FP7 “ObservatoryNANO” project (See this report, April 2008,
Item 6.5.1) has expanded its operation. Its Web site, http://www.observatory-nano.eu
- is now on-line, and contains (click on “Catalogue”),most of 56
recently written interim reports on scientific and technological developments
in all sectors of nanotechnology, including energy, environment, and health.
Source:
EU ObservatoryNANO Project http://www.observatory-nano.eu
UK Report on Novel Materials in the Environment: The case of nanotechnology
The UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution issued this latest report,
which “examines issues related to innovation in the materials sector and
the challenges and benefits arising from the introduction of novel materials
(specifically nanomaterials) … [and] makes recommendations on how to deal
with ignorance and uncertainty in this area”. This document is accompanied
by four supplemental reports and is partly based on input solicited from more
than 100 organizations with relevant experience.
Source:
Novel Materials in the Environment: The case of nanotechnology http://www.rcep.org.uk/novelmaterials.htm
Latin American Personnel Offer Nanotech Cooperation Opportunity
A recent study among Latin American researchers temporarily working in European
nanotechnology research organizations has indicated that they “want to
cooperate with European colleagues in nanoresearch.” and “Access
to high quality research infrastructure and equipment not available in their
country is an important reason for cooperation.”
Source:
Interviews with visiting researchers in the NanoforumEULA project http://www.mesaplus.utwente.nl/nanoforumeula/interviews_visiting_researcher/
Reports and Information Suggested
for Review
World Energy Outlook 2008
World Energy Outlook 2008 is the authoritative report on energy prospects.
The WEO-2008 provides new energy projections to 2030 by regions and fuel types.
It focuses on the two sectors that it considers the most pressing today: oil
and gas production, including future global oil and gas supply and post-2012
climate scenarios, including possible outcomes of the international negotiations
and carbon schemes and implications for global energy markets.
Source:
World Energy Outlook 2008 http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/
Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World
Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World by the US National Intelligence
Council is an analysis of threats to security and potential geopolitical developments.
It features four scenarios: “A World Without the West”; “October
Surprises”; “BRICS’s Bust-up”; and “Politics is
not Always Local.” It includes a chapter on “The Demographics of
Discord” (chapter 2), as well as a section on “Water, Food, and
Climate Change” (in chapter 4: “Scarcity in the Midst of Plenty?”)
Source:
Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World http://www.dni.gov/nic/NIC_2025_project.html
Global Investment Road Map for a Transition to a Greener
Economy Launched by UNEP
The United Nations Environment Program launched a Green Economic Initiative
to encourage an environmentally friendly economy. A comprehensive road map will
be delivered to all governments within 18 to 24 months to help make the necessary
transitions. Investments considered the most likely for economic returns and
job creations are: clean energy and other clean technologies; sustainable agriculture;
ecosystem infrastructure; cutting greenhouse gas emissions; and sustainable
urban planning.
Sources:
"Global Green New Deal" - Environmentally-Focused Investment Historic
Opportunity for 21st Century Prosperity and Job Generation http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=548&ArticleID=5957&l=en
Landmark New Report Says Emerging Green Economy Could Create Tens of Millions
of New "Green Jobs" http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=545&ArticleID=5929&l=en
Draft Agreement for Management of International Aquifers
The draft Convention on Transboundary Aquifers aims to create a framework for
proper management and exploitation of underground water resources, calling on
States to cooperate on aquifers’ use and to prevent and control their
pollution. Aquifers contain 100 times the volume of surface fresh water, but
are largely not covered by international regulations despite their transboundary
conditions, and their great environmental, social, economic and strategic importance.
The new Convention would apply to 96% of the planet’s freshwater resources.
It was prepared by the UN International Law Commission and experts from UNESCO’s
International Hydrological Programme, and submitted to the UN General Assembly
on October 27, 2008. The same day, UNESCO published the first detailed map of
273 underground transboundary aquifers, including information about the water’s
quality and rate of replenishment.
Sources:
UNESCO publishes first world map of underground transboundary aquifers http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=43767&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Global groundwater maps http://www.whymap.org/cln_092/whymap/EN/Downloads/downloads__node__en.html?__nnn=true
UN Convention on the Protection of the Underwater
Cultural Heritage will Enter into Force in January 2009
The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage will enter
into force on January 2, 2009, three months after 20 States ratified it. “This
represents an essential addition to UNESCO’s standard-setting apparatus”
declared Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO. The Convention
aims to curb the destruction of underwater cultural heritage and its Annex details
the rules for activities directed at underwater sites.
Sources:
Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage will enter
into force in January 2009 http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=43663&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001260/126065e.pdf
Progress on Defining Environmental Refugees
The International Conference on “Environment, Forced Migration and Social
Vulnerability” held in Bonn, Germany, October 9-11, 2008, summarized the
current state of research and debate on matters concerning environmental migration
and moved forward on the issues of definition: what should be considered environmentally-induced
migration; measurement procedures and drivers; and legal instruments to protect
and assist different categories of environmental migrants. The Council of Europe’s
Committee on Migration suggests that environmental migrants’ rights should
be considered either in “a separate Convention or as parts of intergovernmental
environmental treaties, or as both”, but disassociated from the 1951 Geneva
Refugee Convention. The conference considered three categories of migrants:
environmentally motivated migrants, environmentally forced migrants, and environmental
emergency migrants.
The conference also introduced the Climate Change, Environment and Migration
Alliance, designed to assist policymakers with environment-related migration
issues; and presented preliminary findings by the Environmental Change and Forced
Migration Scenarios Project that analyzes migration due to environmental factors
in 22 case studies in nine regions. The EFMSV conference was hosted by the United
Nations University, was attended by about 600 experts from nearly 80 countries,
and was the largest meeting ever held on the topic. The full outcomes of the
conference were not yet available at the time of this writing. [See also New
Strategies Needed to Deal with Global Displacement and Migration in October
2007 and other similar items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Environmental Migrants: Conference Aims to Build Consensus on Their Definition,
Support and Protection http://www.efmsv2008.org/file/Press+release+before+conference?menu=102
Preliminary Findings of EACH-FOR Project http://www.efmsv2008.org/file/Preliminary+Findings+October
Environment, Forced Migration and Social Vulnerability conference http://www.efmsv2008.org/?menu=41
Uganda to Create an Environmental Police Unit
The Uganda National Environment Management Authority announced that it will
form a police unit to “address environmental crimes, investigations and
prosecution.” The unit is expected to be operational in the next financial
year. The Nature and Extent of Environmental Crime in Uganda report lists as
leading environmental degradation causes: illegal waste disposal, pollution,
and dumping and encroachment on protected areas. [See also East African
Environmental Projects to Fight Crime in July-August 2008 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
Environmental crime on the rise as Nema forms police unit http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Environmental_crime_on_the_rise_as_Nema_forms_police_unit_73245.shtml
International Meetings Bring Environment and
Security Closer Together
The Roundtable on Environment and Security, organized alongside the IUCN Congress,
was attended by selected representatives from the security community and major
environmental leaders who discussed present and future environmental security
issues, explored possibilities for cooperation, examined common strategies,
and agreed that the impacts of environmental issues on security are increasingly
requiring more attention from governments. Physical conflict and military environmental
issues were central to the discussions. The Institute for Environmental Security
program “Climate Change and International Security” is organizing
several meetings to foster environment-security dialogue and set the agenda
for some global environmental agreement(s) to reduce the probability of climate
change-related conflicts.
Participants in the IUCN World Conservation Congress pointed out that biodiversity
losses are not only more serious than the current financial crises, but are
also often irreparable. The IUCN Programme 2009–2012 creates a framework
for addressing environmental crises from planning to implementing, monitoring,
and evaluating conservation work. Issues that got special attention include:
high seas, of which less than 1% are under any kind of protection, nearly all
located close to shore; forests––summary of the outcomes of the
Forests Dialogue’s Initiative on Forests and Climate Change and agreement
on five guiding principles for climate change negotiators and tackling deforestation;
the role of the environment in avoiding conflict and for post-conflict stability;
and better integration of biodiversity concerns into policymaking in all sectors.
The new Red List of Threatened Species, unveiled at the Congress, now covers
nearly 45,000 species, specifying those that are particularly susceptible to
climate change. Over 8,000 people working in conservation or related areas participated
in the 10-day IUCN Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, October 5-15, 2008.
Sources:
Roundtable Workshop Environment and Security. Challenges for Change http://www.envirosecurity.org/challengesforchange/
Barcelona sets environment action agenda http://www.iucn.org/news_events/events/congress/index.cfm?uNewsID=1946
High seas gems in the spotlight http://www.iucn.org/news_events/events/congress/media/press_releases/index.cfm?uNewsID=1791
The Review of the 2008 Red List of Threatened Species http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/red_list/review/index.cfm
The conservation Olympics. On being green when the world has the blues http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/greenview/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12405870
Living on the edge. More species of wildlife are under threat http://www.economist.com/daily/chartgallery/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12332704&fsrc=rss
Time to invest in nature's capital http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7664280.stm
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
New Substrate Preparations Make for Inexpensive “Labs on a Chip”
Professor George Whitesides and colleagues of the Dept. of Chemistry at Harvard
University have developed an inexpensive way of turning a sheet of paper into
a microfluidic “lab on a chip” medium for bioassays. The technique
is based on soaking the sheet with a hardenable photoresist, covering it with
a transparency containing a drawing of the desired pattern of channels, and
exposing it to light, rendering it impenetrable except in those areas shielded
by the drawing. An analogous scheme is used by Aaron Wheeler of the University
of Toronto to inexpensively make copper molds for plastic microfluidic chips.
In his method, a pattern is inked directly onto a sheet of copper before a chemical
is used to etch away a thin layer from exposed areas, leaving behind the mold
pattern for the network of channels.
Source:
Paper lab-on-a-chip makes disease tests affordable http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn14790-paper-labonachip-makes-disease-tests-affordable.html
FLASH: A rapid method for prototyping paper-based microfluidic devices http://www.rsc.org/publishing/journals/LC/article.asp?doi=b811135a
Soft lithography: masters on demand http://www.rsc.org/publishing/journals/LC/article.asp?doi=b804050h
Miniature Radiation Sensors Could Implement Detection Network
Scientists at Purdue University are working on developing a miniaturized radiation
detection device that is small enough to fit into a mobile phone. Their suggestion
is that a population carrying such embedded devices, together with software
and communications subsystems, could serve as a networked system for the detection
of radiological hazards such as “dirty bombs”.
Sources:
My Blackberry As A Bomb Sniffer? (NEWSWEEK, Oct 6, 2008) http://www.newsweek.com/id/161056
Cell phone sensors detect radiation to thwart nuclear terrorism http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/x/2008a/080122FischbachNuclear.html
Ion Jelly Electrolyte Offers Environmental Advantages
A team of researchers led by Susana Barreiros at the New University of Lisbon,
Portugal, has developed a conducting “ion jelly” for use as an electrolyte
in batteries and fuel cells. The new technique is superior to previous methods
of turning environmentally friendly ionic liquids into solids.
Source:
Ion jelly could satisfy appetite for greener batteries http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn14975-ion-jelly-could-satisfy-appetite-for-greener-batteries.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Iraq Complains of After-conflict Environmental Hazards
“It will take centuries to restore the natural environment of Iraq”
said Iraqi Environment Minister Nermeen Othman, referring to the environmental
catastrophe caused by the conflict: unexploded bombs and 25 million land mines
littering the land, hazardous waste and leaking poison of destroyed factories,
chemical waste, rubble and trash, obliterated forests to remove the enemy’s
hiding places, and chemical weapons and depleted uranium munitions that have
created 105 contaminated areas. More than 60% of Iraq’s fresh water is
polluted. Unless serious environmental remedial actions are performed, peace
will be difficult even after the war ends. [See also Iraqi Chemical Attack
Victims Seek Compensation from Supplying Companies in May 2006, CCW
Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War Entered into Force in November
2006, and other previous environmental security reports on similar issues.]
Source:
Iraq scarred by war waste http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081024.wiraqenvir1024/BNStory/International/home
EU Legislation Banning Mercury Exports in Effect in 2011
Legislation banning all exports of mercury from the European Union takes effect
in March 2011. The EU is the world’s biggest exporter, responsible for
about 25% of the global mercury supply. The export ban is part of the EU’s
strategy for reducing the global supply of mercury and thereby addressing mercury
pollution globally. [See also Progress on Global Mercury Ban in February
2007 and other previous environmental security reports on this issue.]
Sources:
Environment: Commission welcomes adoption of legislation to ban EU mercury exports
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1399&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Nuclear Security
Advancements in Setting the Agenda for the 2010 NPT Review
The first meeting of the International Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation
and Disarmament was held in Sydney, October 20-21, 2008. As stated in the press
conference, the Commission is at an “idea-formulating stage, … refining
and defining the issues” and formulating the work plan. The framework
of negotiations is based on the NPT three pillars: disarmament, non-proliferation,
and peaceful use. The Commission was created to help set the agenda for the
2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review conference. [See also Australia
to Propose Panel to Advance Work for the NPT Review in 2010 in June 2008
and other similar items in previous environmental security reports.]
IAEA Director Warns on Continuous Nuclear Safety Issues
In his annual report to the UN General Assembly, International Atomic Energy
Agency Chief Mohamed ElBaradei said that nearly 250 incidents involving theft
or loss of nuclear or radioactive material were reported to the Agency during
the year ending in June 2008, meaning that the threat of radioactive material
use by terrorist or malicious forces remains high. Also troubling is that much
of that material is not subsequently recovered, or sometimes material is found
that was never reported missing. He reiterated the need for effective binding
international agreements and global nuclear security standards, advanced and
independent verification technology, and stronger legal authority and resources
for the Agency. Since 1993 when IAEA data exchange began, 1,340 incidents were
reported, including 18 with highly enriched uranium or plutonium. [See also
IAEA Director’s Recommendations to Improve Nuclear Safety in
September 2007 and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Joint Press Conference between Mr Gareth Evans and Ms Yoriko Kawaguchi, Co-Chairs,
International Commission for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament http://www.icnnd.org/media/joint_conf_211008.html
Statements of the Director General http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/Statements/2008/ebsp2008n010.html
Rate of Nuclear Thefts ‘Disturbingly High,’ Monitoring Chief Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/world/28nuke.html?_r=1&ref=world_&oref=slogin
IAEA Updates Nuclear Trafficking Database; Few Trends Seen in Information on
Illicit Incidents http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008_9_29.html#802352F5
New Hazardous Substances to be Banned
New Compounds Considered under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions
Several more persistent organic pollutants may be banned or restricted under
the Stockholm Convention. In addition to five substances already short-listed
in 2007, the fourth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee
(COP-4) approved four chemicals to be listed under Annexes A, B, or C: commercial
octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE), pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), and alpha- and
beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (alphaHCH and betaHCH), and suggested further evaluation
for endosulfan and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) to be listed under the Convention.
[See also New Chemicals Proposed to be Added to Stockholm Convention on
POPs in May 2005, and other related items in previous environmental security
reports.]
The fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention
on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and
Pesticides in International Trade (PIC COP-4) agreed on the inclusion of tributyltin
compounds in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention but did not reach consensus
on the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos and endosulfan to the trade “watch
list”. Delegates also discussed implementation issues and cooperation
among the Rotterdam, Basel and Stockholm Conventions. [See also UN E-Waste
Forum and Basel Convention’s Conference of Parties in December 2006
and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
New List of Hazardous Substances Spotlighted for International Action http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=548&ArticleID=5947&l=en
Summary of the Fourth Meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee
of the Stockholm Convention (13-17 October 2008) http://www.iisd.ca/vol15/enb15161e.html
Three Chemicals Considered for Trade 'watch list' http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=548&ArticleID=5953&l=en
Rotterdam Convention COP4 Documents of the Conference of the Parties http://www.pic.int/home.php?type=b&id=138&sid=27&tid=41
Rotterdam PIC COP 4 Highlights (Tuesday, 28 October 2008) http://www.iisd.ca/vol15/enb15165e.html
Concerns Increasing for BPA Bans and Phthalates
Canada has announced it would ban the use of bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles,
and the U.S. Safeway grocery chain will stop selling plastic baby bottles made
with BPA. The U.S. National Toxicology Program and the FDA Science Board have
recently indicated concern over the health safety of the chemical. Similarly,
phthalates, used in a wide variety of products, are also beginning to be subjected
to scrutiny for their effect on the genital development of male fetuses. [See
also Questions on Bisphenol A Risk Raised Again in April 2008 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
U.S. National Toxicology Program. Bisphenol A Evaluation http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/bisphenol-eval.html
3rd Largest U.S. Supermarket Chain to Ban Baby Bottles with Bisphenol-A http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/bisphenol-a-47102204?src=rss
Plastics industry behind FDA research on bisphenol A, study finds http://www2.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=809282
Male, interrupted http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20081027_Male__interrupted.html
Tougher Global Limits Imposed on Air Pollution from Large Ships
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO adopted regulations
to reduce harmful air emissions from large ships. The revised MARPOL Annex VI
Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships sets progressive
reduction in emissions of sulphur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate
matter from ships. By 2020, ships will be required to use fuel with no more
than 5,000 ppm sulfur, a 90% reduction from today’s global cap. The revised
Annex VI, and the associated NOx Technical Code, will enter into force on July
1st, 2010, under the tacit acceptance amendment procedure. MARPOL Annex VI entered
into force in May 2005 and has, so far, been ratified by 53 countries, representing
82 % of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping fleet. [See
also Concerns over Maritime Air Pollution Increase in February 2008
environmental security report.]
Sources:
Major progress on air pollution, ship recycling and ballast water management
at IMO environment meeting http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1709&doc_id=10268
IMO environment meeting finalizes ships recycling convention for adoption in
2009 http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1709&doc_id=10263
IMO environment meeting adopts revised regulations on ship emissions http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1709&doc_id=10262
Tough Global Limits Imposed on Air Pollution from Large Ships http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/oct2008/2008-10-13-01.asp
EU Batteries Directive Entered into Force
The EU Batteries Directive entered fully into force across the EU on September
26, 2008. It requires waste batteries to be properly collected and recycled
by producers and users. [See also Waste Management Policies in June
2008 and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Source:
New EU legislation requiring collection and recycling of spent batteries applies
from today http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1411&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
European Parliament Adopted Resolution on Arctic Governance
A resolution adopted by the European Parliament on October 9 regarding Arctic
governance stipulates that the European Commission should get an ‘observer
status’ on the Arctic Council to increase its proactive role in the region
and should set up a “dedicated Arctic desk.” It also suggests that
the EC open negotiations for an international treaty for the protection of the
Arctic, which at the beginning should cover at least the unpopulated and unclaimed
areas. Along with preservation, the commission should also consider a framework
for possible exploitation of the Arctic’s potentials. The MEPs expressed
concerns that the ongoing race for Arctic resources could lead to security threats
for the EU. The EU is due to publish its own guidelines for work in the Arctic
this November. [See also Arctic Needs New International Regulations
in September 2008 and other related items in previous environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
European Parliament resolution of 9 October 2008 on Arctic governance http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2008-0474+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN
Arctic governance: European Parliament deeply concerned about the effects of
climate change http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/briefing_page/39049-282-10-41-20081008BRI39048-08-10-2008-2008/default_p001c014_en.htm
Consensus on Arctic initiatives http://arctic-council.org/article/2008/9/concensus_on_arctic_initiatives
Rights of Forest Peoples Need to Be Observed in Anti-deforestation
Efforts
Research from the Rights and Resources Initiative, announced at the Rights,
Forests and Climate Change conference in Oslo, has now shown that the financial
costs of setting up legal rights for forest-dwelling peoples are around $3.35
per hectare compared with the estimated costs for elements of the UN-proposed
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) program ($800
to $3500 per hectare each year for the next 22 years), but can make a large
difference in the efforts aimed at reducing deforestation. Ignoring these rights
can cause serious problems for the efforts, and full advantage should be taken
of those peoples’ well-informed help in protecting what is, after all,
their environment. The IUCN’s World Conservation Congress also endorsed
the REDD “as long as it remains just and equitable.” [See also International
Alliance of Forest Peoples in April 2008 and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Forest Peoples' Rights Key To Reducing Emissions From Deforestation http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081015110238.htm
Barcelona sets environment action agenda http://www.iucn.org/news_events/events/congress/index.cfm?uNewsID=1946
Coral Triangle May Get Regional Protection
The six Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea,
the Solomon Islands and East Timor) that border the “Coral Triangle”
have been discussing measures for additional safeguarding of that fragile region
against pollution and other hazards. The US has pledged nearly $40 million to
support these efforts. [See also Micronesian Nations Sign Coral Reef Protection
Document in September 2007 environmental security report.]
Source:
Asia’s Coral Triangle could get protection http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27340356/
Climate Change
Scientific Evidences
Worldwatch Institute reports that 874 weather-related disasters were recorded
in 2007, representing 91% of all natural disasters, the largest annual total
since systematic recordkeeping began. These disasters caused $69 billion in
recorded losses worldwide. The Institute says that there is a 66% likelihood
that climate change will lead to more heat waves, heavier precipitation, broader
droughts, and more-intense tropical cyclones—all of which could further
increase the number of catastrophic weather events. Along the same lines, WWF’s
report Climate change: faster, stronger, sooner warns that Europe will
be confronted with more extreme weather conditions from severe cyclones to heat-waves,
floods, and droughts.
Food and Water Security
The food crisis continues in many countries, particularly in North Korea, Somalia,
and Zimbabwe, where the situations have been called humanitarian crises. Hunger
in Latin America has risen from 45 million in 2006 to 51 million today. Chinese
experts warn that the country’s food production might drop by 23% by 2050
due to climate change.
World Food Day focused increased attention on the seriousness of the situation,
but much attention is diverted by the financial crisis. The credit crisis is
aggravating the food crisis as countries like China institute new export taxes
to keep their crops and fertilizers in the country, causing the costs of these
goods to rise elsewhere. New trade agreements, like the Thailand and Iran barter
of oil for rice, reveal new types of reaction to the fluctuating prices of commodities.
Leaders worldwide are calling for action on the food crisis, such as the Asia-Europe
Meeting recommending coordinated action between Europe and Asia. A new council
was set up in Britain to look at food security.
Middle East water scarcity-related issues are aggravated as the Sea of Galilee,
Israel’s largest freshwater lake, vanishes, threatening the livelihoods
of local communities. About 50% of Israel’s drinking water comes from
the lake, water is already rationed, and its agricultural use is increasingly
reduced, jeopardizing food production.
In Bangladesh, drinking water becomes saline as rising sea levels force salt
water further inland. In Zimbabwe, the conflict situation over water has started,
as some communities’ local rivers are drying up.
Migration
The Australian government has agreed to accept climate change refugees like
the ones from Tuvalu, as a last resort, and might create a new visa category
to cover climate change refugees. Allegedly, the Tuvalu PM asked Australia to
accept all 10,000 Tuvalians in a worst-case scenario. New Zealand now accepts
75 migrants a year. Expert groups indicate that mass evacuation might be necessary
within decades. The situation extends to other low-lying nations such as Kiribati
and the Maldives.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Autumn air temperatures in the Arctic reached a record high this year, 5 degree
C (9 degree F) above normal, revealed Arctic Report Card 2008 by U.S.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The main reason is major loss
of sea ice, which allows more solar heating of the ocean, as the region is warming
up more rapidly than the rest of the planet. The report also noted that the
Arctic Ocean is getting warmer and less salty as sea ice melts; sea level rose
nearly 0.1 inch per year, one of the main contributors being Greenland’s
considerable surface ice melting. According to data from ESA’s Envisat
satellite, the thickness of sea ice in large parts of the Arctic declined by
as much as 19% last winter compared to the previous five winters. WWF’s
report Climate change: faster, stronger, sooner shows that the Arctic Ocean
is losing sea ice up to 30 years ahead of IPCC predictions and summer sea ice
could completely disappear between 2013 and 2040.
Kolahoi glacier, the only year-round source of fresh water for the Kashmir valley,
is melting at an alarming rate and might be all gone in 10 years. As water stress
threatens the livelihoods of millions, the perspective of lasting peace in the
region disputed by India and Pakistan is becoming even more difficult.
Rising Sea Levels
WWF’s report Climate change: faster, stronger, sooner estimates
that sea levels’ rise by 2100 might reach more than double the IPCC’s
maximum estimate of 0.59m. UN-Habitat’s State of the World’s
Cities Report 2008/09: Harmonious Cities highlights the vulnerability of
10% of the world population that lives in low elevation coastal zones, mainly
urban populations in deltas. Improving infrastructure is one of the essential
first steps for reducing the impact of sea level rise on the population. UNDP
predicts that there might be 30 million Bangladeshi refugees by 2050, due to
sea level rise. Jakarta could be under water by 2025 due to groundwater mining
and rising sea levels. Although Bangladesh’s landmass is increasing by
20 sq km annually as a result of deposits in the Bay of Bengal by big Himalayan
rivers, they become inhabitable only after several years and the country’s
existing landmass is being washed away faster than new land is being formed.
Some islands, such as Kutubdia, are already becoming uninhabitable and the population
has to relocate.
A new study by the University of New South Wales examining the effect of climate
change on the Australian region from the Central Coast to Wollongong reveals
that, by 2050, sea level rise is likely to be 40 centimeters, reaching 90 centimeters
by 2100, threatening Sydney’s coastal habitats and infrastructure. It
also notes that a 1 centimeter sea-level rise can cause up to 1 meter of erosion
on low-lying beaches. The full study is expected to be released in January 2009.
Dubai, Kuwait, and the Nile Delta would be significantly affected by a 1-meter
sea level rise, warns Raymond S. Bradley, director of the Climate System Research
Centre, suggesting reinforcement measures mainly around Dubai’s coastline.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The WWF report Climate Change: faster, stronger, sooner calls on the
EU to adopt an emission reduction target of at least 30% below 1990 levels by
2020 (compared to the present 20% target) in the EU territory, rather than by
overseas offsetting. It also suggests stronger EU leadership at the international
level for a post-2012 climate treaty and increased EU funding for developing
countries to address climate change and adaptation.
Japan drafted a new post-Kyoto protocol to be submitted in December at the 14th
Conference of the Parties to U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP14)
Sources:
Vital Signs Update: Weather-Related Disasters Dominate http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5452
Climate Change: faster, stronger, sooner http://assets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_science_paper_october_2008.pdf
Three billion Asians face food crisis threat http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/display/?id=4097
Thais to barter rice for oil with Iran http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c47190fe-a452-11dd-8104-
(Free, limited subscription required.)
Financial Meltdown Worsens Food Crisis. As Global Prices Soar, More People Go
Hungry http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/25/AR2008102502293.html
(Free subscription available.)
First council since Second World War set up to look at food security http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/earth/2008/10/06/eafood106.xml
Sinking Tuvualu wants our help as ocean levels rise http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24446057-948,00.html
Arctic Report Card 2008 http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/reportcard/index.html
State of the World’s Cities Report 2008/09: Harmonious Cities
http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=5964&catid=7&typeid=46&subMenuId=0
The heat is on – climate change gathers pace faster than scientists expected
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/europe/news/index.cfm?uNewsID=148141
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Russia Introduces Nanotechnology Certification System
Russia has launched NANOCERTIFICA, the Russian Federation’s first certification
system for industrial nanotechnology production. According to Nanowerk News,
the opening press conference addressed “development of testing and the
methodological base of the certification system” and “the financing
and qualification level of conformity evaluation centers and the possibility
of using nanomaterials in medicine, cosmetology, ecology and water purification”.
Source:
Russia introduces NANOCERTIFICA, its own nanotechnology certification system
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=7893.php
New Batteries Raise Health/Safety Worries about Lithium Nanoparticles
A recent column by Philip Stiff, a member of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
at the Wilson Center, raises questions about the “foreseen and unexplored
environmental, health and safety risks associated with the manufacture, use,
recycling, and disposal of nanoscale lithium-ion batteries”, emphasizing
the lack of studies on the end-of-life processes for these units.
Source:
Lithium-ion Nanomaterial Batteries: Our new hope with a dose of caution http://www.nanotech-now.com/columns/?article=250
Environmental Effects from Nanomaterial Production May Outweigh Its Benefits
An item in physorg.com states that “Environmental gains derived from the
use of nanomaterials may be offset in part by the process used to manufacture
them, according to research published in a special issue of the Journal of Industrial
Ecology.” A paper by Hatice Sengül and colleagues at the University
of Illinois at Chicago, asserts that “strict material purity requirements,
lower tolerances for defects and lower yields of manufacturing processes may
lead to greater environmental burdens than those associated with conventional
manufacturing.” A team led by Vikas Khanna at Ohio State University “found,
for example, that the lifecycle environmental impacts [of carbon nanofiber production]
may be as much as 100 times greater per unit of weight than those of traditional
materials, potentially offsetting some of the environmental benefits of small
size of nanomaterials” like less waste and cleaner processes.
Source:
Nanomaterials May Have Large Environmental Footprint http://www.physorg.com/news143907040.html
Indian Conference on Nanotechnology and Regulatory Issues
An Indian National Conference on Nanotechnology and Regulatory Issues is
scheduled January 9-10, 2009 at the Centre for NanoScience and Nanotechnology,
Saltlake City, Kolkata. The purpose of the conference is to bring together policymakers,
nanoscientists, lawyers and academicians to debate and discuss a range of issues
relating to nanotechnology regulation in India.
Source:
National Conference on Nanotechnology and Regulatory Issues
http://www.scidev.net/en/announcements/national-conference-on-nanotechnology-and-regulato.html
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
Tools for Addressing Humanity’s Growing Ecological Footprint
Earth Overshoot Day this year was on September 23 and is moving forward each
year, notes Global Footprint Network. In 2008, humanity used about 40% more
than nature can regenerate resources and absorb waste. The Living Planet
Report 2008, which documents the extent of human pressure on the planet,
reveals that 75% of the human population lives in countries that are “ecological
debtors,” demanding more biocapacity than they have within their borders.
According to UN moderate projections, by the mid-2030s we will need the equivalent
of two Earths to support us. The Ecological Footprint Atlas 2008 offers
country-by-country graphs, data tables, and sources, representing a valuable
tool to help manage our ecological assets.
Conservation International is launching a new environmental protection resource,
the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (http://biodiversityinfo.org/ibat/),
which will provide a centralized source from which organizations can obtain
comprehensive information on their possible ecological impacts.
Sources:
Global Footprint Network, World Footprint http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/world_footprint/
September 23 is Earth Overshoot Day http://www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=overshoot
The heat is on – climate change gathers pace faster than scientists expected
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/europe/news/index.cfm?uNewsID=148141
Where the wild things are http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12332923&subjectID=348924&fsrc=nwl
Database: http://biodiversityinfo.org/ibat/
miniAtlas of Human Security
The miniAtlas of Human Security, produced by the Human Security Report Project
at Simon Fraser University, Canada, is a comprehensive illustrated guide of
global and regional trends in human insecurity––with details on:
armed conflicts, genocides and other forms of deadly violence against civilians;
fatalities from political violence; numbers of refugees and other displaced
peoples; and respect for human rights.
Source:
miniAtlas of Human Security http://www.miniatlasofhumansecurity.info/en/
Proceedings of the Conference on Wearable Electronics
An insight into the current state of the field of wearable computing is available
in the proceedings of the Fifth International Forum on Applied Wearable Computing,
part of the ISWC 2008––12th IEEE International Symposium on Wearable
Computing, held September 28–October 1, 2008 in Pittsburgh PA.
Sources:
International Symposium on Wearable Computing http://www.iswc.net/
UN General Assembly Stressed Environment-related Issues
The issues most frequently mentioned by heads of state and governments at the
63rd session of the UN General Assembly were the global food crisis, impacts
of climate change, widespread hunger and poverty, access to water, nuclear control
and disarmament, human rights, and terrorism. Ukraine suggested the development
of a World Environmental Constitution as a binding framework agreement, and
the establishment of a UN entity with authority for ecological protection. Mexico
proposed a UN-managed Green Fund to help poor nations cope with the effects
of climate change. Small island developing nations that are under imminent threat
due to rising sea levels appealed for measures to ensure their survival and
the Pacific Islands Forum will resubmit a resolution asking the Security Council
to investigate the peace and security implications of global warming, although
Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Derek Sikua expressed fears that the magnitude
of climate change has already outgrown the existing capacity of the UN system
to respond.
Sources:
General Debate of the 63rd Session (23 September - 1 October 2008) http://www.un.org/ga/63/generaldebate/
Small Islands to World: S.O.S. http://www.avaaz.org/en/sos_small_islands/
UN and Governments of Latin America
and the Caribbean Met to Improve Disaster Anticipation and Response System
The First Regional Meeting on Enhancing International Humanitarian Partnerships
for Latin America and the Caribbean was held in Mexico City, September 10-11,
hosted by the Government of Mexico in collaboration with the Government of Canada
and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Participants explored how to improve disaster preparedness and response information
and coordination systems among national and regional governments and relief
organizations. As a first step, it is “essential to establish the basic
compatibility of national response systems with the international system, tools
and mechanisms,” said John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator. The next regional meeting will
be held in Brazil, in 2009.
Sources:
UN Aid Chief Urges More Coordinated Disaster Relief in Latin America, Caribbean
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28031&Cr=Caribbean&Cr1=Hurricane
First Regional Meeting on Enhancing International Humanitarian Partnerships
Concludes http://ochaonline.un.org/OchaLinkClick.aspx?link=ocha&docId=1094144
USSOUTHCOM http://www.southcom.mil/AppsSC/index.php
First EU-Central Asia Security Forum Included
Environmental Security
The aim of the first EU-Central Asia Security Forum was to consolidate relations
between the EU and the Central Asian governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as envisioned in the EU Strategy for
Central Asia. This EU strategy focuses on terrorism, non-proliferation, human
and drug trafficking, and energy and environmental security. The EU will help
with financing and expertise for curbing illegal traffic of people, arms and
drugs, while common energy security issues would be addressed by building infrastructure,
including the Nabucco pipeline. The meeting was held in Paris, September 18,
and attended by foreign ministers from the Central Asian countries and the EU
member states and candidate countries, EU dignitaries, and experts from other
organizations. Afghanistan observed. Participants agreed to have “regular
exchanges” on these security risks.
Sources:
Paris Hosts First EU-Central Asia Security Forum http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3652594,00.html
Human rights take back seat at EU-Central Asia talks http://euobserver.com/9/26778/?rk=1
Indonesian Navy to Tighten Security in Sea Border
Areas
The Indonesian Navy announced that it will tighten security in its eastern and
western sea border areas to support law enforcement efforts at sea for reducing
illegal activities such as environmental pollution, smuggling, and even manipulation
of shipping documents. Their law enforcement efforts will include prosecution
and monitoring cases until sanctions are applied.
Sources:
Indonesian Navy To Tighten Security In Border Areas http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=359652
CENTRIXS Online for CARAT and Naval Engagement Activity http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=39075
COMLOG WESTPAC http://www.clwp.navy.mil/
NASA-Like Agency to Achieve a 10-Year Environmental
Goal Proposed
An international expert meeting on worst-case scenarios for global warming held
at the Foundation for the Future near Seattle, Washington, proposed the creation
of a NASA-like U.S. agency to achieve a 10-year environmental goal. A lobby,
independent from the foundation, is being created, composed of environmental
leaders, aerospace engineers, and business executives (working title is the
American Climate Alliance) to get the US Congress to create the agency by 2010
that would reach the goal by 2020.
Source:
Meetings and email correspondence with Millennium Project Director, Jerome Glenn
and Foundation for the Future Executive Director, Robert Citron.
Nationwide Health Information Network Could
Help in Environmental Emergencies
According to information from Indiana University, “Investigators from
the Regenstrief Institute [on the campus of Indiana University’s School
of Medicine in Indianapolis] have led a demonstration of how health information
exchange technologies developed and tested regionally can be used to securely
share patient information across the nation during an emergency.” The
demo was based on the HHS-supported trial implementation of a Nationwide Health
Information Network (NHIN).
Source:
A look to the future http://www.physorg.com/news141397611.html
Conference on Resilience Concepts for Large-Scale
Disasters
Applications of chaos theory, self-organization, wisdom of the crowds, and other
concepts of how to achieve unity of effort in conditions where there is no unity
of command in humanitarian assistance and disaster management associated with
large-scale social crisis and global change will be discussed at the U.S. Resilience
Summit 2008 to be held at the Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave, N.W., Washington,
D.C. October 23rd. The meeting is intended to lead to an international summit
in 2009; however, some UN and other international participation is expected.
