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THEENVIRONMENTINTHENEWSFriday,21September2007OtherEnvironmentNewsNZtobringincarbontrading,butstilllagsKyoto(Reuters)Climatechangeworsethanfeared:Australianexpert(AFP)Wal-MartsellingownbrandofenergyefficientCFLs(Reuters)HowlongdoesittaketochangealightbulbGreenpeacetargetsWoolworthsover'powercrazy'bulbs(TheGuardian)WhirlwindeventsaimtoswaytalksatWhiteHouse,U.
N.
(Greenwire)TheChemicalThatMustNotBeNamed(IPS)CanadianoppositionblastsUS-linkedforeignpolicy(AFP)Africandelugebringsmiseryto1.
5mpeople(TheGuardian)Chineseseabirdonvergeofextinction(AP)LaFrances'orienteversungeldesculturesd'OGM(LeMonde)ControversesurleseffetsdespesticidesenMartinique(LeFigaro)Arcticiceebbstorecordlevel:scientists(Reuters)AgingfleetslowsU.
S.
inArctic"chessgame"(SeattleTimes)CinquièmejournéeEnville,sansmavoiture!
(LaPresse)Haveyougotgreenfatigue(TheIndependent)SavingEarth,atreeatatime(SacramentoBee)EnvironmentalNewsfromtheUNEPRegionsROAPROARONAOtherUNNewsUNDailyNewsof20September2007S.
G.
'sSpokesmanDailyPressBriefingof20September2007UNEPandtheExecutiveDirectorintheNewsAFP:NuevametadeMontreal:acabarconlosHCFC(AlsoinElMundo)20/09/200711:55(CET)MONTREAL.
-Aparentemente,lasnegociacionesquesellevanacaboenMontrealparaacabarconlosHCFCvanporbuencamino.
PaísesendesarrollocomoChinaeIndiaestándeacuerdoconlapropuestaformuladaporBrasil,Argentina,SuizayotrospaísesparaponerfinalaproducciónindustrialdeHCFC.
ElpropósitoinicialdelaeliminacióndelosCFCeraevitareldeteriorodelacapadeozono;perohoyexisteunmotivoaadido:laluchacontraelcambioclimático.
ElAcuerdodeMontrealdel16deseptiembrede1987supusounimportantehitoenlaluchaporelMedioAmbiente.
Fueelprimerconveniomedioambientalverdaderamenteglobal,yelprecedentemásdirectodelProtocolodeKyoto.
Suprimerobjetivo,alcanzadoconéxito,fuelaeliminacióndelosCFC.
Perosufirmatuvootroefectoimportante:esosgasestienenunnotableefectodeinvernadero,demodoqueelprotocolohabríaservidoparaatrasarelcambioclimático.
AhoraloquesepersigueesacelerarlaeliminacióndelosHCFC(hidroclorofluorocarbonos),puestambiénselesatribuyeunimportanteefectoinvernadero.
SegúnelProtocolodeMontreal,esassustanciasdeberíansereliminadasen2030enlospaísesdesarrollados,yen2040enlosqueestánendesarrollo.
Muchospaísesricos,comoEstadosUnidos,CanadáolosintegradosenlaUniónEuropea,quierenadelantarendiezaossueliminación.
Laconferenciadiscuteelcalendarioderetirada,loquecontribuiríademodoimportantealaluchacontraelcambioclimático.
Elprincipalobstáculoalqueseenfrentalaconferenciaesdeordenpresupuestario.
NickNurtall,portavozdelProgramadeNacionesUnidasparaelMedioAmbiente(PNUE),lohaexpresadodeformaclara:"elaspectocentraldelasnegociacioneseslacantidaddedineronecesarioparaacelerarlaeliminacióndelosHCFC.
"Esdecir,lafinanciaciónquelospaísesricosdeberánproporcionaralosqueestánenvíasdedesarrolloparaaceleraresaretirada.
Nurtallsemanifiestaoptimistasobreelresultadodelacumbre.
GamesBids:Beijing2008Receives"Green"Award(AlsoinPeople'sDaily)Wednesday,September19,2007TheBeijing2008WinterGamesOrganizingCommitteehasreceivedtheMontrealProtocolPublicAwarenessAwardinrecognitionofthespecialattentionithasgiventoraisingawarenessaboutprotectingtheozonelayer.
TheMontrealProtocolPublicAwarenessAwardisanOzoneAwardthroughtheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgrammethatrecognizesorganizationsandindividualswhohavedoneoutstandingworkinraisingawarenessaboutozonedepletionandwhohavemadeaglobalefforttoaddresstheproblem.
BOCOGwasoneoftenorganizationsandindividualstoreceivethehonour.
OtherrecipientsincludedAirIndiaandtheUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency'sSunWiseProgram.
YuXiaoxuan,DeputyDirectoroftheBOCOGConstructionandEnvironmentDepartment,saidMondaythehonorshowstheinternationalcommunity'sapprovalofBOCOG'seffortstopromotea"GreenOlympics".
InitsbidfortheGamesBeijing2008hadpromisedtoeliminatetheuseofozone-depletingsubstancessixyearsaheadoftheMontrealProtocol'stargetdateof2010andin2004itfulfilledthatpromise.
TheMontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDepletetheOzoneLayerfirstcameintoeffectonSeptember16,1987when24nationssignedtheagreement.
Atpresentitcovers191nationsandaccordingtotheBeijing2008website,duringthepast20yearsthecombinedeffortsofthesenationshavesuccessfullyreduced95percentofozonedepletingsubstances.
MadagascarTribune:Substancesappauvrissantlacouched'ozoneImportationinterditeàcompterdejanvier200820/09Protégeonslacouched'ozone,ellenousprotège.
TelestlemessagelancéparlesNationsUniespoursensibiliseràlaprotectiondel'environnement,plusprécisémentdelacouched'ozone.
L'idéeprincipaleétantd'éliminertotalementleschlorofluorocarbones(CFCs)etautresSubstancesAppauvrissantlacouched'ozone(SAO)entranantdeseffetsnéfastessurlasantéhumaineetleurenvironnement.
D'aprèslesdispositionsduProtocoledeMontréal,quicélèbrecetteannéesonvingtièmeanniversaire,lespaysendéveloppementdoiventéliminerprogressivementlaconsommationdesCFCsà50%avantle1erjanvier2005,à85%avantjanvier2007età100%avantle1erjanvier2010.
SatisfecitduPNUEEncequiconcerneMadagascar,enparticulier,plusde95%delaconsommationdesSAOontétéjusqu'iciéliminées.
Acetitre,lepaysareulesatisfecitduProgrammedesNationsUniespourl'Environnement(PNUE).
Eneffet,Madagascars'estinvestidansledomainedepuis1996.
Plusde200techniciensfrigoristesontétéforméssurlesbonnespratiquesenréfrigérationcarlesappareilsfrigorifiquesutilisentsouventdesgazpollueursetdestructeursdelacouched'ozone.
Auniveaudesservicesdouaniersdoncneserontacceptésquelesproduitscomportantl'étiquetteSFCFree.
Decefait,60douaniersontétéformésafinqu'ilspuissentêtreenmesuredecontrlerl'importationdesCFCsetdeséquipementspouvantencontenir.
Parailleurs,dessitesetréseauxderécupération,derecyclageetdestockagedesCFCssontmisenplaceàAntsiranana,àTuléaretàAntananarivo,pourlapréservationdelacouched'ozone.
TunisieAffaires:Planterunmilliardd'arbresen200721septembre2007Prèsd'uneannéeestpasséedepuisquel'ONUalancé,lorsdelaConférencesurleschangementsclimatiques,tenueàNairobi(Kenya),unecampagnemondialeenvuedeplanterunmilliardd'arbresen2007.
IntituléePlantonspourlaPlanète,lacampagnemenéesousl'égideduProgrammedesNationsUniespourl'environnement(PNUE)viseàencouragertouslesacteursdelasociété--citoyens,entreprises,associations,écoles,municipalités,etc.
--àplanterunouplusieursarbres.
L'idéedelaCampagneaétéinspiréeparleProfesseurWangariMaathai,quiestaussilamarrainedelaCampagne.
Lorsqu'unesociétéauxEtats-Unisaannoncéqu'ellecomptaitplanterunmilliond'arbres,leProfesseurMaathaiadéclaré:C'esttrèsbien,maisvousdevriezpluttenplanterunmilliard!
.
"Planterunarbredansunjardin,dansunparc,àlacampagne,enforêt,estunactesimple,àlaportéedetoutunchacun,adéclaréledirecteurduPNUE,AchimSteiner.
Maiscetteactionrépétéeunmilliarddefoislaisserauneempreinteàlongterme.
"Chaqueparticipantestinvitéàdéclarerlenombred'arbresplantéssurlesitedelacampagne.
Ilrecevraenéchangeuncertificatdeparticipation.
Laplantationmassived'arbrespermetdeluttercontrediversesmenacesnaturellesliéesauxchangementsclimatiques,dontlapertedelabiodiversité,l'avancéedesdésertsetl'érosiondessols.
Atraverslemonde,individusetorganisations,d'horizonsaussidiversquelasociétécivile,lesecteurprivéoul'Etat,sontencouragésàenregistrerleurengagementàplanterdesarbressurcesiteL'objectifestdeplanteraumoinsunmilliardd'arbresàtraverslemondeen2007.
Plusquequelquesmoisenréalitépourhonorersespromesses.
ElMundo(Spain):Alertaporexcesodemercurio;UnestudiodetectanivelesmásaltosdelosaconsejadosporlaOMScercadelasfábricasdecloroenEspaaSeptember20,2007ThursdayGUSTAVOCATALANDEUSMADRID.
-EnelentornodelasmásimportantesfábricasproductorasdeclorodeEspaasesuperanampliamentelosvaloresdemercurioenelaire(inmisiones)recomendadosporlaOrganizaciónMundialdelaSalud(OMS)ylaAgenciadeMedioAmbientedeEEUU(EPA).
LasmedicioneshansidollevadasacaboaleatoriamentedurantelosúltimosmesesporespecialistasdelDepartamentodeIngenieríaGeológicayMineradelMercuriodelaUniversidaddeCastilla-LaMancha.
Setratadelsegundoaoquesellevaacaboestemuestreo.
LosanálisistambiénsehanrealizadoenItaliaylaRepúblicaCheca,dondetambiénsesobrepasan"muyporencima"losumbralesaconsejados,segúnLeticiaBaselga,portavozdeEcologistasenAcción.
ElestudioenEspaasehallevadoacaboporiniciativadeestaONG,quelideraennuestropaíslacampaainternacionalMercuriocero.
TantoelProgramadeNacionesUnidadparaelMedioAmbiente(PNUMA)comolaUEllevanaosadvirtiendodelosriesgosparalasaludyelmedioambientedelmercurio,unmineraldelqueEspaaeselprincipalexportadormundialyfueelmayorproductor.
Estemetalpesadoesbioacumulativoymuytóxico.
Inclusoanivelesmuybajosprovocadaosenelsistemanervioso,cardiovascular,inmunológicoyreproductor.
Ademásdeenelaire,elsueloyelagua,elmercurioseacumulaenlacadenatróficamarina,enpecescomercialesdelosquesealimentaelserhumano.
Porestacausa,laUEcuentaconunsistemadedetección,queenlosúltimostresaoshaemitidocasiuncentenardealertas.
Lasfactoríasproductorasdecloro-sosa(enlasqueseutilizamercuriocomocátodoenunatecnologíayaanticuada)hansidoAragonesas-ErcrosenHuelva;Solvay,enTorrelavegayMartorell;QuímicadelCinca,enMonzón,Huesca;Elnosa,enPontevedrayErcrossenFlix,Tarragona.
LospeoresdatoscorrespondenaMonzónyFlix,enlosquesemidieron20.
000nanogramos/metrocúbico(ng/m3)y4.
800ng/m3,respectivamente.
LascantidadesrecomendadasporlaEPAsonde300ng/m3yporlaOMSllegahasta1.
000ng/m3.
Esteaotambiénsehanpedidocabellosalostrabajadoresdelsector,perosehannegadoacederlos.
SegúnBaselga,losempleadoshansidoamenazadossivolvíanaproporcionarpruebasdelelevadoíndicedemercurioqueconteníansuscabellosenelanálisisanterior.
EcologistasenAcciónexigequesepongaplazoalusodelmercurioenlaproduccióndecloroyseinsteaestesectorindustrialareconvertirsusprocesosyautilizartecnologíasdeproducciónlimpias.
ElcloroseutilizaprincipalmenteparafabricarplásticoPVC,enelblanqueodepapelytextilyenlapotabilizacióndeaguadulce.
Porsuparte,laindustriadelclorohaemitidouncomunicadoenelqueafirmahaberreducidosusemisionesdemercurioun35%losúltimosseisaos.
Susúltimosdatossealanque"hanproducido827.
000toneladasyhanemitido37litrosdemercurio".
Enenerode2005laComisiónEuropeaaprobóunaestrategiacon20medidasparareducirlasemisiones.
LaindustriadelclorodeEspaasehacomprometidoaabandonartotalmentelaproducciónconmercurioenelao2020.
HobartMercury(Australia):FirstshotsfiredinwaterwarsSeptember20,2007ThursdayTHEwaterwarshavebegun.
Skirmisheshavebrokenoutinruralandregionalareasandthreatentospreadtopopulationcentres.
FarmersinTasmania'sCentralHighlandsrecentlylaunchedlegalactionintheSupremeCourtagainsttheStateGovernment'swatermanagement.
TheTasmanianFarmersandGraziersAssociationhascalledontheNationalFarmersFederationtofundthecourtaction.
CentralHighlandsfarmersclaimtheGovernment'smanagementplandeniesthemaccesstotraditionalwatersupplies,creatinganartificialdroughtintheregion.
IntheNorth-West,disputesbetweencropfarmersandforestrycompanieshaveflared.
Somevegetableandgrainfarmersarguethemassiveexpansionofplantationforestrythreatenstheircontinuedexistence.
Treeplantationstapvaluablegroundwater,whichwouldotherwiserunintodams,creeksandriversandbeusedforirrigation.
ArecentFederalTreasuryreviewoftaxbreaksforthemanagedinvestmentschemesthatfundtheplantationexpansionwasinundatedbyconcernsaboutthemassivethirstoftreeplantations.
SomefarmershavealsopubliclyexpressedenvyoverthedealstruckbetweenGunnsLtdandHydroTasmaniatosupplywatertotheproposedTamarValleypulpmill.
TheStateGovernmentismovingtotakeoverwaterandsewerageservicesfromlocalgovernment.
Thisbattleforwater,whichishappeninginTasmaniaandthroughoutthenation,isonlystarting.
Ifthedroughtcontinuesandthemoredirepredictionsofglobalwarmingeventuate,thebattlewillescalate.