According to Michael D. McDonald, President, Global Health Initiatives, Inc.
and coordinator for the Resilience Summit, lessons will be drawn from disasters
such as Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, the Pakistani earthquake, the Indian Ocean
Basin Tsunami, and Cyclone Nargis. Anticipating needs for emerging situations
such as in the Philippines, North Korea, Darfur, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Eritrea,
Northern Baja California, Nigeria, Mexico City, and US inner cities will also
be explored.
Sources:
2008 U.S. Resilience Summit announcement
Meetings and correspondence with Michael.D.McDonald and Millennium Project Director,
Jerome Glenn.
Technological Advances with Environmental Security
Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Fluorescent Sensor Bacteria Offer Fast Pollutant Detection
Jan Van der Meer, an environmental microbiologist at the University of Lausanne,
Switzerland, and his team have announced successful results in their testing
of sensor bacteria that release an enzyme in response to a given chemical and
that have been genetically engineered so that that release also produces a protein
that fluoresces in a particular color. Trials were conducted by testing ocean
water for pollution from a simulated oil spill. Results could be obtained in
a matter of minutes, as compared to the weeks needed for conventional chemical
analysis. The bacteria’s self-reproduction eases the task of supplying
test material.
Source:
Detecting Pollution with Living Biosensors http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21383/page1/
DNA Spotted Microarrays Provide Faster Pathogen Identification
Prof. Sanjeev Narayanan, of the Dept. of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology,
College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State Univ., and his colleague, Greg
Peterson, reported having developed a DNA spotted microarray that finds the
specific genetic markers that distinguish one pathogen from another and also
determine antibiotic resistance. The new technique permits searches for multiple
diseases and antibiotic resistance in about a day, compared to the several days
required by earlier methods. According to an announcement, “they can detect
as many as 557 genes, making it possible for them to screen for 40 different
species of bacteria, 1,200 serotypes of Salmonella, five common serotypes of
E. coli, and resistance to the 45 most common antibiotics used to treat human
and animal illnesses caused by these pathogens.”
Sources:
Rapid test for pathogens developed by K-State researchers http://www.physorg.com/news138592074.html%20KSU%20microarrays
Researchers Developing Diagnostic 'Lab On A Chip' http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070806160105.htm
New Bacterium Can Provide Arsenic Cleanup and Possibly Detection
Thomas Osborne and Joanne Santini from University College, London presented
a paper at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn meeting announcing
the discovery, at Yellowknife NWT, Canada, of a bacterium which converts arsenic
in water from arsenite to much more easily removable arsenate, even at very
low temperatures. The researchers also hope that an enzyme enabling the development
of an arsenic biosensor can be isolated from these new strains of bacteria.
[See also Arsenic-polluted Water Decontamination Using Sulphate in
November 2004 and Transgenic Plants to Decontaminate the Environment (removes
arsenic from contaminated soil) in the October 2002 environmental security monthly
reports.]
Sources:
Bacteria Found That Cleans Up Arsenic Contamination http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2008/2008-09-08-01.asp
Researchers find cold-loving, arsenic-eating bacteria in Yellowknife gold mine
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hWVrCjSf09VceYbYMpwdLAetyBgg
New Treatment Improves Congo Red Decontamination
K.P. Gopinath of the Dept. of Chemical Engineering, A.C. College of Technology,
Anna University, Chennai, India, and colleagues reportedly have developed an
improved technique for the degradation of the toxic pollutant Congo Red. The
method uses sonolysis as pretreatment followed by biological treatment with
Bacillus sp. Sonolysis is the breaking of chemical bonds with sound.
Source:
Improved biodegradation of Congored by using Bacillus sp http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V24-4TCXGB9-2&_user=10&_coverDate=09%2F07%2F2008&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=7b8acf1bfa93ce92353434722cbd4609
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
Small Omnidirectional Wind Turbines Could Provide Remote Power
quietrevolution ltd. [sic] of London, England, has developed a wind turbine,
which is silent, only 16’ tall and 9’ in diameter, and responds
to wind from any direction. The manufacturer estimates its probable output on
a typical site at 6000-10000 kWh per year, i.e., up to about 1 kW continuous
equivalent. Further development is expected to greatly reduce its current cost
of almost $45,000 plus installation.
Sources:
quietrevolution Company http://www.quietrevolution.co.uk
Tiny Turbines May Have a Bright Future http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,575877,00.html
New Materials Provide Improved Ultracapacitor Storage
Hao Zhang of the Research Institute of Chemical Defense in China is lead author
of a paper in Nano Letters describing a new structure for ultracapacitor electrodes
consisting of flower-shaped manganese oxide nanoparticles deposited on carbon
nanotubes vertically grown on a tantalum-foil base. The authors report that
the new arrangement delivers five times as much power as activated-carbon electrodes.
Cost may be a problem with this technique. Also, Prof. Rod Ruoff of the University
of Texas at Austin is working with graphene as an electrode material, and believes
that it may double the storage capability of ultracapacitors. Jiyoung Oh and
Mikhail “Mike” Kozlov at the Univ. of Texas at Dallas’ NanoTech
Institute are conducting similar work using sheets of single-walled carbon nanotubes
embedded with the polymer polypyrrole.
Sources:
Growth of Manganese Oxide Nanoflowers on Vertically-Aligned Carbon Nanotube
Arrays for High-Rate Electrochemical Capacitive Energy Storage
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/nalefd/2008/8/i09/abs/nl800925j.html
Breakthrough In Energy Storage: New Carbon Material Shows Promise Of Storing
Large Quantities Of Renewable Electrical Energy http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916143910.htm
Nanoflowers Improve Ultracapacitors. A novel design could boost energy storage
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21375
Important Twist in Supercapacitor Research http://www.physorg.com/news141048611.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety becomes part of the International
Conference on Chemicals Management
The Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety will be integrated into the International
Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) as an advisory body providing an open,
transparent and inclusive forum for addressing new and emerging issues related
to sound chemicals management. The decision was taken at the sixth session of
the IFCS, held in Dakar, Senegal, September 15-19, 2008. The Forum also considered
nanotechnology issues, decided to include manufactured nanomaterials on its
agenda, and discussed (without reaching consensus) international transport of
lead and cadmium via trade. [See also Call for Global Ban on Lead-based
Paints in October 2007, Call for Reinforcements to Chemical Safety
in September 2006, and other related items in previous environmental security
scanning reports.]
Sources:
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety VI: Global Partnership in Chemical
Safety Contributing to the 2020 Goal http://www.iisd.ca/chemical/ifcs6/
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety––Forum VI http://www.who.int/ifcs/forums/six/en/index.html
UN to Demand Israel Pay Lebanon Compensations for War Damages
The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
will submit a motion to the Security Council requesting Israel to pay Lebanon
nearly $1 billion for environmental damages caused during the 2006 Second Lebanon
War. The amount is based on a World Bank damage assessment including, inter
alia, the cost of UN clean-up of the oil spill after Israel bombed a large refinery,
but not related environmental damages. [See also Report on Lebanon After-war
Environmental Assessment in February 2007, Environmental Legacy of
Hezbollah-Israeli War in January 2007, and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Report: UN to demand Israel pay Lebanon $1 billion in reparations http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1018564.html
UN chief 'urges Israel to pay Lebanon $1 billion' http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=95797
Nuclear Security Addressable only Internationally
The head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Thomas D’Agostino,
said that the international community should agree on a common set of security
standards to prevent the spread of WMD and terrorists or rogue nations acquiring
sensitive materials. “Let me be clear when I say I believe the United
States has a special responsibility in advancing nonproliferation and global
security. But we should not and cannot do it alone,” he said. One important
player might be the World Institute for Nuclear Security. The Institute formally
opened its doors on September 29, 2008 in Vienna, Austria.
Meantime, a new disarmament study, Abolishing Nuclear Weapons, by the International
Institute for Strategic Studies, examines the steps needed for ‘getting
to zero’ and criticizes leaders advocating nuclear disarmament while “none
of these states has an employee, let alone an interagency group, tasked full-time
with identifying what would be required to verifiably decommission all its nuclear
weapons.” [See also Increased Efforts Needed to Counter the Proliferation
of Weapons of Mass Destruction in July-August 2008, and other related items
in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
International Agreement Needed on Nuclear Security Standards, NNSA Chief Says
http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008/9/18/2DC031E3-0221-4F30-BFE0-14C4795EC6B1.html
Abolishing Nuclear Weapons http://www.iiss.org/publications/adelphi-papers/2008-adelphi-papers/abolishing-nuclear-weapons/
Study Demands Commitment to Nuclear Disarmament http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008/9/18/E44A3825-D295-4E29-B20B-E25BFC484AB0.html
World Institute for Nuclear Security http://www.nti.org/b_aboutnti/b7_WINS.html
Systems for Reducing Emissions Expanding
New Zealand Adopts Carbon Trading Scheme in 2009
The New Zealand Parliament passed the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and
Renewable Preference) Bill that will set up the country’s first emissions
trading scheme to help meet the country’s obligations under the Kyoto
Protocol. The carbon credits system begins in 2009 and is set by sectors. All
industries in a sector will effectively set limits on the amount of emitted
greenhouse gas, with those who surpass their ceilings having to buy credits
from emitters that produced emissions below their ceiling. The phases of sector
inclusion are: forestry from 2008; transport by 2009; stationary energy, such
as coal-fired power stations by 2010; and agricultural waste by 2013. Australia’s
carbon trading scheme is set to begin by 2010. [See also Post-Kyoto Negotiations
section in the April 2008 environmental security report]
Sources:
Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Legislation/Bills/c/0/4/00DBHOH_BILL8368_1-Climate-Change-Emissions-Trading-and-Renewable.htm
New Zealand Parliament Passes Carbon Trading Scheme http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50193/story.htm
China Adopting Pollution Tax Systems
Reportedly China formed a team of experts from several government agencies to
study whether to impose an environmental tax on polluters to encourage emissions
cuts. Deputy Minister for Environmental Protection Pan Yue was quoted as saying
that the team is also assessing issues of compensation for environmental damage
and creation of a trading system for polluting gases. There are no details of
the proposed tax or when it might be introduced. China already introduced taxes
aimed at emission reductions: in 2007 it cut export tax rebates for energy-intensive
products, and in September 2008 it raised consumption taxes on large passenger
vehicles.
Source:
China Mulls Green Tax to Curb Pollution – Report http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50226/story.htm
Aviation and Shipping should be Subject to Emissions Cuts
The EU is proposing to include the shipping industry in the Emission Trading
Scheme from 2013. However, climate scientists argue that, given the rapid growth
of emissions from international aviation and shipping, it is not enough that
they are included in the carbon-trading scheme, but they should be subject to
emissions cuts regulations. [See also Aviation to be included in the ETS
from 2012 in July-August 2008, Shipping to Face New Regulations to
Reduce Air Pollution in September 2007, and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
Meantime, local actions are increasing. In California, a “clean trucks”
program put in place by local port authorities will begin operating 1 October,
when all pre-1989 diesel rigs will be barred from entering the Los Angeles and
Long Beach waterfront marine terminals. The restrictions will continue incrementally
through 1 January 2012, when only trucks meeting federal 2007 emission standards
will be allowed in.
Sources:
Aviation and shipping cannot trade away emissions, scientist warns http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/24/carbonemissions.emissionstrading
EU Lawmaker Demands Shipping Included in CO2 Caps http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50188/story.htm
EU Lawmaker Warns CO2 Caps in Danger, Eyes Shipping http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50185/story.htm
Ports gear up for Clean Trucks Program http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_10580651
Ozone Continues to Thin over Antarctica Casting Doubt on Success of
the Montreal Protocol
The World Meteorological Organization estimates that the ozone hole over Antarctica
this year is 8% larger than its peak in 2007 and it might take another 50 years
to completely recover. Nevertheless, without the Montreal Protocol, the impact
at the polar regions would have been more significant, shows the “world
avoided” computer model, which considers only chlorine changes, all the
other variables being constant. [See also Call for Expanding Montreal Protocol
on Ozone-Depleting Substances in September 2007, and other similar items
on this issue in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
The world we avoided http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080905/full/news.2008.1081.html
Ozone hole 8% larger this year, meteorologists say http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/6004433.html
The ozone hole of 2008 is larger than in 2007 http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/press_releases/pr_829_en.html
Arctic Needs New International Regulations
Legal experts participating to the Polar Law Symposium hosted by the United
Nations University and the University of Akureyri in northern Iceland, September
7-9, 2008, concluded that a new legal framework is needed for the fragile and
changing polar regions. They put forward a set of recommendations to governments,
international bodies and other interested parties (to be distributed within
six weeks of the event). “Many experts believe this new rush to the polar
regions is not manageable within existing international law,” said A.H.
Zakri, Director of the UNU Yokohama-based Institute of Advanced Studies, while
Tatiana Saksina of the WWF expressed that “there should be new rules,
stricter rules. We are proposing a new convention for the protection of the
Arctic Ocean.”
Meantime, Russian President Medvedev re-launched military patrols in the Arctic
waters and called on the security agency to establish a formal border in the
region since it had “strategic importance” for Russia, while Gazprom
announced the creation of a subsidiary company for the Arctic reserves exploration.
The economic benefits of an ice-free Arctic are also pushing the EU’s
polar strategy up on the policy agenda, while a US-Canada expedition will explore
the Arctic region, collecting data for mapping the Arctic seafloor and studying
the geology of the sub-seafloor to build the case for the two countries’
rights. [See also The Debate over Strategic Control of the Arctic is Heating
Up in July-August 2008, and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
International Symposium: Looking beyond the International Polar Year. Emerging
and re-emerging issues in international law and policy in the Polar Regions
http://www.ias.unu.edu/sub_page.aspx?catID=8&ddlID=620
Thaw Of Polar Regions May Need New UN Laws – Experts http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50115/story.htm
President Medvedev threatens Russian Arctic annexation http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4773567.ece
Russia to cement claim over resource-rich Arctic http://www.neurope.eu/articles/89848.php
Unexplored Arctic region to be mapped http://www.physorg.com/news139663090.html
Melting ice cap pushes Arctic up EU agenda http://euobserver.com/9/26723/?rk=1
Increased Use of Space Technology for Monitoring Environmental Events
Kopernikus is the new name of the European joint earth observation system GMES
(Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). In addition to monitoring
environmental events, Kopernikus will enhance people’s safety by providing
early warnings of natural disasters and a basis of enhanced modeling activities
to help better understand the drivers of climate change. The EU 5th Space Council
adopted a Resolution on the priorities of Galileo and Kopernikus programs, while
the Space Council highlighted the need to improve the coordination between civil
and defense programs, and noted the intention of ESA’s Director General
to submit a proposal for a program on Space Situational Awareness to set the
basis towards the development of a European capability for monitoring European
space infrastructure and of space debris.
Chinese officials say they have launched their first two natural disaster and
environment monitoring satellites.
A report by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program concluded that the utilization
of Earth science information to manage resources and protect public health should
improve. [See also Space Technology for Improving Planetary Knowledge and
Security in April 2006, and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Kopernikus - Europe's eye in the sky http://www.norwaypost.no/cgi-bin/norwaypost/imaker?id=194211
Forum GMES 2008 http://www.forumgmes2008.eu
Ministers meet to take forward the European Space Policy http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMW506EJLF_index_0.html
China launches natural disaster monitoring satellites http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/06/content_9806611.htm
Report Explores Use Of Earth Data To Support National Priorities http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Report_Explores_Use_Of_Earth_Data_To_Support_National_Priorities_999.html
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
The four tropical storms, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike, destroyed all of Haiti’s
harvest, killed at least 328 people, and left some 800,000 people––about
10% of the population—in need of emergency assistance. Cuba, struck by
hurricanes Gustav and Ike also suffered what the government described as the
worst damage in the island’s history. In India, the unusually strong monsoon
caused enormous flooding, with an estimated 3 million people in need of assistance
“such that only the Army can handle it,” said Parshuram Rai, director,
Centre for Environment and Food Security (CEFS) in New Delhi.
Meantime, in the arid Somali Region of Ethiopia it has not rained for three
years, and the Horn of Africa is facing a humanitarian crisis, with 17 million
people, including 3 million children, in urgent need of food and other critical
assistance.
Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organization, warned that the country should prepare a network of long-term
coastal observation sites to improve large wave understanding and increase preparedness
for more severe and frequent storms.
Food and Water Security
The World Bank warns that the global food crises will be long-term as climate
change, energy, and water scarcity intensify. In Africa, 100 million people
are at risk of moving back into poverty. The International Water Management
Institute (IWMI) argues that the world is facing not so much a food crisis as
a water crisis, which might intensify, as water is likely to get scarcer due
to global warming and increased demand.
Migration
Worldwatch Institute estimates that roughly one in every 36 people worldwide
is moving involuntarily and warns that, as the trend increases, the international
community is facing special challenges. Climate change will increase the ranks
of “environmental refugees,” especially of the 600 million people
living in low-lying areas. A research team from the School of Oceanographic
Studies at the Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, estimate that out of the
4.1 million people living in the Sunderbans, the largest delta region in the
world, 70,000 would become ‘environmental refugees,’ by 2020. The
initial land given to relocated people was decreased and is causing discontent.
The rate of sea level rise is currently approaching 3.14 mm per year near Sagar
Island and this could increase to 3.5 mm in the next few years due to global
warming.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
The Northwest Passage has been ice-free since early August for the second year
in a row and it’s the first year that both the Northwest Passage over
the top of North America and Russia's Northeast Passage are free of ice. Although
the ice is the second lowest (after last year’s record), the US National
Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) says “some climate modelers expect to
see nothing but open water within five years.” This is corroborated by
Canadian scientists who report that Canada’s Arctic ice shelves are disappearing
at an incredibly high rate. The greatest changes are occurring at the highest
northern latitudes; this summer alone, five ice shelves along the northern Ellesmere
Island had shrunk by 23%.
The report Global Glacier Changes: Facts and Figures by UNEP and the World Glacier
Monitoring Service is a comprehensive analysis of the fluctuations of glaciers
and ice caps worldwide and presents the overall trend of glaciers’ retreat.
The report underlines that while excellent data exist for Europe and North America,
monitoring should urgently improve for “some strategically important regions”
as the Tropics, Central Asia and the Polar Regions, where data gaps undermine
the ability to provide early warning and plan preparedness accordingly.
According to initial calculations, Greenland has lost 150 billion tons of ice
a year in the last four years. The Danish–American project GNET is part
of a scientific observation network for monitoring and providing estimates on
Greenland’s ice cap melting rate.
A Spanish research study has revealed that Pyrenean glaciers might disappear
by 2050. Glaciological calculations have shown that since 1990 rapid melting
has caused total regression of the smallest glaciers and 50%-60% of the surface
area of the largest glaciers.
Satellite images revealed that the Karakoram-Himalayan glaciers have been retreating
at around 110 meters a year over the period 1978 to 2006 compared to the 30
to 34 meters previously reported. Among human activities that have caused the
retreat are listed intense military activities at the Siachen Glacier region,
along with dumping of chemical and human waste. The Karakoram-Himalayan glaciers
are headwaters for Asia’s nine largest rivers, including the Indus, Ganges,
Mekong, Yangtze and Yellow rivers.
Rising Sea Levels
A study commissioned by the Dutch government recommends that the Netherlands
should spend “an extra 1 to 1.5 billion euros per year” to 2100
(representing about 0.3% of the national income) since “The security challenge
is urgent: the climate is changing, the sea level rising and river flows increasing
while a quarter of dikes and dams do not meet the current safety norms.”
The report predicts a sea level rise of between 0.65 and 1.3 meters (2.15 and
4.3 feet) by 2100 and up to four meters by 2200.
A team of US scientists concluded that it is very unlikely that sea levels would
rise by more than 2m (7ft) by 2100, even if one factored in faster melting and
flow of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and glaciers. However, paleoclimatologists
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, analyzing the prehistoric Laurentide
ice sheet (today’s Greenland is an analog of those earlier climatic conditions)
say that Greenland could melt faster than estimated based on contemporary trends,
raising sea levels 1.3 meters by 2100.
The representatives of four Pacific island nations––Kiribati, the
Marshall Islands, Palau, and Micronesia––called on delegates at
the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate to increase help and adaptation
actions. Kiribati’s President Anote Tong noted that his country has only
several decades before the country’s islands become uninhabitable. Tonga’s
Prime Minister Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele underlined that “climate refugees
from some of the Pacific Island Forum countries is no longer a prospect but
a reality, with relocations of communities due to sea level rise already taking
place.”
Cities along the West coast of Africa from Mauritania to Cameroon will be underwater
as a result of rising sea levels by the end of the century, environmental experts
say. A separate report from South Africa says Cape Town has a one in five chance
of severe flooding within 25 years as a result of global warming.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The Climate Change Review by Professor Ross Garnaut, commissioned by Australia’s
government, assesses what should be targets for cutting CO2 emissions by the
greatest emitting countries to respond to climate change. The report recommends
the following targets: for Australia 80% for 2050 with a 10% interim by 2020;
same for Canada; for the U.S. 81%, for Japan 75%, and the EU 69%. If considering
emissions per capita, China should cut only 4%. The Australian Federal Treasury
will release its emissions trading scheme economic model in October, while emissions
trading legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of the year.
Sources:
UN appeals for over $100 million to aid Haiti storm-stricken survivors http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=27996&Cr=Haiti&Cr1=Storm
Cuba suffered what the government described as the worst damage in the island’s
history after being struck by hurricanes Gustav and Ike. http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12262213&fsrc=nwl
Flooding in India: Why wasn't the government ready? http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0905/p04s01-wosc.html
Africa's "silent famine" deepens http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/2055472
Running dry. The Economist, Sep 18th 2008 http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12260907&subjectID=348924&fsrc=nwl
Vital Signs Update: Environment a Growing Driver in Displacement of People http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5888?utm_campaign=vital_signs_online&utm_medium=email&utm_source=refugees&emc=el&m=146333&l=8&v=2cd1f28709
Global Glaciers Changes: facts and figures http://www.grid.unep.ch/glaciers/
War zone’s melting glacier a ‘colossal’ risk http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080921/FOREIGN/884783946/1103/ART
Dutch government warned against rising sea levels http://www.terradaily.com/2007/080903152846.60bx5glo.html
General Debate of the 63rd Session (23 September - 1 October 2008) http://www.un.org/ga/63/generaldebate/
WEST AFRICA: Coastline to be submerged by 2099 http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=79986
Garnaut Climate Change Review http://www.garnautreview.org.au/
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Survey of Nanotube Toxicity to Immune Systems
A recent paper reviews some existing studies assessing carbon nanotubes’
toxicity to immune systems and provides the potential mechanistic explanation.
International Environmental Nanotechnology Conference 2008
The 2008 International Environmental Nanotechnology Conference: Applications
and Implications will be held 7-9 October in Chicago IL. According to the announcement,
“The conference will bring together researchers and practitioners from
around the world to discuss the nanotechnology applications for remediation
of environmental contaminants; the implications of releasing manufactured nanoparticles
into the environment, and pollution control and nano-enabled sensing.”
Sources:
Exploring the Immunotoxicity of Carbon Nanotubes http://www.springerlink.com/content/g4u1716412126840/
International Environmental Nanotechnology Conference: Applications and Implications
http://emsus.com/nanotechconf/index.htm
Reports and Information Suggested
for Review
Environmental Considerations Should be Included in Planning Military
Operations
“Green Warriors. Army Environmental Considerations for Contingency Operations
from Planning Through Post-Conflict” by RAND Corporation Arroyo Center,
is a comprehensive analysis of the environmental aspects in military operations.
It shows that considering environmental factors in military actions gives strategic
advantages in combat and post-conflict operations, increasing the overall missions’
success. Environmental conditions impact troops’ health, safety and security
and affect diplomatic relations and local populations’ and neighboring
countries’ confidence in the operation. However, the study finds that
the Army doesn’t have a comprehensive approach to environmental considerations
at any phase, or in contracting. The recommendations are: “1. Improve
the policy and guidance for environmental considerations in contingency operations.
2. Encourage an environmental ethic throughout the Army that extends to contingency
operations. 3. Better incorporate environmental considerations into planning.
4. Improve pre-deployment and field environmental training. 5. Invest more in
environmental resources and good environmental practices for field operations.
6. Use a ‘sustainability’ model for contingency operations.”
Although specifically analyzing the Army, the results apply to any actors involved
in contingency operations.
Green Warriors. Army Environmental Considerations for Contingency Operations
from Planning Through Post-Conflict http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG632/
Downloadable PDF: http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG632.pdf
International Nuclear Safety Regime Review
“A Guide to Global Nuclear Governance: Safety, Security and Nonproliferation”
is a review of international agreements and bodies addressing nuclear safety
and security issues around the world. The report was prepared by the Canadian
Centre for International Governance Innovation and is intended to be followed
next year by a report of recommendations to improve international monitoring
of nuclear material and combat proliferation.
Sources:
CIGI Publishes First-Of-Its-Kind Nuclear Guide http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=130760&Itemid=30
A Guide to Global Nuclear Governance: Safety, Security and Nonproliferation
http://www.igloo.org/cigi/download-nocache/Publications/research/nucleare/test/testa/global_nuc
A New Step Toward Preventing Water
Wars
Falling water tables around the world increase the likelihood
that abuse of international groundwater aquifers will cause conflicts. The International
Law Commission adopted draft articles for the first international framework
convention on transboundary groundwater aquifers. The articles cover issues
related to utilization of transboundary aquifers; activities that have or are
likely to have an impact on aquifers; and measures for the protection, preservation,
and management of transboundary aquifers. The draft articles create a framework
and set of principles for further negotiations to eventually create a binding
convention. The articles are compatible with but independent from the UN Convention
on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UN Watercourses
Convention), and hence, not dependent upon its ratification. The UN Watercourses
Convention was adopted in 1997 (with only China, Turkey, and Burundi voting
against) and has 16 of the 35 required ratifications to go into force. At the
2008 World Water Week held in Stockholm, the WWF called upon states to support
the Convention’s entry into force as a way to prevent future possible
conflicts due to competition over water resources.
Sources:
International Law Commission Adopts Draft Articles of a Transboundary Aquifers
Convention http://www.asil.org/insights/2008/08/insights080827.html
International Law Commission sixtieth session; summary of the session http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/sessions/60/60sess.htm#summary
World needs global water agreement now http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/press_releases/index.cfm?uNewsID=143643
2008 World Water Week Press releases http://www.worldwaterweek.org/press/index.asp
WWF in 'water wars' warning http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/wwf-in-water-wars-warning-$1236964.htm
East African Environmental Projects to Fight
Crime and Link Journalists
The Environmental Crime Project launched jointly by the Institute for Security
Studies and Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization has the mandate
to develop mechanisms to improve environmental law enforcement and policy making
in the East African region. The project will operate in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania,
Burundi, Rwanda, Seychelles, Ethiopia and Sudan, increasing protection against
all forms of environmental crimes.
The new Network of Climate Journalists in the Greater Horn of Africa (NECJOGHA,
www.necjogha.org) represents an interactive
resource for environment-related information and communication in the region.
The network is the result of collaboration among many international and national
environment organizations, universities, and climate centers.
Sources:
Stakeholders Meeting and Launch of ISS-EAPCCO Environmental Crime Project http://www.issafrica.org/index.php?link_id=6299&link_type=12&tmpl_id=3
Launch of the Environmental Crime Project in Eastern Africa http://www.necjogha.org/node/86
NECJOGHA http://www.necjogha.org
Environmental Security Issues Discussed at the
G8 in Japan
Environmental security issues such as climate change, food crises, energy security
and disaster reduction were the focus of the 34th G8 Summit held in Toyako,
Hokkaido, July 7–9, 2008. Although the Summit ended without an agreement
on firm targets for reducing greenhouse gases, the final declaration stipulates
a goal of at least 50% by 2050, with mid-term goals to be adopted by individual
countries. This does not meet the suggestion made by the G5 countries (Mexico,
Brazil, China, India and South Africa), which also attended the Summit, that
developed countries’ greenhouse gas reduction targets should be more than
80% by 2050 with an interim target of a 25-40% reduction by 2020. G8 leaders
also agreed to implementing ambitious economy-wide mid-term GHG emission reduction
goals, using sectoral approaches for achieving national emission objectives,
conducting an energy forum to focus on efficiency and new technologies to be
held in 2009 in Japan, and establishing the Climate Investment Funds to be administered
by the World Bank to support the efforts of developing countries.
Sources:
G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit http://www.g8summit.go.jp/eng/
G8 statement on climate change and environment http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/08/climatechange.carbonemissions/print
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
Nanotech Advances for Safer Environment
Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Give Support to Antimicrobial Enzyme
A team of researchers from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn
University produced antimicrobial coatings that have the potential to prevent
diseases from spreading on contaminated surfaces. They mixed a lysozome solution
with physically strengthening single-walled carbon nanotubes, and used layer-by-layer
deposition to produce an inherently antimicrobial surface.
Sources:
Strong Antimicrobial Coatings: Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Armored with Biopolymers
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/sample.cgi/nalefd/asap/html/nl080522t.html
Super strong antimicrobial coatings for medicine, defense http://www.physorg.com/news134652009.html
Engineering team recognized for breakthrough antimicrobial research http://www.eng.auburn.edu/admin/marketing/newsroom/2008/june/antimicrobial.html
Nanotube-based Coating Repels Water to Achieve Self-cleaning Surface
A research team led by Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh at the National Institute for
Interdisciplinary Science and Technology in Trivandrum, India, developed a coating
that produces surfaces so hydrophobic that a 2° slope causes water droplets
to run off them, taking dust and other contaminants with them. The treatment
is a dispersion of carbon nanotubes that coated with para-ethylene vinylene,
a highly hydrophobic molecule.
Source:
Carbon Nanotubes with Nanoscopic Paraffin Coating Form Self-Cleaning Surfaces
http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=6912
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Chemical Probe Offers Fast Detection of Ricin
A team of the Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California
at San Diego developed a fast-acting (30 minute) test for the presence of ricin-caused
cell damage, based on inserting into RNA a synthetic nucleoside that glows under
UV, when it is damaged by ricin. Previous tests, which detect the ricin protein
itself, require 48 hours. The researchers anticipate that the technique can
be implemented in a chip for use in the field.
Source:
Ricin’s Deadly Action Revealed by Glowing Probes http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/general/08-08RicinGlowingProbe.asp
Single-electron Transistors (SETs) and NEMS Make for New High-performance
Sensor
A team at the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of
Southampton, England, part of the EU FP-7 NEMSIC project, is developing an extremely
small, high-performance, low-power sensor in silicon which will have applications
in biosensing and environmental monitoring. The device co-integrates single-electron
transistors (SETs) and nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) on a common silicon
technology platform to produce the smallest sensor offered so far.
Source:
World's Smallest, High-Performance and Low-Power Sensor in Silicon http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=6740
New Studies of Bacterial Oil Degradation in Contaminated Soil
Two papers in the recent issue of the African Journal of Biotechnology report
on studies, one in Nigeria and one in Kwazulu-Natal, of bacterial degradation
of oil in contaminated soil. The latter research found five indigenous bacteria
that degraded diesel by more than 85% within two weeks.
Sources:
Degradation of diesel oil in a polluted soil using Bacillus subtilis http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB/PDF/pdf2008/17Jun/Nwaogu%20et%20al.pdf
Isolation and characterization of diesel oil degrading indigenous microorganisms
in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB/PDF/pdf2008/17Jun/Singh%20and%20Lin.pdf
Improved Technique for Removing Heavy Metals from Water
Scientists of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the State
Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Chinese Academy
of Sciences in Beijing, developed an improved technique for removing heavy metals
from water. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles coated with humic acid are added to
the water; they adsorb heavy metals, and are then removed with magnets. Their
innovation is the use of the humic acid coating to prevent the particles from
aggregating or oxidizing, while the acid itself combines with heavy metal ions.
Source:
Applying nanotechnology to water treatment http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=6810.php
Increasing Energy Efficiency
New Catalysts Improve Hydrogen Generation Processes for Energy Storage
Prof. Daniel Nocera of MIT announced development of a new electrolyzing technique
that provides an efficient way to use electricity, as generated by solar panels
or a wind farm, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage and later
use in a fuel cell. The technique is based on a novel cobalt/phosphate catalyst
that allows the process to be carried out in an inexpensive non-specialized
environment.
Similarly, scientists of Monash Univ. “have developed an efficient water
oxidation catalyst, based on a manganese cubane cluster, which combines features
of photosynthetic enzymes with the light harvesting power of dye-sensitized
solar cells … [and, paired] with a proton reducing catalytic cathode,
… have produced a photoelectrochemical cell that produces pure H2 and
O2 from water and sunlight.”
Finally, Prof. Umit Ozkan, of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Ohio
State University, designed an inexpensive cerium-based catalyst that produces
hydrogen from ethanol or other biofuels. This would allow conversion from liquid
fuel to hydrogen to be done at the final fueling point.
Sources:
'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/oxygen-0731.html
Scientists learn from nature to split water http://www.physorg.com/news138179858.html
Solar water splitting for renewable hydrogen production http://www.sync.monash.edu.au/absorption.html
A better way to make hydrogen from biofuels http://www.physorg.com/news138450335.html
Integrated Monitoring/Control System Aids Buildings’ Environmental
Performance
Agilewaves Inc. of Menlo Park, CA combined its Resource Monitor with a Crestron
control system to produce a smart building system through which energy consumption
can now be automatically tracked and controlled in real time. The Resource Monitor
collects data from sensors placed in key areas, providing real-time information
on resource consumption that can be broken down to specific floors, rooms, and
appliances. It then alerts the Control System to act and keep energy consumption
within limits by adjusting a thermostat, lights, water or blinds, for example.
Source:
Agilewaves Marries Monitoring and Control in New Smart System http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/07/28/agilewaves-marries-monitoring-and-control-new-smart-system
New Materials Provide Hope for Improved Ultra-capacitor
EEStor, of Cedar Park TX, claims that its electrical energy storage unit will
have more than three times the energy density of the top lithium-ion batteries
today. The unit is based on a ceramic material consisting of a barium titanate
powder coated with aluminum oxide and a type of glass material. Some experts
have expressed doubts about the material’s ability to withstand the high
voltage gradients necessary to achieve the stated capacities, but others are
more supportive.
Source:
Better Batteries Charge Up http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21171
New Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks Improves Many Metrics
Los Alamos National Laboratory computer scientist Sami Ayyorgun developed a
new communications scheme for wireless sensor networks that improves a number
of network performance measures, e.g., connectivity, energy, delay, throughput,
system longevity, coverage, and security. The technique depends on each node’s
using a dynamically variable transmitting power, chosen according to an algorithm
described in the paper.
Sources:
Towards a Self-organizing Stochastic-Communications Paradigm for Wireless Ad-hoc
Networks; Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA
Networks of the Future: Extending Our Senses into the Physical World http://www.lanl.gov/news/index.php/fuseaction/home.story/story_id/14183
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Biological Weapons Convention Meeting
The Meeting of Experts from States parties to the Biological Weapons Convention
(BWC) held in Geneva, August 18–22, 2008, is part of a four-year program
to improve effectiveness of the Convention. The focus of the meeting was increasing
biosafety and biosecurity at international, regional, and national levels. The
proposals included: improving awareness and education of scientists and policymakers;
adopting and/or developing codes of conduct (especially for scientists who deal
with biological materials); establishing international standards and external
certification and audit mechanisms; increasing regional and international cooperation
to improve biosafety and biosecurity methods; and organizing workshops for officials
and scientists. [See also Progress for Enforcing Biological Weapons Convention
in December 2007 and Sixth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention
in December 2006 and other related environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Biological Weapons Convention Experts to Meet In Geneva from 18 To 22 August
http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/623C880718912F67C12574A50040EA3F?OpenDocument
The Inter Review Conference Meetings. 2008 Meeting of Experts: 18-22 August
2008 http://www.opbw.org/new_process/mx2008/mx2008.htm
UN hosts summit on dangers of biological weapons http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-08-18-un-hosts-summit-on-dangers-of-biological-weapons
Increased Efforts Needed to Counter the Proliferation of Weapons of
Mass Destruction
The second report of the U.N. Security Council 1540 Committee concluded that
although nations have made progress since the first report of the committee
in April 2006, further measures are needed to completely carry out their obligations
under the resolution intended to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. Information on all 192 U.N. nations was collected, out of which
155 provided reports on their 1540 implementation activities. The committee’s
recommendations include enhancing its own efforts, as well as improving collaboration
with global and regional intergovernmental organizations to assist nations with
the implementation process.
“It’s Asia that has the most potent latent capabilities to develop
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons,” said Paul Dibb, professor at
the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defense Studies Center,
at an Asian Pacific security forum. He also noted that groups such as the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum have
failed to establish effective nonproliferation arrangements, while Australia’s
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s suggestion for an Asia Pacific Community to
deal with security challenges in the region enjoys little enthusiasm. The mission
of the new U.N. Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific,
opened in Katmandu, Nepal, is to counter possible nuclear smuggling by terrorist
and criminal groups in the region.
Meanwhile, the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials
of Mass Destruction, initially supporting the program to secure and destroy
WMD materials in Russia and Ukraine, agreed to expand their efforts to other
countries (not yet specified). [See also New Concerns Rising over Chemical
Weapons in April 2007 and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Progress Has Been Made, but More Needs To Be Done To Implement Resolution 1540
in Full, United Nations Security Council 1540 Committee Concludes http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sc9425.doc.htm
Asian neighbours 'could go nuclear' http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24213168-5007133,00.html
G-8 Global Partnership: Adapting to New Realities http://www.partnershipforglobalsecurity.org/documents/Press_Release_G8GP_Final.pdf
U.N. non-proliferation center in Nepal http://www.metimes.com/Security/2008/08/18/un_non-proliferation_center_in_nepal/2741/
Support for Total Ban on Nuclear Weapons Increases
Marking the 40th anniversary of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, on July
1, 2008, members of the European Parliament launched a Parliamentary declaration
in support of the Nuclear Weapons Convention and a move towards total elimination
of nuclear arsenals. Meantime, Australia established the International Commission
on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, the Seven Nation Initiative for
nuclear disarmament got revived, and both U.S. presidential candidates supported
the vision of a nuclear weapons-free world. [See also Australia to Propose
Panel to Advance Work for the NPT Review in 2010 in June 2008, Non-Proliferation
Treaty Deadlock Continues in May 2008 and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Members of the European Parliament launch support for a total ban on nuclear
weapons: Marking the 40th anniversary of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
http://www.gsinstitute.org/pnnd/archives/07_01_08_PR_EP.html
International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament http://www.pm.gov.au/media/Release/2008/media_release_0352.cfm
Aviation to be included in the ETS from 2012
The European Parliament adopted legislation to include aviation in the EU Emissions
Trading System starting January 1, 2012. The regulation applies to all flights
starting and/or landing in Europe (including intercontinental flights) by EU
and non-EU airlines. Exceptions apply to: flights for humanitarian purposes
under a UN mandate; emergency flights; police, customs and military flights;
research flights; and small airline companies producing low emissions. [See
also Provisional Agreement for Including Aviation in the Emission Trading
Scheme from 2012 in June 2008 and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Aviation to be included in the European Trading System from 2012 as MEPs adopt
legislation http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-33577-189-07-28-911-20080707IPR33572-07-07-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm
Aviation industry attacks EU emissions plan that effects airlines worldwide
http://euobserver.com/9/26511
The Debate over Strategic Control of the Arctic is Heating Up
This year, for the first time in known human history, both the Northwest and
Northeast Passages are free of ice, opening the opportunity for the Arctic shortcut
shipping route. Scientists estimate that by the summer of 2030, the Arctic might
be completely ice-free for a few weeks. This increases concerns over security,
environment, and resource-race issues, but, most of all, over the strategic
control of the Arctic. While the multilateral negotiations are stalled, the
Nordic countries continue to build their cases for territorial and security
claims.
Canada is expanding by half a million square kilometers its Arctic Ocean territory––doubling
the 100 nautical miles of the coastline that it presently regulates––and
will make it mandatory for all ships entering its polar waters to report their
presence. By the current regulations, registration with national authorities
of ships in the Arctic is voluntary. “Canada takes responsibility for
environmental protection and enforcement in our Arctic waters,” said Prime
Minister Stephen Harper. The claim includes the Northwest Passage, which no
other country recognizes as a Canadian waterway. At a geology conference in
Norway, Canada detailed its territorial claims to the Lomonosov Ridge, arguing
that the ridge is part of the North American continent, not part of Siberia,
as Russia has asserted. Canada’s argument is supported by the Danish government,
which also hopes to expand its part of the energy-rich ridge. Meantime, Greenland,
encouraged by possible increased revenues from resource exploitations, hopes
to become financially independent and therefore aspire to its own sovereignty.
Meantime, a U.S. Coast Guard-led expedition was sent out on a mapping mission
to determine the extent of the continental shelf north of Alaska and map the
ocean floor. The data gathered could be used for oil and natural gas exploration.
Margaret Hays, the director of the oceanic affairs office at the U.S. State
Department, said the Alaskan continental shelf may lie up to 600 nautical miles
from the coastline, far beyond the 200-mile economic exploitation zone. The
UN deadline for territorial claims is 2013.
Meantime, China sent its third expedition to the North Pole, saying its purposes
are purely scientific, for studying climate change in the area and possible
implications for China, rather than exploration of natural resources.
In view of the Arctic debate, Durham University’s International Boundaries
Research Unit has prepared a map and explanatory notes showing the region’s
current state of affairs and key disputed territories. The map should help politicians
and policy makers to understand areas of maritime jurisdiction as they engage
in and try to settle sea territorial disputes.
As the ice recedes, new rules are needed to prevent “a rush to exploit
all the available resources of the Arctic - another Klondike - and avoiding
the destabilizing effects of massive infrastructure developments,” said
Jacqueline McGlade, executive director of the European Environment Agency.
Sources:
Northeast and Northwest Passages Both Free of Ice http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,574815,00.html
PM pledges wider Arctic patrols http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080828.ARCTIC28//TPStory/Environment
more than 200 cruise ships circled Greenland in 2007, up from 27 in 2004 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/world/europe/17arctic.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Rush to Arctic as warming opens oil deposits http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/12/MN5R1290QE.DTL&hw=Coile&sn=001&sc=1000
Russia’s Arctic ambitions challenged http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9d1a80e0-6c7d-11dd-96dc-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1
A Push to Increase Icebreakers in the Arctic http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/world/europe/17arctic.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Russia leads scramble for Arctic http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/2570295/Russia-leads-scramble-for-Arctic.html
U.S. ship heads for Arctic to define territory http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1138192220080811?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true
US mission to Arctic will lay claim to gas reserves http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2549271/US-mission-to-Arctic-will-lay-claim-to-gas-reserves.html
The Race To Own The Top Of The World http://www.arcticoag.com/documents/press.html
Ice Free http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/magazine/27wwln-phenom-t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Chief scientist: China's North Pole trip focuses only on climate studies http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90781/90879/6449077.html
New map aims to help battle for Arctic territories http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL562407320080806?sp=true
Maritime jurisdiction and boundaries in the Arctic region (map) http://www.dur.ac.uk/ibru/resources/arctic/
Climate Change
Scientific Evidences
The “Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate” report
by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change
Research warns that extreme weather events such as the drought that hit this
year in Atlanta, the heat-wave in New York, and the flooding of Des Moines are
likely to increase in frequency across North America as the planet warms.
At the opening of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale,
attended by more than 2,500 scientists and government officials, NOAA revealed
that nearly half of U.S. coral reef ecosystems are considered to be in “poor”
or “fair” condition.
A “Position Analysis: CO2 Emissions And Climate Change: Ocean Impacts
And Adaptation Issues” by the Australian Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems
Cooperative Research Centre suggest that oceanic acidification rose to the point
that it should be considered in security strategies and longer-term national
risk assessments. The analysis states that CO2 in the atmosphere is at its highest
level in 650,000 (possibly 23 million) years, and half has been dissolved in
the oceans, increasing their acidity. Ocean acidification affects coral structures,
marine life, and fisheries, potentially threatening the food security of millions
in the Asia-Pacific, and presenting strategic and humanitarian challenges. As
environmental threats for Pacific Island communities increase, so mount demands
on Australia to assist countries facing environmental disasters.
Food and Water Security
The food crisis continues to deteriorate. Malnutrition in India will get worse
as the country may lose up to 17% of its farming income due to climate change.
India and Cambodia are promoting the use of rat meat to offset the food crisis.
Bangladesh might lose some 30% of its food production by 2050. The island of
Mindanao in the Philippines may experience a food crisis as internal conflict
forces displacement of many. Tropical storms in Haiti such as Fay worsen the
food crisis, triggering new protests. UN agencies say that 50% of Somalia will
be totally dependent on food aid and emergency assistance over the next year.
UNICEF says that food shortage might affect up to 70% of rural population in
the south, with one in six children suffering from acute malnutrition. South
Africa might have its maize crop reduced by 20% within 15 to 20 years as drought
worsens in the west, while the east is increasingly afflicted by severe storms.
Three successive years of drought in the West Bank and restraint on movement
brought some 50,000 Bedouins and herders to the brink of emergency, says the
International Committee of the Red Cross, which helps them face an acute water
shortage. This is aggravating Palestinian frustrations over the control of water
resources in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Afghanistan, though, the food
crises might help the government and international community efforts in encouraging
the replacement of poppy crops with food crops, tackling both the drug trade
and the food crisis.
Meantime, UNCTAD notes that while the world tends to address the urgent humanitarian
aspects of global food crisis, attention should be focused on the structure
of trade and development policy that underlies the crisis. Similarly, some analysis
papers state that the world is producing enough to feed its population, but
one of the major problems behind the food crisis is that as much as half of
all food grown is lost or wasted (which means also wasted water). A policy brief,
“Saving Water: From Field to Fork – Curbing Losses and Wastage in
the Food Chain” produced by FAO, the International Water Management Institute,
and the Stockholm International Water Institute, calls on all actors in society
to reduce food waste by half, by 2025.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Experts at the World Water Week conference held in Stockholm warned of the rapid
glacial melting and dramatic changes in rainfall in the world’s mountainous
regions. Himalayan glaciers are retreating the most rapidly, said Mats Eriksson,
of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. Stretching
across China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bhutan and Afghanistan, the Himalayas
range constitutes a major source of water for some of the most populous parts
of the planet.
Arctic Ocean sea ice might set another record low this summer, according to
scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, and to ESA’s Envisat
satellite observations. The direct route through the Northwest Passage became
almost free of ice, while the Amundsen Northwest Passage has been passable since
July.
Rising Sea Levels
Sea levels could rise four meters, making some Pacific islands uninhabitable
within the next decade, warns Australian expert Will Steffen, head of the climate
change unit at the Australian National University and science adviser to the
federal Government. Tuvalu might be underwater by 2050. He says that polar ice
sheets melting have been underestimated.
West Africa’s 4,000-kilometre (2500-mile) coastline––from
Senegal to Cameroon–– might be dramatically changed by the end of
the century due to rising sea levels of up to 2 cm (0.8 inches) per year that
will damage fragile coastline strips, especially in low-lying and densely populated
deltas. Among the cities worst hit would be the Gambian capital Banjul and Nigeria’s
economic capital, Lagos, home to 15 million people.
Off the southern coast of Ghana, the ocean is rising steadily, forcing residents
to move every few years. However, soon, some villages will have no place left
to run, as the available properties are too expensive.
In Britain about 70 landmarks sites around the coastline are threatened by rising
seas and coastal erosion, according to the National Trust.
Migration
Bangladesh is considered among the countries most vulnerable to rising sea levels
as a one-meter rise in sea levels could wipe out 20% of its landmass, creating
30 million environmental refugees by 2050. However, based on 32 years of satellite
images, scientists from the Dhaka-based Center for Environment and Geographic
Information Services, say that Bangladesh’s landmass has actually increased
by 20 square kilometers (8 square miles) annually due to sediment carried down
by the big Himalayan rivers––the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. Nevertheless,
the highly populated coastal area remains vulnerable to climate change effects
such as shorter but more severe monsoons, more violent tropical storms, longer
periods of drought, and increased salinization, all impacting people’s
livelihoods.
Climate Modeling
The Center for a New American Security gathered some 40 climate scientists and
experts in security, environmental policy, and business from Asia, Europe and
the U.S. for a “war game” involving global warming. Four teams,
representing China, Europe, India, and the U.S, had to negotiate the best deal
for their team, in the case of a scenario set in 2015. The climate simulation
up to 2100, based on the worst-case scenario proposed by the IPCC, was provided
by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. The three-day exercise confirmed
the difficulties of such negotiations and might have pinpointed some specific
aspects that should be considered in real situations.
The new NCAR Front Range Flash Flood Prediction System being tested by the National
Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder CO provides advance notice
of potentially deadly flash floods. According to the announcement, the system
integrates real-time weather information with datasets about hydrology and terrain.
These datasets incorporate information about land surface conditions, such as
terrain slope, soil composition and surface vegetation. They also include information
on stream flow and channel conditions. The goal of the system is to furnish
a 30-minute or longer warning of a flood.
New computer modeling shows that changes of the Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation
(ATHC) due to melting glaciers and sea ice could influence the sea surface temperature
changes in the Gulf of Guinea, thus possibly causing African Monsoon failures,
resulting in up to 60% rainfall reduction and intensifying drought. The effect
is estimated to be felt in less than a decade, with more drastic consequences
predicted for the 25-35 years after the onset of increased freshwater additions
to the ocean resulting in a rapidly weakened ATHC. The authors suggest monitoring
the ATHC’s changes and effects on the climate in the tropical Atlantic.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The third UN climate talks for a post-2012 treaty took place August 21-27 in
Accra, Ghana, attended by about 1,600 delegates from some 160 nations. Progress
was made on focus-issues such as strategies for slowing deforestation in developing
nations, and considering a sectoral approach for greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Rich countries insisted on a differentiation of approach and obligations of
developing nations to greenhouse gas emissions based on their economic strength,
pointing out that some developing nations such as Singapore, Argentina and some
OPEC states have grown richer than some developed nations which have to comply
with greenhouse gas emissions cut obligations. Rapidly industrializing countries
have refused to accept the overall reduction targets that would be imposed on
the rich nations, but progress was made in developing nations accepting targets
for specific, highly polluting industries such as cement, steel, and aluminum.
The conclusions will be compiled for further discussion at COP 14 in December
2008, in Poznan, Poland.
Some nations outside the Kyoto framework want to set binding targets for emissions
and act as a bridge between the developing and developed nations. For example,
South Korea wants to announce in 2009 its 2020 greenhouse gases targets.
Japan announced plans to reduce total carbon emissions by up to 80% by 2050.
In order to engage consumers in the “CO2 reduction revolution,”
carbon footprint labels will be put on most products’ packaging.
Sources:
Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap3-3/final-report/default.htm
No credit as oceans turn sour http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23970127-11949,00.html
UN agencies warns of worsening food crisis in Somalia http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/23/content_9648262.htm
West Bank: ICRC helps Bedouins facing acute water shortage http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/israel-palestine-news-100708
Pakistan food crisis unlikely to improve soon: WB meeting http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=131610
Are we ready to deal with world food crisis? http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2008/8/31640.html
UNCTAD says proper economic policies to solve global food crisis http://ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2008/08/23/121112.html
Saving Water: From Field to Fork – Curbing Losses and Wastage in the Food
Chain http://www.siwi.org/documents/Resources/Policy_Briefs/PB_From_Filed_to_Fork_2008.pdf
Warming threatens crucial Himalayan water resources, forum told http://www.france24.com/en/20080821-warming-threatens-crucial-himalayan-water-resources-forum-told
Climate Change in Action in Greenland http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1829365,00.html
Arctic ice on the verge of another all-time low http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMCKX0SAKF_planet_0.html
Australian expert says sea levels to rise four metres http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200808/s2340492.htm?tab=latest
West Africa's coastline redrawn by climate change: experts http://www.terradaily.com/2007/080822173138.4whaxtau.html
The threat of environmental refugees http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/08/24/news0708.htm
Scientists Test System to Forecast Flash Floods along Colorado's Front Range
http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111932&org=NSF&from=news
Climate war games. Role-play negotiations test the outcomes of global warming
http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080805/full/454673a.html
(by subscription only)
Melting polar ice-caps could bring more droughts to Africa http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/118na1.pdf
Accra Climate Change Talks, 21-27 August 2008, Accra, Ghana
http://www.iisd.ca/climate/ccwg2/
Japan to launch carbon footprint labelling scheme http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/20/carbonfootprints.carbonemissions
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Nanoparticle Warnings at Euroscience Open Forum
Two speakers at the Euroscience Open Forum in Barcelona discussed the need for
more research on the environmental risks posed by nanoparticles. Hermann Stamm,
head of nanotechnology and molecular imaging at the Institute for Health and
Consumer Protection in the European Commission's Joint Research Council brought
up concerns about a connection between nanoparticles from exhaust engines and
air pollution, and lung cancers and heart disease. Ken Donaldson, of Queens'
Medical Research Institute, Scotland, reported on his work on the asbestos-like
properties of nanotubes.
Source:
Nanotech risk concerns 'must be addressed' http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/37738
New Study on the Carcinogenicity of Nanoparticles and Other Dusts
According to Nanowerk.com, the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health has released a study whose aims were to analyze differences between
the carcinogenicity of granular dusts in the rat lung after intratracheal instillation,
to find out the optimal dose metric for their carcinogenic potency, and to interpret
their potential relevance for human health. Four of the 16 dusts tested could
be classified as nanoparticles. The conclusion was that, overall, the state
of knowledge meets the EU criteria for a classification of most of the particles
into category 2 of carcinogenic substances.
Source:
Research on the carcinogenicity of nanoparticles and other dusts http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=6393.php
Diesel Exhausts Emit Nanoparticles Affecting Lung Function
According to a news release, Prof. Angela Violi, of the Univ. of Michigan College
of Engineering, is presenting a simulation paper to the American Chemical Society
that predicts that nanoparticles from diesel engine exhausts “can get
trapped in the lungs and inhibit the function of a fluid [a surfactant] that
facilitates breathing”. Also the EPA has awarded a grant to a team of
researchers led by Prof. Robert Yokel, of the College of Pharmacy at the Univ.
of Kentucky, to define the basic properties of nanoparticles of cerium oxide,
a diesel fuel additive used in Europe. According to an announcement, the research
will define the basic properties of the particles and examine how they are absorbed
by the body.
Sources:
Unregulated nanoparticles from diesel engines inhibit lungs http://www.physorg.com/news138462352.html
UK wins $2 million EPA grant http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/496040.html
New Study Shows Nanoparticles In Sewage Could Escape Into Bodies Of Water
Researchers at ETH Zurich, the University of Applied Sciences Wädenswil,
and BMG Engineering AG, led by Prof. Wendelin Stark, have shown that a portion
of nanoparticles of cerium dioxide in industrial sewage, previously thought
to be removed by biological purification or trapped in sewage sludge, can remain
in the effluent and can leave the sewage works practically unchanged. According
to the news story, what happens to the particles after a sewage plant has scarcely
been researched up to now.
Source:
Nanoparticles In Sewage Could Escape Into Bodies Of Water http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080724221823.htm
European Nanotechnology Conference in Switzerland in September
NanoEurope, a European exhibition for the transfer of nanotechnology knowledge,
will be held in St.Gallen, Switzerland 16-17 September 2008. According to the
announcement, it “will present successful commercial nanotechnology applications
and introduce new scientific knowledge that can be commercialized”, and
will also feature a business exposition.
Source:
Meeting Place for Innovations http://www.nanoeurope.com/wEnglisch/messen/nanoeurope/01_besucher/home/home.php
Note: the following Websites provide continual updates on
possible environmental and health implications of the nanotech:
http://epa.gov/oppt/nano/
http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories
http://www.nanobusiness.org/index.php
Reports and Other Sources Suggested for Review
Climate Change Impacts Assessment on U.S. National Security
Assessment of Select Climate Change Impacts on U.S. National Security by the
Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) of Columbia
University is a paper in reaction to the National Security Implications of Global
Climate Change Through 2030 produced by the National Intelligence Council [see
the respective item in the June 2008 environmental security report.] This extremely
well-documented and illustrated paper identifies the countries at high potential
security risk by examining and quantifying the security implications in three
specific domains: global sea level rise, temperature change, and water scarcity.
The aggregate vulnerability index takes into account a nation’s respective
climate change aspect and adaptability capacity. As to sea level rise, the most
vulnerable are highly populated, low-elevation coastal zones in China, India,
Indonesia, Philippines, and Egypt. The countries identified as presenting high
instability risk due to temperature change are South Africa, Nepal, Morocco,
Bangladesh, Tunisia, Paraguay, Yemen, Sudan and Côte d’Ivoire, while
water scarcity might possibly increase instability in Mozambique, Côte
d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Iraq, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Somalia, China,
Syria and Algeria. The paper makes some recommendations on strategies and policies
that might help overcome and mitigate eventual threats.
Military Implications:
The Assessment of Select Climate Change Impacts on U.S. National Security is
an excellent resource for those involved in early warning of environmentally
related conflicts.
Sources:
Assessment of Select Climate Change Impacts on U.S. National Security. Center
for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) Columbia University,
July 1, 2008 http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/documents/Climate_Security_CIESIN_July_2008_v1_0.ed.pdf
Insecure environment http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/editorials/story.html?id=8959925b-ba08-4ee2-972e-93b5ddd4a789
Environmental Refugees Cyberseminar
A cyberseminar on “Environmentally Induced Population Displacements”
conducted August 18-29, 2008 by the Population-Environment Research Network
in collaboration with the Environmental Change and Security Program of the Woodrow
Wilson International Center for Scholars (http://www.populationenvironmentresearch.org/seminars.jsp)
revealed the difficulty of defining environmental refugees. However, there were
suggestions that the ongoing academic debate should be associated with more
practical applications due to the urgency of the situation.
Source:
Environmentally Induced Population Displacements cyberseminar http://www.populationenvironmentresearch.org/seminars.jsp
Updated Studies on Potential Health Implications of Depleted Uranium
Two recent studies by the Institute of Medicine address the possibility of assessing
the potential heath implications of exposure to depleted uranium: Gulf War and
Health: Updated Literature Review of Depleted Uranium, and Epidemiologic Studies
of Veterans Exposed to Depleted Uranium: Feasibility and Design Issues. Both
studies conclude that health impacts of depleted uranium exposure in military
and veteran populations are difficult to determine with the available data and
procedures and an assessment plan would not be easy to design. However, the
study on feasibility and design issues makes some recommendations for improving
assessment of depleted uranium-related health outcomes, including “a prospective
cohort study if future military operations involve exposure to depleted uranium”
and better integration and linkages of DOD databases for identifying health
issues of current active-duty military personnel and veterans with potential
DU exposure. Both studies are pre-publications by the National Academies Press.
Sources:
Gulf War and Health:Updated Literature Review of Depleted Uranium http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12183
Epidemiologic Studies of Veterans Exposed to Depleted Uranium: Feasibility and
Design Issues http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12200
Global Climate Risk Index 2008
Global Climate Risk Index 2008 Weather-Related Loss Events and Their Impacts
on Countries In 2006 And In A Longterm Comparison by Sven Harmeling analyzes
to what extent countries and country groups have been affected by the impacts
of weather-related loss events (storms, floods, heat waves etc.) whereby losses
are quantified using four indicators: 1) total number of deaths; 2) deaths per
100,000 inhabitants; 3) absolute losses in million US$ PPP (purchasing power
parity; and 4) losses per unit GDP. These analyses are based on assessments
of the Munich Re database NatCatSERVICE®. The Global Climate Risk Index
2008 was published by Germanwatch, an independent NGO, with financial support
from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Source:
Global Climate Risk Index 2008 http://www.germanwatch.org/klima/cri2008.pdf
Social Networking Could Provide Tool for Military Environmental Activities
Recent issues of USSTRATCOM’s knowledge management publication The Collaborator
have discussed the usefulness of social networking as an aid in many areas of
military activity. Social networks allow personnel distributed worldwide to
informally exchange ideas and experiences in solving all kinds of problems.
Sources:
NASA Team Collaboration (Current issue) http://wiki.nasa.gov/cm/wiki/?id=3492
NASA Team Collaboration Newsletter archive http://wiki.nasa.gov/cm/newui/wiki/forumlisting.jsp?projectname=Federal%20Knowledge%20Management%20Working%20Group%20(KMWG)
World Food Crisis
Food Security Summit Usefulness Debatable
About 5,100 people from 181 countries, including 43 heads of state or government
and 100 ministers, participated in the June3-5 FAO conference on World Food
Security. The governments adopted the “Comprehensive Framework for Action”
and pledged $13 billion during the conference. FAO Director-General Jacques
Diouf estimates that $30 billion a year will be needed to re-launch agriculture
and avert future threats of conflicts over food, and UN Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon reiterated that food production should increase by 50% by 2030 to overcome
the long-range food crisis. The next forums to address the food crises are the
G8 summit in Japan in July, the UN/FAO Food Security Committee meeting in October,
and the FAO Conference in November. [See also Continually Rising Food Prices
Threaten Long-Term Global Stability in March 2008.]
Sources: (additional sources in the Appendix)
FAO June Food Summit http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/focus/2008/1000829/index.html
"Failure as Usual" Food Summit http://www.etcgroup.org/en/materials/publications.html?pub_id=698
Food Security Observatory Proposed for Sahel-Saharan Region
Food security was the main theme of the 10th Summit of the Community of Sahel-Saharan
States (CEN-SAD). The Tunisian delegation has submitted a proposal to set up
a food security observatory for the Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) region, to
prevent and/or deal with food crises. The role of the observatory would be to
monitor agricultural products’ availability and prices, and investments
in agricultural growth, as well as natural resources such as water and soil,
and formulate strategies and policies based on food availability and needs.
The project should be funded by member states and partners, and the stakeholders
should be member states and executive organs of the African Union and sub-regional
organizations.
Sources:
Tunisia pleads for creation of CEN-SAD food security observatory http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=66771
Nobel luareate [sic] urges AU summit to prioritize the environment http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=67897
North American Environmental Security
Action Plan
The 15th Regular Session of the Council of the Commission for
Environmental Cooperation (CEC) was held June 25-26, in Ottawa, Canada. Key
issues discussed included, inter alia: raising and harmonizing environmental
standards across North America and effective enforcement of environmental law;
reducing the risks of toxic substances to human health and the environment by
improving chemicals management––implementation of SMOC (Sound Management
of Chemicals) Program and of the North American Regional Action Plans, and improving
border security by increasing the Parties’ cooperation on intelligence
sharing and operational support to combat the importation, use, and production
of such products (the list of hazardous chemicals is being revised); energy
security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (by encouraging green technologies
in building and motor vehicles industries and the establishment of Green Suppliers
Partnerships); continuing cooperation for marine and biodiversity protection;
and climate change expected impacts for North America and mitigation and adaptation
challenges.
As a preamble to the meeting, the CEC prepared North America 2030: An Environmental
Outlook, a succinct overview of the region’s environmental stress factors
and their trends. It includes a subchapter on environmental security, focusing
mainly on the Northwest Passage, and food and energy security. A more detailed
report on factors likely to impact North America’s environment to 2030
is expected to be published later in 2008. These papers are intended to assist
the CEC in developing its 2010–2015 Strategic Plan.
Sources:
Fifteenth Regular Session of the CEC Council http://www.cec.org/calendar/details/index.cfm?varlan=english&ID=2097
North America 2030: An Environmental Outlook http://www.cec.org/outlook/
Sound Management of Chemicals http://www.cec.org/programs_projects/pollutants_health/project/index.cfm?projectID=25&varlan=english
Input from Millennium Project staff attending the meetings (online)
Asian Environmental Security Policies
Increased Role of the Military in Environment-related Crises
Senior security policy-makers from 27 countries attended this year’s Shangri-La
Dialogue in Singapore May 30–June 1, 2008 to improve military anticipation
and response to natural disasters such as those of last year in Bangladesh and
this year in Myanmar. Ministers from ASEAN recognized that diverging views on
military involvement should be addressed. A French politician suggested that
a system of sanctions should be established to “stop this scandal of having
hundreds of thousands of people dying with help waiting outside and having a
lecture about non-interference in domestic affairs,” and that he will
advise the French government to propose that Myanmar government be held liable
before the International Criminal Court. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee
Hsien Loong made a few recommendations for addressing climate change, including
establishing a ‘technology transfer board’ for helping the LDCs,
and an International Food Fund to address food security. “Between countries,
competition for food supplies and displacement of people across borders could
deepen tensions, and provoke conflict and wars” he said.
Sources:
The IISS Shangri-La Dialogue http://www.iiss.org/conferences/the-shangri-la-dialogue/
Channel News Asia - Ministers say military a crucial element that can help in
humanitarian crises http://www.iiss.org/whats-new/iiss-in-the-press/june-2008/ministers-say-military-a-crucial-element-that-can-help-in-humanitarian-crises/
Environmental approach to security http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/06/02/news0257.htm
Singapore: Food Prices 'May Cause Wars' http://foodsecurity.developmentgateway.org/News.10971+M524b934499e.0.html
Singapore’s New Institute of Water Policy
Singapore established an Institute of Water Policy with a US$5.5 million 5-year
budget to research Asia’s water problems, address water security, and
consult to governments and international organizations.
Source:
Singapore's PM says water security may spark conflicts http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSSIN27852320080624
Russian Focus on Environmental Security
Russia’s new President Dmitry Medvedev said: “Our
country is in a threatened state. If we don't deal with this [environmental
matters], then in 10, 20, 30 years we could be in a situation where part of
the country’s territory is unfit for habitation… Ecology is a question
of national security.”
Sources:
Russian leader says environment problems a security threat http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gRd76iVIzDU1XjWGgoUw0ShP-xhw
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Nanowire “Paper” Selectively Absorbs Oils in Water
Prof. Francesco Stellacci, of MIT’s Department of Materials Science and
Engineering, and colleagues have developed a paper-like membrane comprising
a mat of potassium manganese oxide nanowires. The new (and inexpensive) material
is completely impervious to water but can absorb up to 20 times its weight in
oil or other hydrophobic substances, and can be recycled indefinitely often
by heating it to evaporate the oil.
Source:
Researchers develop nanowire 'paper towel' for oil spills http://www.physorg.com/news131372301.html
Carbon-gold Nanoparticle Sacs Trap Oil Droplets
Rice University’s Pulickel Ajayan, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
and Materials Science, and his research team have developed carbon-gold segmented
nanowires that assemble to form BB-sized sacs around droplets of oil in water.
Source:
Elongated Nanoparticles Called Nanobatons Self Assemble Around Oil Droplets
for Cleaning Oils Spills and Polluted Water http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?NewsID=6521
More New Improvements in Nanotube-based Environmental Sensors
In a paper published in the online edition of Angewandte Chemie, Michael Strano,
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, and his team describe a
new highly sensitive technology for detecting gases in the environment. The
system consists of carbon nanotubes, whose conductivity selectively changes
when a gas binds to them, coupled with a miniature gas-chromatography column
etched onto a silicon chip. The column separates the different gases in the
environment before they reach the nanotubes, to achieve a sensitivity of 25
parts/trillion. A further improvement adds a coating to the tubes which causes
the gas molecule to detach a few milliseconds after attaching, allowing the
movement of the triggering component to be tracked as it moves.
Source:
Using carbon nanotubes, MIT chemical engineers have built the most sensitive
electronic detector yet for sensing deadly gases such as the nerve agent sarin
http://www.physorg.com/news131977245.html
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
New Low Power Chip Suitable for Tiny Environmental Sensors
The new Phoenix Processor, developed by Scott Hanson and Mingoo Seok at the
Univ. of Michigan’s Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,
uses just 30 picowatts in sleep mode and only 90 nanowatts in active mode. The
chip measures 1 mm2, the same as its battery, which can
be so small because of the low power requirement. The small size means that
the sensors using the chip could be scattered around in an environment-sensing
network. The chip contains a built-in low power timer that causes it to run
on a 0.1 sec/10 min awake cycle, suitable for sensing applications.
Source:
Microchip sets low-power record with extreme sleep mode http://www.physorg.com/news132583292.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Australia to Propose Panel to Advance Work for the NPT Review in 2010
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced plans to create an International
Commission on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament to make constructive
recommendation for the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference.
The commission would follow on the work of Australian-led 1996 Canberra Commission
and Japan’s Tokyo Forum. The first report of the panel is supposed to
be presented at a major international conference of experts in Australia late
2009. [See also Non-Proliferation Treaty Deadlock Continues in May
2008 and other similar items in previous environmental security reports.] Meantime,
the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force warns that the international
community is failing to efficiently control financial transactions that help
fund illegal production, technology transfer, and trade of chemical, biological
and nuclear weapons. Free-trade zones and transshipment hubs in the Netherlands,
Singapore and the UAE are specifically vulnerable sites.
Sources:
Rudd takes up fight against nukes http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23836647-5005961,00.html
Financial Action Task Force, plenary meeting, London, June 18-20, 2008. Chairman’s
Summary http://www.fatf-gafi.org/dataoecd/50/1/40879782.pdf
Funding Channels Aid Proliferation, Task Force Says http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008_6_24.html#47DF9DAF
EU to Add Carbon and Graphite to REACH Program
Carbon and graphite were deleted from the list of exemptions (Annex IV) of the
EU’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restrictions of Chemicals
(REACH) regulation, due to possible health hazards when they are used in nano-sized
form (as in carbon nanotubes). Therefore, companies producing, using, or trading
with carbon and graphite now on have to comply with the REACH requirements.
REACH entered into force on June 1, 2007 and its administrative office, the
European Chemicals Agency, was inaugurated in Helsinki on June 3, 2008. [See
also New Study Raises Asbestos-type Health Worries for Nanotubes in
May 2008, and REACH Entered into Force on June 1, 2007 environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
"European Chemicals Agency: Turning REACH into Reality” Inauguration
of the European Chemical Agency, Helsinki, 3 June 2008 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/298&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Nanotech Worries Push EU To Seek Full Safety Data For Carbon http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080609%5CACQDJON200806090702DOWJONESDJONLINE000171.htm&&mypage=newsheadlines&title=Nanotech%20Worries%20Push%20EU%20To%20Seek%20Full%20Safety%20Data%20For%20Carbon
EC Enforces Compliance with EU Environmental Regulations
Nine EU Member States are being referred to the European Court of Justice for
failing to transpose into national law the European Environmental Liability
Directive by the April 30, 2007 deadline. On June 1, 2007, the Commission sent
a first written warning to 23 Member States; 14 have complied and the nine who
did not are: Austria, Belgium (concerning the Brussels region only), Greece,
Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovenia and the United Kingdom. [See
also European Environmental Liability Directive Came Into Force in
April 2007 and EC Enforces Compliance of National Legislation with EU Environmental
Regulations in October 2007 environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Commission takes nine member states to Court over environmental liability http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1025&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Provisional Agreement for Including Aviation in the Emission Trading
Scheme from 2012
The EU lawmakers reached agreement with Member States to include aviation in
the greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme from 2012. The airlines will have
to cut emissions by 3% in the first year, and by 5% from 2013 onwards, paying
for 15% of their permits to pollute. Presently, aviation generates an estimated
3% of EU CO2 emissions, but air traffic is expected to double by 2020. [See
also EU Airline Carbon Trading to Start in 2011––a Year Earlier
than Planned in May 2008 and other similar items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Source:
EU Lawmakers Confirm Deal on Airline CO2 Emissions http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49072/story.htm
European Parliament Approves New Water Quality Standards Directive
The European Parliament approved the new directive on water environmental quality
standards to harmonize quality standards across the EU and thereby better protect
surface waters (rivers, lakes and coastal waters) against pollution from a range
of 33 priority chemicals. . The new directive is the final major piece of legislation
in the Water Framework Directive and replaces five existing directives, simplifying
water-related reporting within the newly created Water Information System for
Europe. Member States have until December 2009 to comply. [See also EU to
Introduce New Regulations to Combat Surface Waters Pollution in July 2006
environmental security report.]