Asfarbackas1999itwaspredictedthatdeadlywarsoverwaterwereadistinctpossibility.
KlausToepfer,director-generaloftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgram,madethepredictionintheJanuary1,1999,issueofthesciencejournalEnvironmentalScience&Technology.
Hesuggestedglobalwarmingandpopulationstresswouldseebattlesforwaterlikethosewearemoreusedtoseeingoveroil.
By2002,theUNIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangehadsoundedthealarmthatglobalwarmingwasrealanddrivenbyhumanproductionofcarbondioxide.
Fiveyearslater,governmentsandindustryworldwidearefinallytakingtheissueseriously.
ThisweektheFederalGovernmentdeclaredallofTasmaniadrought-affectedandallourfarmerseligibleforincomesupport.
Theassistanceiswelcome,butsuchreactivesolutionscannotbereliedon.
Tasmaniamustmakeplans.
HydroTasmania,whichholdsvastquantitiesofthepreciouswetstuff,willbeakeyplayer.
WeareusedtoseeingtheHydroasapowergenerator,butwemaywellstarttorecognisethegovernmentbusinessasawatermanager.
Gettingthatwatertoourfarmersandpopulationcentresshouldbeapriority.
Howthatisdoneshouldbethrownopentorigorouspublicdebate.
Questionsshouldbeasked,ideasfloatedandanswerssought.
OtherEnvironmentNewsReuters:NZtobringincarbontrading,butstilllagsKyoto(AlsoinInternationalHeraldTribune,AP,AFP,TVNZ,TheDominionPost)ThuSep20,200712:54amEDTByGylesBeckfordWELLINGTON(Reuters)-NewZealandsaidonThursdayitwouldbringincarbontradingoverthenextsixyearsaspartofeffortstoreducegreenhousegasemissions,thoughadmittedeventhesemeasureswillnotmeetitsKyotoProtocoltarget.
Amandatorycap-and-tradeemissionsschemeandincentivesfortreeplantingtoreduceemissions,blamedforglobalwarming,willprogressivelybeintroducedfromnextyear,ifthegovernmentcangetthemeasuresthroughaparliamentthatrejectedacarbontaxtwoyearsago.
"Anemissionstradingschemewillcreateanincentiveforbusinessesandhouseholdstomakedecisionsthataregoodfortheenvironment,andwilldiscourageactionsthatcausegreenhousegasemissions,"FinanceMinisterMichaelCullenandClimateChangeMinisterDavidParkersaidinajointstatement.
Thecap-and-tradeschemewillrestrictorcapgroupsorcompaniesintheamountofagreenhousegastheycanemit.
Thoseusinglessthantheirlimitcansellexcesscredits.
Thefirststageoftheschemewillstartnextyearwithafreeallocationofcarboncreditstoforesters,withtheaimofincreasingcommercialforestareaby250,000hectares(618,000acres)by2020.
Liquidfossilfuelswouldbebroughtintothetradingschemein2009,electricitygeneratorsandindustrytheyearafter,andthecountry'seconomicallykeyagriculturalsectorin2013.
NewZealandisasignatorytotheKyotoProtocol,whichrequiresittoreducegreenhousegasemissionsto1990levelsby2012.
Abouthalfthecountry'semissionscomefromlivestock.
Parkersaidlatestestimatesshowedthatby2012thecountrywouldproduce45.
5milliontonesmorecarbonthanallowedunderKyoto,whichatJune30wouldcostthecountryNZ$704million($518million),basedonmultiplyingtheexcessemissionsbyend-Junecarbonmarketprices.
"Myestimateisthatwhatwehavenowannouncedwewillpullthisbacktoaround25milliontonesorless,whichcomparesfavorablywithprogressinothercountries,"Parkersaid.
MostcountriesarelaggingtheirKyototargets.
HIGHERCOSTSNewZealand'senergyandconsumerpriceswouldrisebecauseofthelimits,althoughtheimpactontheeconomywasexpectedtobeacontractionofonly0.
1percentoverfiveyears.
Undertheproposedtradingscheme,asetnumberoftradablecreditswouldbeissued,somefreeandotherssoldthroughagovernmentauction.
Thecreditscouldbetradedonaspecializedmarketordirectlybetweenparties.
NewZealandExchange,thecountry'sstockexchangeoperator,andagroupoflocalcompaniesinMayproposedacarbontradingmarketbesetupnextyear.
TheLabor-ledminoritycoalitiongovernmentwillstillneedsupportofsmallerpartiestopassthenecessarylawsforthescheme.
Agovernmentplantoimposeacarbontaxwasscrappedin2005afteritfailedtofindenoughpoliticalsupport.
Parkersaidtheaimwastoproduce90percentofNewZealand'selectricitygenerationfromrenewablesourcesby2025fromthecurrent70percentlevel,andtohalvetransportemissionsby2040,throughthewidespreaduseofelectriccars.
InFebruary,thegovernmentsaiditwouldrequire3.
4percentofallpetrolanddieselsalestobebiofuel,mostlikelyethanolandbiodiesel,by2012.
($1=NZ$1.
36)AFP:Climatechangeworsethanfeared:AustralianexpertThuSep20,4:19AMETSYDNEY(AFP)-Globalwarmingisoccurringatafasterratethantheworst-casescenarioenvisagedbyexpertsjustsixyearsago,Australia'stopclimatechangescientistsaidThursday.
TimFlannery,namedthe2007AustralianoftheYearforhisworkinalertingthepublictothedangersofglobalwarming,saidtheissuewasthegreatestchallengefacinghumanityinthe21stcentury.
Flannerysaidpredictionsina2001UNreport,warningtheatmospherewaslikelytowarmby1.
4to5.
8degreesCelsius(2.
5-10.
4Fahrenheit)from1990to2100nowappearedconservative.
"Inthesixyearssincethen,we'vecollectedenoughdatato(check)whetherthoseprojectionsarevalidornot,"hesaid.
"Itturnsoutthey'renotvalid,butinthemosthorribleway--becauseforthekeyperformanceindicatorsaboutclimate,changeisoccurringfarinadvanceoftheworst-casescenario,"hesaid.
"Carbondioxide'sincreasingmorerapidly,sealevelsarerisingmorerapidly(and)theArcticicecapismeltingawaymorequicklythanwereprojectedin2001.
"FlannerysaidtheworldneededaninternationalorganisationsimilartotheUnitedNationsdedicatedsolelytoclimatechange.
"The21stcenturyisgoingtobeaboutenvironmentallimits,"hesaid.
"There'ssixbillionofusontheplanet,therewillsoonbeninebillion,theatmosphereistinyasapollutionreceptacle,clearlythat'sgoingtobewheretheactionis.
"Butwehaven'tyetbuiltthestructures,thenewversionoftheUNthathelpsusdealwiththeglobalpollutioncrisisasaspecies.
"Flannerysaidnationsneededto"de-carbonise"theireconomiesby2050,increasingrelianceongeo-thermal,nuclearandrenewableenergy.
Reuters:Wal-MartsellingownbrandofenergyefficientCFLsThuSep20,20071:18amEDTNEWYORK(Reuters)-Wal-MartStoresInc(WMT.
N:Quote,Profile,Research)saidonThursdaythatithaslauncheditsownprivatelabelofcompactfluorescentlightbulbsandisnowsellingthe"GreatValue"energyefficientbulbsinmorethan3,000stores.
"TheintroductionofourGreatValuebulbsmakeCFLsamoreaccessibleoptionforourshoppersaswestrivetosell100millionCFLsbytheendof2007,"saidWal-MartGeneralMerchandiseManagerAndyBarroninastatement.
Theworld'slargestretailersaidthebulbs,whichuselessenergythantraditionalincandescentbulbsandlastlonger,willsaveconsumersmoneyandprotecttheenvironment.
Butshoppershavebeenslowtoembracecompactfluorescentlightbulbs,whichlargelyhaveanunusual,squigglyshapeandcostmoremoneyupfrontthantraditionalbulbs.
Advocatessaythehigherinitialcostisoffsetbythebulb'slongerlifeandinsteadsavesshoppersmoney.
Wal-Marthasmademoreroomonitsstoreshelvestosellthebulbs.
Ithasalsoworkedwithitssuppliers,includingGeneralElectricCo(GE.
N:Quote,Profile,Research)andRoyalPhilips,tocutthetinyamountofmercurythebulbscontainedafterworrieswereraisedthatmercurywouldwindupingarbagedumpsaftershoppersdiscardedthebulbs.
Wal-Martsaidfourofits"GreatValue"CFLswillsellforthecostofthreeregularlypricedbrandnameCFLs.
TheGuardian:HowlongdoesittaketochangealightbulbGreenpeacetargetsWoolworthsover'powercrazy'bulbsRebeccaSmithers,consumeraffairscorrespondentThursdaySeptember202007TheenvironmentalgroupGreenpeacestagedaprotestyesterdayatWoolworths'Londonheadquartersaspartofacampaigntoconvincetheretailertotakeinefficientincandescentlightbulbsofftheshelvesby2008.
Itwastimedtocoincidewiththereleaseofthegroup'shalf-yearlyfinancialresults.
About30volunteersdeliveredthousandsofsignatureswrittenonflagsandformedacolonnadewhichstaffpassedundertoreachtheirofficesinMarylebone,whileholdingabannerreading'CustomerstellWoolworths-shelveoldbulbsnow'.
Officeworkerswerehandedfreecompactfluorescent(CFL)bulbsasgiftsandurgedtobringupthetopicwiththeirmanagers.
GreenpeaceclaimsthatarecentpolicyannouncementmadebyWoolworthsaboutthephasingoutofold-fashionedincandescentlightbulbsisdangerouslyweak.
Whileotherretailershavecommittedtoremoveallsuchbulbsfromstoresassoonasthisyear,Woolworthshasjustannouncedamovewhichwouldbarelycomplywiththegovernment'sownvoluntaryinitiative,whichwouldseethebulbsofftheshelvesby2011.
Inaddition,thecheapestcompactfluorescentbulbcurrentlyonsaleatWoolworthsispricedat2.
49,whiletheretailerrecentlyannouncedthatitwouldbesellinganentirebottleofchampagnefor5-thepriceoftwolow-energylightbulbs.
ForeachyearthatBritishretailerskeepsellingincandescentlightbulbs,fivemilliontonnesofunnecessaryCO2arereleasedintotheatmosphere,Greenpeacesaid.
Putanotherway,ifallUKretailersmovedasslowlyasWoolworths,theUKwouldemit20milliontonnesofCO2unnecessarily-theequivalenttotheyearlyoutputoftheentirecountryofYemen.
RobinOakley,aclimatecampaignerwithGreenpeace,said:"We'reheretotellWoolworthsthattheircustomerswantthemtomovealotfaster.
Removingpowercrazylightbulbsfromtheshelvesshouldbeafirst,quickstepontheroadtowardsofferingtrulysustainableproductsacrosstheboard.
Instead,Woolworthsaredoingthebareminimum,whilemostoftheircompetitorsaregoingmuchfurther.
"WoolworthsrecentlychangeditspolicyafteraGreenpeaceleaguetable,whichliststhecommitmentsofallmajorUKretailerstophasingoutinefficientbulbs,gavethemaWgradeforworst.
Arecenthurrieddecisiontocomplywiththe2011governmenttargetstillputsthembehindCurrys(2007),Habitat(2009),Sainsburys(2010)andAsda(2010).
Oakleyadded:"Thescientistsaretellingusthatwehavelessthantenyearslefttoreallydrasticallyreduceourcarbondioxideemissions,butWoolworthsaretellingusthatittakesfourofthoseyearstochangealightbulb.
IfthecompanyreallycaresaboutofferingtheircustomersvalueformoneytheyshouldonlybesellingCFLbulbs,whichsavehouseholdsaround50everysingleyear.
"Woolworthssaidinastatement:"WeareinongoingdiscussionswithGreenpeacewithregardtothesaleoflightbulbs.
Woolworthssells5,000energyefficientlightbulbsaweekandhasarangeof15differentenergysavingoptionsforcustomers(aquarterofourtotalrange).
WewrotetoGreenpeaceonThursdaytomakeourpositionclearandtosharewiththemplanstostopsellingincandescentlightbulbsby2011,phaseoutenergyinefficientlightbulbsgraduallyintherunuptothatdateandpromoteenergysavinglightbulbstoourcustomers.
Greenpeacehasnotresponded.
WehaveaskedGreenpeacetopassonourcommentstoitsmembersandupdateitsliterature.
"Greenwire:WhirlwindeventsaimtoswaytalksatWhiteHouse,U.
N.
September20,2007ThursdayDarrenSamuelsohn,GreenwireseniorreporterInternationalglobalwarmingtalkssetfornextweekinNewYorkandWashingtonhavesparkedaflurryofeventsstagedbyinterestgroupsandlawmakerswhohopetoairtheirviewsandinfluencetheiroutcome.
AttheNationalPressClubyesterday,EileenClaussen,presidentofthePewCenteronGlobalClimateChange,expresseddoubtstheBushadministration'ssummitSept.
27-28wouldamounttomuchwithinthelargerframeworkofinternationalclimatenegotiations.
"Whatkindofdealaretheyhopingtosetup"sheasked.
"Byallappearances,averyweakone.
"ClaussencreditedBushforinvitingtherightcollectionof15orsomajorgreenhouse-gasemittingnationstoWashington.
ButshecomplainedthatBush'splantoforgea"long-termaspirationalgoal"forreducingheat-trappinggreenhousegasemissionswouldmeanlittleifitleavesoutanyprogramtoenforcethosecommitmentsfromtheindividualcountries.
"It'sbasicallyado-your-own-thingapproach,"saidClaussen,aformertopclimateofficialintheStateDepartmentunderPresidentClinton.
"Thereisnonegotiation.
Noreciprocity.
"Theadministrationhasofferedfewdetailsaboutitsmeeting.
AdraftagendaobtainedearlierthisweekbyGreenwirerevealedplansforfourmoremeetingsamongthesmallsubsetofcountriesbeforeBushleavesofficeinJanuary2009,aswellasasummitforworldleadersmarkedas"tentative"(E&ENewsPM,Sept.
17).
AtopBushadministrationofficialwillspeaktomorrowonthesummitduringaneventattheBrookingsInstitution.
Andinaninterviewearlierthisweek,WhiteHouseCouncilonEnvironmentalQualityChairmanJimConnaughtonsaidtheWhiteHouseplannedtobriefreportersbeforethesummit,perhapstomorrow.
AskedabouttheU.
S.
eventearlierthisweek,U.
N.
SecretaryGeneralBanKi-moonsaid,"Wewelcomeindividualmeasuresandinitiativesbymanycountries,butallthesemeasuresandinitiativesshouldfitintothe(U.
N.
)process.