Sources:
Environment: Commission welcomes EP vote on water quality standards http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/958&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Waste Management Policies
Basel Convention Needs Revision and Update
The 9th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (COP9)
on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
took place June 23-27, in Bali, Indonesia. The focus was a stronger regulation
on the export of hazardous waste, mainly electronics which litter poor nations.
Despite support from the African delegates and the EU, the representatives from
170 countries to the conference decided against banning toxic waste exports,
rather encouraging voluntary actions at national level using some new guidelines
to create their own recycling laws. [See also Half of Transported European
Hazardous Waste Could Be Illegal––How Much More Elsewhere?
in April 2008, UN E-Waste Forum and Basel Convention’s Conference
of Parties in December 2006, and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (COP9)
http://cop9.basel.int/
Delegates fail to agree on banning toxic waste exports at UN conference http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/27/asia/AS-GEN-Indonesia-Toxic-Trade.php
UN conference in Bali tackles toxic-waste management http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/06/26/toxic.html
EU Vote on Revision of Waste Directive
The European Parliament approved the revision of the waste framework directive,
which is the basis of the EU waste management policy. The new directive will
replace three others––Waste Framework Directive, the Hazardous Waste
Directive and the Waste Oils Directive, setting clear definitions and waste
management principles and creating a sound, harmonized legal framework for waste
treatment. [See also EU New Strategy on Waste Recycling in December
2005 and other similar items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Commission welcomes EP vote on revision of waste directive http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/950&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
DG ENV waste policy homepage: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/index.htm
Marine Protection to Increase
The International Whaling Commission 2008 Scientific Committee report reveals
alarming results that the number of ocean dead zones has grown to 400, from
only 44 areas reported in 1995 (see map in the Appendix). UNEP says that man-made
activities such as use of fertilizers, and sewage and other pollutants, combined
with the impact of climate change, have led to the doubling of the number of
oxygen-deficient dead zones every decade since the 1960s. Meantime, New Zealand
put forward a new Exclusive Economic Zone Environmental Effects Bill, expected
to be introduced by late August, which will apply to environmental effects of
currently unregulated activities in the EEZ. [See also International Conference
and Assessments Find Rising Ocean Pollution in October 2006 and other similar
items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
2008 Scientific Committee report http://www.iwcoffice.org/sci_com/screport.htm
Oxygen-starved oceans rapidly dying http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/oxygenstarved-oceans-rapidly-dying/796215.aspx
Ministry of the Environment, New Zealand’s ocean: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/oceans/
Legislation to safeguard ocean ecosystems http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0806/S00460.htm
Arctic Debate Update
Less than one month after the five Arctic countries agreed at the summit to
follow the Law of the Sea in resolving the Arctic disputes, Russian Lt. Gen.
Vladimir Shamanov, head of the Defense Ministry’s combat training directorate
said that Russia started the revision of their military training program to
be prepared for fast deployment in “the Arctic in case of a potential
conflict.” He invoked the “reaction of a certain number of heads
of state to Russia’s territorial claims to the continental plateau of
the Arctic” and the large-scale U.S. Northern Edge 2008 military exercise
conducted in Alaska in late May.
Sources:
Russia prepares for future combat in the Arctic http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080624/111915879.html
Russian general fires Arctic warning http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=ac0d24df-dc10-43da-89f3-b3c3c0928ae7&k=51152
Northern Edge 2008 (NE08) Exercise Underway http://www.elmendorf.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123098685&page=2
Climate Change
Scientific Evidences
The Northern hemisphere spring of 2008 was the seventh warmest on record, nearly
one degree warmer than the 20th century average, according to the National Climatic
Data Center. It was also marked by weather extremes around the world: Cyclone
Nargis which devastated Myanmar (Burma); record low spring snow in Europe and
Asia; severe drought in China; North America devastated by strong storms, flooding,
tornadoes (reported number for half-year exceeding 10-year annual average) and
drought (in the West); and the first two big tropical storms hitting Central
America. Meantime, Australia’s fall is unusually dry, aggravating the
drought in many parts of the country.
Food and Water Security
Experts (including Nicholas Stern) attending the Goldman Sachs ‘Top Five
Risks’ conference, reiterated the warning that the possible future water
shortage would be a bigger threat to mankind this century than the food crises
and exhaustion of energy reserves. The Himalayas for instance are the source
for all the major rivers of Asia and for almost half the world's population.
In Africa, to shrinkage of mountain glaciers from Mount Kilimanjaro to Uganda’s
Rwenzori mountains––which decreased by 50% between 1987 and 2003,
drying lakes such as Lake Chad, and falling water levels in Lake Victoria, the
atlas adds new cases of disappearing water bodies like Lake Faguibine, as well
as the many examples of desertification, unsustainable large-scale irrigation
and degraded coastal areas that are further increasing the threat to already
scarce water reserves.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Out of 14 research teams studying global warming impacts in the Arctic, 11 estimate
retreat at least as extraordinary as in 2007, while the other 3 groups estimate
ice extent heading back toward, but not equaling, the average minimum for summers
since 1979, when satellite-based Arctic sea ice monitoring began. Five other
groups chose not to issue a numerical estimate. The ongoing Study of Environmental
Arctic Change, SEARCH, continuously presents updated information on ice assessments
and explanations.
Meantime, some polar scientists believe that there is a 50% chance of a totally
ice-free North Pole this summer.
Rising Sea Levels
A new study by Australian and US researchers shows that ocean waters are heating
up 50% faster at the surface then previous estimates (including those in the
IPCC report). This explains the more rapid than estimated sea level rise. They
also underline that sea ice melting is not of great concern to sea level rise;
nevertheless, land ice melting is: if it all melted, sea levels would rise 70m
(however, fortunately, they say, 57m of those are locked up in Eastern Antarctica,
which seems to be stable for 20 million years and is not affected much by global
warming).
Rising sea levels and coastal erosion will render small Pacific islands uninhabitable
by the end of the century. Anote Tong, president of the Republic of Kiribati,
has appealed to the international community to take responsibility for relocating
the country’s 97,000 citizens.
Bangladesh, the world’s most densely-populated nation, is at risk of disappearing
under the water by the end of this century as result of ‘saline inundation’
in the inland region, and coastal erosion and flooding at the coastal area.
India has already begun to take security measures against the expected mass
migration.
Cities along Australia’s northern and western coastline became vulnerable
to ‘the Venice effect’ with increased frequency of flooding during
seasonal high tides, revealed scenarios outlined in more than 40 submissions
to a federal inquiry on the environmental impacts of climate change on coastal
communities. Climate models suggest that mean sea-level rises on the east coast
of Australia could exceed global averages, said the Bureau of Meteorology.
A report by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment urges the government to
consider the effects of global warming––mainly rising seas and stronger
storms––in long-term strategies, such as urban planning. It also
suggests that residents in vulnerable areas should be relocated to safer places.
Migration
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stated that the number of
people of concern rose for the past two years. One of the factors cited was
climate change making resources scarcer. UNHCR’s 2007 Global Trends reports
that the number of international refugees rose from 9.9 million to 11.4 million
by the end of 2007, while the number of internally displaced people increased
from 24.4 million to 26 million. As conflict and environmental degradation exacerbate
each other, unless adequately addressing the situation in its whole complexity,
forced displacement will continue to rise. The most at risk are the already
vulnerable areas of Africa and the Indian sub-continent.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The theme for World Environment Day 2008 was “Kick the Habit: Towards
a Low Carbon Economy”, recognizing the need for a strategy to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from fossil fuel.
The group of 16 nations accounting for about 80% of the world’s CO2 and
other greenhouse gas emissions––G8 plus Australia, Brazil, China,
India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea and South Africa––attending
the Major Economies Meeting held in Seoul, failed to agree on clear targets
to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The draft agreement mentions rather generic
“deep cuts” based on the “ambitious” scenario outlined
by the IPCC (although its target of 50% reduction by 2050 is not mentioned in
the draft statement.) The statement is expected to be adopted at the July G8
summit to be held in Japan. Nevertheless, Yvo de Boer, head of the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change expressed hope and the urgency that the Japan G8
summit set clear emission targets for a post-2012 treaty.
The EIA International Energy Outlook 2008 looks at energy trends up to the year
2030, estimating global energy consumption will grow by 50% with 85% of that
in non-OECD states. CO2 emissions will likely increase by 51% (1.7% annually),
with non-OECD states expected to exceed OECD members’ emissions by 72%
in 2030.
Meantime, James Hansen of NASA warned again that the world has passed the “dangerous
level” for greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and should cut to 1988 levels.
He said “This is the last chance,” to avoid “changes such
as mass extinction, ecosystem collapse and dramatic sea level rises.”
The German government approved a climate package––focusing mainly
on the transport and construction sectors––designed to help reach
by 2020 the target of reducing CO2 emissions by 49% compared to 1990 levels.
Sources:
Weather Extremes Mark Spring 2008 http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/weather-extremes-47061601
Suffer the Environment at Your Cost! http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=1223
Water crisis to be biggest world risk http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/06/05/ccwater105.xml
Most Experts Foresee a Repeat, at Least, of 2007 Arctic Ice Loss
SEARCH http://www.arcus.org/search/index.php
Exclusive: No ice at the North Pole http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/exclusive-no-ice-at-the-north-pole-855406.html
Rising sea levels threaten cities http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/rising-sea-levels-threaten-cities/785840.aspx
Top of sea warming 50% faster than thought http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/06/18/scisea118.xml
"Too late" to save Pacific island nation from submersion http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080606/full/news.2008.880.html
2007 Global Trends: Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Returnees, Internally Displaced
and Stateless Persons. UNHCR, June 2008 http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/STATISTICS/4852366f2.pdf
Big emitters agree on 'deep cuts,' not targets http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200806250059.html
International Energy Outlook 2008 http://eia.doe.gov/oiaf/ieo/
NASA warming scientist: 'This is the last chance' http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1501ap_sci_warming_scientist.html
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
European Commission Launches Nanotech Consultation
The European Commission is planning to launch a large-scale public consultation
for raising awareness about nanotechnologies’ potentials and at the same
time for addressing citizens’ concerns about nanotech’s possible
health and environmental impacts.
Sources:
Commission launches public dialogue on nanotechnologies http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=29561
Commission starts public dialogue on nanotechnologies – tapping economic
and environmental potential through safe products http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/947&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Nanotechnology Homepage of the European Commission http://cordis.europa.eu/nanotechnology/
High Throughput Multi-dimensional Analysis of Nanomaterials Gives New Insights
Stanley Shaw, a chemical biologist at Massachusetts General Hospital Center
for Systems Biology, and his colleagues at the Broad Institute of Harvard and
MIT have designed a high-throughput screening method for assessing the biological
effects of nanomaterials. The technique uses robotic equipment to place individual
nanoparticle types and cell types in various combinations into hundreds of tiny
wells in a plate, where an automatic screening system determines the resulting
biological effects. Software then analyzes the data, seeking relationships among
the different combinations.
Sources:
Perturbational profiling of nanomaterial biologic activity (abstract; full text
by subscription only) http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/105/21/7387
Testing the Toxicity of Nanomaterials. A fast screening method could help separate
the good from the bad http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/20861/
New Report on Assuring the Safety of Nanomaterials in Food Packaging
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies of the Woodrow Wilson Center, in cooperation
with the Grocery Manufacturers Association, has issued a report that examines
the path of several hypothetical applications of nanotechnology-enabled food
packaging through the current regulations and examines potential future challenges
related to this issue.
Sources:
Assuring the Safety of Nanomaterials in Food Packaging. The Regulatory Process
and Key Issues
http://www.nanotechproject.org/publications/archive/nano_food_packaging/
Use of nanomaterials in food packaging poses regulatory challenges http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/37487/print
Reports and Sources Suggested for
Review
National Security Implications of Global Climate Change Through
2030
National Security Implications of Global Climate Change Through 2030
by the National Intelligence Council, is an assessment of climate change security
implication for the US in the next 20 years. It is a comprehensive assessment
of the impact of climate change in different parts of the world and the possible
political instabilities, mass movements of refugees, terrorism, or conflicts
over water and other resources in specific countries. The next effort is a scenario
exercise and the third effort will be to explore the geopolitics of climate
change and how that may shift the relationships between major powers. NIC’s
Global Trends out to 2025 is expected to be published in December 2008.
Sources:
National Intelligence Assessment on the National Security Implications of Global
Climate Change to 2030 http://www.dni.gov/testimonies/20080625_testimony.pdf
Climate change may challenge national security, classified report warns http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/teia-ccm062408.php
A Community Guide to Environmental Health Available for Liaison Activities
The Hesperian Foundation is making available A Community Guide to Environmental
Health, a tool kit for communities working on environmental problems. According
to the announcement, the new work “is a collection of best practices from
communities worldwide that address both the immediate symptoms of environmental
threats as well as the root causes of environmental problems” and “contains
numerous easy to follow actions and educational activities, ranging from the
simple to the more complex based on a community’s needs and resources.”
Source:
"A Community Guide to Environmental Health," an Essential Tool Kit
for Global Communities Tackling Environmental Problems To Be Released by Hesperian
June 18, 2008
http://www.enn.com/press_releases/2529
New Content Analysis Technique Helps Smooth Environmental Discussions
Researchers at the Universities of Sheffield and York have developed a new tool
for improving the conduct of discussions over environmental issues between contending
parties. Their work showed that the two sides in a particular example were using
markedly different vocabularies in formulating positions and arguments, and
that these differences impeded progress toward a settlement.
Source:
It's The Way You Say it: How Using The Right Words Can Cut Environmental Conflicts
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/press/pressitem.asp?ref=1785
Conversations in conservation: revealing and dealing with language differences
in environmental conflicts http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01495.x
Environmental Damage to Be Criminalized
in the EU
The Permanent Representatives Committee approved the proposal
on the protection of the environment through criminal law. EU national governments
will have to apply criminal sanctions to those causing “deliberate or
negligent damage to the environment.” The list of punishable crimes will
include: unlawful discharge of pollutants which could cause “death or
serious injury to any person” or “substantial damage” to the
environment; illegal waste shipment; killing or possession of protected fauna
or flora; significant deterioration of habitats within protected sites; and
any action related to ozone-depleting substances. The penalties are left to
the discretion of member states as long as they are “effective, proportionate
and dissuasive.” The Directive is pending final approval by the Parliament
and the EU Council, and is expected to enter into force in 2010. [See also Environmental
Crime Could Become a Felony in the EU in February 2007 environmental security
report.]
Sources:
Protection of the environment through criminal law http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/misc/100525.pdf
EU criminal law to protect the environment http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-29450-140-05-21-911-20080520IPR29449-19-05-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm
EU agrees to outlaw 'green' crimes http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=MzAxNTU
New International Financial Alliance
to Support Biodiversity
Representatives of 191 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and
over 100 ministers met in Bonn to improve the set of rules that help protect
biodiversity. Plant and animal species are being lost at a rate between 100
and 1000 times the natural extinction rates. One of the results of the meeting
was the establishment of Life Web as a financing mechanism for protected areas.
So far, more than 60 Parties have made financial pledges. For example, German
Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged 500 million Euros for forest protection up
to 2012 and 500 million Euros a year after that.
Sources:
A new universal global alliance for biodiversity protection established in Bonn
http://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2008/pr-2008-05-30-cop9-en.pdf
Uruguay Treaty on S&T Cooperation
On April 29th the US and Uruguay signed a treaty to increase government, academic,
business, and NGO scientific cooperation between the two countries. The agreement
gives special attention to the study of biodiversity to improve agriculture,
medicine, and understanding of the impact of climate change on the environment.
Source:
The United States and Uruguay Sign a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/apr/104151.htm
International Convention on Cluster
Munitions Adopted by 111 Countries
The Convention on Cluster Munitions was formally adopted by 111 countries in
Dublin, Ireland, on May 30, 2008. The Convention is a legally binding instrument
that outlaws the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions,
and commits countries to clear areas contaminated by cluster munitions and assist
victims and affected communities. The President of the International Committee
of the Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger, urged all countries to adhere to the Convention
and noted “these weapons are not only morally unacceptable but also now
illegal under international humanitarian law.” The Cluster Munitions Convention
will be opened for signature in Oslo, December 2-3, 2008, and will enter into
force after 30 ratifications. The U.S., China, and Russia did not participate
in the meeting. [See also Negotiations Continue for an International Instrument
to Ban Cluster Munitions in November 2007 and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Dublin Diplomatic Conference, May 19-30, 2008 http://www.clustermunitionsdublin.ie/
Cluster Munitions: Convention a major step forward for the protection of civilians
http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/cluster-munitions-news-290508
Cluster Bomb Treaty Breaks New Ground http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/30/18976.htm
Cluster bomb ban treaty approved http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7423714.stm
Convention banning cluster bombs adopted http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2008/May/theworld_May1353.xml§ion=theworld
Norway: British support crucial to cluster bomb treaty http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/30/europe/EU-GEN-Norway-Britain-Cluster-Bombs.php
Ban 'delighted' at adoption of new cluster bomb convention http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26859&Cr=cluster&Cr1=
UN refugee agency welcomes adoption of pact to ban cluster bombs http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26868&Cr=Cluster&Cr1=bomb
Indigenous Peoples Demand More Involvement
in Environmental Policies
Climate change was the special focus of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues, held in New York, April 21-May 2, 2008. The approximately 3,300 delegates
representing the 370 million indigenous people from around the world stressed
that indigenous peoples should be included in the international debate on climate
change. The Forum suggested that a working group on local adaptation measures
and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples be established, since they can
provide important insights for designing and implementing sustainable mitigation
and adaptation strategies.
Sources:
Seventh Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/session_seventh.html
Climate Change: Indians Speak Out Against Carbon Markets http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42259
Climate change plea from tribe of herders who face extinction http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change-plea-from-tribe-of-herders-who-face-extinction-825424.html
World's Native Peoples Take on Climate Change http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=08-P13-00019&segmentID=4
Indigenous peoples have crucial role in climate change debate – UN forum
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26565&Cr=indigenous&Cr1=
Indigenous peoples most affected by climate change, Assembly President says
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26531&Cr=indigenous&Cr1=
First Species declared Endangered Due to Global
Warming
Polar bears were declared a “threatened” species under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act, becoming the first species officially designated in
danger of extinction because of global warming. Environmental groups are not
pleased with the new regulation, since important greenhouse gas emission-related
activities, such as offshore oil and gas exploitation, are exempted from compliance
with the law. [See also Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice in August 2007
and other similar items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Polar bear is listed as threatened species http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-polar15-2008may15,0,3225200.story?page=2
Polar Bear Added to List of Threatened Species in U.S. http://www.voanews.com/english/Science/2008-05-16-voa27.cfm
U.S. lists polar bears as threatened species http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/05/14/polar-bear.html
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Nanotube-based Biosensor Sensitive to Trace Amounts
Early Warning Inc. of Troy NY has licensed from NASA’s Moffett Field Ames
Research Center technology for a nanotube-based biosensor sensitive to trace
amounts of specific bacteria, viruses and parasites. According to a company
release, “The biosensor works when a single strand of nucleic acid comes
into contact with a matching strand of nucleic acid attached to the end of an
ultra-conductive nanotube. The matching strands form a double helix that generates
an electrical signal, which is used to determine the presence of specific microorganisms
in the sample. Because of their tiny size, millions of nanotubes can fit on
a single biosensor chip allowing identification of very low levels.”
Sources:
NASA Nanotechnology-Based Biosensor Helps Detect Biohazards http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2008/08_45AR.html
Early Warning (the company) http://www.earlywarninginc.com/early-warning-profile.php
Emerging Contaminants: Most Effective Treatment Strategies
Endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products
(PPCPs) have been discussed as emerging issues for water supply and wildlife
protection for more than a decade. The American Water Works Association’s
(AWWA) May 2008 Opflow carries an article describing three processes for treating
these substances in public water supplies. Additionally, AWWA has added a special
session to its June 8-12, 2008 annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Taken
together, these indicate that public and water industry interest in remedial
action has run ahead of legislation and regulation – leaping over at least
one of the common four steps through which an issue progresses in evolving from
a scientific discovery to become a societal action item. The three processes
discussed in the article are: additional processing of wastewater effluents,
reverse osmosis treatment of potable water, and combined ultraviolet/reverse
osmosis treatment of potable water.
Sources:
Oppenheimer, J., R. Stephenson, and J. Decarolis, Emerging contaminants:Insights
to the most effective EDC and PPCP treatment strategies, AWWA Opflow, May 2008,
pp. 12-16.
Conference session added to address microconstituents http://www.awwa.org/publications/MainStreamArticle.cfm?itemnumber=35946
Technologies for Increasing Energy Efficiency
New Lithium-ion Battery Offers Multiple Advantages
A123 Systems of Watertown MA developed a new lithium-ion battery design with
significant advantages for demanding mobile applications, such as electric vehicles
and portable electronic devices. The new units feature greatly increased safety
(not bursting and igniting, when overheated or damaged), longer life, and greater
energy capacity, stemming from an innovative electrode material that contains
nanoparticles of lithium iron phosphate modified with trace metals.
Sources:
An Electrifying Startup. A new lithium-ion battery from A123 Systems could help
electric cars and hybrids come to dominate the roads (note: requires free registration
to access article)
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=batteries&id=20570&a=
Improved Solar Cell Promised in a Year
SUNRGI Company announced the development of a solar cell technology which they
say will deliver power at 7¢/kWh, around the price of coal-fired energy.
Their panels use lenses to concentrate sunlight, and a proprietary cooling system
to prevent consequent cell damage from heating. Start of production is scheduled
for mid-2009. IBM has also released details on a similar technique.
Sources:
Start-up: Affordable solar power possible in a year http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2008-04-28-solar-power-sunrgi_N.htm
SUNRGI Company: http://www.sunrgi.com
IBM today announced a research breakthrough in photovoltaics technology that
could significantly reduce the cost of harnessing the Sun's power for electricity
http://physorg.com/news130086323.html
New Inter-electrode Material Yields 50% Fuel Cell Power Increase
MIT Professor Paula T. Hammond and her team produced a new thin film material
for the membrane separating the electrodes in direct methanol fuel cells. The
current material is not impervious to methanol leakage across the boundary.
Applying the new film produced a 50% gain in power output from the cell. Drexel
University chemical engineering professor Yossef Elabd had earlier investigated
the leakage mechanism in the present membranes, and produced several other alternatives.
Sources:
More-Powerful Fuel Cells http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20813/page1/
MIT Creates New Material For Fuel Cells, Increases Power Output By 50 Percent
http://www.physorg.com/news130078922.html
Chemical Engineer Discovers Way of Increasing Battery Life with Environmentally
Friendly Fuel Cells http://www.physorg.com/news126194529.html
Formic Acid Provides New Fuel Cell Medium
Matthias Beller and colleagues at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis, in Rostock,
Germany have developed a technique to convert formic acid into hydrogen at low
temperatures (26°C to 40°C). The new process is suitable for low-power
fuel cell applications, like mobile electronic devices, rather than for vehicle
usage. It does not require a high-temperature steam reforming unit, as methanol
does (instead, it is converted to hydrogen by a ruthenium-based catalyst) and
its power/weight ratio is only one-third that of methanol.
Source:
Hydrogen Fuel from Formic Acid http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20778/?a=f
New Insight into Methane-converting Catalyst
New work reported by the International Consortium for Clean Energy, a collaboration
among DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Chinese Academy of Sciences'
Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, and China's Institute of Coal Chemistry,
sheds light on the optimum structure for a catalytic material, molybdenum oxide
on a zeolite substrate, which can turn methane into benzene.
Source:
Halting methane squanderlust http://www.physorg.com/news130592381.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Non-Proliferation Treaty Deadlock Continues
The second of three sessions of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review
Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT) was held from April 28 to May 9 at the UN Office at Geneva, Switzerland.
Participation included delegates of 106 States parties, representatives of specialized
international organizations, and of 64 NGOs. The main issues discussed included:
nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and international security; nuclear-weapon-free
zones; nuclear safeguards; the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and the Middle
East situation. No special agreements were reached. The third session will be
held May 4 15, 2009, and the Review Conference will be April 26–May 21,
2010, both in New York. [See also Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Stalemate
Continues in May 2007, Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty in
May 2005, and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
PREPCOM 2008, 2010 NPT Review http://www.un.org/NPT2010/SecondSession
Nuclear States Joint Statement http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/legal/npt/prepcom08/statements/May09Statement%20by%20P5.pdf
Geneva Talks Pave Way to 2010 NPT Review http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2008/genevatalks.html
NPT Meeting Wraps Up in Geneva http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008_5_9.html#8360B7DE
European Parliament Passed Resolution Calling for Global Ban of DU
Weapons
The European Parliament agreed, with 491 out of 521 votes, to accept a resolution
calling on the EU to lead negotiations “through the UN or through a 'coalition
of the willing'” for a global treaty to ban depleted uranium weapons.
The resolution “Strongly reiterates its call on all Member States and
NATO countries to impose a moratorium on the use of depleted uranium weapons
and to redouble efforts towards a global ban, as well as systematically to halt
production and procurement of this type of weaponry.” It also recommends
inclusion of this wording in the European Security Strategy, “the need
to give serious thought to the future utility of unguided munitions, as well
as cluster bombs, mines and other weapons of indiscriminate effect, such as
depleted uranium weapons;” and “not to deploy military and civilian
personnel in regions where no guarantee can be given to the effect that depleted
uranium has not been, or will not be, used.” [See also Depleted Uranium
Environmental Concerns Resurfacing in November 2007 and other items on
this issue in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
European Parliament passes far reaching DU resolution in landslide vote http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/181.html
Protection of the environment through criminal law http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/misc/100525.pdf
New Mechanisms for Enforcing Biosafety and Biological Diversity Treaties
The focus of the fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety (COP/MOP 4), held from 12-16 May 2008 in Bonn, Germany, was on enforcement
measures. It adopted 18 decisions on issues related to: the Biosafety Clearing-House;
identification and handling of living modified organisms; notification requirements;
risk assessment and risk management; and monitoring and reporting. The timetable
and framework were set for a liability and redress regime concerning potential
damage caused by the movements of genetically modified organisms, which will
be further discussed at the next meeting of the parties to take place in October
2010, in Nagoya, Japan. An ad hoc technical expert group was mandated to consider
risk assessment and risk management issues. The Rules, Procedures and Mechanisms
Applicable to Processes under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was also published
at this meeting.
The Ninth Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity followed,
May 19-30, 2008, also in Bonn, Germany, assessing mechanisms to reduce loss
of biodiversity. The CBD COP 9 adopted the “Bonn roadmap” that addresses
issues concerning an international regime on access and benefit-sharing; a mechanism
for assessing marine areas in need of protection; a resolution on biodiversity
and climate change, including language cautioning against ocean fertilization;
and an agreement on biofuels. [See also International Biodiversity Meetings
Make Decisions and Tougher Systems to Control GMO Suggested in March 2006
environmental security report.]
Sources:
Fourth meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP
4) http://www.cbd.int/mop4/
Agreement Reached to Work towards a Legally Binding Instrument on Liability
and Redress with Regard to GMOs http://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2008/pr-2008-05-16-mop4-en.pdf
Rules, Procedures and Mechanisms Applicable to Processes under the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety http://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/bs-rules-en.pdf
Loss of Animal Species and Crops Is ‘Devastating’ Secretary-General
Ban http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26756&Cr=biodiversity&Cr1=
Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity http://www.iisd.ca/biodiv/cop9
IMO Sets New Limits on Ship Fuel Pollution
The International Maritime Organization has agreed on severe new limits on ship
fuel pollutants, especially sulphur (sulfur). The restrictions are to be implemented
by 2015, and will impose a change in sulphur limits in special Sulphur Emission
Control Areas (SECA) to 0.1% from the current 1.5%. The set of SECAs, now including
only Baltic and North Sea areas, is likely to be expanded to other coastal regions
in the world.
Source:
Short sea shipping at risk from IMO sulphur laws http://lloydslist.com/ll/news/short-sea-shipping-at-risk-from-imo-sulphur-laws/20017521753.htm
IMO environment meeting to consider revised regulations on ship emissions http://www.imo.org/
U.N. body to slash ship fuel pollution by 2015 http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL0487267520080404
EU Airline Carbon Trading to Start in 2011––a Year Earlier
than Planned
The European Parliament's Environment Committee voted to include aviation in
Europe's emissions trading scheme from 2011––a year earlier than
planned. Airlines should bid for at least 25% of pollution permits. Members
of the European Parliament want to set CO2 emissions cap at 90% of the levels
between 2004 and 2006 rather than 100%, with the cap lowered in subsequent years
from 2013. [See also New European Environmental Regulations in December
2007 and Europe to Propose Emissions Targets for All Flights to/from or
within Europe in November 2006 environmental security reports.]
Sources:
EU backs early start for airline carbon trading http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/28/travelandtransport.greenpolitics
Arctic Issues Still at the Debate Stage
Officials from the Arctic coastal countries Canada, U.S., Russia, Denmark, and
Norway met in Ilulissat, Greenland, May 27-29, 2008, to address issues related
to the Arctic territory. The meeting concluded with The Ilulissat Declaration,
by which the five nations reaffirm their commitment for applying the UN Law
of the Sea “to the orderly settlement of any possible overlapping claims,”
stipulating that there is “no need to develop a new comprehensive international
legal regime to govern the Arctic Ocean.” Critics say that this opens
the possibility for a polar “carve up” by the five countries. Other
Arctic Council group nations (Sweden, Iceland and Finland) as well as the indigenous
communities––who are the majority of the population within the Arctic
Circle––were not invited to the meeting. Environmentalists and the
indigenous groups call for an international treaty similar to the one for Antarctica,
which bans all military activity and mineral exploitation. A UN panel is supposed
to rule on Arctic control by 2020. By the Ilulissat Declaration, the Arctic
coastal nations also agree to cooperate on scientific research, improving navigation
safety, and development of environmental monitoring and disaster response systems.
[See also Arctic Disputes Continue in March 2008 and other similar
items in previous environmental security reports.]
However, there is speculation that Russia has the strongest position for increasing
its influence in the region and support for its expansion claims. It has infrastructure
along the North Sea Route (including ports), has for a long time performed extensive
research and possesses essential knowledge about the region. Most of all, Russia
has the most powerful fleet and military potential permanently deployed in the
Arctic. Russia is also working on gathering more evidence to support its claim
for territorial expansion under the Law of the Sea.
Sources:
The Ilulissat Declaration. Arctic Ocean Conference Ilulissat, Greenland, 27
– 29 May 2008 http://www.um.dk/NR/rdonlyres/BE00B850-D278-4489-A6BE-6AE230415546/0/ArcticOceanConference.pdf
Arctic declaration denounced as territorial 'carve up'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/may/29/fossilfuels.poles
Reaching out in the Arctic http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080514/107378393.html
Canada Prepares to Ban More Chemicals
The government of Canada announced that it is preparing to issue a ban on a
number of chemicals in common use in various applications, because of possible
harm to human health or the environment. The 11 chemicals include vinyl acetate,
ethylene oxide, thiourea, isoprene, and cyclohexasiloxanes. Industry has 60
days to offer countervailing evidence. [See also Questions on Bisphenol
A Risk Raised Again in April 2008 environmental security report.]
Source:
Ottawa prepared to slap toxic label on widely used chemicals http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=b0eeb176-6b3d-4a3e-bb18-29033eb044cc
Reactive Nitrogen Beginning To Be Recognized As Environmental Hazard
Two papers in the May 16 issue of Science discuss the problem of excessive reactive
nitrogen in the environment. According to Univ. of Virginia environmental sciences
professor James Galloway, “We are accumulating reactive nitrogen in the
environment at alarming rates, and this may prove to be as serious as putting
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.” Atmospheric nitrogen can appear as
nitric acid in water and vegetation or can contribute to the greenhouse effect.
The International Nitrogen Initiative ((www.initrogen.org) has been established
to serve as a center for efforts to cope with this problem. [See also New
Predictions for the Atmosphere by 2030 in October 2006 environmental security
report.]
Source:
Addressing the 'nitrogen cascade' http://www.physorg.com/news130081079.html
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence
A comprehensive study conducted by an international research team from 10 institutions
around the world, led by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, found conclusive
evidence of the link between human-caused climate change and the trends of change
of Earth’s natural systems. The research analyzed a database of more than
29,000 data series of physical and biological systems, and natural phenomena,
on land and in water, with at least 20 years of records between 1970 and 2004.
In about 90% of the cases from North America, Europe, and Asia, a link could
be established between warming and changes of the systems’ patterns or
behavior. The results for Africa, South America, and Australia are not conclusive,
due to lack of enough historical scientific data.
Scientists from Switzerland, France and Germany, working on the European Project
for Ice Coring in Antarctica, found that “today's concentrations of carbon
dioxide and methane are 28% and 124% higher respectively than at any time during
the last 800,000 years," increasing the likelihood that human activity
is a cause of climate change.
Chinese and Australian scientists are examining possibilities for deeper drilling
in parts of Antarctica to find atmospheric records dating back 1.5 million years.
The Living Planet Index reveals dramatic biodiversity reduction since 1970:
land species have declined by 25%, marine life by 28%, and freshwater species
by 29%. Scientists estimate the current extinction rate being 10,000 times faster
than the historical rate. The main causes of species decline are consequences
of human behavior: climate change, pollution, destruction of animals’
natural habitat, spread of invasive species, and overexploitation of species.
The Arctic is warming at about twice the global average and the changes of climate
and moisture highly impact the region’s vegetation, with possible negative
consequences that will further influence global climate. The tundra is shrinking
due to the expansion to the north of the boreal forests, which creates large
dark surfaces that will absorb––instead of reflecting––
solar heat. Reduced moisture increases wild fire potential in the tundra (in
2007, about 250,000 acres of Alaskan tundra burned), further improving the conditions
for forest expansion. However, due to likely future drought in the region, the
death of trees will be releasing carbon into the atmosphere instead of absorbing
it, thus increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Natural Disasters
Tens of thousands of people died and hundreds of thousands lost everything in
Myanmar as tropical cyclone Nargis hit the Southeast Asian country, also known
as Burma. The tragedy was increased by the lack of preparedness and response
capability of the country and the ban on intervention by foreign aid agencies.
Although there is no consensus on linking storms’ number and strength
to climate change, some experts say that there is evidence of a probable trend
that storms are becoming more powerful as global warming heats up the oceans.
Professor Kerry Emanuel, an MIT meteorologist says that the power of tropical
cyclones has roughly doubled since the 1950s, with the most increase occurring
over the last three decades, consistent with man-made global warming.
Considering the rate so far, 2008 might be the year with the most tornadoes
in the U.S. since 1950––when modern recordkeeping began––and
the deadliest in a decade, reports The Weather Channel. In some states, the
number to date of such storms already exceeds the yearly average: Mississippi
had 49 tornadoes compared to an annual average of 39 twisters average; Alabama
45 versus 42, and Arkansas 49, compared to 48.
Food and Water Security
As the food crisis intensifies around the world over the past few months, an
additional 100 million people began suffering from hunger and there were food
riots in some 30 countries, including recently conflict-torn countries such
as Haiti, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Somalia. Some argue that the Security
Council should consider the issue in order to stop escalation into larger global
security crises. "The Security Council would be remiss in carrying out
its responsibility for maintaining peace and security if it fails to take the
much needed preemptory steps to stop further deterioration of the security dimensions
of the global food crisis," says Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, a former Bangladeshi
ambassador and UN High Representative for Least Developed Countries (LDC). He
compared the food crises to others––such as HIV/AIDS––that
were discussed at the Security Council level and recalls that the bodies dealing
with the food situation (ECOSOC and FAO) do not have security-related mandates.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced a new international UN Task Force on
the Global Food Crisis, composed of the heads of key UN agencies and institutions,
to prepare a comprehensive plan of action to tackle the global rise in food
prices. The elements of the task force’s plan will be presented at the
UN and FAO High-Level Conference on World Food Security, Climate Change and
Bioenergy to be held in Rome, June 3-5, 2008.
The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty suggests the creation
of a UN Commission on Food Production, Consumption and Trade, as a more inclusive
mechanism to replace the UN Task Force. It also advocates that the food emergency
situation should override previous trade and international agreements and a
new trade dialogue should begin under the auspices of the UN.