"TheUnitedNationshostsitsanall-dayclimateeventMondayinNewYorkwithabout80headsofstateandgovernmentand154countriesoverall.
Who'llattendYetgovernmentsstillappeartobescramblingtodecidewhowillattendtheU.
S.
summitinWashington.
JapanremainsinfluxbecauseofPrimeMinisterShinzoAbe'sabruptresignationearlierthismonthandhasnotyetnameditsdelegationtotheU.
S.
event,saidanembassyofficialinWashington.
AnAustralianembassyspokeswomancouldnotconfirmrumorsthatherforeignminister,AlexanderDowner,wouldattendtheBushsummit.
AndaEuropeanUnionembassyofficialalsowasnotsureifStavrosDimas,histopenvironmentalofficial,wouldcometoWashington.
TheEuropeanUniondidissueapositionpapertodayrepeatingitscallforafinalagreementtosucceedtheKyotoProtocolbytheendof2009.
TheEuropeanUnioncalledforaclimateplanrequiringalldevelopedcountriestoreducetheiremissionscollectivelyaround30percentby2020comparedwith1990levels.
Long-term,theEuropeanUnionsuggestedcutsof60percentto80percentbymidcentury.
GlobalwarmingtalksundertheUnitedNationsaresetforDec.
3-14inBali,Indonesia.
There,theEuropeanUnionsaidithopeddiplomatswouldsignupforaprocessthatallowsthemtoreachagreementinCopenhagen,Denmark,withintwoyears.
TheBushadministrationhasnotsaidhowitwillapproachtheBalimeetings.
ElliotDiringer,directorofPew'sinternationalstrategiesdivision,predictedtheWhiteHousewouldbeanactiveparticipant--thoughperhapsnotinthewayhisgroupwouldliketosee.
"Theywillwanttobethereifonlytohelpensurethatformalnegotiationsaren'tlaunched,"hesaid.
ThePewCentersaidyesterdayitwantsthepost-Kyotoagreementtoforcebindingcommitmentsamongdevelopednationsandincludeflexibleprogramsthatalloweachcountrytotakeondifferentresponsibilities.
IPS:TheChemicalThatMustNotBeNamedByStephenLeahyMONTREAL,Canada,Sep20(IPS)-Delegatesfrom191nationsareonthevergeofanagreementundertheMontrealProtocolforfastereliminationofozone-depletingchemicals,buttheUnitedStatesinsistsitmustcontinuetousethebannedpesticidemethylbromide.
EvenasanotherenormousozoneholeformsovertheAntarcticthisweek,therestoftheworldappearstobegivingintoU.
S.
demandsdespitethefactthattheuseofmethylbromideindevelopedcountrieswassupposedtohavebeencompletelyphasedoutbyJan.
1,2005undertheMontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDepletetheOzoneLayer.
"It'sablackmarkonthismeeting.
Itisthechemicalthatmustnotbenamed,"saidDavidDoniger,climatepolicydirectorattheNaturalResourcesDefenceCouncil,aU.
S.
environmentalgroup.
"ThereisapowerfullobbygroupofstrawberryandvegetablegrowersinWashington,"DonigertoldIPS.
Methylbromideisahighlytoxicfumigantpesticidewhichisinjectedintosoiltosteriliseitbeforeplantingcrops.
Itisalsousedasapost-harvestdecontaminantofproductsandstorageareas.
Althoughitishighlyeffectiveineradicatingpestssuchasnematodes,weeds,insectsandrodents,itdepletestheozonelayerandposesadangertohumanhealth.
Whilealternativesexistformorethan93percentoftheapplicationsofmethylbromide,somecountriessuchastheU.
S.
,JapanandIsraelclaimedthatbecauseofregulatoryrestrictions,availability,costandlocalconditions,theyhadlittlechoicebuttocontinueitsuseasapestcontrol.
Andsodespitetheban,theMontrealProtocolallows"criticaluseexemptions"forcountriestocontinuetousebannedsubstancesforashortperiodoftimeuntiltheycanfindasubstitute.
In2006,theUnitedStatesreceivedanexemptiontouse8,000tonnesofmethylbromide,comparedto5,000tonnesfortherestofthedevelopedworldcombined.
Atthe19thMeetingofthePartieshereinMontreal,thecommitteereportingonmethylbromideusereported"excellentprogress"inthecontinuingphase-outofthechemicalandthatnotmanyapplicationsforcriticaluseexemptionshadbeenreceived.
ThenotableexceptioncontinuestobetheU.
S.
,whichhasappliedfor6,500tonnesfor2008and5,000tonnesfor2009,evenastherestofthedevelopedworldhasdroppedsignificantlytojust1,900and1,400tonnes,respectively.
ThedelegatefromSwitzerlandexpressedconcernthatsomecountrieswereaskingforlargeamountsandthat40percentofthestockswerenotbeingusedforcriticaluses.
TheUnitedStatesmaintainsalargeinventoryofmethylbromideinexcessof8,000tonnes,buttheU.
S.
representativesaidthesewouldbeusedupby2009.
Emissionsofmethylbromidehaveanimmediateimpactontheozonelayer,notedJanosMateofGreenpeaceInternational.
"Scientiststhinkithasthreeto10timestheimpactofotherchemicals,"MatetoldIPS.
Theozonelayerwillbeatits"mostdelicate"overnextfewdecadesbeforeitbeginstosignificantlyrecover.
Climatechangeisslowingthisrecovery,andtheimpactsarenotfullyunderstood,hesaid.
Theozonelayeristhepartoftheatmosphere25kilometresupthatactsasashieldprotectinglifeonEarthfromdamagingultravioletrays,whichcancausesunburns,skincancerandcataracts.
Therayscanalsoharmmarinelife.
Inthepasttwoyears,ozoneholeslargerthanEuropehaveopenedovertheAntarcticandSouthernOcean.
TheWorldMetrologicalOrganisationreportedthisweekthattheholeisbackandbiggerthanever.
Anditcouldgrowlargerasspringreturnstothesouthernhemisphere.
Climatechangeappearstoplayingaroleintheformationoftheseholes.
Paradoxically,astheEarthwarmsatthesurface,inthepolarregionstheupperatmosphereisgettingcolder,creatingjusttherightconditionsforchemicalslikechlorineandbrominetodestroyozone.
Lastyear,researchersattheUniversityofColoradoatBoulderdiscoveredthatwindscirclinghighabovethefarnorthernhemispherehaveamuchgreaterimpactonupperstratosphericozonelevelsthanpreviouslythought.
Thosewindsappeartobeincreasingwithclimatechange,translatingintolessozoneintheupperstratosphere.
Meantime,theU.
S.
growerslobbygroupisupsetthattheU.
S.
delegationisn'tpushingforhighervolumesofmethylbromide,claimingthattheycouldgetfarhigheramountsundertheProtocol'srulesbecauseeconomicallyviablealternativesarenotyetavailable.
"It'stimetoinjectsomecommonsenseintothisprocess,"saidCharlesHalloftheGeorgiaFruitandVegetableGrowersAssociationinastatement.
U.
S.
growershaveneverunderstoodthatmethylbromideisdestroyingtheozonelayer,saidDoniger.
Italy,GreeceandSpainhavenearlyeliminatedtheiruseinagriculture,headded.
"We'reallsufferingwithathinnerozonelayerjusttobenefitafewU.
S.
companies,"saidMate.
AFP:CanadianoppositionblastsUS-linkedforeignpolicyThuSep20,7:51PMETMONTREAL(AFP)-CanadianoppositionleaderStephenDiononThursdayblastedhisgovernment'sforeignpolicyconcerningthewarinAfghanistanandglobalwarmingas"incompetent"andtoosimilartoUSpolicy.
"Icouldprovidemanyexamplestoillustratehowworriedanddisapprovingweshouldbeaboutthe(PrimeMinisterStephen)Harpergovernment'sforeignpolicy,"DionsaidduringaspeechinMontreal.
"Howrigid,simplisticandincompetentthepolicyis,howitharmsourinternationalreputationandlimitsourchancesofplayingapositiveroleandprotectingourlegitimateinterestsintheworld,"hesaid.
"HowcantheHarpergovernment'sforeignpolicyhavereachedsuchdepthsofmediocrityIncompetencecannotbetheonlyreason.
AcloserlookcouldwellrevealanideologicalkinshipbetweentheHarpergovernmentandthe(USPresidentGeorgeW.
)Bushadministration.
"TheheadofCanada'sLiberalpartysaidthe"mostappallingexampleamongaseriesofforeignpolicyblundersbytheHarpergovernmentiswithoutdoubtthewayithasconductedthemissioninAfghanistan.
"Canadahasdeployed2,500soldierstoAfghanistanaspartoftheUS-ledwartofighttheTaliban.
SeventyCanadiansoldiershavebeenkilledtheresince2002.
"Mr.
HarperhasgivenCanadaaforeignpolicythatdrawsitsinspirationfromtheAmericanright,aforeignpolicythatdoeslittletoadvanceCanada'sinterests.
"DionalsolashedoutatHarper'sminorityConservatives,whohavebeeninpowersinceJanuary2006,fortheirstanceonclimatechangeandtheirrefusaltocomplywiththeKyotoprotocolcallingforreducedgreenhousegasemissions.
"JustlikePresidentBush,Mr.
Harperhaslongdeniedtheveryexistenceofclimatechangeresultingfromhumanactivity,"saidDion,whoisalsoaformerEnvironmentminister.
"Globalwarmingisaworldwideissue,oneofthemostcriticalforthefutureofmankind,"hesaid.
"Thisproblemcannotberesolvedwithoutcloseandprolongedinternationalcooperation.
TheGuardian(UK):Africandelugebringsmiseryto1.
5mpeopleJohnVidalinSoroti,UgandaThursdaySeptember20,2007Thesmallplanebankssteeplytotheeastandtheextentofthefloodsinthelow-lyingTesoregionofUgandabecomeclear:mileuponmileoflow-lyingpasturelandsubmerged,tensofthousandsofacresofstaplecropslikecassava,milletandgroundnutswaterlogged.
Thereareimpassableroads,overflowingrivers,strandedcattleanddevastatedbridges.
Villagesarecutoffandmudhousesandroadshavebeensweptaway.
ButthisisafractionofthedevastationcausedbysomeoftheheaviestrainsinmemorytohavehitagreatswathofAfricafromtheSaheltothehorn.
AccordingtotheUNyesterday,18ofthepoorestandnormallydriestcountriesinAfrica,fromSenegal,Mauritania,MaliandBurkinaFasointhewest,toKenya,SudanandEthiopiaintheeast,havebeenseriouslyhitbymonthsoftorrentialrainswhich,meterologistsforecast,willcontinueinplacesformanymoreweeks.
"Webelieveatleast650,000homeshavebeendestroyed,1.
5millionpeopleaffectedandnearly200peoplesofardrowned,"saidElisabethBrys,attheUNOfficefortheCoordinationofHumanitarianAffairs(Ocha)inGeneva.
"Thisisharvesttimeformanycountriesandtherearealreadyfoodshortages.
"Therains,linkedtooceantemperaturechangesofElNio,havecaughtgovernmentsoffguard.
Manyoftheworstaffectedregionsareremotefromcapitalsandassessmentsarestillbeingmade.
BurkinaFaso,TogoandGhanahavedeclaredanofficialdisasterandappealedforemergencyinternationalaid.
Morenationsareexpectedtofollow.
YesterdaylocalgovernmentofficialsinUgandaappealedforhelpandaccusedtheirgovernmentofneglect.
"Wetoldthegovernmentabouttheemergencytwomonthsagobutwehavereceivednohelpsofar.
Theyhavedownplayedtheproblem,"saidStephenOjola,governorofSorotidistrict,wheremanyareasarecutoffandwherethousandsofsubsistencefarmershavelosttheircrops.
MrOjolasaid:"Theprolongedrainsstartedmonthsago.
Nowthesituationisgettingworse.
There'snofoodhere,peoplearehungry.
Thisisharvesttimeforpeanuts,milletandcassava,butithasallrottedintheground.
Someareasareunreachable.
Wecannotgetfoodin.
"Ugandanhealthgroupssaythefloodshaveledtonearlydoubletheusualnumberofmalariaanddiarrhoeacases.
Springs,wellsandboreholeshavebeencontaminatedaslatrineshaveoverflowed.
"Higherincidencesofmalaria,diarrhoea,coughs,andeyeinfectionsarebeingreported,"saidalocalgovernmentreportonSorotithisweek.
"Thestagnantwaterisabreedinggroundformosquitoes.
"TheUgandangovernmentdenieditwasslowinresponding,sayingitwasappealingtointernationalorganisations.
"Thesituationhasbeenworseningbythehour.
Weneedboatsandhelicopterstodeliveremergencyaid,"saidMusaEcweru,ministerfordisasterpreparedness,aftervisitingSorotilastweekend.
Hesaidaidgroupswerenowdistributingfood,drugs,shelterandhouseholdkits.
MeteorologiststhisweeksaidthefloodswerelikelytoworseninUgandaoverthenexttwotothreemonths.
TheworstaffectedcountrymaybeSudan,where130peoplehavediedsincetherainsstartedinearlyJuly,andmorethan200,000peoplehavebeenmadehomeless.
JustinBagirishya,headofthesouthernSudanofficeoftheUNWorldFoodProgramme(WFP),toldReutersthisweekthat16,000peoplewerecutoffwithnoaccesstohumanitarianaid.
"Therearenousableroadsorairstrips,"hesaid.
InGhanathefloodshavecausedthedeathsofatleast32peopleandmade260,000homeless,itsgovernmentsaid.
SomesourcessaythesituationwasworsenedinGhanabyBurkinaFasoopeningadamtocutdangerouswaterlevels.
Thefloodshavehitthemostvulnerablepeoplethehardest,theUNsays.
AccordingtoUnicefmostoftheaffectedpeoplewerealreadylivingonaknifeedgewithfoodshortagesbeforethefloodsarrived.
Ahighpercentageinsomecountriesarelivinginrefugeecamps.
AspokesmanforChristianAid,whichyesterdayappealedforhelp,said:"Insomecasesthecampshavealsoflooded.
"YesterdaytheWFPsaiditwasprovidingemergencyfoodforsevencountriesandappealedinternationallyformoremoney.
InUganda$65m[32m]isneededtofeed300,000floodvictimsaswellasrefugeesanddisplacedpeopleforthenextsixmonths,saidaspokesman.
AninitialassessmentofTogobytheInternationalRedCrossyesterdayunderlinedthedifficultyindeliveringaidthere.
TheUN'sWorldMeteorologicalOrganisationwarnedinJulythatadisruptiveLaNiapattern-unusuallycoldseatemperatures-wasoccurringinthePacific.
"ThecombinationoftropicalwindpatternsoverthePacificandcoolerthannormalseatemperatures[offSouthAmerica]generallyhasanimpactonaplanetaryscale,"saidRupaKumarKolli,aWMOscientist.
AP:ChineseseabirdonvergeofextinctionByALEXAOLESEN,Sept21BEIJING-TheChinesecrestedtern,arareseabirdwhoseeggsareprizedbysomeasadelicacy,islikelytobeextinctinfiveyearsifauthoritiesdonotstepupprotectionefforts,aconservationgroupsaidFriday.
ThebirdlookssettobethelatestecologicalvictimofChina'srapid30-yeareconomicexpansionandindustrialization,whichhasraisedthestandardoflivingforhundredsofmillionsofChinesebutravagedtheenvironment.
Latelastyear,scientistsdeclaredthatarareChineseriverdolphinwaseffectivelyextinctafterconductingafruitlesssix-weeksearchforthecreatureinitsYangtzeRiverhabitat.
AsurveybyateamofChineseexpertsconductedoverrecentsuccessivebreedingseasonsfoundthatthenumberofcrestedternshadfallento50birds,abouthalfthepopulationfoundthreeyearsago,saidastatementfromBirdLifeInternational,aconservationgroupbasedinCambridge,England.
"Withouturgentactionconservationistshavegiventhebirdlessthanfiveyearsbeforedisappearingcompletelyfromitstworemainingbreedingareas,"thestatementsaid.
ItquotedheadoftheChinesesurveyteamChenShuihuaassayingthebirdwas"onthevergeofextinction.
"Thebiggestthreattothebirdswasthecollectionofeggsbylocalfishermaninthebird'sbreedingareas,theJiushanislandsandMatsuislandoffChina'seastcoast,thestatementquotedChen,aresearcherfromtheZhejiangMuseumofNaturalHistory,assaying.
Theterneggs,whichlocalsbelievearemorenutritiousthanpoultryeggs,werefoundatsidewalksnackboothsintheChinesecoastalprovincesofZhejiangandFujianforabout$5eachandalsoinmarketsinMatsu,whichiscontrolledbyTaiwan,thestatementsaid.
Authoritiesneedtostopthecollectionandsaleoftheeggs,stepupmonitoringofthebirdsanddomoretoprotecttheirbreedinghabitats,itsaid.
Thebaiji,orwhiteflagdolphin,survivedformillionsofyearsbutwasdeclaredextinctinDecember.
Around400baijiwerebelievedtobelivingintheYangtzeintheearly1980s,buttheirsurvivalwasmadeimpossiblebydramaticincreasesinshiptraffic,overfishingandthedegradationoftheirhabitat.
LeMonde(France):LaFrances'orienteversungeldesculturesd'OGM20.
09.
07|09h30Legouvernementfranaiss'apprêteàmettreunsérieuxcoupdefreinàladisséminationdesOGM(organismesgénétiquementmodifiés).
Danslecadredu"Grenelledel'environnement",ilprépareungeldelacommercialisationdessemencesOGM,toutenautorisantlapoursuitedesrecherchesenlaboratoire.
Jean-LouisBorloo,ministredel'écologie,dudéveloppementetdel'aménagementdurable,l'aconfiéàungroupedeparlementairesdelamajorité,qu'ilavaitinvitélundi17septembre.
Leministrel'aconfirméauMonde:"SurlesOGM,toutlemondeestd'accord:onnepeutpascontrlerladissémination.
Donconnevapasprendrelerisque.
"CettedécisionestundesélémentsquidoitpermettreàM.
Borlood'obteniruncompromisgénérallorsdelagrandetablerondeduGrenelle,quisetiendrafinoctobre.
Sicettepositionn'estpasencoreofficielle,elleenregistrelesavancéesréaliséesdanslecadredugroupeOGMduGrenelledel'environnement.
Cegroupe,quidoitseréunirunenouvellefoisvendredi21septembre,estprésidéparJean-FranoisLeGrand(sénateurUMPdelaManche).
Iladéjàactéleprinciped'unenouvelleloisurlesOGM,quidurciralespossibilitésdeculturesetencadrerabeaucoupplusrigoureusementqu'aujourd'huileurrégimed'autorisation.
"J'aieuplusieursconversationsavecJean-LouisBorloo,ditJean-FranoisLeGrand.
Ilm'aditclairementqu'iln'yauraitpasdemoratoire,maisquetouteslesautorisationssontactuellementgeléesetquel'onprolongeraitcettesituationjusqu'auvotedelaloi.
"NathalieKosciusko-Morizet,secrétaired'Etatàl'écologie,préciseauMonde:"Laquestiondumoratoireestactivementdiscutéeetenvisagée,maislemotrecouvredifférentesréalitésjuridiques:surlescultures,surlesessaisenpleinchamp,surteloutelOGM,parnon-renouvellementdesautorisations,etc.
Rienn'estencoredéfinitif.
"InterrogéparLeMonde,MichelBarnier,ministredel'agriculture,défendlarecherchesurlesOGM"quandelleconduitdemanièremodeste,limitée,contrlée,àdesculturesàvocationderechercheenpleinchamp".
Mais"ilyaunedeuxièmequestionquinedoitpasêtretaboue,celledesculturescommercialesd'OGM–22000hectaresdemasen2007enFrance.
C'estunequestionouverte,quimériteuneévaluationaprèsdixannéesd'autorisation,enseposantlaquestiondubénéficeglobalpournotresociété".
Legelseconcrétiseraparlerefusdenouvellesautorisationsd'icilevotedelaloi.
LasituationestfacilitéeparlefaitqueleseulOGMcultivéenFranceestunmasappeléMON810.
Orsonautorisationexpireen2007etdoitêtrerenouveléeauniveaueuropéen.
D'autresplantessontdanslesprocéduresd'autorisation.
LaFrancepourraitrefuserdedonnersonaccord,cequiempêcheraitlaculturedemastransgéniqueàgrandeéchellelorsdelaprochainesaisonagricole.
CRATIOND'UNEHAUTEAUTORITLaloirenforceralecontrlesurlesculturesOGM.
ElleinstituerauneHauteAutoritésurlesbiotechnologiescomprenantnotammentdesscientifiquesd'horizonsdiversetdesassociations.
"Aujourd'hui,ditM.
LeGrand,l'évaluationscientifiquedesOGMestmonocolore,ellen'estfaitequepardesingénieursdesbiotechnologies.
Ilestacquisqu'onl'élargiraàuneapprochepluridisciplinaire.
"LaHauteAutoritédonneraitsesavisaugouvernementsurlesnouveauxOGM,enintégrantuneanalysetoxicologiquepluspoussée,maisaussil'étudedel'intérêtsocialetéconomiqueduproduittransgénique.
LaloiprévoiraitaussiunrégimederesponsabilitéencasdecontaminationetunregistrepublicdesexploitationscultivantdesOGM.
Lacoexistenceseraabordéeselonleprincipeque"lechoixdesunsnedoitpaspercuterceuxdesautres,ditM.
LeGrand.
IlnedoitpasyavoirdepollinisationpardesOGMdechampsd'agriculturebiologique".
LegouvernementaenvoyéunautresignalfavorableauxopposantsauxOGM.
JoséBovéetquatreautresprévenusétaientconvoquésle19septembreàCarcassonnepouravoirmenéuneactionchezMonsanto,dansl'Aude,en2006.
LeprocureurdelaRépublique,Jean-PaulDupont,arecommandélereportduprocès.
LetribunalcorrectionneldeCarcassonneafaitplusquelesuivre,puisqu'àlarequêtedeladéfense,iladécidélereport"sinedie",signifiantqu'ilsedessaisitducas.
Dansd'autresprocèsprévusàToulouseetàChartres,lesprocureursontaussidemandélereport.
CetteattitudemontrequelegouvernementveutapaiserledébatsurlesOGM.
ChristopheJakubyszynetHervéKempfLeFigaro:ControversesurleseffetsdespesticidesenMartiniqueJEAN-MICHELBADER.
Publiéle20septembre2007LapolémiquesurlespesticidesenMartiniques'amplifie:savants,ministres,directeursd'agencessanitairesetproducteursmontentaucréneau.
OUI,lespesticidesorganochlorés,notammentlechlordécone,ontfaitl'objetd'uneutilisationintenseauxAntillespourlaculturedelabanane,reconnaissaithierdansuncommuniquél'Institutnationaldeveillesanitaire(INVS).
Ils'agissaitalorsdeluttercontreCosmopolitessordidum,lecharanondelabanane.
PartanthierpourlaMartinique,ChristianEstrosi,secrétaired'tatàl'Outre-mer,martèle:Direquelesolestcontaminéestunnon-événement,toutlemondelesavait.
Aucungouvernementnepeutêtreaccuséd'inertiedepuis1993.
Dèsledébutdesannées1980,l'InstitutnationaldelarechercheagronomiqueaenquêtésurlacontaminationdelafaunesauvagedeGuadeloupeparcetypedeproduit.
Dèslesannées1990,leplannationaldesurveillancedelapollutiondeseauxdeboissons'estétenduauxAntilles.
Enseptembre1993,lechlordéconeaétédéfinitivementinterditauxAntilles,enretardsurlamétropole.
En1999,ilaétédécidéparlesservicesdécentralisésdel'tatdesurveillerlespolluantshistoriques:C'estàcetteoccasionquel'onaredécouvert*lesvieuxpesticidescommelechlordécone,préciseLucMultigner(unité625,Inserm).
Descampagnesdedosagetoxicologiqueontétéfaitessurlessols,l'eau,lesaliments.
Lescaptagesd'eauxcontaminéesontétéfermésdepuis2001.
En2004,puisen2005,desétudesépidémiologiquesontétélancéespardeschercheursfranaisetétrangerssurlafertilitémasculine,lespathologiesdelareproductionetdudéveloppementdesorganesdelasphèreuro-génitale;uneautreesttoujoursencourssurlesfacteursderisqueenvironnementauxdesurvenueducancerdelaprostate.
Lesrésultatss'étalerontde2008à2009.
Mais,contrairementauxaffirmationsdurapportdel'Artac,signéesparlePrDominiqueBelpomme,quiadéclenchélapolémiqueactuelle,àcejour,aucunlienn'aétédémontréentrel'expositionauxpesticidesauxAntillesetdeseffetssurlasanté,estimel'INVS.
M.
Belpommea,dèslami-juillet,faitlargementcirculerlesconclusionsdesonrapportd'expertiseetd'auditexterneetannoncésavolontédelerendrepublicenseptembrepourlaJournéenationaledelaprostate.
Uneréunioninterministérielles'estd'ailleurstenueàParisle30aot2007,organiséeparledirecteurgénéraldelasanté,DidierHoussin.
AffirmationsmensongèresUncourrierd'unchercheurdel'InsermetdemédecinsduCHUdePointe-à-Pitre,misencauseparM.
Belpomme,avait,le16aot2007,étéenvoyéàM.
Houssin.
Ilsyprécisaientque,contrairementàcequ'affirmelePrBelpomme,c'étaitentouteindépendancedeleurorganismederattachementetdesservicesdel'tatqu'ilsavaienttravaillé.
IlsdénoncentaussidanslerapportBelpommedesapproximations,desinexactitudes,desincohérencesetsurtoutdesaffirmationsmensongèressurlesintentionsdesinvestigateurs.
PourDidierHoussin,commepourGillesBrucker(INVS),ledocumentdel'Artacn'estpasuntravailscientifiqueetleproblèmeaétéidentifiédepuisdenombreusesannées.
Unexempleentreautres:àproposdelaresponsabilitééventuelledupesticidedansledéclenchementducancerdelaprostate,lesauteursdurapportArtacnégligentdementionnerlerlemajeuretindiscutabledel'influencedescaractéristiquesethno-géographiquesdespopulationsantillaises.
TraductiondeGillesBrucker:L'incidenceauxAntillesestledoubledecelleenmétropole.
Maisc'estlamêmedifférenceentrelesBlancsetlesNoirsaméricains.
L'incidenceauxtats-Unisestde161pour100000habitantschezlesBlancs,etde255pour100000chezlesNoirs.
Etlamortalitéannuelleestde25pour100000chezlesBlancscontre62pour100000chezlesNoirs.
Cequineveutpasdirequelespesticidesn'aientpasd'incidence,mais,àl'heureactuelle,onn'apaslapreuved'uneffetadditif!
.
Reuters:Arcticiceebbstorecordlevel:scientistsByDeborahZabarenko,EnvironmentCorrespondentThuSep20,6:41PMETWASHINGTON(Reuters)-Arcticseaicemeltedtoitslowestleveleverthisweek,shatteringarecordsetin2005andcontinuingatrendspurredbyhuman-causedglobalwarming,scientistssaidonThursday.
"It'sthebiggestdropfromapreviousrecordthatwe'veeverhadandit'sreallyquiteastounding,"saidWaltMeier,aresearchscientistattheU.
S.
NationalSnowandIceDataCenterinColorado.
Seaicefreezesandmeltsseasonally,butneverhasitebbedtothissmallapatch,thedatacentersaidinastatement.
Comparedto2005,thepreviousrecord-lowyearforArcticseaice,thisyearsawadecreaseofmorethan386,100squaremiles.
ThatisaboutthesizeofTexasandCaliforniacombined,ornearlyfivetimesthesizeoftheUnitedKingdom,thecentersaid.
Itismorethandoublethedropbetween2005and2002,thepreviousrecord-holdingyear.
"That'sadramaticchangeinoneyear,"Meiersaidofthisyear'sseaicedecrease.
"Certainlywe'vebeenonadownwardtrendforthelast30yearsorso,butthisisreallyacceleratingthetrend.
"TheminimumamountoficeoccurredonSundayandfreezinghasalreadybeguninsomeplaces,accordingtosatelliteimageryusedbythecenter.
EARTH'SAIRCONDITIONERMeltingseaice,unlikethemeltingglaciersofGreenlandandAntarctica,doesnotcontributetoglobalsealevelrise,muchasanicecubeinaglassofwaterdoesnotmakethelevelofliquidrisewhenitmelts.
However,withoutthebrightwhiteofseaicetoreflectthesun'srays,theEarthloseswhatsomeclimatescientistscallitsairconditioner.
Thelessicethereis,themoredarkwaterthereistoabsorbthewarmingsolarradiation.
Thisyear'srecordwascausedbya"perfectstorm"ofinteractingfactors,Meiersaidbytelephone.
Theseincludedalong-runninghighpressuresystemthatkeptskiescloudlessovertheArctic,alongwithacirculationpatternthatpushediceoutoftheArctictowardsGreenland,insteadoflettingitcirclearoundtheBeaufortSeanorthofAlaskaasitusuallydoes.
Also,therewasthinnericetobeginwith,Meiersaid.
Whilethisparticularyear'siceminimumcannotbedirectlyattributedtoanthropogenic--human-caused--globalclimatechange,thetrendthatbroughtitaboutcan,hesaid.