At this time, when food security threatens stability around the world, a few
agricultural biotechnology companies are trying to concentrate corporate power,
gain a monopoly over a large part of global food, undermine small farming and
farmers rights, and most likely drive up costs. “Globally, the top 10
seed corporations already control 57% of commercial seed sales. This is a bid
to capture as much of the rest of the market as possible,” explains Hope
Shand, Research Director of ETC Group. According to ETC Group's report, Patenting
"Climate Genes"...And Capturing the Climate Agenda, Monsanto, BASF,
DuPont, Syngenta, Bayer and Dow––along with some biotech partners––have
filed 532 patent documents on genes related to environmental stress tolerance
at patent offices around the world. In the meantime, poor countries complain
that unfair policies are threatening their local seeds, undermining agricultural
productivity and jeopardizing national food security. Some Indian farmers are
giving up planting rice, because it is not cost-effective anymore, due to the
high prices of fertilizer, seeds and pesticides.
Global warming is most probably the cause of changing rainfall patterns in Australia,
concluded scientists gathered to discuss recent findings by the South-Eastern
Australia Climate Initiative (SEACI). Assessing specifically the decline of
rainfall and inflows into the Murray-Darling river systems over the past decade,
SEACI, a three-year project that began in 2006, reveals that the Southeast Australian
water system will most likely be increasingly stressed in the future as rainfall
is expected to be significantly reduced, concomitantly with suspected warmer
temperatures. Dr Wendy Craik, chief executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission,
notes that in some parts of the basin the drought is more severe than the worst
climate change predictions for 2055. Since future prospects are not encouraging,
drought-adaptation strategies should be considered.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Arctic sea ice has declined by about 10% in the past decade, note scientists
from the University of Colorado’s Center for Astrodynamics Research. They
estimate that there is a 59% chance that this year in September the ice cover
will reach a new record low, as currently the ice is thinner and younger than
at any time since observations have been recorded. In September 2007, the extent
of Arctic sea ice was the smallest on record.
Scientists are increasingly confident that human activity is the cause of the
new weather patterns seen at both poles. Their findings are based on computer
models that analyzed natural and human-caused variables, and were compared with
the observed real conditions. The models revealed an ice-free Arctic by 2030––about
two decades ahead of the predictions in the United Nations' Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change reports.
Rising Sea Levels
Six of the 18 inhabited low-lying Australian Torres islands have little or no
elevation and are in danger of being swallowed by the sea. The islanders are
already suffering because of abnormally high tides, land erosion, shifting seasons,
and increasingly scarce marine life that traditionally constitutes their food
source. Aborigines and Torres Strait islanders regained ownership of their traditional
lands in 1992. Already socially and economically marginalized, the roughly 7,000
people are unhappy with the lack of attention and care on the part of the Australian
government.
The Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason 2 mission to be launched in
June will provide data for better understanding ocean currents and the rises
in sea levels. Current marine measurements show that sea levels have risen on
average by 0.3 centimeters since 1993, twice that, in the whole 20th century.
The Jason 2 mission is a partnership between NASA, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the French National Center of Space Studies (CNES),
and the European satellite agency EUMETSAT.
Computer Modeling
Climate scientists and modelers warn that climate change forecasting abilities
are still relatively weak and that some of those considered in policymaking––such
as the IPCC assessments––are highly debatable, being too conservative
and not taking into account the latest research.
Climate modelers from around the world met at the World Modelling Summit for
Climate Prediction, held in Reading (UK), May 6-9, 2008, to try to improve forecasting
abilities, including measures that will allow a better understanding of how
the climate will be affected locally as well as globally. At the end of the
four-day summit, scientists made the case for a climate-prediction project on
the scale of the Human Genome Project. A key component of this scheme would
be a world climate research facility with computer power far beyond that currently
used in the field.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
Scientists at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii found that the levels of CO2
are at least 34% higher than pre-Industrial Revolution levels and near the suspected
climate-tipping point of 400 ppm. They note that the rise was 2.14 ppm in 2007,
while from 1970 to 2000 the concentration rose by an average of about 1.5 ppm
each year.
“Present global mean CO2, 385 ppm, is already in the dangerous zone”
and “prompt policy changes” are needed, suggests the Target Atmospheric
CO2: Where Should Humanity Aim? paper by a group of scientists led by Jim Hansen,
director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Based on an analysis
of paleoclimate data and ongoing climate change, the authors argue that CO2
should be reduced to a maximum of 350 ppm in order to avoid reaching irreversible
tipping points and maintain the Earth conditions supporting life as we know
it. The main policy suggestions include increasing efforts to find energy sources
beyond fossil fuels, and ending fossil fuel exploitation and use without adequate
CO2 capture and sequestration. The ultimate task is phaseout over the next 20-25
years of coal plants that are not equipped with carbon sequestration technology.
The paper admits that establishing a clear time frame of climate change is difficult,
since the models are still deficient. Nevertheless, it underlines the urgency
of the situation and concludes that although the task of curbing man-made CO2
emission is difficult, it is “feasible when compared with the efforts
that went into World War II.”
The meeting of the environment ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized
nations held in Kobe, Japan, concluded with an agreement on the long-term goal
of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050, but without any specific
emissions reduction targets for 2020.
The State and Trends of the Carbon Market 2008 report of the World
Bank shows that the global carbon market grew to $64 billion in 2007, more than
double the 2006 level. The European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) also
saw a doubling of both value and number of allowances transacted.
The report From Bali to Poznan: New Issues, New Challenges summarizes
the discussions and outcomes of the conference with the same name held at the
European Parliament in Brussels, December 18, 2007, convened by the Institute
for Environmental Security in cooperation with other interested organizations.
It assesses the impact of climate change on international security and sustainable
development, a switch to solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, implications
of illegal trade in natural resources, and the ways climate change influences
European foreign policy. The report can be seen as background policy information
for the next UNCCC to be held in Poznan in December 1-12, 2008.
Sources:
Earth Impacts Linked to Human-Caused Climate Change http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20080514/
Warming world altering thousands of natural systems http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080514/full/news.2008.823.html
Greenhouse gases highest for 800,000 years http://in.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idINL1440399320080514
Response to cyclone in Myanmar ‘unacceptably slow’ – Ban Ki-moon
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26634&Cr=myanmar&Cr1=
Tornado season deadliest in a decade http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/tornadoes/2008-05-12-tornado_N.htm?csp=DailyBriefing
Food Crisis Escapes Security Council Scrutiny http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/10984
Secretary-General convenes inaugural meeting of food crisis task force http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26632&Cr=food&Cr1=crisis
Gene Giants Grab "Climate Genes" http://www.etcgroup.org/en/materials/publications.html?pub_id=688
Global Warming Linked to Rainfall Decline in South-East Australia http://www.mdbc.gov.au/subs/seaci/SEACImedia-release-May08.pdf
CU-Boulder Researchers Predict 59 Percent Chance Of Record Low Arctic Sea Ice
In 2008 http://www.colorado.edu/news/r/1fb96a0f5e60677e20ddafee67219e8d.html
French-US satellite set for June launch to track sea levels http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gv2lwkG8qxbEaQ-wL1FaeDj0RIxA
They say they want a revolution http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080514/full/453268a.html
Greenhouse gas hits record level http://www.metro.co.uk/news/climatewatch/article.html?in_article_id=147343&in_page_id=59
Clock Running Out on Irreversible Climate Change – Part I http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=10657
From Bali to Poznan: New Issues, New Challenges http://www.envirosecurity.org/activities/diplomacy/gfsp/climate
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
New Study Raises Asbestos-type Health Worries for Nanotubes
According to a story in PhysOrg.com, “A major study … in Nature
Nanotechnology suggests some forms of carbon nanotubes … could be as harmful
as asbestos if inhaled in sufficient quantities.” Reporting experiments
carried out on mouse tissue, one of the researchers, Prof. Kenneth Donaldson
of the University of Edinburgh, stated, “Long, thin carbon nanotubes showed
the same effects as long, thin asbestos fibers”, causing pathological
responses known to be precursors of mesothelioma. The scientists noted that
it is still unknown if the tubes can be inhaled and reach sensitive portions
of the lungs.
Petition to Stop Nano-silver-containing Products
A petition filed by a citizens’ coalition with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency is demanding the agency exercise its pesticides’ regulating
authority and stop the sale of about 260 products containing nano-silver, due
to the compound’s possible risks to human health and the environment.
The coalition of consumers, health, and environmental groups is led by the nanotech
watchdog International Center for Technology Assessment.
Sources:
Carbon nanotubes that look like asbestos, behave like asbestos News story: http://www.physorg.com/news130510729.html
EPA Petitioned to Stop Sale of 260 Products Containing Nano-Silver
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2008/2008-05-02-093.asp
Reports and Sources Suggested for Review
Twenty Years of Environmental Security
An Uncommon Peace: Environment, Development, and the Global Security Agenda
by Geoffrey D. Dabelko, ECSP Director, published on the 20th anniversary of
Our Common Future (commonly known as the Brundtland report) is an assessment
of the evolution of our understanding of environmental concerns with implications
for national and international security. It addresses changes in the traditional
state-centered approach to new security threats such as: the possible environmental
consequences of nuclear war replaced by the increased threat of dirty bombs;
new threats such as genetic mutations; and health and poverty. Dabelko notes
that these new realities outline the pathway to “one facet of our common
future: environmental peacemaking.”
Source:
An Uncommon Peace: Environment, Development, and the Global Security Agenda,
by Geoffrey D. Dabelko http://www.heldref.org/env-dabelko.php
Tools for Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
A Review of Decision-Making Support Tools in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Sector, a study directed by Peter H. Gleick at the Pacific Institute and by
Geoffrey D. Dabelko at the Wilson Center's Environmental Change and Security
Program, evaluates 120 existing resources in the sector, analyses the world’s
situation on access to water and sanitation, and assesses existing technologies
and methodologies. The report recommends development of a set of tools to help
decision-makers with infrastructure development, available technologies, and
possible approaches. The tools would also outline specific needs of geographic
locations, evaluate community particularities, and use case studies to demonstrate
available technologies.
Source:
A Review of Decision-Making Support Tools in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Sector http://www.pacinst.org/reports/WASH_tool/index.htm
Improved Database for Stormwater Best Management Practices
Improvements in the International Stormwater BMP Database (www.bmpdatabase.org)
were recently announced. They will ease BMP searches, data collection and uploading,
and access to BMP performance analyses. The changes include more data, new data
analysis results, easier Web site navigation, and simplified data entry.
Sources:
Bigger and Better Stormwater BMP Database http://www.enn.com/press_releases/2480
WERF website http://www.werf.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
Briefings on Environmental Security at NATO Conference
Prior to the NATO Summit in April, the NATO Security Science Forum on Environmental
Security held in Brussels on March 12th addressed security implications of environmental
issues such as climate change, water, energy security, and natural catastrophes.
It also looked at environmental security forecasting and cooperation with other
international organizations to increase environmental security. Webcasts of
the presentations are available on the first website listed below. After the
NATO Summit in April in Romania, Russian President Vladimir Putin and NATO leaders
agreed to cooperate in several areas, including environmental security.
Sources:
NATO Security Science Forum on Environmental Security http://www.nato.int/docu/comm/2008/0803-science/0803-science.htm
NATO-Russia Council Concludes 2008 Bucharest Summit http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2008/April/20080404162813idybeekcm0.9275629.html
Half of Transported European Hazardous
Waste Could Be Illegal––How Much More Elsewhere?
Hazardous substances such as ozone-depleting substances and toxic chemicals
are increasingly profitable, difficult to tackle, and involve international
organized crime. Estimates from the early 2000s suggest that 10-20% of the ozone-depleting
substance trade was illegal (a value of $25-60 million). The Basel Convention
estimates international hazardous waste movement to be at least 8.5 million
tonnes per year. Although it is difficult to estimate the illegal portion of
this, a project undertaken in 13 European countries found that over 50% of the
waste shipments examined were illegal. One could imagine higher percentages
in countries with fewer inspection capabilities and in failed states. E-waste
(electronic waste, some of which is hazardous) is growing worldwide. About 70%
of it is dumped in developing countries in Asia and Africa. At a recent high-level
meeting on enforcement issues held by the World Customs Organization, representatives
of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), customs administrations,
and other interested organizations agreed on an Action Plan to improve enforcement
and tackle increasing environment crime. The Plan calls for increased detection
efficiency by customs offices, creation of environmental crime units, and international
co-operation and information exchange.
Sources:
UNEP correspondence with Millennium Project staff
Environment crime now high on the world agenda http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=530&ArticleID=5764&l=en
The Growth and Control of International Environmental Crime––Background
papers http://www.illegal-logging.info/uploads/Intenvcrime2007backgroundpapers.pdf
Climate Change and Access to Water
Addressed as Human Rights
The seventh regular session of the Human Rights Council adopted 36 resolutions
on a wide range of issues, including two major reports to be delivered in three
years to the tenth session of the Council: one on water as a human right, and
another on the relationship between climate change and human rights. In the
meantime, 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which will also increase reflections on these two topics.
Sources:
U.N. human rights body turns to climate change http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL2778449820080328?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&sp=true
Human Rights Council Adopts 36 Resolutions and Extends Mandates of 13 Special
Procedures at Seventh Regular Session http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/AADEFF2389520CC0C125741A0071BB93?opendocument
International Alliance of Forest Peoples
The International Alliance of Forest Peoples was established by the participants
in the Peoples of the Forest and Climate Change workshop held in Manaus, Brazil.
The scope of the Alliance is to improve international collaboration to guarantee
the respect of forest people’s rights to land and natural resources and
to their traditional livelihoods, facilitate their adaptation to climate change,
and improve their participation in the mechanisms for the reduction of emissions
from deforestation and forest degradation. The Declaration was signed by 11
countries: Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, French Guyana, Paraguay,
Nicaragua, Venezuela, Suriname, and Panama. Delegations from Africa (Democratic
Republic of the Congo) and Asia (Indonesia) and observers from the UN and NGOs
from Brazil, England and the U.S. also attended the meeting.
Source:
International Alliance will unite the forest peoples of the world http://forestnewswire.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122:international-alliance-will-unite-the-forest-peoples-of-the-world&catid=1:latest
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
Chemical Agent Cleanser Developed in Canada
A new non-toxic method for rapidly and safely destroying toxic agents, such
as chemical weapons and pesticides, has been developed by researchers from Queen’s
University, Canada. The alcohol-based system is non-corrosive, acts within minutes,
and proved to be more than 99% effective in eliminating organophosphorus agents,
such as Tabun, Soman and VX. It might represent a safe and environmentally friendly
option for destroying stockpiles of chemical weapons, environmental spill cleanup,
and rapid response to possible terrorist attacks using chemical weapons agents.
It is safe in most conditions and has no special storage requirements.
Sources:
“Green” method decontaminates deadly nerve agents http://qnc.queensu.ca/story_loader.php?id=47fb870ea02f1
New nerve agent cleansing method created http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2008/04/15/new_nerve_agent_cleansing_method_created/8254/
Animal-Robot Team Effective for UXO Clearance
Animal-robot teams can be a safe and efficient alternative for post-conflict
area scanning and clean-up. A remotely controlled robot leading a dwarf mongoose
(Helogale parvula) trained to sniff out explosives is an approach demonstrated
by Thrishantha Nanayakkara and colleagues at the University of Moratuwa in Sri
Lanka. The group APOPO in Tanzania has been training Gambian giant pouched rats
for similar manually-led operations, but the robot guidance eliminates the human
risk factor. The two animals mentioned are more easily trained and perform better
than dogs.
Sources:
Mongoose-robot duo sniff out landmines on the cheap
http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/mg19826535.900?DCMP=NLC-nletter&nsref=mg19826535.900
Video of the mongoose and robot pair sniffing our landmines http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fSQpzh02JaA
Giant Hero Rats Being Trained to Sniff Out Land Mines http://www.buzzle.com/articles/giant-hero-rats-being-trained-to-sniff-out-land-mines.html
Trained Rats Sniff out TB, Land Mines in Tanzania http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/TANZANIAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:21462478~menuPK:287357~pagePK:141137~piPK:141127~theSitePK:258799,00.html
All-Electric cars coming from Norway and China with More than Hundred
Mile Ranges
An all-electric car is expected to be available for purchase next year (2009)
in the U.S.; it is called “Think City” from Think North America,
a Norwegian-California joint venture startup. The car runs on sodium or lithium
batteries and can travel up to 110 miles on one charge. In 3-5 years BYD Auto
Co. of Shenzhen, China, plans to market its all-electric car in the U.S. with
a 185-mile range on a single full charge.
Sources:
BYD Company www.byd.com
China's BYD Auto Co. to Unveil All-Electric Car http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120849294773525787.html
Kleiner Perkins Venture to Sell Electric Car in US http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/48084/story.htm
New Solar Cell Design Raises Efficiency
Prof. Ely Sachs and colleagues at MIT have developed a solar cell design that
offers a 27% increase in efficiency over existing devices. They predict that
the cells’ present cost of $1.85/watt can be reduced to about $1.35/watt.
The new multi-crystalline silicon cells embody several improvements, which increase
the amount of light reaching the active elements in the cells. Commercialization
of the development is being done by 1366 Technologies. [See also New Project
for Nanowire Solar Cells in January 2008, Reducing Military Footprint
with Solar Energy at 30 Cents per Watt in November 2007, and other similar
items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
MIT spinoff shoots for solar power at $1 per watt http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9903728-54.html
MIT spin-off plans to manufacture cheap, efficient solar cells http://www.physorg.com/news125842769.html
New Material for Storing Hydrogen
Physicists Adam Phillips and Bellave Shivaram of the University of Virginia
have found a new class of materials, transition metal-ethylene complexes, which
may offer a much more efficient way of storing hydrogen for fuel cell applications
than previous substances. An example uses titanium with an ethylene nanostructure,
which their measurements indicate will hold 12% by weight of hydrogen, more
than twice the target of 5.4% set by DOE to support the development of hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles.
Source:
Physicists find new material for storing hydrogen http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/33614
(Registration required)
NanoRadio Offers Low Impact Environmental Monitoring and Communications
Prof. Alex Zettl of the Univ. of California’s Berkeley Nanosciences &
Nanoengineering Institute and his group have developed a nanoscale radio, in
which the key circuit consists of a single carbon nanotube. This work derived
from an effort to create inexpensive wireless environmental sensors.
Source:
TR10: NanoRadio http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=emerging08&id=20244
Antigenic Maps Help Trace Development of Diseases
Derek Smith, professor of infectious disease informatics at Cambridge University’s
Department of Zoology, and colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory and
Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, have developed software that, according
to a Scientific American article, “create[s] an antigenic [stimulates
the production of antibodies] map that documents 13,000 human flu strains isolated
over the past five years When these results are plotted on a digital antigenic
map, researchers can see in fine detail how the body’s immune system responds
to different mutations of the virus.”
Source:
Maps Point the Way to Fighting the Flu Virus http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=antigenic-cartography-maps
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Chemical Weapons Convention Gets New Boost
The Second Review Conference for the Chemical Weapons Convention was held in
The Hague, April 7-18, 2008, attended by delegates from 114 of the 183 treaty
states. The main issues brought up by participants were: threats posed by the
use of chemical weapons by nonstate actors; deadlines for chemical weapons destruction
(specifically named were Russia and the U.S., which have to destroy their chemical
warfare agents by April 29, 2012, and Japan for destruction of its chemical
weapons stockpiles in China); and universal adherence to the treaty. Delegates
produced a report that reviews the treaty procedures and implementation issues,
and urges the 12 countries that are not yet Party (Angola, the Bahamas, Dominican
Republic, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, North Korea,
Somalia and Syria) to join the international disarmament and nonproliferation
treaty “as a matter of urgency and without preconditions.” The report
does not address the convention’s relation to some new science and technology
developments that could produce new threats––such as development
of new incapacitating agents, advances in biology and nanotechnology, and industry
verification mechanisms. It was proposed that, from now on, the Scientific Advisory
Board of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons meet twice
a year, not just once as it has previously. [See also New Concerns Rising
over Chemical Weapons in April 2007 and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
In the meantime, Pacific Consultants International warns that Japan is not on
schedule for meeting its obligations towards China in the recovery and destruction
of hundreds of thousands of chemical weapons abandoned at the end of World War
II and will most probably not meet the April 2012 deadline, due to management
problems. [See also Japanese Chemical Weapons Cleaning in China Yet to be
Completed in June 2007, and other previous environmental security reports
on this issue.]
Sources:
Second Review Conference http://www.opcw.org/rc2/index.html
Nations Demand Adherence to CW Disposal Deadlines http://204.71.60.36/d%5Fnewswire/issues/2008/4/8/9cb5bc8a%2D5136%2D4594%2Da750%2Dc5108a7b58ec.html
Chemical arms disposal pricey / China project hit for opaque management, exorbitant
costs http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080424TDY02307.htm
Japan’s efforts toward early destruction of ACW in China http://www.opcw.org/docs/csp/rc2/en/rc2nat20(e).pdf
African Countries Call for International Ban on Cluster Bombs
The first meeting of African countries on cluster bombs adopted the “Livingstone
Declaration,” endorsed by 38 out of 39 countries (South Africa, one of
the continent’s two producer states was the exception.) The strong political
declaration is formally committing the African countries to the negotiations
for a global cluster munitions ban treaty to be held in Dublin, Ireland, May
19-30, 2008. There was widespread support for a broad definition of cluster
munitions to avoid exceptions based on so-called ‘technical fixes,’
and on the need for comprehensive liability provisions for the affected communities.
The Dublin meeting should conclude the Oslo process and agree on the final terms
and language of a cluster bombs ban treaty, which would then be opened for signature
before the end of 2008. [See also Negotiations Continue for an International
Instrument to Ban Cluster Munitions in November 2007 and other items on
this issue in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Strong Landmark African Declaration to Ban Cluster Bombs - Only South Africa
Calls for Exceptions to the Ban http://www.icbl.org/news/zambia_pr
The Cluster Munitions Process http://www.clusterprocess.org
Questions on Bisphenol A Risk Raised Again
The Canadian health ministry is said to be ready to declare BPA a dangerous
substance, and the US National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes
of Health, has expressed concern over its effects on the very young. [See also
Possible Risk with Bisphenol A Receiving Increased Attention in December
2007 environmental security report]
Sources:
Canada Could Ban Baby Bottles Containing Bisphenol A http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2008/2008-04-22-05.asp
Plastic bottle chemical may be harmful: agency http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN1513929320080415?sp=true
Climate Change
Scientific Evidences
Scientists have detected dilution in salinity of the sea around Antarctica and
warn that this could have significant effects on the world's climate and ocean
currents. The so-called Antarctic bottom water of this region controls the system
of ocean currents spanning the Southern, Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans
that shift heat around the globe. The phenomenon might be due to global warming,
and jn its turn will influence climate change.
For the past 20 years, no significant correlation can be established between
climate change and the Sun’s activity, found UK Lancaster University scientists,
using three different research methods. The findings support the assessment
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that man-made greenhouse gas
emissions outweigh solar activity variations as a cause of global warming.
Climate change-induced effects might prove costly for the US. Although there
is no consensus on the link between global warming and the number of hurricanes,
scientists agree that climate change could increase storms’ damaging forces.
The National Hurricane Center estimates that the US might be hit by a hurricane
that could cause more than $100 billion in damage. Highly populated coastal
areas are at highest risk. A category 5 hurricane could produce at least $140
billion in damage to South Florida.
Food and Water Security
Continuous escalation of food prices worldwide increases distress in poor regions,
raising the danger of social and political unrest. Demonstrations and/or riots
due to unaffordable basic needs have already erupted in Egypt, Cameroon, Haiti,
Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Mozambique and Senegal. FAO
says that six countries have an “exceptional shortfall” of food
supplies: Lesotho, Somalia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Iraq, and Moldova, while another
six suffer of “widespread lack of access” to food: Eritrea, Liberia,
Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and North Korea. Out of the estimated
~40 countries at “food crisis” risk, some 20 are or were recently
affected by internal conflicts, and 21 have suffered from floods, droughts,
and other weather disasters.
The International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development
Synthesis Report presents statistical analyses of basic food prices,
an assessment of the state of world agricultural regions and threats to production;
suggests several strategies and methods to increase agricultural efficiency,
such as how to produce food that is less dependent on fossil fuels and favors
natural fertilizers and traditional seeds; and offers suggestions for rational
use and preservation of soil and water supply.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched
a new five-year food security strategy in Africa focussing on long-term investments
to improve food security programmes in 15 African countries. The new plan will
include new technologies, seed banks and soil nutrient management, and the establishment
of community-based food security monitoring systems.
The Twenty-Fifth Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development
(COTED) on the Environment held in Greater Georgetown, Guyana, April 17-18,
2008 focused on critical environmental issues that affect the lives of people
of Small Island Developing and Low-Lying Coastal States. It was agreed that
the Caribbean Community Environmental and Natural Resource Framework should
address adaptation to climate change effects and food security and freshwater
resources.
In Australia, a six-year-long drought reduced Australia’s rice crop by
98% affecting local population, prices, and importing countries’ food
source.
A conference hosted by the European Water Forum in the European Parliament on
16 April increased the warnings of growing water scarcity concerns, calling
for speedy solutions to combat water shortages, which might include higher water
prices to deter overuse.
In order to assist countries to adopt a new strategy for addressing food and
water security by engaging international action to combat desertification, land
degradation and drought, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat
is convening a high-level policy dialogue to be held in Bonn, Germany on May
27.
Water security will also be affected by earlier melting of glaciers and mountain
snow, leaving millions of people in need during the summer when rainfall is
lower, warn scientists. The earth's sub-tropic zones, home to 70% of the world's
population, are the most vulnerable. The areas most at risk include parts of
the Middle East, southern Africa, the United States, South America and the Mediterranean.
The fast melting high altitude glaciers in Andean mountains alter eco-systems,
affecting the livelihood of people of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. The IPCC estimated
that rising temperatures could melt most of Latin America’s glaciers by
2022. In some regions, demand for water might exceed supply as soon as 2009.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Melting ice caps because of global warming may trigger more volcanic eruptions,
scientists estimate. Thinning ice and thus reduced weight on the earth’s
crust changes the geological stresses inside the crust in general, and also
intensifies the rate of magma melting, increasing the possibility of eruptions,
explain scientists Carolina Pagli of the University of Leeds, UK, Freysteinn
Sigmundsson of the University of Iceland, and Bill McGuire of University College
London in the UK.
Arctic permanent ice shelves are breaking off or cracking at a higher rate than
feared, noted polar ice researchers who accompanied Canadian Rangers on a patrol
around Ellesmere Island. They estimate that the High Arctic ice shelves could
all be fragmented in a matter of years. Another study, by scientists of the
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Colorado State University
(CSU), reveals that new Arctic sea ice is on average so extremely thin, that
it melts under the sunshine of clear summer skies it once could survive. U.S.
submarines’ readings reveal a 40% reduction in sea ice thickness since
1960.
The Arctic Climate Impact Science – An Update Since the Arctic Climate
Impact Assessment report, produced for the World Wildlife Fund, presented
to the Arctic Council, says that there could be factors contributing to climate
change that were not even considered, since the real changes are happening much
faster than predicted by computer models and scientists. The report estimates
that the summer ice pack could be gone in 5 to 32 years.
Release of long-stored methane gas from the thawing of the Arctic is one of
the phenomena that could have catastrophic warming effects. At the annual conference
of the European Geosciences Union held in Vienna, Russian polar scientists presented
evidence that the first stages of melting have already begun off the coast of
Siberia, as well as on land in northern Siberia.
There is research underway for the use of this methane as fuel. The state-owned
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation announced that it wants to extract
some 7 trillion tonnes of methane estimated to exist in Japanese coastal waters.
However, there are fears that this might release huge volumes of gas with possible
disastrous environmental consequences.
Computer Modeling
The results of a new study by MIT researchers reinforce the connection between
climate change and the intensity of storms. The new findings, based on pure
theoretical computer simulation analysis using the Global Circulation Models,
are consistent with the results of an earlier study, based on historical data,
which showed a near doubling in the intensity of Atlantic storms over the last
30 years. Both studies confirm an increase in the intensity and duration of
tropical cyclones, but, as for the future, many clarifications are still needed
to determine the effects of global warming and CO2 on storms’ number and
intensity.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The first session of the working groups for negotiating a post-Kyoto treaty
to address greenhouse gas emissions reductions took place from March 31 to April
4, 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand. Delegates from 163 countries participated. The
main outcome is a work plan to advance the Bali roadmap. Many delegates proposed
workshops on issues they wanted to be addressed by the new treaty. Generally,
the discussions went well, the main disagreement area being the Japanese proposal
on a “sectoral approach” for greenhouse gas emissions targets based
on energy-efficiency standards by industry, and the concept of “measuring,
reporting and verifying.” Seven more sessions will be held––three
this year and four in 2009.
The next meeting will be held in June, in Bonn, addressing developing countries’
adaptation strategies and clean technology transfer. In-depth discussions of
the Japanese proposal on greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency targets
were postponed to the August meeting to be held in Ghana. China, India, and
other developing countries strongly oppose the Japanese plan that would require
developing countries to stabilize greenhouse gases over the next 10–15
years and cut them in half by 2050. Significant disagreements remain over demands
from the U.S. and Japan for developing countries to accept binding targets as
part of a pact to stabilize greenhouse gases in the next 10–15 years and
cut them in half by 2050.
Aviation and shipping industries account for some 5%-8% of greenhouse gas emissions
and are sectors not covered by the Kyoto Protocol, due to the difficulty in
classifying them under individual nations. However, the European community estimates
that emissions might grow by 32% from shipping and 90% from aviation. Therefore,
Europe is advocating clear and meaningful greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets for the two sectors.
The newly elected Australian government sponsored a 2020 summit during April
2008. One thousand selected invitees spent two days considering ten themes,
including Australia’s long-term role in the region. A detailed response
to the summit is expected from the Government by the end of 2008. The new Australian
government has taken a more aggressive approach to CO2 emissions reduction and
the 2020 summit held in April 2008 encouraged the government to further take
a regional lead in this area. The government has committed Australia to a carbon-trading
scheme by 2010.
Governors of 20 U.S. states signed the Governors’ Declaration on Climate
Change at the 2008 Conference on Climate Change held at Yale University. The
Declaration is establishing a partnership between the states and the federal
government to increase efforts to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
At the same meeting, Premier Jean Charest of Quebec, Canada, announced that
Quebec is joining the Western Climate Initiative, which calls for a 15% reduction
in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2020.
While negotiations for a post-2012 treaty continue, questions are growing about
better enforcement mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol to compel governments to
respect their commitments. Change of government shouldn’t allow policy
changes relative to a country’s international commitments and ratified
regulations. Canada, Japan and some southern European countries are all well
behind their targets. “The biggest concern comes from countries like Canada
that have openly begun voicing doubts about whether they will comply or even
care about complying,” said Antonio Hill, from Oxfam.
Sources:
Freshening of deep Antarctic waters worries experts
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/34921
'No Sun link' to climate change http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7327393.stm
Scientists downplay global warming’s effect on hurricanes http://www.sott.net/articles/show/153074-Scientists-downplay-global-warming-s-effect-on-hurricanes
Global Hot Spots of Hunger Set to Explode http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=41976
International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for
Development http://www.agassessment.org/index.cfm?Page=IAASTD%20Reports&ItemID=2713
International Federation launches new five-year food security strategy in Africa
focussing on long-term investments http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/News/pr08/1508.asp
Region urged to make the environment a priority http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-7280--39-39--.html
A Drought in Australia, a Global Shortage of Rice http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/business/worldbusiness/17warm.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Melting mountains a "time bomb" for water shortages http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL14573335.html
Town in the Andes faces crisis as glaciers melt http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/23/MNSDVIN7E.DTL
Melting ice caps may trigger more volcanic eruptions http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn13583-melting-ice-caps-may-trigger-more-volcanic-eruptions.html
(by subscription)
Arctic ice melting fast in summer sun http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/416901
A Storehouse of Greenhouse Gases Is Opening in Siberia http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,547976,00.html
'Flammable ice' could be mined for fuel http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/energy-fuels/mg19826523.400-methane-could-be-mined-from-beneath-permafrost.html
New MIT study validates hurricane prediction http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/emanuel-paper-0417.html
Bangkok Climate Change Talks - 31 March to 4 April 2008 http://unfccc.int/meetings/intersessional/awg-lca_1_and_awg-kp_5/items/4288.php
Australia 2020 http://www.australia2020.gov.au/
Governors Call for Federal-State Climate Change Partnership http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2008/2008-04-18-01.asp
Do global warming pledges matter? http://www.terradaily.com/2007/080403023938.mw16xxva.html
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Some noteworthy nanotechnology safety activities from this month are:
• EU Establishes Nanotech Advisory Research Project. The EU FP7 (EU’s
Seventh Research Framework Programme) project “ObservatoryNANO”
has begun operation. According to nanoforum.org, it is funded for four years
and “will collate and analyze data regarding scientific and technological
(ST) trends and economic realities and expectations. The ST and economic analysis
will be further supported by assessment of ethical and societal issues, impacts
on health, environment and safety, as well as regulation, standardization, and
legislative issues.”
• New Analysis of Nanotech Risk Assessment Funding by the Project
on Emerging Nanotechnologies, analyzing nanotech spending for fiscal year 2006,
found that only $13 million––representing less than 1% percent of
the $1.4 billion U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative budget––was
spent on federal research projects highly relevant to addressing possible environment,
health and safety risks related to nanotechnology. The same year, European countries
invested nearly double––$24 million ––on similar nanotech
risk-assessment projects. Draft legislation proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives
Science Committee would require that in the future, a minimum 10% of the NNI
budget be devoted to risk assessment research.
• The NSTI Nanotech 2008 Conference is scheduled to be held in Boston
1-5 June. Two sessions on “Environmental [sic], Health and Toxicology”,
including a paper on “Legislative, Regulartory [sic] and Risk Management
for Nanotech EHS”, are on the program for 5 June.
Sources:
Observatory-NANO project http://www.observatory-nano.eu
ObservatoryNANO project kicks off in London http://nanoforum.org/nf06~modul~showmore~folder~99999~scc~news~scid~3573~.html?action=longview&
(free membership required)
ObservatoryNANO: responsible nanotechnology for socio-economic benefit http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=382
Project on Emerging Nanotechnolgies [sic] – Risk Research Inventory Update
Analysis http://www.nanotechproject.org/process/assets/files/6691/ehs_risk_research_inventory_080416_final.pdf
Europe Spends Nearly Twice as Much as U.S. on Nanotech Risk Research http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/ehs-update/
NSTI Nanotech 2008 http://nsti.org/Nanotech2008/
Reports Suggested for Review
Addressing Security Aspects of Climate Change
Delivering Climate Security: International Security Responses to a Climate Changed
World, by Nick Mabey, published by Britain’s Royal United Services Institute
for Defence and Security Studies, outlines a framework for climate security
analysis and some of its implications for security policy, practice and institutional
change. Noting that international response to climate security threats has been
‘slow and inadequate’, it recommends that nations integrate climate
change into their security policy to prepare for worst-case scenarios. Otherwise,
says the author, climate change might have security implications of “similar
magnitude to the World Wars, but which will last for centuries.”
Sources:
Delivering Climate Security: International Security Responses to a Climate Changed
World http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=g792406239~db=mass
Climate change 'may put world at war' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/23/eaclimate123.xml
Terrorists Could Tap Pharmaceutical Toxins
Old Plagues, New Threats by the Cooperative Nonproliferation Program at the
Stimson Center is a comprehensive analysis of the state of monitoring and regulation
of emerging products and technologies. It uses the pharmaceutical industry as
a case study and outlines the threats—from research and distribution to
injection into patients of products derived from select agents. The growing
interest in dangerous pathogens and toxins increases the potential of their
use in biological weapons by nefarious actors. Lack of adequate regulations
increases the possibility of such scenarios. [See also Accelerating Synthetic
Biology Applications Need Better Monitoring and Regulation in July 2007
and other similar items in previous environmental security reports.]
Source:
Pharmaceutical Terrorism—The Bane of Biotech http://www.stimson.org/pub.cfm?ID=596
Continually Rising Food Prices Threaten Long-Term
Global Stability
According to UN data, global food prices rose 35% this year and have already
risen 65% since 2002. Biofuels competition for land and water, climate change,
oil prices, and increasing population and incomes all contribute to the long-term
increases in food prices. The Food and Agriculture Organization found that dairy
prices rose nearly 80% and grain 42% in 2007. With nearly 3 billion people making
$2 or less per day, long-term global social conflict seems inevitable without
more serious food policies, scientific breakthroughs, and dietary changes.
Source:
Tensions Rise As World Faces Short Rations http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/47716/story.htm
EU, Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Environment Cooperation
The first meeting of the EU, Latin American, and Caribbean countries’
environment ministers took place in Brussels, March 4, 2008, in a pre-meeting
to the high level summit to be held in Lima, in May. More than two dozen environment
ministers attended the meeting aiming to identify common priorities in order
to increase environmental efforts and better integrate them in the EU–LAC
countries’ areas of cooperation. The focus was on collaboration strategies
between the two regions for addressing climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity
loss, and deforestation. The EU has already pledged considerable funds to help
the region in domains such as natural resource management, renewable energy
and energy efficiency, forest management, climate change mitigation, greenhouse
gas reduction, carbon sequestration, and governance.
Source:
First ever meeting of environment ministers from EU and Latin America and Caribbean
countries held in Brussels http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/381&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
United Arab Emirates Establish Nuclear
Agency
The United Arab Emirates’ governing Cabinet approved the establishment
of the new Nuclear Energy Authority, with “the mandate to evaluate and
develop a peaceful nuclear energy program in line with the recommendations of
the International Atomic Energy Agency” as part of its civilian nuclear
power program.
Source:
UAE to set up nuclear agency http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Government/10199893.html
Shipwrecks Removal Treaty Received
First Signature
The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks adopted in May
2007 provides an international legal framework to deal with shipwrecks presenting
possible safety and/or environmental hazards. According to the International
Maritime Organization, the number of abandoned shipwrecks worldwide is estimated
to be 1,300, and the threat they represent has been increasing. The convention
provides the legal basis for States to remove the wrecks, or have them removed,
and have the registered owner liable for costs incurred. The Convention is open
for signature until November 18, 2008, thereafter being open for ratification,
accession or acceptance; it will enter into force 12 months after the date it
receives ten ratifications (or accessions or acceptances).
Sources:
Estonia the first to sign UN-backed sea wreck treaty http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26130&Cr=maritime&Cr1=
New international treaty on wreck removal adopted in Nairobi http://www.imo.org/About/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1472&doc_id=8070
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
Ionic Liquids Provide Safe Alternative to Mercury
Robin Rogers of Queen's University, Belfast, UK, and his colleagues have discovered
that ionic liquids (IL)––salts in liquid form––are an
environmentally safe substitute for mercury in thermometers. Gary Baker, of
the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the U.S., also points out that ILs are
potentially green replacements for conventional solvents in other applications.
Source:
New ionic liquid in thermometers beats mercury on range, performance and safety
http://www.rsc.org/AboutUs/News/PressReleases/2008/ILThermometers.asp
New Rapid Portable Chemical Sensor
Guardion-7, a 28-pound, briefcase-sized unit is a portable chemical sensor that
can identify nerve agents, explosives and other substances within five minutes,
with high accuracy, even in extreme climates, apparently without false-positive
readings found in current sensors. It was developed by Brigham Young University
scientist Milton Lee and has been successfully tested at the Dugway Proving
Ground in Utah. The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency certified its accuracy
in February. Research continues to make the device even smaller and lighter.
Source:
BYU scientist creates chemical detector http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695263396,00.html
Reusable Carbon Aerogel Adsorbs Organic Solvent Pollutants
A monolithic carbon aerogel that will adsorb organic solvent pollutants such
as benzene, toluene and xylene, and that can be easily regenerated and used
repeatedly has been produced by David Fairén Jiménez and other
researchers at the Univ. of Granada in Spain.
Source:
Creation of a new material capable of eliminating pollutants by the hydrocarbon
industry http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/udg-coa022608.php
New Material Strips out Radioactive Debris
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory
and Northwestern University developed a layered sulfide compound, which very
efficiently strips out radioactive strontium-90 from nuclear waste. They are
now experimenting with the compound’s ability to isolate such other common
radioactive elements as cesium and uranium.
Source:
Compound removes radioactive material from power plant waste http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/News/2008/news080313a.html
New Type Nanoscale Transistor Would Aid DNA Detectors
A mathematical simulation developed by Samuel Afuwape of National University,
in San Diego, helps to design a new type of nanoscale transistor for a portable
DNA detector for testing contaminated sites. The new nanoscale ion-selective
field-effect transistor (ISFET) could be integrated into a biosensor containing
thousands of DNA sequences that would bind with DNA sequences in a sample, producing
changes in conductivity detectable by the ISFET. The miniature DNA detector
would have broad application, including bioweapons detection.
Source:
A handheld DNA detector may soon be a reality http://www.topnews.in/health/handheld-dna-detector-may-soon-be-reality-21411
New “Green IT” Software under Development
A group at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute started
development of “software that is free and easy to download, which will
make networked computers more energy-efficient and reduce carbon emissions by
saving on electricity needs.” The software will eventually be available
from the project website: http://projects.oucs.ox.ac.uk/lowcarbonict.
Sources:
Oxford University launches research project for low carbon computing http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/press-releases/080317low-itc.pdf
Oxford University to Develop Free Green Computing Software http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55791
Energy/Performance Benchmark for Workstations under Development
A new, environmentally-oriented project of the Standard Performance Evaluation
Corporation (SPEC) Graphics and Workstation Performance Group is “working
on the benchmark for performance in relation to power consumption, incorporating
current benchmarks for 3D graphics as well as looking at workloads for rendering,
financial modeling, video encoding and other processes” announced a Greener
Computing news story. SPEC will be submitting the benchmark to EPA for use in
its Energy Star rating system.
Source:
SPEC Developing Benchmark for Workstation Power Use, Performance http://www.greenercomputing.com/news_third.cfm?NewsID=55773
Chemical Emission Certification Extended
to Electronic Devices
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), the country’s largest certifier
of chemical emissions from building products and furnishings, is expanding its
certification efforts to include computers and other electronic devices. According
to an Institute announcement, “The GREENGUARD program measures chemical
‘outgassing’ of the product during normal use and operation. Measured
emissions are then compared to an extensive list of publicly available short
term and long term health risk exposure levels available from the US Environmental
Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Administration, the state of California,
and CDC’s Registry of Toxic Substances.”
Source:
GREENGUARD Expands into Certifying Computers & Electronics http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=43&ItemId=451
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Biological Weapons Convention Lacks Enforcement Mechanism, Warns Russian
General
Col. Gen. Vladimir Filippov, commander of Russia’s WMD protection force,
warned that the Biological Weapons Convention lacks enforcement mechanisms that
would help prevent nations and terrorists from producing biological warfare
agents. The issue was also previously raised by the Nonaligned Nations Movement
at the 2007 meeting of states parties. The next Meeting of States Parties is
scheduled for December 2008 and the review conference of the BWC is planned
for 2011. [See also Progress for Enforcing Biological Weapons Convention
in December 2007 and Sixth Review Conference of the Biological Weapons
Convention in December 2006 and other related environmental security reports.]
Source:
Enforcement Needed for BWC, Russian General Says http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008_3_12.html#9729B07E
Arctic Disputes Continue
An authoritative report, Climate Change and International Security,
to the European Council, among other recommendations for addressing security
issues in the new context of climate change, recommends “Develop an EU
Arctic policy based on the evolving geo-strategy of the Arctic region, taking
into account i.a. [inter alia] access to resources and the opening of new trade
routes.” It notes, “The increased accessibility of the enormous
hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic region is changing the geo-strategic dynamics
of the region.” A recent U.S. survey revealed that the Alaska continental
shelf might extend more than 100 nautical miles farther from the U.S. coast
than previously assumed, therefore eventually giving the U.S. the right to claim
access to extra seabed resources if it were party to the Law of the Sea treaty.
In the meantime, the US-based Arctic Oil & Gas Company has filed a claim
with the UN to act as the sole “development agent” in the Arctic
region, with exclusive rights to extract oil and gas from the central Arctic
Ocean currently beyond the territorial control of the polar nations. [See also
Disputes over Polar Regions Expands in October 2007, Arctic Debate
Intensifies in August 2007, and other similar items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Climate Change and International Security. Paper from the High Representative
and the European Commission to the European Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/reports/99387.pdf
U.S. firm lays claim to 'potentially vast' Arctic oil resources http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=2699b272-8fed-4da6-8c2a-d54390f7d54b
Arctic Melt Yields Hints of Bigger U.S. Seabed Claim http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/12/arctic-melt-yields-hints-of-bigger-us-seabed-claim/
Continental Slope Off Alaska 100 Nautical Miles Further Off Coast Than Assumed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211134449.htm
China’s New Ministry of Environmental Protection
China announced the creation of five new “super ministries”: Ministry
of Industry and Information, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security,
Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Construction,
and Ministry of Transport, and a ministerial-level national energy body to oversee
energy policy across all ministries. Establishing the new environment ministry
is intended to help tackle China’s growing pollution problems. Environmental
monitoring and law enforcement will be high priorities, said future minister
of environmental protection, Zhou Shengxian, at the 2008 National Environmental
Law Enforcement Conference. [See also China May Restructure Environmental
Effort in October 2007, and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Source:
China's parliament adopts government reshuffle plan http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008npc/2008-03/15/content_6538946.htm
China announces 'super-ministries', including one for environment http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5giPUHFKPnbJWleDQdRstP-tEg-0w
Environment chief vows to add muscle http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2008-03/25/content_6563818.htm
EU Leaders Support the 20/20/20 Energy Plan
At the recent EU summit (March 13-14), member states’ leaders indicated
support for the EU’s 20/20/20 energy plan. The package should receive
full political backing by all governments by the end of 2008 in order to be
discussed at the EU Parliament in the first week of 2009. In spite of the tight
deadline, EU officials are confident that the plan will pass in time to give
the EU a better negotiating position at the December 2009 UN climate change
summit. At the same time, despite some countries’ disagreements and complaints,
the European Commission reaffirmed that it is not willing to change the timetables
and national targets. However: 1) some concessions were agreed for energy intensive
industries such as steel and cement factories, which could get free pollution
permits––instead of having to buy them by auction, and 2) foreign
companies might also be made to take part in the emissions trading system (ETS).
[See also European Commission’s New Low-carbon 20/20/20 by 2020 Energy
Plan in January 2008 environmental security report.]
EU to commit to tight legislative deadline for green goals http://euobserver.com/9/25832/?rk=1
Brussels defends EU burden-sharing on climate change http://euobserver.com/9/25829/?rk=1
Brussels to grant some concessions to industry in environment proposals http://euobserver.com/9/25839/?rk=1
7.5 Waste Disposal a Matter of Discord or Cooperation between Palestine and
Israel
Waste disposal might additionally fuel the increasingly tense relations between
Israel and the Palestinian Authority as waste is transferred from Israel to
areas of the West Bank. The main problem is that large quantities of building
waste are deposited in pirate sites near Palestinian villages. Some contain
toxic substances polluting the environment, leaking into the water system, and
endangering the public health of both Palestinian and Israeli people. Scientists
and environmentalists call on the two parties to leave aside diplomatic disagreements
and develop collaborative relations on environmental issues generally and on
solving the waste problem specifically. [See also Water Scarcity in
March 2007, and Iran and Iraq Sign Environment Protection Agreement
in January 2008 environmental security reports.]
Source:
Apart from the security problems http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/960889.html
Plastic Threats to the Marine Environment
Researchers are increasingly warning of the long-term threat from plastic waste
to the marine environment as studies confirm the risks from hidden contamination.
While most attention is focused on dangers that visible items of plastic waste
pose to wildlife, new researches investigate the impact of underwater microscopic
plastic fragments on tiny marine organisms. Researchers note that all continents
experience plastic contamination and plastic particles could represent as much
as one-quarter of the total weight of sandy material samples gathered on shorelines
at the high tide mark. [See also The Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention
of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter Enters into Force
in March 2006 and other previous environmental security reports on similar issues.]
Source:
Warning on plastic's toxic threat http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7316441.stm
Water Footprint Measuring System
On the occasion of World Water Day, reminding of possible conflicts over water,
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to create
strategies for using water more efficiently and sharing it more fairly. Similarly,
researchers suggest that it is timely to use a system to measure water footprint
similar to that used for carbon footprint. A symposium held by the UNESCO-IHE
(Institute for Water Education) discussed the “virtual water” issue
specifically related to the world energy markets. It was pointed out that present
practices are not sustainable and therefore it is necessary to introduce a system
to measure water footprint in order to help better understand water issues,
identify areas with highest impact, and develop adequate policies. Calculating
a water footprint might increase awareness and influence practices, similar
to the impact that carbon footprint has. [See also World Leaders Discuss
Environmental Security Policies at Davos in January 2007, Water Scarcity
in March 2007, World Water Forum in March 2006, and other previous
environmental security reports on the water issue.]
Sources:
World's Water Needs Grow More Urgent http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2008/2008-03-17-01.asp
Experts Seek Answers on Water Footprint http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/27/AR2008032702567.html
Waterfootprint http://www.waterfootprint.org
Water Trade–A Virtual Reality? UNESCO-IHE symposium http://legacy.citg.tudelft.nl/wmg/dispuut/symposium/index.html
Kyrgyzstan’s Deforestation Threatens Central Asia’s Security
The Kyrgyz government’s Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry
and environmentalists have issued warnings about the country’s rate of
deforestation and its consequences. It is estimated that over the past 50 years,
half of the forest cover was lost, and illegal logging continues at a rate about
at par with the legal one, maintained by corruption and the population’s
low living standard. Kyrgyzstan forests are crucial for the whole Central Asian
ecosystem, their disappearance causing water scarcity, health problems, and
more frequent natural disasters such as floods, landslides and droughts. Experts
demand better enforcement of international environmental regulations to which
the country is party. [See also UN General Assembly Adopts Global Forest
Agreement in December 2007 and Environment and Security Program in
the East-Caspian Region in September 2007, Network of Environment Centres
in Central Asia in February 2004, and Prospective International Agreements
for Mountain Regions in October 2002 environmental security reports.]
Source:
Kyrgyz Greens Warn of Deforestation Risks http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2008/2008-03-11-02.asp
Climate Change
Food and Water Security
An EU report, Climate Change and International Security, warns that
water scarcity and food insecurity caused by rising prices and diminishing harvests,
particularly in the Middle East, are likely to cause “serious security
risks” for Europe and internationally.
African Environment Day, organized by the African Union (AU) Commission to raise
awareness of the impact land degradation and desertification have on Africa’s
development, was observed under the theme “Adapting to Climate Change
for Livelihood Security in Africa.”
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
At the southwestern edge of the Wilkins Ice Shelf of western Antarctica, a chunk
of ice with an area of about 400 sq km broke up into icebergs. This might trigger
the disintegration of a larger part of the Wilkins Ice Shelf, which totals about
14,500 sq km, and is now connected by only a 6 km strip of ice.
According to data of UNEP’s World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), the
average rate at which the world’s glaciers are melting and thinning has
more than doubled between the years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. Analyzing data
from around 100 glaciers, with continual annual data series for 30 reference
glaciers since 1980, WGMS found that average ‘water equivalent’
loss has risen from 0.3 meter per year between 1980 and 1999, to about 0.5 meter
per year after the year 2000, and estimates of 1.4 meters in 2006. Out of the
30 reference glaciers only one (Echaurren Norte in Chile) thickened in 2006
compared to 2005, while all the others shrank, with European glaciers being
among the most affected. Glaciers represent the only fresh water source for
millions of people around the globe.
Rising Sea Levels
Bangladesh, chair of the Least Developed Countries, insists that developed countries
increase LDC’s access to investment, resources and technologies needed
to adapt to climate change effects. Of more than $1 billion pledged at the 2002
Johannesburg Earth summit for improving preparedness of vulnerable countries,
less than $180 million have been delivered, and no contributions were yet made
to the investment fund set at Bali. Being the most at risk, LDCs demand to take
an active part in the global climate talks. At Bangladesh’s request, Britain
offered financial support for LDCs participation in negotiations and will host
a conference in May addressing Bangladesh’s vulnerability. A one-meter
sea level rise would flood about one-third of Bangladesh, affecting about 25–30
million people.
Recent data from the U.S. Geological Survey warns of the danger that rising
sea levels over the next 50 years represent to the U.S. coastal population.
Among the most threatened are the islands of California’s Sacramento-San
Joaquin delta, the islands in Chesapeake Bay, parts of the Louisiana coast,
and the New York subway system. However, the 5,000 residents of the California’s
delta islands are likely to become the first environmental refugees in the United
States. The threat is the result of the interplay of two factors both effects
of climate change: rising sea levels, and increased rainfalls over snow in the
Sierra Mountains as a result of warming temperatures, thus raising the risk
of floods.
Adaptation
“The UN estimates that all but one of its emergency appeals for humanitarian
aid in 2007 were climate related,” notes the Climate Change and International
Security report.
The Kyoto Protocol’s Adaptation Fund Board held its inaugural meeting
in Bonn, Germany, on March 28, 2008. The Fund will finance concrete adaptation
projects and programs in developing countries. The fund now estimated at about
$58.4 million is expected to increase to $80-300 million over 2008-2012. The
finance source is a 2% levy of the Clean Development Mechanism, so it is “not
reliant on donor funding or overseas development assistance. This is the climate
regime beginning to become self-financing,” noted Yvo de Boer, Executive
Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Caribbean states agreed to set up a joint tsunami early warning center by
2010. The center will relay information from national geological institutes
across the region. Barbados, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela were named as possible
hosts of the center, which would have a $250,000 annual budget funded by national
governments, France, the U.S., and UNESCO.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The first meeting since the December Bali conference for negotiating a post-Kyoto
climate change treaty is being held in Bangkok, March 31-April 4. It aims to
move forward the Bali Roadmap. Key issues on the agenda include limiting greenhouse
gas emissions, adaptation, mitigation, deployment of climate-friendly technologies,
and financing. [Note: the meeting was ongoing at the time of this writing and
the outcomes will be included in next month’s report.] It is hoped that
negotiations will be concluded next year at a major Copenhagen summit.
China’s CO2 emissions grew much more than previous estimates, revealed
a new analysis by economists at the University of California. The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change estimated annual CO2 increase in the region that includes
China at 2.5%–5% for 2004–2010, while the new University of California
analysis estimates a growth rate of at least 11% for the same time period. This
finding reinforces beliefs that any climate change treaty should include mandatory
emission targets for big emitter developing countries.
Humanity lost an important decade of actions to curb global warming, because
of protracted negotiations, noted Robert Watson, now chief scientific adviser
at the U.K. environment ministry, and former chairman of the UN Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change. He emphasized the swift need for a new treaty that
would set more ambitious long-term goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
in order to limit temperature rise to 2oC by the end of the century. Mr. Watson
considers that the targets for developed countries should be 80% rather than
the projected 60%, while for developing countries the allowed rise should be
60% rather than a projected 140%. He underlined that such goals imply the implementation
of a mixture of technologies and increased technology transfer.
Sources:
EU warns of climate change threat http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7287168.stm
Africa: AU Marks Environment Day http://allafrica.com/stories/200803041273.html
Earth from Space: Further break-up of Antarctic ice shelf http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMMX4R03EF_index_0.html
Meltdown in the Mountains. http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=530&ArticleID=5760&l=en
Remote control http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/26/bangladesh
Rising sea levels could swallow California's delta islands http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/06/04/montana/000arise.txt
Latest round of UN climate talks to start next week http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=26140&Cr=climate&Cr1=
Caribbean plans tsunami warning system by 2010 http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13326240.htm
Bangkok Climate Change Talks - 31 March to 4 April 2008 http://unfccc.int/meetings/intersessional/awg-lca_1_and_awg-kp_5/items/4288.php
Growth in China's CO2 Emissions Double Previous Estimates
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2008/2008-03-11-01.asp
Climate change action delayed by decade's debate http://business.smh.com.au/climate-change-action-delayed-by-decades-debate/20080312-1yux.html
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Some noteworthy nanotechnology safety activities from this month are:
• EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) could be applied to the production
and commercialization of nanotechnology, providing there are some specific amendments
to take care of the special aspects of nanotechnology risk assessment, according
to a legal analysis by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) of the
Woodrow Wilson Center and the Pew Charitable Trusts.
• Nanotechnologies at the OECD prepared by OECD for Forum VI of the Intergovernmental
Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) describes the two activities of OECD related
to nanotechnologies: 1) the activities of the Working Party on Manufactured
Nanomaterials (WPMN); and 2) the Working Party on Nanotechnology (WPN).
• The Explosivity And Flammability of Nanopowders report by the European
Nanosafe2 project, analyzes nanopowders behavior as to their explosivity and
flammability. It concludes that behavior depends on the materials and surfaces
to which nanopowders are applied; and hence, “Specific prevention and
protection measures should then be taken.”
• A new report from Friends of the Earth calls for action to “stop
the sale of all nano food, packaging, and agricultural chemicals” until
adequate scientific regulations and labeling are enacted.
Federal Toxics Disclosure Law Could Help Inform Public Of Nanotechnology Risks
http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/toxics_law
Forum VI Sixth Session of The Intergovernmental Forum On Chemical Safety http://www.who.int/ifcs/documents/standingcommittee/nano_oecd.doc
What about explosivity and flammability of nanopowders?
http://www.nanosafe.org/node/910
Nanotech Exposed in Grocery Store Aisles http://action.foe.org/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=343
Reports Suggested for Review
Security Implication of Climate Change to the EU
Climate Change and International Security. Paper from the High Representative
and the European Commission to the European Council analyses the security
implications of climate change in general and with specific implications to
the EU, and makes some recommendations for EU policies. It reviews the main
categories of threats posed by climate change to security (Conflict over resources;
Economic damage and risk to coastal cities and critical infrastructure; Loss
of territory and border disputes; Environmentally-induced migration; Situations
of fragility and radicalization; Tension over energy supply; and Pressure on
international governance) and then addresses vulnerabilities by specific regions
(Africa; Middle East; South Asia; Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean;
and The Arctic). The report concludes that “The impact of climate change
on international security is not a problem of the future but already of today
and one which will stay with us” and underlines that the European Security
Strategy and related proposals “should take account of the security dimension
of climate change.” Some specific recommendations include “Focus
attention on the security risks related to climate change in the multilateral
arena; in particular within the UN Security Council, the G8 as well as the UN
specialised bodies (among others by addressing a possible need to strengthen
certain rules of international law, including the Law of the Sea),” capacity
building from detection to adaptation, addressing migration issues, and adapting
cooperation with other countries to the new realities induced by climate change.
Sources:
Climate Change and International Security. Paper from the High Representative
and the European Commission to the European Council http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/reports/99387.pdf
EU must boost military capabilities in face of climate change http://euobserver.com/9/25811/?rk=1
Recommendations for Addressing U.S. Environmental Security
Insecure About Climate Change is an essay summarizing a recent special
report for the Council on Foreign Relations, Climate Change and National
Security: An Agenda for Action. It makes some specific recommendations
to “strengthen national security by reducing U.S. vulnerabilities to climate
change at home and abroad,” such as: establishing a new “deputy
undersecretary of defense position for environmental security [emphasis added]…
to redress the insufficient institutionalization of climate and environmental
concerns in the Department of Defense; … several senior positions in the
National Security Council dedicated to environmental security” and eventually
a “special advisor to the president on climate change with some budgetary
authority.” The author also makes some financial suggestions to help developing
countries prepare for climate change, “including $100 million (over several
years) for military-to-military environmental security workshops; …another
$100 million per year to support an African Risk Reduction Pool” as “part
of a broader international risk reduction effort that… should be on par
with the president’s five-year, $15 billion emergency plan for AIDS relief.”
The author of the essay and report, Joshua Busby, is assistant professor at
the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and fellow
with the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law.
Sources:
Insecure About Climate Change http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/21/AR2008032102631.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Climate Change and National Security. An Agenda for Action http://www.cfr.org/publication/14862
Environment and Human Health Integration
Integrating Environment and Human Health, and Climate, Poverty and Health:
Time for Preventive Medicine published by the National Council for Science
and the Environment (NCSE) address the interconnection between human health
and environmental components. The recommendations include: interdisciplinary
approaches for better integration of environmental and health perspectives;
improved communication between environmental and health communities, and between
scientists and decision makers and the public; and improving priority setting
in science. The NCSE activities in this area are continuing.
Sources:
Integrating Environment and Human Health http://www.ncseonline.org/2007conference/NCSE%2007%20Conf%20Report%20FINAL.pdf
Climate, Poverty and Health: Time for Preventive Medicine http://www.ncseonline.org/2007conference/07ChafeeReportFINAL.pdf
Environment and Health conference website http://www.ncseonline.org/2007conference
Environmental Ministers Advance Global
Consensus at UNEP Forum
More than 100 environment ministers met in Monaco for the 10th
Special Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum
of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on February 20-22. The UNEP
Medium-term Strategy 2010-2013 was adopted, which upgrades UNEP’s ability
to be more effective in addressing climate change, disasters and conflicts,
ecosystem management, environmental governance, harmful substances and hazardous
waste, and resource efficiency – sustainable consumption and production.
The theme of the Special Session was “Globalization and the Environment––Mobilizing
Finance for the Climate Challenge”. Issues discussed included long-term
predictable carbon prices, building public-private partnerships, regionally
balanced distribution of funds, UNEP management to implement the Bali Strategic
Plan, and better implementation of multi-lateral environmental agreements (see
the Appendix for more information). [The ad hoc joint working group on the Basel,
Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions will hold its third meeting next month.]
Sources:
New and Forward Looking Strategy for UNEP Authorized http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=528&ArticleID=5752&l=en
10th Special Session of the Governing Council /Global Ministerial Environment
Forum http://www.unep.org/gc/gcss-x/
Final Report: Mid-Term Strategy for the Period 2010-2013 http://www.emwis.net/thematicdirs/news/PDF/MTS_Final_Draft
Branson calls for War Room on Climate
Change at the United Nations
During the special UN General Assembly session “Addressing
Climate Change: The United Nations and the World at Work,” Sir Richard
Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, offered a $25 million prize for technology
to clean CO2 from the atmosphere and challenged the world to help him create
a war room to manage the attack on climate change. Although it would be independent
of the UN, it would include the participation of the UN, corporations, governments,
NGOs, and universities in its design, information systems, and management. Key
themes of the General Assembly speeches were: 1) partnerships among UN, government,
business, NGOs, and universities; 2) global alliances for action; 3) better
UN coordination to address Climate Change; 4) rich nations pay for poorer nations’
adaptations to meet climate change challenges (since the poorer countries contribute
the least to greenhouse gases, but will suffer the most from global warming;
hence, the richer nations should pay for the poorer nations adaptation measures);
5) need for a global long-term strategy; 6) shared but differential responsibilities
among nations to address climate change; 7) technology transfer and issues of
intellectual property rights; 8) early warning systems for adaptation; and 9)
“it is too late to say later.”
Sources:
Press Conference on General Assembly Climate Change Thematic Debate http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2008/080211_Climate_Change.doc.htm
‘War room’ to Battle Warming Proposed http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23129533
Email traffic between Virgin Unite’s CEO and J. Glenn (Millennium Project)
who was a special guest of the President of the UN General Assembly during the
Climate Change session.
New Standards for Handling Robotic
Environmental Equipment
ASTM International has released a new standard, ASTM E2592-07
- “Standard Practice for Evaluating Cache Packaged Weight and Volume of
Robots for Urban Search and Rescue”, that lays out specific ways to describe
requirements for the storage, shipping and deployment of urban search and rescue
robots. These recommendations apply equally well to the handling of robotic
devices for environmental assessment and cleanup.
Sources:
'Nitty-Gritty' but Vital Data Helps Field Rescue Robots http://www.physorg.com/news121529153.html
Department of Homeland Security Urban Search and Rescue Robot Performance Standards
http://www.isd.mel.nist.gov/US&R_Robot_Standards
Nigerian Government Resolves to Push
Effective Environmental Enforcement
On the occasion of a visit from a UK Environment Agency team,
the director-general of the Nigerian National Environmental Standards and Regulations
Enforcement Agency (NESREA) stated the government’s increased commitment
to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for Nigerians through effective
enforcement of environmental laws.
Source:
‘FG to ensure healthy environment’
http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=02/13/2008&qrTitle=%E2%80%98FG%20to%20ensure%20healthy%20environment%E2%80%99&qrColumn=ENVIRONMENT
New Environmentally Friendly City in
UAE Offers Cooperation Opportunity
A new mini-municipality, Masdar City, being built adjacent to
Abu Dhabi, is intended as a hub for academic and corporate research on nonpolluting
energy technologies, according to an article in the International Herald Tribune.
The walled city of 2.3 square miles will be car-free and produce all its own
energy from sunlight.
Source:
Car-free, solar city in Gulf could set a new standard for green design
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/05/healthscience/05city.php
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
Future Proliferation of Autonomous Ground and Air Robot Weapons
Although today's robotic weapon systems include humans in decisionmaking, future
autonomous systems may be developed by major military powers to act without
human intervention. This technology could be relatively easy to build and at
relatively low costs, making proliferation possible. One robotics expert has
called on national governments and the international community to assess these
risks and seek controls before they become more commonly available.
Sources:
Killer Military Robots Pose Latest Threat To Humanity, Robotics Expert Warns
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226213451.htm
Robot wars 'will be a reality within 10 years' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/02/27/scirobots127.xml
Water Purification Techniques
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a technique that
uses bacteria to consume contaminants that build up on the membranes used in
some water purification systems. This allows the filters to be cleaned within
the closed system, without removing the membranes. In another advance, researchers
at the University of South Australia have developed a low cost, efficient technique
for removing organic material from water. It involves the use of silica particles
coated with a nanometer-thin layer of active material based on a hydrocarbon
with a silicon-containing anchor. The coated particles are stirred in the contaminated
water for up to an hour and the powder is then filtered out.
Sources:
Bacteria and nanofilters — the future of clean water technology http://research.nottingham.ac.uk/NewsReviews/newsDisplay.aspx?id=444
Cleaner water through nanotechnology http://www.physorg.com/news122733688.html
Chemical Tests on Cells Rather than Animals
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the NIH Chemical Genomics Center,
and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences have announced collaboration
to change how chemicals are tested for risks they pose to humans. The agencies
will research and implement a new approach that will move away from traditional
animal testing and toward tests that use cells. The approach is explained in
the National Research Council’s 2007 report Toxicity Testing in the 21st
Century: A Vision and a Strategy.
Sources:
Agencies to Change How Chemicals are Tested for Safety http://nationalacademies.org/headlines/20080219.html
NIH Collaborates with EPA to Improve the Safety Testing of Chemicals
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/feb2008/nhgri-14.htm
Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11970
New Technique Might Power Nano-based Environmental Devices
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a microfibre–nanowire
hybrid structure for energy scavenging. According to the abstract, “Solar,
thermal and mechanical (wind, friction, body movement) energies are common and
may be scavenged from the environment”, and the Editor’s Summary
describes their work as “a system that converts low-frequency vibration/friction
energy into electricity using piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowires grown radially
around textile fibres. By entangling two fibres and brushing their associated
nanowires together, mechanical energy is converted into electricity via a coupled
piezoelectric-semiconductor process. This work shows a potential method for
creating fabrics which scavenge energy from light winds and body movement.”
Source:
Microfibre–nanowire hybrid structure for energy scavenging http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7180/abs/nature06601.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Methyl Bromide a Continuing International Concern
The Green Party in New Zealand is calling for an immediate halt to methyl bromide
fumigation at Wellington's port, after it was learned that the ozone-destroying
chemical, regulated under the Montreal Protocol, was being used in the heart
of the city. This action, together with the coming into force in January of
Indonesia’s ban on its import, is likely to increase international attention
to the hazards it presents and support for adherence to the Protocol. [See also
Call for Expanding Montreal Protocol on Ozone-Depleting Substances
in September 2007, and other similar items on this issue in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Hazardous fumigation must be halted – Greens http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00065.htm
Montreal Protocol: http://www.unido.org/doc/50444
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Is Succeeding
in Europe
A recent study has evaluated the effectiveness of the Convention on Long-range
Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) in the UN Economic Commission for Europe
countries, excluding Canada and the US. The research revealed that many persistent
organic pollutants (POPs) decreased considerably and will continue to decrease
as the LRTAP POP protocol is becoming fully implemented by all countries. These
results are significant for the global Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Pollutants and for developing a global monitoring plan for POPs. The study also
included preliminary assessments for eight “candidate” POPs (Hexachlorobutadiene
(HBU); Pentabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE); Pentachlorobenzene (PCBe); Polychlorinated
naftalenes (PCN); Pentachlorophenol (PCP); Endosulfan, Dicofol; and short chain
chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)) which could be added to the POP list in the future.
[See also Stockholm Convention on POPs Adopts Evaluation but not Non-compliance
Mechanisms in May 2007, New Chemicals Proposed to be Added to Stockholm
Convention on POPs in May 2005, and other related items in previous environmental
security scanning reports.]
Source:
Evaluating emission protocols for persistent organic pollutants http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/95na6.pdf
France Bans 30 Pesticide Components
As of February 2008, France banned the sale of 1,500 pesticides containing any
of 30 chemicals deemed hazardous, planning to gradually phase out a total of
53 phytosanitary substances.
Sources:
France scraps licenses for 1,500 pesticides http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/30282
French Pesticide Ban Hits Major Listed Firms http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/46752/story.htm
Concerns over Maritime Air Pollution Increase
A new report by the International Maritime Organization reveals that emissions
from shipping are rising rapidly; annual CO2 emission from the world shipping
industry reached 1.12 billion tonnes in 2007, representing about 4.5% of global
CO2 emission––three times higher than previously thought––and
by 2020 is expected to rise by 30%, making shipping responsible for nearly 6%
of global emissions. Sulphur dioxide emissions from ships now stand at 16.2m
tonnes a year and are expected to increase by 40%, to 22.7m tonnes by 2020.
Nevertheless, emissions from shipping are difficult to regulate by international
treaties, due to the complexity of attributing them to individual states. The
International Maritime Organization is now assessing regulation proposals and
the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases submitted draft amendments to the
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
Annex VI and amendments to the Emission of Nitrogen Oxides from Marine Diesel
Engines Technical Code. If approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee
(which meets at the end of March) the amendments could enter into force in March
2010 (or on a date to be decided.) The EPA put forward to the IMO a proposal
that vessels be required to switch to cleaner fuel or use clean-up technology
to reduce toxic grit from emissions when they are closer to shore, and it hopes
that it would be adopted as an international regulation by 2011. EPA also plans
to issue its own rules in 2009. Designing more efficient ships, reducing speed,
and using higher quality fuel might be some of the easiest and fastest measures
for reducing emissions.
Sources:
BLG Sub-Committee agrees technical proposals for reduction of air pollution
from ships http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1709&doc_id=9015
Ship CO2 emissions at 3.5 pct of global total: IMO http://www.planet2025news.net/ntext.rxml?id=6196&photo=
Pollution from ships big worry http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/feb/23/pollution_from_ships_big_worry31612/
True scale of C02emissions from shipping revealed http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/13/climatechange.pollution
Shipping boom fuels rising tide of global CO2 emissions http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/feb/13/climatechange.pollution1?gusrc=rss&feed=uknews
Emissions concerns rise over ships’ fuel http://www.gloucestertimes.com/punews/local_story_031233139.html?keyword=topstory
Global Map of Human Impacts to Marine Ecosystems
The first-ever comprehensive atlas showing the impact of human activities on
the planet’s marine environment is now available online. The international
team of scientists combined the impact data of 17 different activities––ranging
from fishing and commercial shipping to pollution and climate change––for
20 different marine ecosystems. The database could be used to monitor further
future modifications in the global marine environment. The map reveals that
while no ecosystem is completely unaffected, human activities had high impact
on over 40% of the world’s ocean-covered area. The biggest human impact
seems to be in the North Sea, the South and East China Seas, the Caribbean,
and North America’s East Coast. Although the Arctic and the Antarctic
areas are the least affected today, scientists are concerned that increased
melting of the ice sheets will increase human activities into these areas.