"Thisyear,thereasonwhy(theice)wassolowwasnotbecausethere'smoreanthropogenicallygeneratedcarbondioxidedumpedinthelastyear,it'sbecauseofthishighpressure.
.
.
butyoucan'treallyexplaintheoveralltrendwithoutinvokinganthropogenicallyglobalwarming,"Meiersaid.
HealsonotedthatthedecreaseinArcticseaicewasforecastinmodelsusedbytheU.
N.
IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange,whichthisyearsaidwith90percentprobabilitythatglobalwarmingexistsandthathumanactivitiescontributetoit.
However,theseaiceisdiminishingmuchfasterthananyofthemodelspredicted,Meiersaid.
Moreinformationandimagesareavailableathttp://nsidc.
org/news/press/2007_seaiceminimum/20070810_index.
html.
SeattleTimes(US):AgingfleetslowsU.
S.
inArctic"chessgame"BySandiDoughtonSeattleTimessciencereporterWhenCoastGuardAdm.
ThadW.
AllenimaginesameltingArctic,it'snotaprettysight:Cruiseshipscollidewithicebergs.
Oiltankersandoreshipsrunaground.
ForeignfishermensneakintoAmericanwaters.
Evenworse,thenation'stopCoastGuardofficerfearshemaynothavethetoolstorespondtothesefuturecrises.
AtatimewhenRussia,Canada,NorwayandotherArcticnationsarescramblingtostakeoutturfinthestill-frozennorth,theUnitedStates'twomostpowerfulicebreakerssitatadockinSeattle,nearingtheendoftheirworkinglives.
Oneismannedbyaskeletoncrew.
Bothareabout30yearsold,andnothingisonthedrawingboardtoreplacethem.
"Wehavetheresponsibilityformaritimesafety,stewardshipandsecurity,"Allensaid.
"Buthowdoyourespondupthereifyouhavenopresence"AllenandothersareurgingtheU.
S.
governmenttopreparenowforthechangesglobalwarmingwillbringtotheArctic.
ThenationneedstofigureouthowtoprotectAmericaninterests,handledisastersandenforcelawsinaregionthatwillstillbeice-chokedmuchoftheyear,hesaid.
"Icebreakerswillhaveanimportantroletoplay,"Allensaid.
ANationalResearchCouncilpanelconcludedlastyearthatplanningandconstructionshouldstartimmediatelyontwonewicebreakers.
"U.
S.
icebreakingcapabilityisnowatriskofbeingunabletosupportnationalinterests,"thepanelwarned.
Eachofthenewshipscouldcost$750millionormore,expertsestimate.
TheArcticicecapshranktoarecordlowthissummer,openinguptheNorthwestPassagealongCanada'sfringeforthefirsttime.
Scientistssaytheiceismeltingmuchfasterthanglobal-warmingmodelspredict,withthepossibilitythattheArcticOceanwillbecompletelyice-freeinsummerby2050.
Buttheregionwillremainfrozeninwinter.
AndtheArctic'snotoriouslyvariableweatheralsomeansthatentrepreneurs,tourists,fishermenandexplorersluredintotheareabyitsbeautyandthepromiseofprofitarelikelytoencounterbadweatherandiceyear-round.
Morepeopletravelinginicywaterstranslatesintomoreaccidents,moreoilspills,moresecurityproblems—andmoreneedforpowerfulicebreakers,saysScottBorgerson,afellowattheCouncilonForeignRelationsandaformerCoastGuardofficer.
"Climatechangeisgivingbirthtoanewregionandallowingforallkindsofaccess,"hesaid.
"Aglobalchessgame"TheU.
S.
GeologicalSurveyestimatesaquarteroftheworld'suntappedoilandgasresourcesmayliebeneaththeArcticOcean.
Oilandmineralcompaniesarealreadybuildingice-strengthenedtankers.
AfteraRussianminisubmarineplantedaflagontheoceanfloorbeneaththeNorthPolethisyear,theCanadiangovernmentannouncedplansformilitarybasesanda$3billionfleetofice-reinforcedshipstopatroltheNorthwestPassage,whichthecountryclaimsassovereignterritory.
PresidentBushcounteredbyinsistingthepassageisaninternationalwaterway.
Norwayasserteditsterritorialrights,whileDenmark,whichcontrolsGreenland,appealedforcalm.
"We'reseeingaglobalchessgameplayoutintheArcticasnationspositionandstakeclaimsfortheregion'svast,untappedresources,"saidCoastGuardCmdr.
BrendanMcPherson,Allen'spresssecretary.
Ificebreakersareamongthechesspieces,theUnitedStatesisoutnumbered.
Thenationhasthreemultipurposeicebreakers,allbasedinSeattle.
TheagingPolarSeaandPolarStar,bothabletoramthrough21feetofice,haveprimarilybeenusedtobreakopenaroutetoU.
S.
researchstationsinAntarctica.
ThenewestmemberofthefleetistheHealy,aneight-year-oldshipcapableofcontinuouslybreakingthrough4-foot-thickiceanddesignedmainlyforArcticscience.
AfourthicebreakerisleasedbytheNationalScienceFoundationexclusivelyforresearchinAntarctica.
WithamuchmoreextensiveArcticcoastline,Russiahas18icebreakers,sevenofthemnuclear-powered.
Finlandhasafleetofseven.
Canadahassix.
Butit'snotreallyanumbersgame,saysLawsonBrigham,deputydirectoroftheU.
S.
ArcticResearchCommissionandformercaptainofthePolarSea.
TheUnitedStatesneedstobeabletopatrolAlaska's2,500milesofArcticcoastline,conductresearchinboththeArcticandAntarcticandrespondtoemergencies.
TheNationalResearchCouncilpanelconcludedthatafleetofthreemodernicebreakerscandothejob.
Arcticresearchincludesunderwatermapping,whichiskeytoterritorialclaimsunderthe1982UnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea.
EveryArcticnationexcepttheUnitedStateshassignedthetreaty,whichgivescountriesrightstounderwaterterrainextendingfromtheircontinentalshelves.
The420-footHealyisheadingbacktoSeattlenowafteratwo-monthmappingvoyageintheChukchiSeaoffAlaska'snorthwestcoast.
TheleadscientistsontheprojectsaytheirworkhasalreadyshownthatAmericanterritoryextendsatleast350milesfromland—wellbeyondthetraditional200-milelimit.
IntheChukchiSea,theU.
S.
maybeabletostakeclaimsevenfartherout.
ButfirsttheUnitedStateshastoratifythetreaty,somethingtheCoastGuardandmanymaritimeexpertshavebeencallingfor.
"WehavetojointhetreatyifwewanttoparticipateincarvinguptheArctic,"Borgersonsaid.
"Atthemoment,wedon'tevenhaveaseatatthetable.
"ShipstakeapoundingU.
S.
icebreakerstracetheiroriginstotherevenuecuttersthatpolicedthenewterritoryofAlaska.
DuringtheColdWar,alargefleetservicedmilitaryoutpostsandearly-warningradarstationsintheArctic,groundzeroforthenuclearfaceoffbetweentheU.
S.
andtheSovietUnion.
The399-foot-longPolarSeaandPolarStarwerebuiltinSeattleinthe1970s.
The60,000-horsepowercuttersusetheircontouredbowstorideupontheice,crushitwiththeirbulk,thenpushthechunksaside,Brighamsaid.
"Thenoise,thevibration—it'sreallysomething.
"Theshipstakeapounding,andmaintenancebudgetshavenotkeptpace,theNationalResearchCouncilfound.
Replacementpartsoftenhavetobebuiltfromscratch.
TheCoastGuardcallstheoldicebreakers"operationallychallenged.
"Borgersonputsitmorebluntly.
"They'regeriatric.
Moribund,"hesaid.
"It'sjustlikeacar.
Youcan'tdriveacarfor300,000miles.
.
.
andexpectit'sgoingtobeingreatcondition.
"TheNationalScienceFoundation,theicebreakers'main"client,"tookcontroloftheirbudgetsafewyearsago.
In2006,thefoundationtemporarilyhiredaRussianicebreakertoopentheroutetoMcMurdoStationinAntarctica.
Theshipbrokeapropeller,andthePolarStarwasdispatchedfromSeattletoassist.
Sincethatmission,thePolarStarhasbeenin"caretakerstatus,"essentiallydockedtosavemoney.
ThePolarSearemainsfullystaffedandoperational.
Evenifworkstartedtomorrowonnewicebreakers,itwouldbe10yearsbeforethey'rereadytolaunch,saidJacquelineGrebmeier,aUniversityofTennesseepolarresearcherwhoservedontheNationalResearchCouncilpanel.
"Ifpeoplethinkit'simportanttohavetheseships,"shesaid,"somedecisionsneedtobemadenow.
"SandiDoughton:206-464-2491orsdoughton@seattletimes.
comLaPresse(Canada):CinquièmejournéeEnville,sansmavoiture!
Lecentre-villedeMontréalserainterditauxvéhiculescejeudidanslecadredelacinquièmeéditiondelajournéeEnville,sansmavoiture!
.
Montréalsejointainsiauclubdes1535villesàtraverslemondeàtenirunejournéesemblable.
L'événementviseàsensibiliserlapopulationàlanécessitédeposerdesgestesconcretspourunemeilleurequalitédevieindividuelleetcollective.
Selonlesorganisateurs,notammentl'Agencemétropolitainedetransport,lestransportssontresponsablesde47pourcentdesémissionsdegazàeffetdeserreetde10pourcentdesmaladiesrespiratoiresdanslarégionmétropolitainedeMontréal.
EtselonlaDirectiondelasantépubliquedeMontréal-Centre,61pourcentdespersonnesgéesde12ansetplussontinactivesphysiquement.
L'usagerégulierdel'automobilecontribueàrenforcercettetendancedèslejeunege.
LesruesferméesàlacirculationsontcomprisesdanslequadrilatèreformédesruesMcGillCollege,René-Lévesque,MaisonneuveetSaint-Urbain.
Unequarantained'entreprisesetd'institutionsmontréalaisesontconfirméleurprésenceàlaMarchedesentreprises,quidéfilerontenpleincoeurdupérimètreferméàlacirculationautomobileàl'occasiondecettejournéespécialedesensibilisation.
Equiterreprofitedecettejournéespécialepourinviterlescitoyensàrepenserleursdéplacementsetàdécouvrirdesmoyensdetransportautresquel'auto.
L'organismeécologiquesuggèrenotammentlecovoiturage,levélo,lamarche,letrain,lemétro,l'autobusoulepatin.
Parailleurs,Equiterrecroitquelesgouvernementssedoiventdepoursuivre,voired'accélérerdefaonsignificativeleursdémarchespourdévelopper,entreteniretbonifierl'offreetlesinfrastructuresdetransportalternatif.
TheIndependent(UK):HaveyougotgreenfatigueYourecycleandbuylocal–buttheearth'sstillwarmingandtheicecap'sstillmelting.
Ifyou'restartingtofeelapathycreepingin,you'renottheonlyone.
HughWilsonreportsPublished:20September2007Recentenvironmentalmessageshavemadesuchanimpactonafriendofminethat,acoupleofweeksago,hebrokeafour-yearprohibitionandwalkedbackintoBurgerKing.
"Intensivebeefproduction,clonetownBritain,justsomuchblah,"hesaid,bywayofexplanation.
"Nobodyelsereallyseemstobedoingmuchaboutit,sowhyshouldIbother"Myfriendistheembodimentofoneofthegreatfearsoftheenvironmentallobby.
Fifteenyearsago,theterm"compassionfatigue"indicatedageneraldisillusionmentwithfund-raisingconcertsandfamineappeals.
Thecausewastoohopeless,governmentstooapathetic,andindividualstooimpotent.
Slowly,andforsimilarreasons,theterm"greenfatigue"hasstartedtocreepintothedinner-partyconversationsofthecompostingclasses.
And,ifanything,withmorereason.
Environmentalcampaignersworrythatindividualsseetheiractionsaslargelyirrelevantwhensetagainsttheenormityofglobalclimatechange.
Whilefamineappealsparadeasimple,strikingmessage–sendatenner,saveachild–nosucheasycauseandeffectexistsforglobalwarming.
Bycontrast,thesolutionstoclimatechangeseemhugelycomplexandcontroversial.
"Theproblemswefaceareofamagnitudenoonehasseeninatleasttwogenerations,"saysAlexSteffen,theexecutiveeditorofWorldChanging,awebsiteandbookthatpromoteinnovativesolutionsforsustainableliving.
"Thescaleoftheactionspeoplearebeingtoldtotakebygreenconsumerismgroupsandbusinesses,ontheotherhand,aresosmallastoseemmeaningless.
Ithinkthatmoreandmorepeopleseethiswideninggulfandlosehope.
"Andifwe'renotalllosinghopejustyet,manyofusarebecomingincreasinglycynical.
Tocampaigners,that'snotsurprising.
AsSteffensuggests,businesseshaveturnedenvironmentalismintoamarketingstrategy.
Anewterm,"green-washing",describescompaniesthatpaintasuperficialgreenglossonconventionalbusinesspractices.
WhenfirmssuchasBPandWal-Martparadetheirenvironmentallyfriendlycredentials,scepticismisnotonlyinevitable,saysSteffen,it's"anecessaryantidote".
Atleastthegreenlobbycancountoncelebritiestospreadthemessage.
Unfortunately,themessagetoooftenseemstobe,"doasIsay,notasIdo".
Celebrityisanintrinsicallyunsustainablecondition.
ThereactiontotheLiveEarthconcerts–whichpromptedasmuchdebateonthecarbonfootprintoftheA-listerswho'dbeenchauffeuredinfortheoccasionasthecampaigntheyweretheretoendorse–showedtheinsidiousspreadofgreenfatigue.
Itcouldhavebeenworse.
IntheStates,SherylCrow's"StopGlobalWarmingCollegeTour"waspannedforstipulatingparkingforthreetractor-trailers,fourbusesandsixcars.
JohnTravoltarecentlyurgedtheBritishpublicto"dotheirbit"tocombatglobalwarmingafterflyinginonhisprivateBoeing707,andgottrouncedinthepressforhisefforts.
Noneofthisislikelytokeepthepubliconsideinthelongrun–andcounteringclimatechangeislikelytobeaverylongrunindeed.
Eventhepronouncementsofmorecommittedcelebritiescanseem,well,alittlemisjudged.
Anewbook,editedbythesocialiteandformermodelSheherazadeGoldsmith,thewifeoftheEcologisteditorZac,advisesconcernedgreenstokeepgeeseandmaketheirowngoat'scheese.
Asmyscepticalfriendsaid:"Thegoosecanstayonthebalcony,butIdoubtyou'dcallitfree-range.