A Global Map of Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems, Science, 15 February
2008 http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/319/5865/948
(abstract)
A Global Map of Human Impacts to Marine Ecosystems http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/GlobalMarine
New Pacific Marine Protected Area Is World’s Largest
Kiribati has established the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, covering 410,500
square kilometers in the central Pacific. A representative of the New England
Aquarium, which is advising the Kiribati government, stated, “The new
boundary includes extensive seamount and deep-sea habitat, tuna spawning grounds
and as yet un-surveyed submerged reef systems.”
Source:
Kiribati creates world's largest marine reserve http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKSP23110320080214?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true
Deforestation Not Yet Adequately Addressed by International Regulations
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity held a five-day meeting in Rome, Italy,
to discuss how agricultural and forest biodiversity are affected by climate
change. A focus was on mangrove: according to scientists, 20% of mangrove forests
have been lost, and economic and environmental damages should be addressed.
Mangroves’ destruction could cause biodiversity loss in tropical areas,
increase CO2 emissions, and destroy people’s livelihoods. There are no
strategies yet to deal with the situation, although scientists warn that if
not addressed now, in the next ten years the crisis could get out of control.
Along the same lines, African forestry protection organizations and the Food
and Agricultural Organization (FAO) held a meeting on specific climate change
issues, discussing strategies to find the best compromise between humans’
interests, food crops, deforestation, and wildlife. Environmental degradation
and loss of livelihood due to deforestation are underlying and/or multiplier
causes of conflict, mainly in already fragile states or conflict-torn regions.
Sources:
Forests play key role against climate change, UN tells African-Near East meeting
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25665&Cr=climate&Cr1
UN: Mangrove Forests Vanishing at an "Alarming" Rate http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2008/2008-02-03-01.asp
With Africa leading, UN says world fells trees at 'alarming' rate http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gggsgsXc-FLgGsLpo3A2ZwqOAdvw
Climate Change
Food Shortages and Increasing Prices could lead to social instability
The number of riots is likely to rise around the world as the number of people
at risk of malnutrition grows due to commodity prices’ increase, warn
UN officials. The WFP, which feeds 73 million people in 78 countries (representing
less than 10% of world’s total undernourished) noted that it will face
serious difficulties this year in helping to mitigate malnutrition. Food prices
rise rapidly, driven mainly by decrease of supply as harvests are reduced by
climate change effects (drought, floods, and extreme weather conditions); increasing
food demand from countries such as China and India; increasing demand by the
biofuel industry; and soaring oil prices. Additionally, the governments of some
important food-exporting countries tend to put restrictions on exports, in order
to assure their own food security.
Using computer models, analysts assessed how the 12 most food-vulnerable areas
are likely to be affected by climate change in the next 20 years. This included
the regions where most of world’s malnourished people live: much of Asia,
sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean and Central and South America. The findings
reveal that South Asia and southern Africa are the areas where climate change
could cause severe crop losses, unless intense adaptation strategies are undertaken.
The study also identified the likely effects by crop, therefore providing governments
and aid agencies important information for building a comprehensive adaptation
approach.
Food’s Failed Estates = Paris’s Hot Cuisine; Food Sovereignty
– à la Cartel? by ETC Group analyzes food security prospects
and policy failures and needs. It looks at all aspects that might drive food
out of the reach of the marginalized, and warns that, without adequate action,
the number of hungry people could increase by 50% by 2025.
The west of North America is seriously threatened by possible future lack of
access to fresh water, as snowpack across the mountain ranges is shrinking,
according to a computer analysis published in the journal Science. Using a complex
system of factors’ interplay, the results show that up to 60% of the climate
change trends in the area are human-induced.
The World Wide Fund for Nature - South Africa (WWF-SA) is warning the country’s
government about a “looming water crisis for South Africa in the same
way that it was warned a decade ago about the present energy crisis.”
The country already uses 98% of available water resources and it could run out
of water by 2025.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology revealed that permafrost
in Siberia is thawing at an alarming pace. In some areas the depth of the melted
permafrost doubled compared to 2000. Thus the lakes and marshes expand, in some
areas being about 3.5 times larger in 2007 than in 2000, consequently accelerating
the melting process even more. The research also shows that the annual average
ground temperatures at the depth of 1.2 meters from the surface rose gradually
from minus 2.4oC in the period from 1998–2004 to minus 0.4oC in 2006.
An additional negative result of permafrost melting is the release of high quantities
of methane, further promoting global warming.
New research by climatologists from Bern University on ice cores from Greenland
and Antarctica shows that Earth warmed faster in the 20th century than at any
other time in the past 22 millennia, and concentrations of greenhouse gases
are increasing at a faster rate.
UK scientists have found instability trends in the ice of part of West Antarctica,
which could lead to a significant rise in global sea level. They warn that if
the discharge of glacier ice into the sea continues, the Pine Island Glacier
alone could raise global sea level by 25 cm and accelerate neighboring glaciers’
discharge, which could raise the sea by 1.5m.
Climate Modeling
At a meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) urged scientists to improve climate predictions that would help adaptation
to climate change. The session focused on improving the science of seasonal
climate prediction to help save human lives. The three-day convention was a
preamble for the World Climate Conference focusing on climate prediction and
its impact for decision-making, scheduled to be held next year.
A study by some of the most respected climate policy researchers revealed that
there is no time to postpone cutting CO2 emissions. By quantifying the impact
of every year of delay, they found that the more reduction action is delayed,
the more difficult mitigation becomes, and at some point, it becomes too late
and no mitigation action could help. The maxim limit delay is much closer then
expected––a maximum of 10–20 years.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The two-day GLOBE forum (Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment)
was organized as a preamble to the G8 summit to be held in July. It was attended
by about 100 lawmakers from the Group of Eight industrial countries (Britain,
the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Canada and Japan) and fast-developing
nations (China, Brazil, India, South Africa and Mexico). The main subjects were:
discussing a draft post-Kyoto Protocol treaty, the need for G8 countries to
intensify efforts to meet the Kyoto targets, and strategies to help developing
nations improve practices for reducing emissions.
Japan is considering strengthening national regulations (such as introducing
compulsory caps on greenhouse gas emissions and a domestic emissions trading
scheme for the companies that resist reducing emissions). It is also expected
to make tougher commitments in the post-Kyoto Protocol phase.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the UNEP Global Ministerial
Environment Forum called for a “decisive and deep regime for emissions
reductions after 2012” and for the development of “financial incentives
and mechanisms so markets can respond to the opportunities of a rising carbon
price” under the guidance of the Bali road map.
Sources:
The World's Growing Food-Price Crisis http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1717572,00.html
Climate 'could devastate crops' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7220807.stm
Food’s Failed Estates = Paris’s Hot Cuisine; Food Sovereignty –
à la Cartel? http://www.etcgroup.org/en/materials/publications.html?pub_id=673
Human-Induced Changes in the Hydrology of the Western United States. Science,
Jan 31, 2008
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1152538
'SA's water could run out by 2025' http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=14&art_id=vn20080214113314841C685433
Asia: Global warming thaws permafrost in Siberia http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200802140059.html
Ice cores show faster global warming http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2008/02/01/ice_cores_show_faster_global_warming/7287/
UN-backed meeting urges governments, scientists to bolster climate predictions
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25528&Cr=climate&Cr1=change
No time to lose in cutting CO2 emissions. New Scientist, 27 February
2008
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-change/mg19726454.500-no-time-to-lose-in-cutting-cosub2sub-emissions.html
(by subscription only)
Brazil calls on G8 to meet Kyoto Protocol goals http://www.terradaily.com/2007/080221223113.rumu8gc4.html
Japan Considers Emissions Cap And Trade System http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/47080/story.htm
Secretary-General says environment ministers can offer ‘new generation
of solutions’ in message to Monte Carlo global forum http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11434.doc.htm
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Some recent noteworthy nanotechnology safety activities are:
The European Commission has adopted a Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences
and Nanotechnologies Research, and is recommending to the Member States the
adoption of the Code to govern research in this field. The Code is based on
seven principles such as sustainability (non-threatening to the present or future
environment) and accountability, and provides guidelines for their implementation.
European Commission grants $587,000 to London School of Economics researchers
to conduct an international research project on regulating nanotechnologies
in the European Union and the United States.
Technology Roadmap for Productive Nanosystems by Foresight Nanotech Institute
and Battelle, according to the announcement, “… is a first attempt
to map out the R&D pathways across multiple disciplines to achieve atomically
precise manufacturing.” It provides a detailed technical background for
consideration of the environmental problems that might arise during these processes.
Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research
published February 2008 by the National Science and Technology Council describes
the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s (NNI) strategy for addressing
priority research on the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) aspects of
nanomaterials. The report assigns priorities to research and information needs
that were identified in the NSET Subcommittee document Environmental, Health,
and Safety Research Needs for Engineered Nanoscale Materials, published on September
21, 2006.
Risks of nanotechnology remain uncertain published in the American Chemical
Society’s Environmental Science & Technology Online is a comprehensive
overview of the current state of nanotechnology risk assessment, emphasizing
the paucity of solid scientific results in that important field and giving useful
examples and references.
Sources:
European Commission adopts Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and
Nanotechnologies Research http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/193&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
European Commission gives grant to investigate transatlantic oversight of nanotechnology
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=4410.php
Regulating Nanotechnologies in the EU and US. Towards Effectiveness and Convergence
http://www.lse.ac.uk/nanoregulation
EU nanotechnology R&D in the field of health and environmental impact of
nanoparticles provides summary information on each of 106 projects, 14 of them
from the EU’s Framework Programme and the other 92 from the EU Member
States, together representing a total of some €79 million in grants.
EU nanotechnology R&D in the field of health and environmental impact of
nanoparticles ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/nanotechnology/docs/final-version.pdf
Technology Roadmap for Productive Nanosystems http://foresight.org/roadmaps/
From Here to There: Nanotechnology Roadmap http://www.foresight.org/cms/press_center/282
Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research
http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_Research_Strategy.pdf
Strategy for nanotechnology-related environmental, health and safety research
http://www.physorg.com/news122212014.html
Risks of nanotechnology remain uncertain http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2008/feb/science/nl_nanorisks.html
Reports Suggested for Review
UNEP’s Year Book 2008
UNEP’s Year Book 2008 highlights the impacts of global warming (from the
melting of permafrost and glaciers to extreme weather events), also showing
the changes in policies and actions of leaders of governments, companies, and
the UN itself in addressing issues related to climate change. It shows that
business begins to see climate change as an opportunity rather than a burden,
as a growing numbers of companies embrace environmental policies and investments
in clean technology and renewable energies are increasing.
Sources:
UNEP Year Book 2008 http://www.unep.org/geo/yearbook/yb2008/
Climate Change Resulting in Shift to ‘Green’ Economies, Says UN
Agency http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25681&Cr=climate&Cr1=change
Breaking Down the Barriers to a Green Economy http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=528&ArticleID=5748&l=en
North American Environmental Atlas Online
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) launched the online North
American Environmental Atlas, http://www.cec.org/naatlas,
which allows visualizing significant North American environmental issues at
a continental scale. It features the terrestrial ecological regions of North
America and interactive thematic maps such as priority conservation areas, renewable
energy capacity, and population, as well as links to data and related sources.
The Atlas is in continuous development with new features and information to
be added in the coming months, and suggestions for making the Atlas the most
useful possible are welcome.
Source:
Mapping North American Environmental Issues http://www.cec.org/naatlas/
New Report on Dangers of Radiation Sources
According to announcements, the US National Research Council has released a
report, Radiation Source Use And Replacement, that “examines
the use of high-risk radioactive materials [e.g. cesium chloride] found in medical
and research equipment that could be accidentally dispersed or utilized to make
a dirty bomb in a terrorist attack.” It also “identifies lower-risk
alternatives that would not change the performance of the devices, and recommends
options to remove and replace the high-risk sources.” The National Research
Council recommends that U.S. research and medical facilities reduce their use
of devices containing cesium chloride and urged U.S. officials to “stop
licensing the cesium chlorine irradiators, halt their import and export and
promote decommissioning of existing machines.” [See also Millennium Project’s
January 2003 report on this issue: Commercial radioactive components recognized
as “dirty bomb” hazard.]
Sources:
Radiation Source Use and Replacement. National research Council (Prepublication
copy) http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11976&page=R1
Radioactive Cesium Chloride Should Be Replaced in Medical Equipment http://nationalacademies.org/morenews/20080220a.html
U.S. urged to curb use of "dirty bomb" ingredient http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2036258220080220
Government Should Spur Replacement Of Radioactive Cesium Chloride In Medical
And Research Equipment; Alternatives Could Lower Potential For Theft And Misuse
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11976
State of Green Business 2008
The State of Green Business report provides an example of a set of
evaluations of environmental accomplishments. It takes stock of green business
activities in the United States, and features the debut of the GreenBiz Index,
a set of 20 indicators of green business progress that measures how efficiently
companies are using resources, reducing toxics, purchasing green fleet vehicles
and renewable power, and reporting social and environmental performance. It
also features ten key green business trends of 2007 as well as lists of books,
websites, reports, business initiatives, and other resources of the past year.
Source:
Just published — State of Green Business 2008 http://stateofgreenbusiness.com
World Leaders Discuss Environmental Security
Policies at Davos
Business and political leaders exchanged ideas for addressing climate change,
water shortages, conflict, terrorism, UN Millennium Development Goals, globalization,
and new technologies at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland,
January 23-27, 2008. Japan’s Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda advocated new
climate-change initiatives, including national CO2 reductions for major emitters,
increasing global energy efficiency 30% by 2020, and a new multilateral fund
to mitigate climate change and to support developing countries to cope with
global warming. He also announced that Japan––holding this year’s
G8 presidency––will place climate change at top of the July G8 summit
agenda. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked business and political leaders
to make water issues and scarce supplies top priorities, citing environmental
factors increasing and/or maintaining conflicts. Business leaders pledged millions
of dollars for helping development and agriculture in poor countries by also
improving the environment and water use and access. It was suggested that a
certain amount of clean water for drinking should be seen as a human right,
but water used for economic reasons should be priced to assure its efficient
use.
Sources:
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 http://www.weforum.org/en/events/annualmeeting2008/index.htm
Ban warns business on looming water crisis http://www.ft.com/cms/s/8ca7e9c6-cadb-11dc-a960-000077b07658.html
Time is Running Out for Water (video) http://gaia.world-television.com/wef/worldeconomicforum_annualmeeting2008/default.aspx?sn=22493&lang=en
Fukuda unveils new climate strategy http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080127a1.html
Fukuda faces post-Kyoto balancing act http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080128a4.html
Iran and Iraq Sign Environment Protection
Agreement
Iranian and Iraqi chief environment officials signed an agreement for increasing
the two countries’ cooperation in areas related to the environment. The
eight-article document covers issues of natural resources, industrial and oil-exploitation
pollution control, wildlife protection, and promoting ecotourism, as well as
addressing environmental damage caused by wars.
Source:
Iran, Iraq ink agreement on environment protection http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/27/content_7506876.htm
Israel to Participate in UNEP and UN HABITAT
The Western European and Others Group regional bloc within the UN elected Israel
to represent the regional group in consultations with the UN Environmental Programme
and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN–HABITAT). This could create
unique opportunities to address environmental security issues in the Palestinian
territories, which are among the most severe in the world.
Source:
Israel gets seats on United Nations agency panels http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1198517288600&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Environmental-Security-Related Internet
Resources
WHO Launched Website on Environmental Health in Emergencies
The ‘Environmental health in emergencies’ website launched by the
World Health Organization (WHO) provides information and resources for health
management related to environmental disasters and emergency situations. Topics
include: natural events, technological incidents, complex emergencies, prevention,
preparedness and detection, and response and recovery. The subordinate web pages
have links to websites and sources specific for different domains. WHO estimates
that, in some countries, more than one third of the disease burden could be
prevented through environmental improvements. [See also World Health Organization:
Stress Environmental Impact on Human Health in June 2007 environmental
security report.]
Source:
Environmental health in emergencies http://www.who.int/environmental_health_emergencies/en/
Google to Support Development of Early Warning System in Vulnerable
Regions
Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google Inc., unveiling its charity plan
over the next five to ten years, announced $25 million in grants aimed at addressing
global challenges. One of the five core initiatives, ‘Predict and Prevent’
aims to empower communities to predict and prevent ecological, health or social
crises before they become local, regional, or global crises, by identifying
‘hot spots’ and enabling rapid response. InSTEDD (Innovative Support
to Emergencies, Diseases and Disasters) is allocated $5 million to improve early
detection, preparedness, and response capabilities for global health threats
and humanitarian crises. Other recipients in this category include the Global
Health and Security Initiative (GHSI) and Clark University.
Sources:
Google.org Announces Core Initiatives to Combat Climate Change, Poverty and
Emerging Threats http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/pressrel/20080117_googleorg.html
Google.org expands funding to attack world crises http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN17226771
$25 Million Begins Google's Charity http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/17/AR2008011703049.html
New Construction on Mediterranean
Coastlines to be Banned
The recent meeting of the Barcelona Convention [for the Protection of the Marine
Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean] added a new protocol
on Integrated Coastal Zone Management to strengthen regional co-operation for
harmonious and sustainable use of the Mediterranean coastal zone, including
banning any construction within 100 meters (about 328 feet) to the water all
along the Mediterranean shore. The participants also issued the Almería
Declaration that requires all member states to catalog threatened marine species
by 2011 and establish a network of protected coastal areas by 2012. To ensure
that the convention’s provisions are enforced, the first compliance system
was established, and the parties agreed to create an enforcement committee.
[See also OSCE-NATO Workshop on Environmental Security in the Mediterranean
and European Parliament Passed the Marine Strategy Directive in December
2007 and other related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Barcelona Convention and Mediterranean Action Plan: First-ever Legally-binding
International Instrument on Coastal Zone Management Adopted http://www.unepmap.org/index.php?module=news&action=detail&id=30
Barcelona Convention: Compliance System Established to Support Legal Framework
and Actions http://www.unepmap.org/index.php?module=news&action=detail&id=28
Mediterranean nations pledge restraints on coastal development http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0122/p04s02-woeu.html
Environmental Courts Established in
the Philippines
The Philippine Supreme Court has designated 117 trial courts as ‘environmental
courts’ to hear cases involving violations of laws protecting the country’s
natural resources and to speed up their resolution.
Source:
SC designates 117 environment courts http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080114-112156/SC_designates_117_environment_courts
Technological Breakthroughs with Environmental Security Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Technologies
New Approach May Ease Uranium Decontamination
A new technique may lead to methods for removing dissolved uranium (e.g., from
depleted uranium munitions) from liquids, such as groundwater. The method uses
large organic molecules called macrocycles that essentially envelop a uranyl
ion ((UO2)2+), leaving one of its oxygen atoms exposed, showing that the normally
strong bond between the uranium and oxygen has been weakened. The scientists,
Polly Arnold and Jason Love of the University of Edinburgh, believe “that
the uranyl ion's bonds can be loosened is a first step towards finding substances
that can transform dissolved uranyl into an insoluble compound.” The macrocycle
is destroyed by water, so further work will be necessary to produce a practical
decontamination technique.
Miniature Chemical Agent Sensor
Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry devices for detection of various dangerous
gases are being further reduced in size, while their sensitivity and rapidity
of reaction is increasing. The prototype of a new tiny device produced results
in about four seconds from minimal gas amounts and operates on limited amounts
of power. The sensor, developed by researchers from MIT, Cambridge University,
University of Texas at Dallas, Clean Earth Technology and Raytheon, is expected
to be completed in the next two years.
Model Helps Evaluate Performance of Biosensors
A new modeling technique allows the study of miniature biosensors used to identify
pathogens, DNA or other substances. The technique, developed by scientists of
the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, comprises
a new conceptual framework and corresponding computational model to relate the
shape of a sensor to its performance and explain why certain designs perform
better than others.
Sources:
‘Pac-Man’ molecule chews up uranium contamination http://environment.newscientist.com/article/mg19726396.200?DCMP=NLC-nletterbanner&nsref=mg19726396.200
MIT gas sensor is tiny, quick. Energy-efficient device could quickly detect
hazardous chemicals http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/micro-analyzer-0110.html
Model Is First to Compare Performance of 'Biosensors' http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134121.htm
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
New Capacitor Promises 10× Improvement over Batteries in Charge/Weight
Ratio
Lockheed Martin has signed an agreement with EEStor of Cedar Park, Texas for
the military applications of a new type of ultracapacitor based on barium titanate
that Lockheed Martin believes will be able to hold 10 times the energy in 1/10th
the weight of typical batteries.
Bacteria-Generated Electricity from Waste to Power Fuel Cell
Microbial fuel cell technology, being developed by scientists from Arizona State
University’s Biodesign Institute, is based on the use of bacteria to convert
a variety of liquid organic waste (such as sewage or pig manure) into electricity.
New Sunshine Distribution System Provides Energy-free Lighting
The Solatube system collects sunlight from a rooftop unit and distributes it
to interior spaces through specially designed optical tubes, eliminating the
need for external power for illumination when daylight is sufficient.
Converting CO2 into Fuels using Sunshine
The Sunlight to Petrol (S2P) project developed by researchers at Sandia National
Laboratories in New Mexico is using sunlight to convert CO2 into fuels like
methanol or gasoline. Although the innovation seems to be working, large-scale
implementation could take 15-20 years to reach industrial scale.
New Project for Nanowire Solar Cells
The Department of Engineering Physics at McMaster University in Hamilton ON,
Cleanfield Energy, and the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) have formed a
partnership for a three-year project to pursue the commercialization of nanowire
technology in the production of more affordable solar cells.
Sources:
Lockheed Martin Signs Agreement with EEStor http://www.gm-volt.com/2008/01/10/lockheed-martin-signs-agreement-with-eestor
Bacteria used to power fuel cell http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2008/01/04/bacteria_used_to_power_fuel_cell/8011/
New insights into fuel cell that uses bacteria to generate electricity from
waste http://www.biodesign.asu.edu/news/new-insights-into-fuel-cell-that-uses-bacteria-to-generate-electricity-from-waste
Solatube International, Inc.: http://www.solatube.com/commercial/faqs.php
Solatubes: Power-free lighting solution http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/28447
Sandia’s Sunshine to Petrol project seeks fuel from thin air http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2007/sunshine.html
Nanowires hold promise for more affordable solar cells http://www.physorg.com/news120474984.html
Vanishing Supply of World's Helium
Calls for Conservation
The world's largest reserve of helium may be depleted in as
short a time as eight years, experts say; they also point out that the gas is
non-renewable and irreplaceable. It has a number of applications in science
and technology, and in industry, e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy,
welding, fiber optics and computer microchip production. Helium is found in
some natural gas reservoirs, and Russia may be a future supplier. Its separation
from the atmosphere is prohibitively expensive.
Source:
Helium Supplies Endangered, Threatening Science and Technology http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/28495
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
European Commission’s New Low-carbon 20/20/20 by 2020 Energy
Plan
The European Commission has proposed a package of measures to reach its “20/20/20
by 2020” targets — produce 20% of its energy from renewable sources
and increase energy efficiency by 20%, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% of
1990 levels (or 30% in case of a global accord), and considerably reduce reliance
on energy imports. The detailed roadmap includes specific renewable energy and
CO2 emission targets for each EU member state; new rules for carbon sequestration;
and an updated Emissions Trading System for fair greenhouse gas emissions cuts
for different emitters, with the aim of gradually including all industries in
the emissions auction scheme. The Commission's proposals have to be endorsed
by the European Council and Parliament, with the final package expected to come
into force by the end of 2009. The European Commission hopes that the plan will
trigger strong momentum towards a global agreement. Meantime, the European Commission
is also considering introducing a climate tax on imports from states failing
to tackle greenhouse gas emissions, and toughening EU's emission trading system.
[See also EU Energy and Climate Change Policy in March 2007 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission
20 20 by 2020: Europe's Climate Change Opportunity Speech to the European Parliament,
Brussels, 23 January 2008 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/34&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
(Free registration required.)
Stavros DIMAS, Member of the European Commission, responsible for environment
Climate action, Energy for a changing world, Press conference, Wednesday, 23
January 2008 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/37&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
(Free registration required.)
EU unveils comprehensive climate and energy package http://euobserver.com/9/25513/?rk=1
Brussels considering climate tax on imports http://euobserver.com/9/25400/?rk=1
Waste Export Regulations Revised and Tightened
The ‘Green’ list of the Waste Shipment Regulation, which controls
the movement of non-hazardous recyclable waste within, into, or out of the EU,
has been updated to better protect the non-OECD countries against receiving
from wealthier nations materials they do not want or cannot process in an environmentally
sound way. The Revised Green List Regulation 1418/2007 came into effect on 18
December 2007 with a transition period of 60 days for certain wastes and countries.
The complementary changes to the UK Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations
will come into effect on 5 February. [See also EU Waste Shipment Legislation
Came into Force in July 2007 and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Trade and environment. Shipment of non-hazardous waste to certain non-OECD countries:
Green list waste http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/global/environment/waste.htm
Regulation (EC) No 1418/2007 http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/html/136966.htm
Waste exports: better protection for developing countries http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080111a.htm
Improved protection on waste exports for developing countries http://www.morethanwaste.com/Site/Default.aspx/7B662DEFBE639810F0F4
Restrictions on Plastic Bags Expanding
More than 40 jurisdictions around the world have imposed or are considering
restrictions or taxes on plastic bags. China is outlawing plastic bags from
all public transportation, prohibits their free distribution at shopping points,
bans the production and use of ultra-thin (less than 0.025 mm) non-biodegradable
plastic bags, and will establish new criteria for the production of plastic
bags. Firms not complying will face penalties. The new regulation will come
into effect on June 1, 2008. Similar regulations were introduced in Bangladesh,
Uganda, and South Africa. The Australian Federal Environment Minister announced
intentions to phase out plastic bags by the end of the year and, according to
UNEP, the problem is also on the agenda of almost every African country. [See
also Plastic Bags Taxed and/or Banned in October 2005 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
Plastic bag ban http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2008-01/10/content_6383869.htm
China boosts global war against menace of the plastic bag http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jan/12/plasticbags.recycling
China bans plastic shopping bags http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/01/08/china-bags.html
Retailers oppose bag ban http://www.stuff.co.nz/4354751a13.html
China bans free plastic bags http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/09/china.plastic.bags/index.html
Sonar Restrictions Debate Continues
Earlier in January, a U.S. District Court judge in Los Angeles ordered clear
rules for the U.S. Navy's training with mid-frequency sonar off the coast of
Southern California. The restrictions include: a minimum 12-nautical-mile no-sonar
zone along the California coastline; shutdown of sonar when marine mammals are
spotted within 2,200 yards; mandatory monitoring for marine mammals one hour
prior to sonar exercises; and aerial surveillance prior to and during the exercise.
However, later in the month, President Bush overruled the Court’s decision
and signed an exemption for the Navy to use sonar in its training, then a federal
judge temporarily lifted certain measures, and the Navy has resumed sonar training
off the coast of Southern California. [See also U.S. to Study Sonar Impact
on Marine Mammals in May 2007, and other previous environmental security
reports on the same issue.]
Sources:
Ruling curbs Navy sonar off Calif. Coast http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/04/ruling_curbs_navy_sonar_off_calif_coast/3754/
Judge orders Navy to stay 12 miles off coast when using sonar http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080103-1643-bn03sonar.html
Bush exempts Navy from no-sonar rule http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-16-navysonar_N.htm?csp=34
State files another challenge to Navy's sonar training off coast http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20080122-2122-bn22sonar.html
Navy resumes sonar training off SD coast as legal battle goes on http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/01/27/state/n162935S45.DTL
Whale Conservation Protected Efforts Increasing
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has released its recovery plan for
Puget Sound's endangered killer whales. The plan covers about 2500 square miles,
including the waters around the San Juan Islands, the Strait of Juan de Fuca
and all of Puget Sound. One of its aspects includes assessing and improving
vessel traffic guidelines in and around protected areas.
Japan continues its whaling in waters off a section of Antarctica that Australia
declared a whale sanctuary and over which it claims sovereignty. In January,
an Australian Federal Court declared that whaling in the sanctuary was illegal
and should stop. Australia’s new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, also calls
for an end to whaling and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark warned that
photos of the Japanese whaling fleet revealing their location would be published
if they entered New Zealand’s Antarctic waters.
A Pew Whale Symposium, entitled “A change in climate for whales,”
was held at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, January 30-31, 2008, as a prelude
to an intersessional meeting on strengthening the International Whaling Commission,
to be held March 6-8, 2008, in London. [See also Shipping Regulations for
Protecting Whales in September 2007, New Marine Protected Areas Proposed
in March 2007, Commercial Whaling Ban Strengthened by International Whaling
Commission (IWC) in June 2007, and other items on similar issues in previous
monthly reports.]
Sources:
Puget Sound Orca Recovery Plan Released http://www.physorg.com/news120453628.html
Salty shepherds. The Economist, Jan 24th 2008 http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10566770
New Zealand PM Warns Off Japanese Whalers http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/46633/story.htm
A Change in Climate for Whales. Second Pew-Sponsored Whale Symposium http://www.pewwhales.org/tokyosymposium/
Intersessional Meeting on the future of the IWC, London, 2008 http://www.iwcoffice.org/meetings/intersession.htm
Intensified Disasters
The number of people affected by natural disasters in 2007 reached 200 million,
considerably higher than the135 million in 2006, according to the annual study
by the Belgian research center Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters
(CRED) of the Catholic University of Louvain. Except for the August earthquake
in Peru, the ten deadliest disasters were all climatic, with flooding affecting
the most people and being the deadliest. Asia was the region most touched by
climatic disasters, but overall, the U.S. experienced the highest number of
natural disasters (22), ahead of China (20) and India (18).
Heavy rains for several weeks caused heavy flooding in Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
and Malawi, displacing thousands of villagers and devastating the largely agriculture-based
economies of the region. The UN noted that the Mozambique floods could be the
worst in memory.
Australian meteorologists suggest that the country’s weather patterns
are changing and that stronger storms, droughts, and higher temperatures might
become the norm. Statistics show that 2007 was the warmest year on record for
New South Wales and the Murray-Darling Basin, and the 11th year in a row experiencing
above normal temperatures and the 7th with below-average rain, with the southeast
of Australia facing the worst drought in living memory.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Modifications of atmospheric energy transport, heat moving toward the North
Pole, and changes in the vertical temperature structure might represent the
accelerating factor of the Arctic warming, reveals the article Vertical structure
of recent Arctic warming by a group of scientists from the Department of Meteorology,
Stockholm University, Sweden, published in Nature. In recent decades, the near-surface
Arctic temperature rise was almost double the global average, and the study
found that during the summer, the Arctic upper atmosphere was warming up twice
faster each decade, thus accelerating thawing of sea ice and snow. Increasing
GHG emissions seems to be an influencing factor of the atmospheric heat transport.
Antarctica is losing almost as much ice as Greenland, according to data gathered
by an international satellite network measuring the thickness of the glaciers.
Analyzing 10 years data (1996-2006), the international team led by Eric Rignot
of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, found that ice loss in Antarctica
increased by 75% in the last 10 years. Mapping patterns of ice loss on a glacier-by-glacier
basis, they remark that West Antarctica lost about 49 billion metric tons more
ice in 2006 than the approximately 83 billion metric tons in 1996, and that
total loss of ice from Antarctica in 2006 was enough to raise global sea level
by 0.5 mm.
In September 2007 the Arctic ice cap had shrunk to 4.13 million square kilometers
(1.6 million square miles), down from 5.3 million square kilometers in 2005,
a loss about twice the size of France, notes Jean-Claude Gascard, coordinator
of the European scientific mission Damocles, which is monitoring the effects
of climate change across the Arctic. 2008 might be a critical year and could
result in the loss of another million square kilometers, he added.
The IPCC is inviting scientists to submit material on both Antarctic and Greenland
ice sheets, given the huge effect their potential simultaneous melting might
have on sea level raise. The aim is to gather information and evidence on the
impact of global warming at the poles, and to assess potential consequences
to be addressed in an eventual IPCC fifth report.
Rising Sea Levels
A forecast model shows that coastal erosion might increase 2-5 times over the
next 50 years due to rising sea levels and more powerful storms. One of the
most affected areas seems to be Russia’s East Arctic coast, which might
lose 5 to 15 meters per year in 2040-2045. Russia is already recording high
retreat along its 50,000-km northern coastline because of permafrost melt and
Arctic Ocean rising levels, waves and tides and subsequent thermal abrasion.
About 33% of Russia's eastern Arctic coast also suffers from thermal abrasion.
In some places, the coast’s annual retreat reaches 15 meters.
Along China’s 18,000-km (11,185 miles) coastline, sea levels have risen
by an average of 9 centimeters (3.54 inches) over the past 30 years, and coastal
waters are getting slightly warmer, reports the country’s State Oceanic
Administration. The most affected is the northern part, where, over the same
period, sea level rise reached 19.6 centimeters (7.72 inches) at Tianjin port
city, and 11.5 centimeters (4.53 inches) at Shanghai, causing increasingly huge
problems in highly populated areas. Meanwhile, the China 2007 Sea Environmental
Quality Report reveals increased pollution of coastal waters as a result of
human activity.
The situation of the small islands of Tuvalu becomes increasingly critical.
While the highest point of the islands is barely over 4 meters, a typical high
tide reaches about 2 1/2 meters and a King Tide can be over 3 meters high; the
forecast is that they will get higher due to global warming. The seawater is
also surging up through the coral that forms the islands, salinizing the soil
and groundwater.
The level of the Mediterranean is rising rapidly and could produce “catastrophic
consequences”, warns the study Climate Change in the Spanish Mediterranean
by the Spanish Oceanographic Institute. Since 1990, the study estimates that
the Mediterranean has risen between 2.5 and 10 millimeters (0.1 and 0.4 inches)
per year, meaning that if present trends continue, the water levels will rise
between 12.5 centimeters (5 inches) and 0.5 meter (20 inches) in around 50 years.
Mediterranean water temperatures also rose by 0.12 to 0.50 degrees Celsius since
the 1970s.
Adaptation
Scientists are increasing efforts to assess the ‘hot spots’ that
will be most affected by climate change in order to orient policy making and
businesses to help those areas to adapt and cope with new challenges. Investors
are already funding projects ranging from new agriculture practices and flood
defense systems to renewable energy sources. In Australia, where drought might
become the rule and fresh water is already scarce, nearly every major coastal
city has a desalination plant, with some, like Perth, with almost all fresh
water coming from the ocean, and Melbourne and Sydney soon to desalinate 20%.
The energy required by desalination will be mostly green.
Over half of the Republic of Maldives' 200 inhabited islands are eroding at
an alarming rate, in some cases forcing relocation of entire island communities.
Adaptation actions began already, by raising a massive seawall made of concrete
tetrapods that surrounds the entire capital of Malé, and even constructing
new artificial, taller islands, such as Hulhumalé.
Sources:
Natural disasters taking greater global toll, UN report
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080118/sc_afp/worlddisastersenvironment
Zambia Declares Flood Disaster, Rains Lash Region http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/46537/story.htm
Mozambique Floods Could be Worst in Memory – UN http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/46470/story.htm
Zimbabwe's Heavy Rains a Disaster for Farming http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2008/2008-01-20-03.asp
This drought may never break http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/this-drought-may-never-break/2008/01/03/1198949986473.html
Australian climate changing, experts say http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Australian_climate_changing_experts_say_999.html
Australia floods strand thousands http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7174377.stm
Vertical structure of recent Arctic warming. Nature 451, 53-56 (3 January
2008) http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7174/full/nature06502.html
(abstract)
Arctic Warming Faster Above Ground Level, Study Finds http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080102-arctic-warming.html
West Antarctica Ice Decreases http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/86/i03/8603notw1.html
Antarctic glaciers melting more quickly http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/26/MN50UM20C.DTL
Antarctic Ice Loss Speeds Up, Nearly Matches Greenland Loss http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Antarctic_Ice_Loss_Speeds_Up_Nearly_Matches_Greenland_Loss_999.html
Arctic ice-cap loss twice the size of France: research http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Arctic_ice-cap_loss_twice_the_size_of_France_research_999.html
UN Climate Chief to Visit Antarctica http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iQmBUlYskvnKT0CLHBucXxY5_wKAD8U1UQ200
Global warming continues to erode Arctic coast. RIA Novosti, January 25,
2008 http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080125/97753436.html
Rising Seas Threaten China's Sinking Coastal Cities http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/01/080117-AP-china-risin.html
Tuvalu struggles to hold back tide http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7203313.stm
Spanish study warns of rising Mediterranean sea levels http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Spanish_study_warns_of_rising_Mediterranean_sea_levels_999.html
Warning on rising Med Sea levels
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7197379.stm
Under dry sky, Aussies turn to the sea http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/01/27/planb_mmr1_desalination
Maldives Builds Barriers to Global Warming http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18425626
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Conference on Nanotechnology Law, Regulation and Policy
The First Annual Conference on Nanotechnology Law, Regulation and Policy will
be held February 28-29 in Washington, DC. The conference will include discussions
of whether the FDA will implement its Nanotechnology Task Force Report, how
OSHA will address nanotechnology-related issues in the workplace, and how the
European and Asian approaches to nanotechnology regulation differ from that
of the U.S. The conference is co-sponsored by the Food and Drug Law Institute,
and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging
Nanotechnologies, in partnership with Arizona State University and the Burdock
Group.