"Ofcourse,manycelebritiesandbusinessesnowoffsettheircarbonemissionsbypayingfortreestobeplantedinsustainableforestsorinvestmentsmadeingreenenergyprojects.
But"magicbullet"solutionstoclimatechangearequicklylosingtheirsheen.
Recentinvestigations–includingawidelytrailedDispatchesprogrammeonChannel4–questiontheeffectivenessofcarbonoffsettingandsuggestthatitmightevenbecounterproductive.
Someenvironmentalistsworrythatcarbonoffsettingpromotestheideathatifyouthrowafewquidattheproblemyoucancarryonasnormal.
AccordingtoMichaelRSolomon,theauthorofConsumerBehaviour:Buying,HavingandBeing:"Consumersarealwaysgoingtogravitatetowardamoreparsimonioussolutionthatrequireslessbehaviouralchange.
Weknowthatnewproductsorideasaremorelikelytobeadoptediftheydon'trequireustoalterourroutinesverymuch.
"Unfortunately,mostenvironmentalistsagreethatalteringourroutinesquitefundamentallyistheonlyrealwaytosavetheplanet.
Meanwhile,another"magicbullet"solution–andonethatwouldalsoallowmanyofustocarryonprettymuchasnormal–iscominginforunexpectedcriticism:arecentstudyhassuggestedthatanywidespreaduptakeofbiofuelsinEuropecoulddecimateAsianrainforests.
Whatallthisaddsupto,expertsfear,isarecipefordisillusionmentand–eventually–disengagement.
Psychologically,we'reprimedtowalkawayfromproblemsthataretoocomplextounderstandandtoodifficulttosolve,andwe'llbreakintoarunifwethinkcynicalmarketersandself-publicisingcelebritiesarejumpingonagreenbandwagon.
Andgreencampaignerswhothinkadelugeofapocalypticinformationwillcutthroughourcynicismareprobablymistaken.
"Inaninformation-filledworld,peoplescreenheavilywhatnewinformationtheyletin,andIsuspectthattherun-of-the-millglobal-warmingstoryisjustnotcrossingthethreshold,"saystheclimatescientistDrSusanneMoser,theco-authorofCreatingaClimateforChange:CommunicatingClimateChangeandFacilitatingSocialChange.
Byrun-of-the-mill,shemeansthoseall-too-familiarstoriesaboutmeltingiceshelvesorendangeredspecies.
"Thinkingaboutaglobal,complex,challenging,andpotentiallyverydangerousanddisastrousthingandnotknowingwhattodoaboutitmakesusgonumborintodenial.
"Theantidotetonumbnessanddenialisasenseofprogress,ofthingsgettingbetter.
Butinthefightagainstclimatechange,progressishardtocomeby.
Moserusestheanalogyofadiet.
HowlongwouldyoustayonadietthatdemandedstringenteffortoveraprolongedperiodandpromisedonlythatthatyourweightgainmightslowdownabitLet'sfaceit,itwouldn'tmakethecoverofGrazia.
Shealsoadmitsthat"wehaveterriblyfailedouraudience"byfocusingonapocalypticscenariosandcomplexscience.
Instead,onekeyfactorinkeepingpeopleenthusedinthefightagainstclimatechangewillbelocal,collectiveaction,shesays.
"WhydopeoplegotoAlcoholicsAnonymous,ortoWeightWatchersBecauseinagroupoflike-mindedpeopletheyhavethesupport,accountability,peerpressureandthesharedexperienceofotherstohelpmakethechange.
Theyalsohaveopportunitiestocometogether,checkonprogress,andgetsupportaroundsetbacks.
That'swhatweneedforclimatechange–torecoverfromourfueladdiction.
"Progressonasmallandlocalscale–suchassavingabelovedlocalshop,votinginacouncillorwhowillpushgreenissues,orincreasinglocalrecyclingrates–andevenadesiretokeepupwiththeJoneses("ifeverybody'sditchingthegas-guzzler,I'lldoit,too")arefarmoreeffectivemotivatorsthanmedia-inspiredguiltandvaguefearsofanuncertainfuture,sheadds.
AlexSteffenalsobelievesintheneedforalocal,communityfocus.
Buthesaysthatweneedtobehonestaboutthescaleofthechangesthathavetobemade,andtocountergreenfatiguebyimbuingthefightagainstclimatechangewithanalmostheroicspirit.
"Idon'tthinkweneedtosugar-coatthechallengesweface,"hesays.
"Wejustneedtoaskpeopletorisetotheirrealpotential,andseethatthisisourmomentforgreatness.
Ifwecreateasustainablefutureforeveryone,itwillbeanaccomplishmentasgreataswinningtheSecondWorldWar.
"Manyenvironmentalistsassumepeoplewon'tdoanythingmorethansmallsteps,andhopethosesmallstepswillbuildthepoliticalwillformoresubstantivechanges.
Buthistoryhasshownathousandtimesthat"regular"peoplearecapableofextraordinarycourage,dedicationandingenuitywhenaskedtoanswerthecall.
It'stimeweputoutthatcall,ratherthananothermarketingpitch.
"Thesmallactionsthatcanmakeabigdifference*You'vehearditbefore,butchangingtoenergy-efficientlightbulbsreallycanmakeadifference.
Lightinguses20percentoftheworld'selectricity,theequivalentofburning600,000tonsofcoaladay.
Phasingoutoldbulbswouldavoidthereleaseof700milliontonsofcarbonintotheatmosphereeveryyear.
*Shoplocal.
Ifyourfoodshoppingamountsto100aweek,that's5,200ayearthatcouldbegoingintothepocketofalocalbutcher,grocerandbaker,ratherthanthesupermarkettill.
Imagineif100peopleinyourareahadthesameidea.
*IsrecyclingreallyworthitYes.
Recyclingoneglassjarsavesenoughenergytolighta100-wattbulbforfourhours.
Glasscanbereusedaninfinitenumberoftimes.
Thinkofallthejarsrecycledinyourstreetinayear.
*Recyclingatonofpapersaves17treesand7,000gallonsofwater.
*Turningyourthermostatdownbytwodegreescansave2,000poundsofcarboneveryyear.
Justimagineifeveryoneinyourfamilyandeveryoneinyourofficedidit.
SacramentoBee(US):SavingEarth,atreeatatimeAllenPierleoni,TheSacramentoBee,Calif.
Sep.
20--"Themostcriticalmessageofthedayhastodowiththethreatofclimatechange,"NobellaureateandenvironmentalactivistWangariMaathaie-mailedfromNairobi,thecapitalofKenya.
"Itwillbecheaperinthefinalanalysistomitigateclimatechangethantodealwiththeimpacts.
Thisisnotthetimetoapportionblamebutrathertopromotecooperation.
"MaathaiwillbeinSacramentoonSept.
21.
BecauseitprovedimpossibletoreachherbyphoneinKenya,weconductedaquestion-and-answersessionviae-mail.
Maathai,67,hasbecomeaglobalforcesincefoundingtheGreenBeltMovementinKenyain1977.
AsamemberoftheNationalCouncilofWomenthere,shehadthevisionofreplantinghercountry'sdecimatedforests.
TheGBMseguedintoagrassrootsmovementamongvillagewomenthroughoutthenationandevolvedintoitscurrentstatusasanenvironmentalphenomenon.
Itsmissionisto"provideincomeandsustenancetomillionsofpeopleinKenyathroughtheplantingoftrees,"saysitsWebsite,www.
greenbeltmovement.
org.
"GBMalsoconductseducationalcampaignstoraiseawarenessaboutwomen'srights,civicempowermentandtheenvironment.
"Sofar,morethan40milliontreeshavebeenplanted,leadingtoMaathai'snicknameof"theTreeWoman.
"DeforestationandtheenvironmentaldisastersthatresultfromitareamongthemanyissuesthatplaguetheAfricancontinent.
TakingtheircuesfromtheGBMandKenya,ahalf-dozenotherAfricancountriesbegantheirowntree-plantingprograms.
Also,theGBMplayedakeyroleinestablishingtheUnitedNations'BillionTreeCampaign,whosegoalisfor1billiontreestobeplantedworldwidebytheendofthisyear.
Justtoscratchthesurfaceofherresume:MaathaiispartoftheU.
N.
'sGlobal500HallofFameandwasnamedbytheU.
N.
asoneofits100HeroinesoftheWorld.
Shewonthe2004NobelPeacePrize,wasnamedbyForbesmagazineasoneoftheworld'smostpowerfulwomen,andwasincludedinTimemagazine'slistoftheworld'smostinfluentialpeople.
Shehasamaster'sdegreeinbiologicalsciencesandaPh.
D.
inveterinaryanatomy,hasservedaschairoftheDepartmentofVeterinaryAnatomyattheUniversityofNairobi,andholdsnumeroushonoraryacademicappointments,honoraryuniversitydegrees,internationalhonorsandprofessionalaffiliations.
Shehasaddressedmanyoftheworld'sleadersandtheUnitedNationsontopicsrangingfromhumanrightstotheneedfordemocracyinAfrica.
SheisamemberoftheKenyanParliamentandtheMinistryofEnvironmentandNaturalResources,thoughintheearlyyearsshewasharassedandjailedinhernativecountryforherfierypoliticalactivism.
Maathaialsohaswrittenamemoir,"Unbowed"(Anchor,$14.
95,368pages),andisinthemidstofasix-cityU.
S.
booktourthatwillleadtoherparticipationinthethree-dayClintonGlobalInitiativeannualmeetinginNewYork,startingWednesday.
TheCGI'smandateisto"bringtogetheracommunityofgloballeaderstodeviseandimplementsolutionstosomeoftheworld'smostpressingchallenges.
"Q:Yourcareerhasbecomecalmerinrecentyears.
What'syourhomelifelikethesedaysA:ItrytoschedulemytravelsothatIamawayforamaximumoftwoweeksandthenstayinKenyaforamonthortwo.
IspendtheweekdaysinNairobieitherattendingParliament,speakingatvariouseventsoradvisingtheGreenBeltMovement.
Myweekendsaremostlyspentinmyconstituency,whereIjustlovetobe.
ThatiswhereIgrewup.
Q:Intheearlyyears,youchallengedacorruptKenyangovernment.
Youwerejailedandthreatenedwithdeath,yetyourvoiceneverwavered.
A:Inretrospect,itwasquiteamassivetasktotakeonsomeofthebaddecisionsthegovernmentofthedaywasmaking.
WhenIwasinthemiddleofit,Ididnotthinkofitthatway.
Ihadaclearmissiontoaccomplish--wehadtosavetheforests.
PeopleaskmeifIwasafraidduringthosetimes.
SometimesIwas,butmosttimesIjustdidnotprojectthattherewouldbeanyreasontofear.
Q:Now,asamemberofParliament,youhaveofficialinputintoKenya'senvironmentalpolicy.
A:Yes,makingdirectcontributionstopoliciesthataffectournationiswhatgivesmethemostsatisfaction.
Unfortunately,ourgovernmentsarestillnotperfect,sothereisstillalotofworktobedoneontheinsidetoensurethatgoodpoliciesareputinplace.
Policiesthatprotectthepeople,ratherthanexploitthem.
Q:WhatsimilaritiesanddifferencesdoyouseebetweenAfricaandtheUnitedStates,whenitcomestoenvironmentalawarenessandcitizenparticipationA:EnvironmentalawarenessishighinbothAfricaandtheU.
S.
,especiallynowasclimatechangehasrisentonearthetopofournationalagendas.
OneofthethingsthatinspiresmeabouttheU.
S.
isthatindividualsaremakingchangesintheirliveseveryday.
Theyareridingbicycles,usingpublictransportation,recyclingandcomposting.
Evenwhenyour(federal)governmentsometimesseemstobegoingtheotherway--aswiththeKyotoProtocol--IhavemetmanyAmericanswhohavemadepersonalcommitmentstochangetheirlifestyles.
InAfricaandparticularlyinKenya,environmentalawarenessishigh,butwearestilllaggingbehindincitizenparticipation.
Attheendoftheday,itistheactionofindividualsthatwillmakethedifference.
Q:You'veaddressedtheleadersofmanycountries,aswellastheU.
N.
Who'spayingthemostattentiontoyourmessagesA:Ihopeeveryoneispayingattention.
Whatmanypeopledonotunderstandisthattheenvironmentdoesnotreallyneedus--weneedit.
Ourverysurvivaldependsonit,soIwanttodomypart.
Ithinkmostleaders,andtheU.
N.
,understandthisaswell.
Thewilltomakeithappenmaybemoreimportant.
Q:HowdoyouenvisionyourroleintheupcomingClintonGlobalInitiativeinNewYorkCityA:Itisawonderfulplacetomeetpeoplewhoarecommittedtothevariousissuesoffocus.
Iwillsharemyexperiencesinworkinginaholisticwaytoaddressissuesofpoverty,environmentandpeace.
Somyroleisreallytoshareandlearn.
Q:Lookingaroundtheglobe,it'sclearthatChinahasbecomeamajorconcernbecauseofitsoverindustrialization.
A:Chinahasthefastest-growingeconomyintheworld.
Itisindeedheavilyindustrialized,butmanycountriesaremovinginthatdirection.
Weneedtoremindleadersofemergingeconomiestooptforcleanermechanismsfordevelopment,inparticularfocusingonrenewablesourcesofenergy.
ThisisaquestionformorethanjustChina.
Weallneedtoreassessourdevelopmentpaths.
Q:Anincredible40milliontreeshavebeenplantedsinceyoufoundedtheGreenBeltMovement,yetAfricanscontinuetousetheirforeststomakecharcoalforcookingfuel.
WhataboutsolarcookingA:Theoretically,theuseofsolarcouldwork.
ButIthinkthemainchallengehasbeentheslowrateofadoptionofthesecookers.
Asweallknow,changing(people's)behaviorisoneofthemostdifficultthingstodo.
Thegreatestchallengeforuswhoarepromotingtheprotectionofforestsisfindinganalternativesourceoffuelforthemillionswhorelyoncharcoal.
Forme,themostimportantelementinthisequationisthealleviationofpoverty.
Ifwecanimprovethestandardoflivingofourcitizenssotheyareeconomicallyempowered,thentheywillbeabletoaffordtheoptions.
Whatmanypeopleforgetisthatevenifelectricityandgasareavailabletopoorpeople,theymaynotbeabletoaffordthem.
So,alleviatingpovertysopeoplecanoptforcleanerchoicesisequallyimportant.
Q:It'sobvioustheAfricancontinentisbeingparticularlyaffectedbyglobalwarming.
ThemeltingoftheglaciersonMountKilimanjaroandMountKenyaareexamples.
A:Absolutely.
Atthemoment,theGreenBeltMovementisfocusedonprotectingcriticalmountainecosystemsthatalsoserveaswatercatchmentareas.
WearetoldthatAfricaasacontinentwillbehardesthitbyclimatechange.
Wemustthereforecontinuetoraiseourvoicesonthisissueandremindleadersofmajoremergingeconomiesthattheyshouldoptforacleanerpathtodevelopment,whererenewablesandenergyefficiencyareprioritized.
Eventhen,Africanleadersalsohaveaspecialresponsibilitytoprioritizeclimatechangeandraiseawarenessaboutit,includingthroughbodiesliketheAfricanUnionandAfricanmedia.
Q:AsintheMideast,Africaisamale-dominatedsociety.
Hasprogressbeenmadeinwomen'srightsandtheequal-educationopportunitiesforgirlsA:Therehavebeengreatstridesmadeintheseareas,butstillmoreareneeded.
InKenya,theParliamentinwhichIservehadlessthan18womenrepresentativesoutofatotalof222members.
Eventhoughwomenrepresentalargerproportionofthevotingbloc,itseemswenevervoteforotherwomen.
Womenneedtobeempoweredtovoteotherwomenintopositionsofpower.
Q:Aspopulationsgrowandresourcesdwindle,istherehopeforthefutureoftheworldA:Thereisalwayshope.
Weoweittoourselvesandtothenextgenerationstoneversuccumb.
Thatiswhywearehereinthefirstplace.
***TicketsavailableforMaathai'sspeechSept.
21NobellaureateandenvironmentalactivistWangariMaathaiwillappearonthegroundsofthestateCapitol(thesoutheastside,oppositetheRoseGarden)at12:30p.
m.
Sept.
21forthecommunityplantingofavalleyoakinherhonor.
TheeventissponsoredbyCaliforniaLecturesandtheSacramentoTreeFoundation.
StudentsfromSt.
HOPEAcademyandSacramentoHighSchoolwillpresentaceremony-closingdedication.
Theeventisfreeandopentothepublic.
AspartoftheCaliforniaLecturesseries,Maathaiwillbetheguestspeakerat7:30p.
m.
Sept.
21atWestminsterPresbyterianChurch,1300NSt.
Doorswillopenat6:15p.
m.
ThoughCaliforniaLecturesisasubscriptionseries,individualticketswillbesoldfor$30atwww.
tickets.
comand(800)225-2277;attheCrestTheatre,1013KSt.
,(916)442-7378;andatthechurchbeginningat6:15p.
m.
Afterhertalk,Maathaiwillsigncopiesofhermemoir,"Unbowed.
"Nowinitsfifthyear,CaliforniaLecturesbringsnovelists,poets,filmmakers,journalists,politiciansandhistorianstoSacramentoforappearances.
Formoreinformation:(916)737-1300orwww.
californialectures.
org.
--AllenPierleoniROAPMediaUpdate21September2007UNEPorUNinthenewsUNEP:UNawardonenvironmentprotectionforAirIndiaUNEP:AirIndiabagsUNawardonenvironmentprotectionGeneralEnvironmentNewsINDIA:200,000deadfishwashashoreinwestIndiaNEWZEALAND:GovttakesnextstepstofightclimatechangeASEAN:AseantosharenuclearpowerinfoVIETNAM:Coca-Cola,hundredsofvolunteersteamuptocleanVN'sbeachesVIETNAM:WBpledges$175mlninloanforVietnam'spovertyfightVIETNAM:SustainableAustralia-fundedcanalsystemtoopeninDeltaPHILIPPINES:EndangeredseaturtlesfindahomeinDavaoCityPHILIPPINES:Philipslaunches'WardensoftheWorld'exhibitPHILIPPINES:Environment-friendlypaintboostsshopefficiencyPHILIPPINES:Buildenvironment-friendlybuildingsinRPPHILIPPINES:DENRtoplant2,000mangroveseedlingsinWesternVisayasMALAYSIA:CarboncredittradeinMalaysiaexpectedtosurgeCHINA:Beijingtohost2ndChina-JapanEnergyandEnvironmentForumUNEPorUNinthenewsUNEP:UNawardonenvironmentprotectionforAirIndiaByNIWire-Sep20:ThenationalcarrierofIndia,AirIndia,hasbeenawardedthisyears'EnvironmentalProtectionAwardofUnitedNation.
AirIndiaisengagedinvariousenvironmentalprogrammesincludingconservationofenergyandothernaturalresourcesandhencetheawardcameasabestrecognitionforitsefforttoglobalenvironmentprotection.
UnitedNationsEnvironmentalProgramme(UNEP)isconstantlyengagedinseveralenvironmentalactivitiestodealwiththeadverseclimaticchangesinceitsfoundationin1972.
AirIndiahasreceivedtheMontrealProtocolPublicAwarenessAwardandastheprotocolwasmadetotakeconsiderableeffortinrepairingandrecoveringworld'sstratosphericozonelayer.
TheAirlineauthorityinitscontinuousendeavordoesengrossinvariousprogrammesfollowingtheguidelinesofUNEP'sozoneaction.
TheprotocolissofaroneofthesuccessfulinternationalagreementssignedintheViennaConvention.
ScientistshavebeenconductingresearchontheeffectsOzonedepletingchemicalsprimarilythechlorofluorocarbons(CFC),carbondioxideandhalonsontheozonelayer.
CFCandhalonsarehighlyhazardousinthinningtheozonelayer.
Asaircraftsprimarilyusedhalonsforonboardandgroundfireprotection,itisimportantforthemtoconsidertheiruseofsuchchemicals.
Generallythischemicalisusedasasafetymeasureforfireprotectionbutitsemissionismoredestructiveforozonelayer.
ItisthevitalreasonthatUNEPinalongtermplandidbringallmajorairlinesauthorityforanagreementof'halonbanking'or'halonbankmanagement'inordertoreducetheuseozone-depletingsubstances.
AirIndiaasoneofthemajorinternationalairlineshadparticipatedintheUNEPOzoneActionProgrammeandissofarsuccessfulinlimitingtheuseofchemicalsinvariousfields.
http://www.
newstrackindia.
com/newsdetails/949UNEP:AirIndiabagsUNawardonenvironmentprotectionNewDelhi,Sept20:NationalcarrierAirIndiahasbaggedaprestigiousUnitedNationsAwardforEnvironmentalProtection.
TheMontrealProtocolPublicAwarenessAwardoftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgrammewasreceivedbyitsjointmanagingdirectorVishwapatiTrivediinMontreal,theairlinesaidinareleasehere.
TheawardwasgiventoAirIndiainrecognitionofitseffortsinprotectionoftheozonelayer,includingitscollaborativeactivitieswiththeUNEPanditsozoneactionprogramme,itsaid.
Basedonthestrategicapproach,AIundertookseveralawarenessactivitiesinregardtoozonelayerprotectionandotherenvironmentalissueslikeconservationofenergy,forestsandothernaturalresources.
Later,theIndiancarrieralsoundertookactivitiesinregardtoglobalreportinginitiativeonclimatechange,thereleaseadded.
http://www.
zeenews.
com/articles.
aspaid=396044&sid=ENV&ssid=26&news=Air%20India%20bags%20UN%20award%20on%20environment%20protectionGeneralEnvironmentNewsINDIA:200,000deadfishwashashoreinwestIndiaAhmedabad,India–Atleast200,000deadfishhavewasheduponabeachnearseveralindustrialcomplexesinthewesternIndianStateofGujarat,officialssaidyesterday.
Authoritieswereinvestigatingwhatkilledthefish,butastateofficialandauniversityscientistsaidtheywrelikelykilledbypollution.
Officialshavetemporarilybannedfishinginthearea.
MohiniGandhia,headoftheaquaticbiologydepartmentoftheSouthGujaratUniversity,saidtracesofoilwerefoundinthefish,butmoretestswerebeingconductedtodeterminewhatkilledthem.
ThefishhavewashedashoresinceWednesday,andauthoritiesexpecttofindthousandsmoreincomingdays,saidstateofficialR.
J.
Asari,whosaidhehasbeenatleastninespeciesamongthefish.
Mr.
Asarisaidhesuspectedpollutantskilledthefish,butitwastooearlytoknowforcertain.
APNEWZEALAND:GovttakesnextstepstofightclimatechangeThursday,20September2007,PressRelease:NewZealandGovernmentRt.
HonHelenClark20/09/2007GovernmenttakesnextstepstofightclimatechangePrimeMinisterHelenClarkandotherministerstodayoutlinedplansforanemissionstradingschemeandfornewforestryandenvironmentallyfriendlylandmanagementinitiatives.
"ThereisstrongpublicsentimentformeasurestoreduceNewZealand'simpactonclimatechange.
TheLabour-ledGovernmenthascarriedoutextensiveconsultationwithmanysectorsoftheeconomy.
Todaywearefocusingonthesolutions,"HelenClarksaid.
"Climatechangeisoneofthemostimportantglobalissuesfacingus.
Itaffectsusall,andourwayoflife.
Takingactionagainstitisnotonlytherightthingtodo;itisalsothesmartthingtodo.
Sustainabilityisakeycompetitiveadvantage.
Toprotectourmarketsandournation'sreputation,weneedtoactpre-emptively.
"Ourplanshavebeendrivenbytheneedtobefairtoallsectorsoftheeconomy,whileensuringthatournationasawholereducespollutionfromgreenhousegases.
"Anemissionstradingschemeisasignificantpartofourplan.
Itisimportantthatweputapriceongreenhousegaspollutiontoencouragebusinessesandhouseholdstobecomemoreenergyefficient.
"Werecognisehowever,thatsomesectorsandgroupsinsocietyarelessabletoadaptquickly.
Forthatreasonweareproposingthatsectorsoftheeconomyarebroughtintotheschemegradually.
Itisalsoourintentiontocompensatelowandmodestincomeearnersfortheincreasedcostofelectricity,andtoencourageallNewZealanderstochangetheirenergyusepatterns.
TheLabour-ledGovernment'spoliciestofightclimatechangeinclude:·theestablishmentofanemissionstradingschemetoputapriceongreenhousegaspollution·measurestoencourageforestryandmoresustainablelanduse·agoaltoincreaserenewableelectricitygenerationtoninetypercentofNewZealand'stotalelectricitygenerationby2025·improvingfuelandenergyefficiencyinbuildings,homesandbusiness·agoaltoreducepercapitaemissionsfromthetransportsectorbyhalfby2040,andtobeoneofthefirstnationstowidelyintroduceelectricvehicles·makingthepublicsectorcarbonneutral"Reducinggreenhousegaspollutionalsooffersustheopportunitytohaveahealthierenvironmentandamoreefficienteconomy.
"Alreadysomebusinesses,suchasthoseinthetourismandwinesectors,havereducedgreenhousegaspollutionandaremarketingthemselvescrediblyascarbonneutraland/orsustainable.
Thereareopportunitiesacrosstheeconomyforinnovationandinvestmentinlow-emission,energyefficientproductsandservices.
"TheannouncementswearemakingtodaywillprotectNewZealand'scleanandgreenreputation,andsupportoureconomymovingfurtheralongthepathtosustainability,"HelenClarksaid.
NOTE:Copiesofthereports-NewZealand'sClimateChangeSolutions–anoverview,TheFrameworkforaNewZealandEmissionsTradingScheme,ForestryinaNewZealandEmissionsTradingSchemeandSustainableLandManagementandClimateChange:PlanofAction,andemissionstradingfactsheets-canbeaccessedfromthewebsitewww.
climatechange.
govt.
nz.
http://www.
scoop.
co.
nz/stories/PA0709/S00339.
htmASEAN:AseantosharenuclearpowerinfoAPINYAWIPATAYOTINVienna_Aseancountrieshavevowedtoboostnuclearpowerinformation-sharingastheenergy-starvedregionsearchesfornewsourcesoffuel.
Membercountriescameupwiththedealatameetingofhigh-rankingAseanofficialsonthesidelinesofthe51stregularsessionoftheInternationalAtomicEnergyAgency(IAEA)inViennathisweek.
TheIAEAmeeting,whichendstoday,wasattendedbyhigh-leveldelegatesfromtheagency's144memberstates.
ClosercooperationonnuclearinformationwouldbeundertakenthroughtheJapan-initiatedAsianNuclearSafetyNetwork,saidScienceandTechnologyMinisterYongyuthYutthavong.
MrYongyuthsaidAseanmembersshouldworktogethertodevelopknowledgeaboutnuclearpower.
''Sharinginformationandexperience[onnuclearpowerdevelopment]isveryimportantforAseancountries,whichpreviouslydidnothavemuchinterestinthefuel.
Nowit'stimetofocusontheissue,''hesaid.
SeniorIAEAofficialswillvisitThailandnextweektohelpthecountryconductafeasibilitystudyonaproposednuclearpowerplant,saidSompornChongkum,executivedirectoroftheThailandInstituteofNuclearTechnology.
HesaidThailandhadmanysuitablelocationsforanuclearpowerplant,butsuchprojectscouldnotproceedwithoutpublicsupport.
DebateoverwhetherThailandshouldhaveanuclearpowerplantheatedupinAprilwhentheinterimgovernmentendorseda15-yearpowerdevelopmentplanwhichenvisagestheconstructionoffournuclearpowerplantswithatotalcapacityof4,000megawattsby2021.
Environmentalistssaidthegovernmentshouldscraptheideabecausenuclearpowerisahigh-risktechnology,whilenuclearwasteisdifficulttomanage.
Theysaidmanycountrieshavedecommissionedtheirnuclearpowerplants.
TheIAEA,however,arguedthatnuclearpowerisstillpopular.
Accordingtotheagency'sstatistics,therearecurrently439nuclearreactorsin30countries,whichsupplyabout15%oftheworld'selectricity.
Mostareindevelopedcountries.
However,developingcountriesarelikelytoemergeasnewhubsfornuclearpowerplantsasuptohalfofthe30reactorsnowbeingbuiltareindevelopingcountries.
''Threemainfactorshavebeendrivingarenewedglobalinterestinnuclearpower.
Theyarethesteadygrowthinenergydemand,theincreasingconcernsaboutenergysecurityandthechallengeofclimatechange,''saidMohamedElBaradei,theIAEAdirector-general.
http://www.
bangkokpost.
com/News/21Sep2007_news13.
phpVIETNAM:Coca-Cola,hundredsofvolunteersteamuptocleanVN'sbeaches20-09-2007-BARIA-VUNGTAU—Morethan330volunteers,including130employeesofCoca-ColaVietNaminHCMCity,cleanedupThuyVan(BaiSau)beachinVungTaucitylastSaturday.
Thevolunteerspickedupnon-biodegradablewasteona1.
5kmstretchofcoastline.
TheeventwasorganisedbytheBaRia-VungTauYouthCulturalHouseaspartoftheannualInternationalCoastalCleanup(ICC)programmeaimedtoraiseglobalawarenessofthedamagecausedbywastetomarineenvironments.