UK Launches New Nanotechnology Environmental Service
The UK Institute of Occupational Medicine’s SAFENANO Information Service
and Community Portal has set up SAFENANO Scientific Services to provide multidisciplinary
risk management solutions to companies operating in the nanotechnology industry.
The services, planned to assist with safety issues ranging from employees’
working conditions to end products, include training, laboratory tasks, and
toxicology information update.
Sources:
1st Annual Conference on Nanotechnology Law, Regulation and Policy http://www.fdli.org/conf/431/
SAFENANO - The UK's premier site for information on Nanotechnology health and
safety http://www.safenano.org
SAFENANO officially launches SAFENANO Scientific Services http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=297
Reports Suggested for Review
An Uncertain Future: Law Enforcement, National Security and Climate
Change
An Uncertain Future: Law Enforcement, National Security and Climate Change is
a comprehensive analysis of the security implications of climate change, including
some recommendations. It warns that “traditional attempts to maintain
the status quo and control insecurity” is doomed to failure and calls
for increased research to identify areas of highest vulnerability and instability,
consider climate change in foreign aid programs, and change strategies from
reactive to proactive in order to prevent and manage security issues triggered
by climate change. Unrest could affect developing as well as developed countries,
ranging from protests against polluting companies and government inaction to
new forms of ecoterrorism (although the author considers the term misleading).
Recommendations include changes in “Policing new legislation” and
“important operational and strategic concerns that military planners will
need to consider over the coming decades”.
Sources:
An Uncertain Future: Law Enforcement, National Security and Climate Change
http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/briefing_papers/uncertainfuture.php
http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/briefing_papers/pdf/uncertainfuture.pdf
(report)
New security threats caused by climate change http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/01/23/eaclimate123.xml
Armed Forces Face Strain of Climate Change – Report http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/46590/story.htm
IAEA Nuclear Terror Prevention Guide
The International Atomic Energy Agency published a new manual, Combating
Illicit Trafficking in Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material, to help
harmonize the activities of the organizations involved in the process of detecting
and/or responding to nuclear terror-related incidents. The 156-page manual is
a cooperative effort of Interpol and the World Customs Organization.
Source:
IAEA Publishes Advisory Guide to Address Nuclear Terror Threat
http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2008/guideterrorthreat.html
Bali Roadmap Sets Framework for Post-Kyoto
Negotiations
About 10,800 participants, including high-level delegations
from 187 countries, attended the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia,
December 3-15, 2007. The most significant result was the "Bali Action Plan",
also called the Bali roadmap. It outlines a two-year agenda of negotiations
for a post-2012 global climate regime to enter into force by 2013, but does
not include emissions reduction targets, despite strong support by the EU and
other countries. The roadmap calls for agreements by the end of 2009 at a major
summit in Copenhagen. The agreement is to include both national and international
mitigation and adaptation actions to address the effects of climate change,
including methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, development and transfer
of climate-friendly technologies, and financing and investment measures. Four
major UNFCCC meetings to implement the Bali roadmap are planned for 2008.
Other results of the Bali Convention included the launch of the Kyoto Protocol’s
Adaptation Fund to finance projects in developing countries; a Forest Carbon
Partnership Facility, an addition of deforestation to a post-2012 treaty agenda;
and other capacity-building, financial, administrative, and methodological issues.
A consortium of mayors and local governments launched the World Mayors and Local
Governments Climate Protection Agreement, with six commitments addressing climate
change, including the reduction of carbon emissions by 60% to 80% worldwide
by mid-century (cities account for 80% of humanity’s production of greenhouse
gases).
Sources:
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_13/items/4049.php
Bali Action Plan http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/cop_13/application/pdf/cp_bali_action.pdf
Summary of The Thirteenth Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change and Third Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol
http://www.iisd.ca/vol12/enb12354e.html#REDUCING%20EMISSIONS%20FROM%20DEFORESTATION%20IN%20DEVELOPING%20COUNTRIES
Secretary-General Ban welcomes climate change breakthrough in Bali http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25081&Cr=Climate&Cr1=
Countries Agree to Write New Climate Action Pact http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-15-01.asp
World Mayors and Local Governments Climate Protection Agreement http://www.iclei.org/index.php?id=7337
US Prevails on Climate Draft, Ban Says http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-sci-bali13dec13,1,3565669.story?coll=la-news-a_section&ctrack=1&cset=true
Gore Exhorts UN Climate Conference to Act Now http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-13-01.asp
World Bank Will Pay to Leave Forests Standing http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-11-01.asp
So hard to see the wood for the trees http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10329203
UN Climate Change Conference represents crossroads, Secretary-General says http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25018&Cr=climate&Cr1=change
EU and US at Loggerheads over Climate Change http://euobserver.com/9/25338/?rk=1
Nobel laureates propose global CO2 tax http://euobserver.com/9/25312/?rk=1
Some like it cool. The Economist, Dec 19th 2007 http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10335267
UN General Assembly Adopts Global
Forest Agreement
The “Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests”
adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 17, 2007 sets the political framework
and standards for sustainable forest management and monitoring to stabilize
climate change and protect biodiversity and ecosystems. The agreement suggests
mechanisms for systematic monitoring and reporting at the national level, as
well as means for international collaboration, ranging from funding developing
countries for reducing deforestation, to technology transfer and capacity building
for forest management. Although not binding, the forests agreement is an important
political instrument to improve nations’ forest management. [See also
United Nations Agreement to Protect the World’s Forests Adopted
in May 2007 environmental security report]
Sources:
Non-legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests http://www.un.org/esa/forests/pdf/session_documents/unff7/UNFF7_NLBI_draft.pdf
General Assembly adopts new agreement to protect world’s forests http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25099&Cr=forest&Cr1=
Intersessional Activities, Ad-Hoc Expert Groups. To Consider the Content of
the Non-legally Binding Instrument http://www.un.org/esa/forests/adhoc-nlbi.html
New Global Forest Agreement Depends on Local Support http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-27-01.asp
New European Environmental Regulations
European Commission Proposed Binding Legislation for Vehicle Emissions Cuts
The European Commission proposed binding legislation to cap CO2 emissions from
some new passenger cars to 120g/km by 2012. In this way, European carmakers
will have to reduce the fleet average CO2 emissions of new vehicles to 130g/km
by 2012 through cleaner engines, while the remaining 10g/km would be reduced
by improved fuel-efficiency, increased biofuels use, and better traffic management
(presently cars count for 12% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions at an average
of around 160g/km). The regulation will be enforced by penalties starting in
2012 at €20 per extra gram of CO2, increasing gradually to €95 in
2015. The legislation has to be approved by member states. [See also EU
Commission to Propose Binding Cuts on Car Emissions in February 2007 and
New European Energy Policy Developments in March 2006 environmental
security reports.]
Similarly, the Euro VI proposal for heavy motor vehicles establishes a reduction
of 80% in nitrogen oxides and 66% in particulate matter emissions compared to
the current Euro V limits. After approval by the European Parliament and the
Council of Ministers, the new regulation is expected to enter into force in
2013.
Sources:
Commission proposal to limit the CO2 emissions from cars to help fight climate
change, reduce fuel costs and increase European competitiveness http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1965&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
EU unveils controversial plans to make cars greener http://euobserver.com/9/25367/?rk=1
The European car industry. Collision course http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10329196
Brussels spars with Berlin over car emissions http://euobserver.com/9/25381/?rk=1
Cleaner Trucks and Buses to Roll across Europe http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-27-02.asp
European Parliament Passed the Fine Particles Air Quality Directive
The European Parliament approved the text of a new directive on ambient air
quality and cleaner air for Europe. The new legislation replaces and updates
five existing laws and for the first time sets binding standards and target
dates for fine particles PM2.5 (particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or
smaller in size). EU States will have to reduce exposure levels in their urban
areas to PM2.5 by an average of 20% by 2020 compared to 2010 levels, and bring
them below 20 micrograms/m3 by 2015, while keeping the 25 micrograms/m3 levels
throughout their countries. Member States will have two years to adopt the necessary
national laws after the directive’s entry into force. [See also EU
New Directive on Air Pollution in October 2006 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Environment: Commission welcomes EP vote on the air quality directive http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1895&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
EU Air Quality Directive: MEPs set maximum concentration of microparticles http://www.env-health.org/a/2762
Progress on the legislative file of the directive on ambient air quality and
cleaner air for Europe http://ec.europa.eu/prelex/detail_dossier_real.cfm?CL=en&DosId=193497
European Parliament Passed the Marine Strategy Directive
The European Parliament approved the text of the Marine Strategy Directive that
calls for the establishment of marine regions and sub-regions to be managed
by Member States on a coherent and coordinated ecosystem-based approach and
for ensuring that the marine strategies affecting the regions are coherent and
coordinated. Member States are to assess the status of their region’s
marine environment, set objectives, and establish targets and programs by 2015
to attain good environmental status by 2020 and establishment of marine protected
areas. [See also Political Agreement Reached on the European Marine Strategy
Directive in December 2006 and other similar items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
A Marine Strategy to save Europe's seas and oceans http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/marine/index_en.htm
Environment: Commission welcomes EP vote on the Marine Strategy Directive http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1894&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Technological Breakthroughs with Environmental
Security Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Technologies
New Technique Promises Ultra-sensitive Biosensors
Scientists at MIT, led by Ned Thomas and Patrick Doyle, have developed a technique
for producing millions of bar-coded 3D latticework microparticles in which DNA
or other biotags can be attached. According to an announcement, “With
conventional solid microarrays and particles, biotags only adorn the probe's
surface. In contrast, biotags can attach inside the latticework particles, increasing
the number of target molecules that bind to a particle, and therefore producing
a more intense fluorescent signal”. The developers believe this technique
may increase the biosensing device’s sensitivity by a factor of 10,000.
Commercialization of this diagnostic tool is expected within two years.
Source:
Mass-Producing 3-D Particles http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/19786/page1/
EU Launches Mobile Carbon Tracking
The mobGAS program is a personal mobile phone application that enables users
to learn the amount of greenhouse gases produced by their daily activities.
The software is available in 21 languages and is free to download to a mobile
phone. Users can input daily activities and calculate the daily, weekly, and
yearly emissions via a secure website. The system compares the user’s
emissions with national and world averages. The system was developed by the
Joint Research Center of the European Commission to help raise public awareness
and motivation to reduce GHG emissions.
Source:
European Commission scientists launch first mobile application that uses your
mobile phone to track your carbon footprint
http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1822&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
Energy-free Glow Material
MPK Co. of Clayton, WI has developed a tritium-based material, “Litrosphere”,
which produces a low-level glow for more than 12 years without energy input.
Trace tritium beta decay in phosphor microsperes provides the energy source.
Safety is claimed. It can cover a standard sheet of paper for about 35 cents,
comes in a variety of colors, and can take the form of either paint or injection-molded
plastic. Its luminous output cannot compete with conventional lighting sources,
but it is highly suitable for marking objects that need to be spotted in the
dark, saving energy and lowering maintenance requirements.
Source:
A company called MPK is designing a light source that will glow continuously
for more than 12 years without any additional energy http://www.physorg.com/news116776284.html
Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Offer Shorter Energy Payback Time
It is estimated that conventional photovoltaic solar cells must be in service
for around three years before they have produced as much energy as that required
to manufacture them. However, the “Gräetzel” or “dye-sensitized”
solar cell has now gone into large-scale production. This type of device uses
a combination of titanium dioxide and an organic dye molecule, often containing
ruthenium, which are immersed together in a liquid electrolyte. A Netherlands
independent photovoltaic-research firm has estimated that such dye-sensitized
cells installed in southern Europe would have as short an energy payback time
as six months. G24 Innovations, in Cardiff, Wales, has announced that it expects
to be able to make enough dye-sensitized photovoltaic cells each year to provide
30 megawatts of peak generation capacity. Other companies are also pursuing
this development.
Source:
Solar Energy's Red Queen http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/56471
Nanotech Lithium-Ion Battery Material Promises 10× Capacity Increase
Stanford University Assistant Professor Yi Cui has developed an electrode material
for lithium-ion batteries (used in laptops, iPods, video cameras, and cell phones)
that increases their energy storage capacity ten times above current batteries.
This could help make future electric cars more attractive. The material uses
silicon nanowires to hold the charge-bearing lithium ions. Silicon structures
can hold more lithium than the conventional carbon, but tend to disintegrate
because of size changes during recharge cycles; the nanowires do not exhibit
this characteristic.
Source:
Stanford's nanowire battery holds 10 times the charge of existing ones http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/january9/nanowire-010908.html
New “Nanohybrid” Plastic Is Stronger and More Biodegradable
A new biodegradable ‘nanohybrid’ plastic that can be engineered
to decompose much faster than existing plastics was developed by researchers
of Cornell University. The plastic is a modified form of polyhydroxybutyrate
(PHB), a promising biodegradable plastic produced from bacteria. The use of
PHB has been limited because of its brittleness and unpredictable biodegradation
rates. The new material, which is also stronger than the original, contains
nanoparticles of clay; its biodegradation rate depends on the amount of clay
added. In one case it had almost completely decomposed after seven weeks, while
the unmodified version was barely affected. However, bioplastics definition
and recycling procedures are yet to be agreed upon and the need for international
standards and regulations is increasing as the research and applications expand.
Source:
'Nanohybrid' Plastic May Expand Use Of Biodegradable Plastic http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203120115.htm
'Bioplastic' may become third option to paper or plastic http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1219/p15s01-sten.html
Possible Risk with Bisphenol A Receiving
Increased Attention
Opinions continue to be divided on the environmental danger
posed by bisphenol A, a chemical widely used to harden plastics. The NIH National
Toxicology Program issued a controversial preliminary report citing minimal
risk to adults, but another panel, led by Prof. Fred vom Saal of the Univ. of
Missouri, expressed “a very high level of concern”, according to
one of its members. An EPA spokeswoman has conceded that its 14-year-old safe
level for the chemical is out of date, and says the agency is now studying it.
Various studies around the world have not yet produced a clear indictment of
the compound as a serious environmental hazard.
Source:
Peril in plastic? http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/ideas/bal-id.bpa23dec23,0,894641.story
Bottled Water Becomes Target of Environmentalists
Organizations around the world are becoming active in opposing
the now rapidly increasing use of bottled water, and regulations and restrictions
are beginning to be applied to its distribution. Shipping bottled water across
the Atlantic and Pacific by oil-propelled ships does seem odd. One estimate
puts the annual fossil fuel footprint of bottled water consumption in the United
States at over 50 million barrels of oil equivalent––enough to run
3 million cars for one year. Beginning January 1, 2008 the city government of
San Francisco has banned its departments and agencies from purchasing bottled
water, and St. Louis is considering the same ban for its city employees in early
2008. With increased discourse around bottled water, it is likely that some
international directives will be adopted to regulate its trade and distribution.
Sources:
Bottled Water Boycotts. Earth Policy Institute. Plan B Update, December 7, 2007
http://www.earthpolicy.org/Updates/2007/Update68.htm
Chicago plans bottled water tax http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071228/NEWS07/712280392/1009
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
OSCE-NATO Workshop on Environmental Security in the Mediterranean
The "Water Scarcity, Land Degradation and Desertification in the Mediterranean
region–– Environment and Security Aspects" workshop held in
Valencia, December 10-11, was organized jointly by the NATO Public Diplomacy
Division and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Office of the Coordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities. Policymakers,
scientists and experts assessed implications that water scarcity, land degradation,
and desertification might have on population movements and security in the Mediterranean
region. Since water management also offers opportunities for cooperation and
conflict prevention, specific roles for the OSCE, NATO and other organizations
were explored with OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation and the NATO
Mediterranean Dialogue, which include Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania,
Morocco and Tunisia. [See also OSCE Adopts Ministerial Declaration on Environment
and Security in November 2007 and other previous environmental security
reports on similar issues.]
Sources:
Mediterranean countries discuss environmental security at OSCE, NATO workshop
http://www.osce.org/item/28784.html
"Water Scarcity, Land Degradation and Desertification in the Mediterranean
region - Environment and Security Aspects," Background Paper http://www.csic.es/documentos/actividades/cide111207.pdf
Progress for Enforcing Biological Weapons Convention
This year’s meeting of states parties to the Biological Weapons Convention
focused on strengthening the treaty’s implementation at the national level
and advancing regional cooperation. The Implementation Support Unit established
last year presented its report on helping member states implement the convention.
Also discussed were efforts to increase the pact’s membership beyond the
present 159 nations. The Nonaligned Nations Movement presented several recommendations
to strengthen the BWC, such as a verification regime to ensure compliance, and
seven issues to be considered at BWC meetings through 2010, including stricter
export and import controls mechanisms, and monitoring of viruses that could
be spread intentionally or accidentally. The next Meeting of States Parties
is scheduled for December 1-2008 to consider measures to improve biosafety and
biosecurity, scientific codes of conduct, and approaches for increasing awareness.
The next review conference of the BWC is scheduled for 2011. [See also Sixth
Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention in December 2006
and other related environmental security reports.]
Sources:
From Adjacency To Synergy: Meeting of States Parties to Biological Weapons Convention
Concludes http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/5275A9CC8C5EE6A7C12573B1005C0D28?OpenDocument
2007 Meeting of States Parties: 10-14 December 2007 http://www.opbw.org/new_process/msp2007/msp2007.htm
NAM Concerned At Biological Weapons Convention
http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/read.php?id=35499
Climate Change
Intensified Disasters
Summarizing the notable climate events of 2007, the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) remarks on devastating floods; drought and falling freshwater reserves;
intense storms in various places around the world; and record-low Arctic sea
ice extent that opened the Canadian Northwest Passage for the first time. It
reports that the decade of 1998-2007 is the warmest on record, with the global
mean surface temperature for 2007 estimated at 0.41°C (0.74°F) above
the 1961-1990 annual average of 14°C (57.20°F). Extreme temperatures
included unusually cold winters in South America, heat waves affecting Europe,
and making 2007 probably the hottest year on record in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some scientists believe that weird weather patterns might become the norm and
that the world is more than 50% likely to experience serious climate change
as it is unlikely to keep greenhouse gases levels low enough to avoid the critical
2oC (3.6ºF) temperature rise.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Scientists attending the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco
revealed that ice sheets melt faster then expected. The Arctic ice is shrinking
and thinning at a much faster pace then expected and latest modeling studies
indicate that the northern polar waters could be ice-free in summers within
just 5-6 years. Similarly, the Greenland ice sheet melted at a record rate this
year, the largest ever since satellite measurements began in 1979.
Scientists observed that over the past few years the speed at which some of
Greenland’s glaciers flow towards the sea has doubled. They think that
one factor might be the holes created in the ice due to warming, through which
the water of melting surface ice is penetrating below the ice and thus speeding
the flow of ice toward the open ocean. While Greenland's melt water presently
increases global sea level by about a quarter of an inch per decade, an accelerated
melt would seriously endanger world’s shorelines.
Rising Sea Levels
WMO reports that global averaged sea-level in 2007 is estimated about 20 cm
higher than the 1870 estimate. Satellite measurements show that, since 1993,
global averaged sea-level has been rising at about 3 mm per year, considerably
more than the 20th century average of about 1.7 mm per year.
At the Bali Climate Change Conference, small island states reiterated the catastrophic
impacts that global warming and rising sea levels could have for their nations
and called for swift action to reduce man-made causes and increase adaptation
measures.
According to U.S. government reports, more than 180 Alaskan villages are in
danger because of shoreline erosion and permafrost melting due to global warming.
Some are in immediate need of moving, although there are no clear relocation
plans, nor adequate funding.
The Climate Change: A New Threat to Middle East Security report by
Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) highlights that consequences of climate
change––mainly rising sea levels and freshwater shortage could exacerbate
security risks in the Middle East. Unless adequate adaptation actions, the large-scale
consequences include threat to “national, regional, and global security”
warns Nader Khatib, Palestinian Director of FoEME.
Food Security
UN Food and Agriculture Organization warns that world food supply is diminishing
rapidly and food prices reached historic highs, increasing the “very serious
risk that fewer people will be able to get food,” particularly in the
developing world. FAO records show that world grain stock–– corresponding
to the world’s total consumption––declined to 12 weeks for
wheat and only 8 weeks for corn . Population growth, the effects of global warming
and increase of biofuels industry are among the main factors. Josette Sheeran,
executive director of the World Food Program expressed concerns that we are
“facing the perfect storm for the world’s hungry.”
New computer projections also warn of possible future crop production reduction
due to climate change. NOAA models show the effects that climate changes could
have on the tropical belt and the possible consequences to ecosystems and human
settlements. New projections by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicate
that unless there are serious emission cuts, ozone pollution might increase
50% by 2100, which could result in a decrease of global economic value of crop
production by 10% to 12%. Nevertheless, the present situation shows that changes
are happening faster then computer-based climate simulations have forecast.
Three studies coauthored by researchers from prestigious organizations in North
America, Europe and Australia, published by the National Academy of Sciences,
warn that the future food situation might be worse then presently estimated,
since many parameters that would influence crops were not efficiently factored
in. “Many people assume that we will never have a problem with food production
on a global scale. But there is a strong potential for negative surprises,”
said Francesco Tubiello, a physicist and agricultural expert at NASA's Goddard
Institute of Space Studies, who coauthored all three studies.
Adaptation
“It is now recognized that mitigation alone is unlikely to fully address,
in a reasonable time, the challenges that human-induced climate change is likely
to bring and that, therefore, much greater attention needs to be given to adaptation
to climate change,” said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud, addressing
the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
Small island states called for help with adaptation programs. Grenada mentioned
that the two devastating hurricanes over the last seven years caused damage
that amounted to 200% of the country’s GDP. Maldives is spending considerable
sums on adaptation efforts, which include building 14 ‘safe islands.’
The Bali roadmap includes, as key issues for the upcoming negotiations, taking
action to adapt to the negative consequences of climate change––such
as droughts and floods; developing ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
finding ways to deploy climate-friendly technology; and financing adaptation
and mitigation measures.
At the "Emergency Preparedness and Response Workshop" organized by
the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Johannesburg,
eight South African and Indian Ocean nations––the Comoros, Madagascar,
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa––decided
to enhance regional cooperation for emergency response in case of natural disasters.
The draft Declaration of Intent stipulates cooperation for improved information
sharing, establishing regional rapid response teams, and developing measures
for free movement of emergency personnel and relief materials in the region.
The first international symposium on public weather services, organized by the
WMO has brought together about 120 experts to prepare a road map for improving
communities’ protection from natural disasters and adaptation to climate
change. The discussions covered issues from weather information gathering and
dissemination by national meteorological and hydrological services, to use of
weather forecasts and reaction in case of emergencies. The symposium was held
in Geneva, 3- 5 December 2007.
The UN International Telecommunications Union three-day global forum on "Effective
Use of Telecommunications/ICT for Disaster Management: Saving Lives" held
in Geneva, launched the ITU Framework for Cooperation in Emergencies (IFCE),
which outlines actions helping government and relief agencies to improve disaster
preparedness, early warning, and response by using telecommunications resources.
The Convention on Biological Diversity, launched a new adaptation website http://adaptation.cbd.int
to help governments and agencies to include biodiversity considerations in their
adaptation planning.
Sources:
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali
http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_13/items/4049.php
UN climate change conference in Bali (Telegraph Earth) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=1XADKK0EA00LDQFIQMGCFFWAVCBQUIV0?xml=/earth/exclusions/bali/nosplit/bali-climate-change-conference.xml
The global climate in 2007 http://www.wmo.ch/pages/publications/meteoworld/_en/climate.html
1998-2007 Is Warmest Decade on Record http://www.wmo.ch/pages/mediacentre/press_releases/pr_805_en.html
Year weather records fell http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/Environment/article/288763
Climate change goal ‘unreachable’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7135836.stm
Another Warm Year As Bali Conference Ends http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Another_Warm_Year_As_Bali_Conference_Ends_999.html
Greenland ice sheet melting at record rate http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN1017865420071210
New evidence that the ice in Arctic is melting faster than ever was presented
at the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting in San Francisco http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/13/MNC9TT0TQ.DTL&type=science
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7139797.stm
Greenland's Mysterious Holes Speed Ice Flow to Sea http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17463283&ps=bb1
The global climate in 2007
http://www.wmo.ch/pages/publications/meteoworld/_en/climate.html
Tiny Newtok, Alaska, against the tide http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-newtok27dec27,1,4983375.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Climate Change: A New Threat to Middle East Security http://newsecuritybeat.blogspot.com/2007/12/climate-change-threatens-middle-east.html
Middle East: Rising Sea Levels Could Lead To Political Tensions – Report
http://yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_73048.shtml
A worrisome forecast for the world’s crops http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1213/p17s01-sten.html
World food stocks dwindling rapidly, UN warns http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/17/europe/food.php?page=1
Toll of Climate Change on World Food Supply Could Be Worse Than Thought http://www.earth.columbia.edu/articles/view/2001
Southern African nations band together to scale up disaster preparedness –
UN http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25110&Cr=disaster&Cr1=
African nations to coordinate fight against natural disasters: UN http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071218/wl_africa_afp/africasadcdisasterun
WMO Hosts First International Symposium on Public Weather Services http://www.wmo.ch/pages/mediacentre/Info%20notes/info_40_en.html
International Symposium on PWS: A Key to Service Delivery (Geneva, 3- 5 December
2007) http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/amp/pwsp/PWS_Symposium_en.htm
ITU Global Forum adopts actions to strengthen response in emergencies http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2007/38.html
Integrating Biodiversity into Climate Change Adaptation Planning http://adaptation.cbd.int
New ISO Standard on Sustainable Building
ISO 21930:2007––Sustainability in Building Construction -- Environmental
Declaration of Building Products complements ISO 14025 for the environmental
product declarations (EPD) of building products, containing specifications,
principles, and requirements, to encourage sustainable building. It sets the
framework for environmental declarations of building products and takes into
consideration the entire life cycle of a building.
Sources:
ISO Creates Standard for Sustainable Building http://www.greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36364
ISO 21930:2007––Sustainability in building construction -- Environmental
declaration of building products http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=40435
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
The first nanotechnology genotoxicity (toxicity at the molecular level) tests
found that carbon nanotubes could damage DNA. Researchers at the University
of Dayton have assessed the DNA damage response to multi-walled carbon nanotubes
(MWCNT) in mouse embryonic stem cells. The methodology used is highly versatile
for testing genotoxicity and hence can be expanded for genotoxicity tests of
other nanomaterials.
The “Nanotechnology & the Media: The Inside Story” meeting held
at the Woodrow Wilson Center discussed the results of a study analyzing media
coverage of nanotechnology risks in the U.S. and UK. The study reveals a large
increase in the number of articles, with the focus being mainly on health, environmental
and security aspects. Coverage is higher for regulatory and reports related
issues than for scientific matters. Concerns about nanotech risk are increasing
at non-profits and governments, and governments are responding most strongly
to risk concerns. In general, there was a strong feeling that there is not enough
media coverage on the nanotech risk issues.
Sources:
First nanotechnology genotoxicity tests find that carbon nanotubes could damage
DNA http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=3632.php
DNA Damage Induced by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/nalefd/2007/7/i12/abs/nl071303v.html
Nanotechnology & the Media: The Inside Story. Tuesday December 18, 2007
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event&event_id=343009#
Reports Suggested for Review
Security Risk due to Climate Change
World in Transition –Climate Change as a Security Risk, a report
by the German Advisory Council on Global Change based on the work of international
experts and organizations including the UN Environmental Program (UNEP), assesses
the possible security implications of climate change and warns that inaction
might lead to destabilization and raise the threats to international security
to a new level. It suggests four 'climate-induced conflict constellations':
1) freshwater scarcity, 2) decline in food production, 3) increased natural
disasters, and 4) environmentally-induced migration. The geographic areas at
greater risk include: northern and southern Africa and the Sahel zone; central
Asia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, China; Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico
(especially Central America); and Andean and Amazonian regions of Latin America.
The report makes extensive recommendations, including: shaping global political
change, reforming the UN, developing pro-active climate protection and adaptation
policies, and “financing international conflict prevention.” It
also underlines the need to develop strategies for avoiding destabilization
and conflict in the event that climate protection fails.
A Christian Science Monitor article, Six places in the world where climate
change could cause political turmoil gives another view of areas vulnerable
to consequences of global warming: 1) Nepal (lack of freshwater due to melting
glaciers causes migration and increased power of Maoists); 2) Indonesia (deforestation);
3) Lagos, Nigeria (sea-level rise in an overpopulated and unstable region);
4) U.S. (overstretched America's armed forces due to disaster relief and war-fighting);
5) Arctic (race for natural resources and navigation change sovereignty questions
as Arctic ice melts); 6) East Africa (desertification and decreased food production
induced migration).
The Climate Change: A New Threat to Middle East Security report by
the Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) highlights that consequences of
climate change––mainly rising sea levels and freshwater shortage
— could exacerbate security risks in the Middle East.
Sources:
World in Transition –Climate Change as a Security Risk (Report
PDF) http://www.wbgu.de/wbgu_jg2007_engl.html
Climate Change and Conflict - New Report Weighs the Risks and Pin Points Likely
Hotspots http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=523&ArticleID=5720&l=en
Six places in the world where climate change could cause political turmoil http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1206/p14s01-sten.html
Climate Change: A New Threat to Middle East Security http://newsecuritybeat.blogspot.com/2007/12/climate-change-threatens-middle-east.html
Egypt, Jordan and Palestine threatened by global warming http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Palestine/220130
Climate Change Threatens Middle East, Warns Report http://newsecuritybeat.blogspot.com/2007/12/climate-change-threatens-middle-east.html
Middle East: Rising Sea Levels Could Lead To Political Tensions – Report
http://yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_73048.shtml
Modern Warfare Increasingly Harmful to the Environment
War and the environment, an article published by Worldwatch Institute,
shows that modern warfare tactics have an increasingly devastating impact on
the ecosystems. By thoroughly analyzing the ecological effect of the American
war in Vietnam, the Rwandan and Congolese civil wars, and the current war in
Iraq, the article illustrates the long-term damage caused by modern “ecocide.”
[See also Addressing Post-Conflict Environmental Security Issues in
August 2006, and other similar items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
War and the environment; by Sarah DeWeerdt, World Watch, Vol.21, no.1,
Jan/Feb 2008, Worldwatch Institute (by subscription only)
Modern Warfare Causes Unprecedented Environmental Damage http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5544
China's Energy Conditions and Policies––White Paper
China’s Information Office of the State Council issued the country’s
first-ever, white paper on its energy conditions and policies. The paper indicates
a shift towards a more environment-centered energy policy, prioritizing sustainable
development based on S&T, and strengthened international cooperation in
the field of energy. It emphasizes, “China did not, does not and will
not pose any threat to the world’s energy security.” [See also China
May Restructure Environmental Effort in October 2007, and other related
items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
China report says coal to remain top energy source http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jRdR9Nd-GnyWN1FainAfHONr-imA
China's Energy Conditions and Policies http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-12/26/content_6349803.htm
China’s energy policy puts more emphasis on environment http://www.cctv.com/program/bizchina/20071227/102997.shtml
China's energy policy puts more emphasis on environment (video) http://www.cctv.com/video/bizchina/2007/12/bizchina_300_20071227_8.shtml
UN Establishes the International Panel for Sustainable
Resource Management
The International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management (IPSRM) is a new
international think tank established by UNEP to provide expert global assessments
on the use, security, and environmental impact of global resources. Just as
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) founded in 1988 has evolved
with the participation of 2,500 scientists from 60 countries to produce the
state of knowledge of global climate change, so too could IPSRM do one day for
the global knowledge of resource management. It will begin by providing a systemic
and holistic framework for understanding resources from all phases of the resources’
life cycles to help identify interlinkages, gaps, and opportunities for policy
makers to take action. The Panel is supported by a Secretariat, hosted by the
Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch of UNEP's Division of Technology,
Industry and Economics, based in Paris. National participation in the panel
has been expressed so far from Canada, China, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Hungary,
Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, South Africa, and Tanzania. NGOs
such as the World Business Council on Sustainable Development and the International
Council for Science (ICSU) have also asked to participate.
Sources:
New Panel must boost resource-efficient growth and innovation, UN Environment
Programme says http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=521&ArticleID=5700&l=en
International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management (Resource Panel) http://www.unep.fr/pc/sustain/initiatives/resourcepanel/
International Norms Led by IAEA Are
Needed to Stop Smuggling of Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Proliferation
During a Security for a New Century briefing at the U.S. Capitol, November 27,
2007, David Albright, President of the Institute for Science and International
Security said that A.Q. Khan’s nuclear smuggling network may be just the
tip of an iceberg, and national systems of enforcement are dangerously inadequate.
He recommended that the International Atomic Energy Agency lead the creation
of new international norms for everything from export controls for nuclear-related
materials to a determination of what is classified information about nuclear
energy. He also said that corporations should not do business with any trading
company unless they can show that the end user could not contribute to nuclear
proliferation. Financial loss due to discovery that their materials ended up
in illegal nuclear programs will be higher than the financial loss from not
selling the products.
In a related development, Edit Herczog, Member of the European Parliament, declared
at NATO’s November 23, 2007 Advanced Research Workshop held in Budapest
on “Energy and Environmental Challenges to Security” that the EURATOM
treaty may need a new focus on such security issues as non-proliferation and
radiation protection. The EURATOM treaty has never been amended since its establishment
50 years ago. [See also Nuclear Safety in September 2007, Increasing
Nuclear Safety and Security in March 2006 and other related items in previous
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
A.Q. Khan’s Nuclear Wal-Mart: Out of Business or Under New Management?
http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/110/36424.pdf
Highlights of the ISIS Web Site http://www.isis-online.org/#highlights
Roadmap to Responsible Export Controls: Learning from the Past http://www.exportcontrols.org
NATO Advanced Research Workshop ‘Energy and Environmental Challenges to
Security’ http://www.rec.org/natoworkshop/index.html
The Union’s Energy Policy: A European security challenge. Edit Herczog,
member of the European Parliament http://www.rec.org/natoworkshop/downloads/session3/herzcog.ppt
(power point presentation)
UNEP and South Korea to Help North
Korea’s Environmental Management
UNEP and the Republic of Korea agreed to set up a Trust Fund for projects addressing
key environmental issues in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
This first collaboration of the two countries on environmental matters aims
to address urgent problems in the DPRK related to forest, water quality, air
pollution, land degradation and biodiversity, as well as support eco-housing
initiatives, conservation management, environmental education, clean development
mechanisms and renewable energy technology, and environmental monitoring.
Source:
South Korea contributes more than US$4 million to First Environmental Project
between Two Koreas http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=521&ArticleID=5710&l=en
Climate Change Issues May Have Determined
Australian Election
Environmental policy seems to have been one of the determining factors in Australia’s
election and the success of the Labor Party, which has environmental issues
such as climate change and signing the Kyoto Protocol as top priorities. It
is therefore expected that Australia will adopt more environmentally protective
policies. Given its status as a major regional power, Australia’s attitude
could affect international and regional environmental deliberations.
Sources:
His own boss. Economist.com, Nov 26th 2007 http://www.economist.com/daily/news/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10200246&fsrc=nwl
Australia ousts Bush ally, elects Labor Party http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-11-24-australia_N.htm
UK to Establish an Independent Climate Committee
The parliament of the UK plans to establish an independent climate
committee that would report to the parliament on an annual basis, said MP Elliot
Morley, member of the UK Parliament and the Government’s Special Representative
on the Glenea