LeVanKhoi,representativeofCoca-ColaSoutheastAsiaInc.
,IndochinaRegion,said:"ApartfromspoilingthebeautifulimageofVietNam'scoastsandbeaches,wasteanddebrisonthecoastcancauseseverehealthproblemstolocalresidentsanddamagemarinelife,includingcoralreefs.
""Internationalresearchstudieshaveshownthattheproblemisgettingmoreseriousandneedsattention.
"Later,onSunday,Coca-ColaemployeesinDaNangjoinedhandswithlocalvolunteerstocleanPhamVanDong–SonTraDienNgocbeachinthecity'sSonTraDistrict.
Coca-ColahassaidtheInternationalCoastalCleanupprogrammewillbefurtherexpandedtoincludeDoSonbeachinHaiPhongCitywhichwillbecleanedonSeptember29.
TheICC,began22yearsago,isheldonthethirdSaturdayofSeptemberannually.
InVietNam,theInternationalCoastalClean-upcampaignwasfirstheldonNhaTrangbeachin2000bytheInternationalMarinelifeAlliance.
Sincethen,ICCcampaignshavebeenorganisedinotherplacesacrossthecountry,suchasHaLong'sBaiChaybeach,DaNang'sThoQuangbeach,andBaRia-VungTau'sLongHaibeach.
—VNShttp://vietnamnews.
vnagency.
com.
vn/showarticle.
phpnum=01ENV200907VIETNAM:WBpledges$175mlninloanforVietnam'spovertyfightTheWorldBank(WB)willofferVietnamapreferentialcreditofUS$175milliontohelpitsustaineconomicgrowthandreducepoverty,localmediareportedThursday.
TheWB'ssixthpovertyreductionsupportcredit(PRSC)isearmarkedtohelpVietnamcompletethetransitiontowardsamarketeconomy,preservesocialinclusion,bettermanagenaturalresourcesandenvironment,andstrengthengovernance.
It"representsaveryimportantmilestoneinVietnam'sreformstowardsamarketeconomy,"saidWBCountryDirectorforVietnamAjayChhibberatthesigningceremonyforthecreditinHanoiWednesday.
Headdedthatitalsomarkedimportantprogressagainstpoverty.
Thereformsinbusinessandfinancialsectordevelopment,bettergovernanceandsocialinclusionwere"vitalsteps"forVietnamtobecomeamiddle-incomecountryby2010,hesaid.
ChhibberalsosaidtheWBwasexpectedtoincreaseitscontributionforitsseventhVietnamPRSCto$200million.
Vietnam'spercapitaincomehasincreasedto$715currentlyfrom$260in1995,andtheproportionofpoorpeopleisnowone-thirdofthatadecadeago,accordingtotheWB.
ReportedbyDucTrung–TranslatedbyTheVinhhttp://www.
thanhniennews.
com/politics/catid=1&newsid=32142VIETNAM:SustainableAustralia-fundedcanalsystemtoopeninDeltaAnenvironmentallyfriendlyMekongDeltacanalsystemwillopenattheendofthemonththankstofundsfromAustralia.
TheUS$86,300HoaBinhsluiceinAnGiangprovincewillopenSeptember22asjustonepartoftheAustralianFundedUS$30.
2millionNorthVamNaoWaterControlProject,slatedforcompletionbySeptember30,accordingtotheAustralianConsulateGeneralinHoChiMinhCityTheprojectaimstoestablishandoperateasociallyandenvironmentallysustainableintegratedwatermanagementsystemonNorthVamNaoislandtobenefitlocalfarkmers.
Sixteenmajorsluiceshavebeenbuiltorrehabilitatedontheislandaspartoftheproject.
HoaBinhisoneofthelargestcanals.
TheprojecthasbeenjointlyfundedbyAnGiangprovinceandtheAustralianAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(AusAID)undertheAustralia-VietnamDevelopmentCooperationCountryStrategy.
Source:AustralianConsulateGeneralinHCMChttp://www.
thanhniennews.
com/society/catid=3&newsid=32136PHILIPPINES:EndangeredseaturtlesfindahomeinDavaoCityTheareaofDavaoCityisextensiveandincludesmountainaswellascoastalareaswithanenormousvarietyoffloraandfauna.
At244,000hectares,itisreputedtobethebiggestcityintheworld.
Fromthecenterofthecity,thenorthernboundaryextendsmorethan100kilometers,throughanendlesslychanginglandscapeoffarms,orchards,rivers,andmountainranges.
MorethanhalfofDavaoisforestland.
Mt.
Apo,thecountry'spremierpeakformountaineersandhometothefamousmonkey-eatingeagle,reputedtobetheworld'slargest,loomsoverthecity'ssouthwesternmostborder.
ThesoutheastcoastliesalongDavaoGulf,minutesfromtheislandsofSamalandTalikudandtheirbeautifulstringofwhitesandbeaches.
Theorchidgardens,andresortsnestledinlushmountainsandpristinecoves,whenaddedtoDavao'srichmixofattractionsadduptoaperfectsettingfornaturetrips.
Thecity'sabundantnaturalresourcesareapparentlyattractivenotonlytohumans,buttowildlifeaswellandtheDavaoGulfisregularlyvisitedbyfiveofthesevenknownmarineturtlespecies.
Allofthefivehavebeenclassifiedasendangered.
ThespeciescallingDavaoGulftheirhomeincludetheHawksbill,theOliveRidley,theGreenSeaTurtle,theLeatherback,andtheLoggerhead.
Allarehighlymigratory,crossingvastdistancesofoceanthroughouttheirlifespans.
TheturtlesofDavaogulfreturntolaytheireggs;theyarebackbecausetheywerehatchedhere30to50yearsago.
Turtlehatchlingsinstinctivelyretainapermanentimprintoftheirbirthlocationsastheyemergefromtheirshellsatbirth,whichallowsthemtoreturntothesamesitewhentheybecomesexuallymature.
TheturtleshavebeencomingbacktoDavaoGulfsincethe1970s,andasrecentlyas2006tothebeachesofPuntaDumalaginDavaoCity'sBarangayMatinaAplaya.
SeaturtlesalsonestontheuninhabitedwhitebeachesofSamalIsland,onDahicanBeachinMatiCity,DavaoOriental,andinSta.
CruzandMalitainDavaodelSur,allwithintheGulf.
ThenestingshavebeenparticularlywelldocumentedinPuntaDumalagwhichhasmadedeterminedconservationeffortstopreserveandprotectitsturtles,ThePuntaDuItmalagPawikan(SeaTurtle)Semi-RepositoryAreainMatinaAplayahasastaffofseven.
Thehatchingrateisnowahigh80-90percent.
TheeggsarelaidduringtheusualmatingseasoninMayandJune,andtransferredimmediatelyintoafenced-offareaatthesanctuarywheretheyarekeptsafefrompredators.
Since2003,theturtlehavenwashometo55naturalnestings,and294turtleshavebeenhatchedandreleased,accordingtoEvaLynPil,residentmarinebiologistattheturtlesanctuary.
LeadingtheeffortstoprotectthesanctuaryandtheturtlesistheSaveDavaoGulfFoundation(SDGFI),whichworkshand-in-handwithTaskForcePawikanDavaoandthecitygovernmentofDavao,withsupportfromthePhilippineEnvironmentalGovernance(EcoGov)Project,aUSAIDtechnicalassistancegrantimplementedinpartnershipwiththeDENR.
InOctober2006,EcoGovprovidedaP520,000advocacygranttoincreaseawarenessandunderstandingoftheneedtoprotectandconservetheendangeredturtles.
Thegrantfundedanintensiveprogramtoinform,educateandcreateacceptanceofthepreservationprojectamongthecoastalbarangaysofDavaoCity.
Itincludedtrainingworkshopsonmarineturtleconservationforselectedcommunitymembersof12coastalbarangays:Binugao,BagoAplaya,Dumoy,Lizada,TalomoProper,Bucana,Centro,Lapu-lapu,Sasa,Bunawan,Lasang,andMatinaAplaya.
GemmaIturralde,SDGFIprojectmanagerandtechnicalspecialistsaid:"Wetookcareofbuildingpartnershipsforpawikanprotectioninthecoastalbarangays,andalsowiththelocalgovernmentandNGOs,theacademe,andprivatesector.
Thisinvolvedworkingwithbarangaycaptains,SangguniangBayan,barangaypolice,communityleaders,andalmostallsectorsandstakeholdersinDavaoCity.
"Toaddmuscletoprotectionefforts,theCityCouncilapprovedanordinanceestablishingthreemarineprotectedareasinthecoastalzoneofDavao.
Protectedmarinehabitatsalsoencouragethenaturalreplenishmentofswindlingfishstocks,TheMPAsitesarelocatedinBgyCentroAgdao,PuntaDumalag,MatinaAplaya,andLasang-Bunawan.
TheMPAareasincorporate"no-take-zones"whereallfishingandrelatedactivitiesareprohibited.
Withtheirbreedingareasundisturbed,fishandothermarineresourcescancontinuetoflourishnaturally.
ThishelpspreservebiodiversityintheDavaoGulf,andincreasesthenumberoffish,bothofwhichwillimprovethelivelihoodoffisherfolkinthecity'scoastalcommunities.
"Protectingaquaticspecieswillnotonlybenefitourenvironmentbutwillpromoteeco-tourismaswell,"saidcitycouncilenvironmentcommitteechairmanLeonardoAvilaIII.
"TherareseaturtlescanattractvisitorstoDavaoandincomefromtourismwillcontributetothelocaleconomy.
"Awell-plannedandmanagedeco-tourismprogramcanhelpincreaseawareness,andgeneratemoresupport,fortheturtleprotectionprogram.
Visitorsofallagesmightbethrilledtoseemarinecreaturesthathaveexistedformorethan150millionyears.
Andtheyarequiteasight.
TheHawksbillturtleisidentifiedbyitsbeak-likeupperjawandthepresenceofoverlappingscalesonitsoutershell.
Itfeedsonfish,sponges,andseaurchin.
TheOliveRidleyisanolive-browncolor,andfeedsmainlyoncrabs.
TheLeatherbackisthelargestofall,andunlikeitsrelatives,hasashellwithaleatherycovering.
Itfeedsmostlyonjellyfish.
TheGreenSeaTurtleiscarnivorousinitsfirstyear,andturnsvegetarianduringadulthood,feedingexclusivelyonseagrassandalgae.
TheLoggerheadhaspowerfuljaws,wellsuitedforitsfavoritedietofshellfish.
Seaturtlesmaintaintheecologicalbalanceoftheseasbycontrollingotherwiseharmfulspeciessuchassomestarfishandjellyfish.
Theirexcretacontributetothegrowthofseagrasses,whichareimportanthabitatsformarinelife.
http://www.
malaya.
com.
ph/sep21/envi2.
htmPHILIPPINES:Philipslaunches'WardensoftheWorld'exhibitPHILIPSElectronicsandLighting,Inc.
inpartnershipwiththeWorldWideFundforNature–Philippines(WWF-P),recentlyhelda"WardensoftheWorld"exhibitattheGrandAtriumoftheShangri-LaPlazaMalltoeducatethepubliconthebenefitsofenergy-efficientlightingandothersimpleenergyconservationpractices.
Through"WardensoftheWorld"exhibit,Philipsshowcasedawiderangeofsimpleandequallypracticalsolutionsthatcanbetakentoreducetheimpactofconsumptionontheenvironment.
WeeShiangNing,generalmanagerofPhilipsLightingPhilippines,saidenergyconservationcanmeanthesimpleactofreplacingthatincandescentlightbulbwithacompactfluorescentlamp(CFL).
Therealityofthematteristhatswitchingfromincandescenttocompactfluorescenttranslatesnotonlytoconsiderablepesosavings,butalsotoamoresustainablefutureforeveryone.
InthePhilippines,ahouseholdthatswitchesfromanordinary100-wattincandescentlamptoan18-wattPhilipsenergy-savingcompactfluorescent(CFL),andwhichusesitfortwelvehoursaday,cansaveuptoP4,686injustoneandahalfyears(basedonP9.
50kilowattperhour).
Studiespointoutthatcuttingenergycurrentlyspentonlightingby40percentwouldkeep555milliontonsofCO2frombeingreleasedintheatmosphere–that'sequivalenttosaving1,560millionbarrelsofoilayear,theannualenergyoutputofP530powerstations.
"AtPhilips,werecognizetheneedtotaketheleadinrevolutionizingthelightingindustry,"saidWeeShiangNing.
"Throughthisexhibit,weaimtoraiseawarenessaboutwhatcanbedoneatagrassrootsleveltoconserveenergy.
"Aspartofitsenergyconservationinitiative,Philipshascommittedtoreplacingtheincandescentbulbsbroughttothe"WardensoftheWorld"exhibitwithfreePhilipsenergysaverlamps.
Theeventwillincludethesigningofapledgewallfor"WardensoftheWorld,"asymbolicgestureaimedateducatingtheyouthaboutenergyconservationandglobalwarming.
http://www.
malaya.
com.
ph/sep21/envi4.
htmPHILIPPINES:Environment-friendlypaintboostsshopefficiencyTHEgrowthofthePhilippineeconomyismarkedbythedevelopmentofthecountry'sinfrastructure–newandbetterhighways,roads,andbridges.
Togetherwiththis,moreandmorevehiclesarebeingmanufacturedandregisteredyearly.
In2006,therewere1,357,841privately-ownedvehiclesregisteredintheNCRalone.
Ayearlater,howmanyofthesevehicleshaveincurredscratches,dents,andscrapesthatwouldrequirearefinishingjobWithmorethanamillionpotentialcustomersontheroadeveryday,bodyshopsofferingbodyworkandpaintingservicesarereapinggoodprofits.
However,theycouldunknowinglybeusingpaintthatposesapotentialthreattotheenvironment.
Mostautomotiveacrylicpaintscontainvolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs)orsolvents,whicharechemicalsusedtodissolveothermaterials.
Theyareusedtodiluteandtransportpigmentforeasyapplicationandmakesthecoatofpaintsmoothandeven.
Asthecoatofpaintdries,thesesolventsdissolveintotheatmosphere.
Unfortunately,VOCsareharmfultotheenvironment.
NotonlydoVOCemissionsdamagevegetationandruinthefoliageofmostplantswithintheareaofuse,buttheyalsocontributeheavilytoglobalwarming.
Astheydissolveintotheatmosphere,theycausechemicalreactionswhichdegradetheozonelayer,directlycontributingtothegreenhouseeffectandthedeclineoftheweathersystemsandenvironment.
Anincreaseinthenumberofcarsgettingscrapedandscratchedtranslatesintoanincreaseinthenumberofpaintjobs,whichmeanshigherVOCemissionswhichwilleventuallybeaseriousenvironmentalproblem.
Toaddressthis,DuPontPhilippineshasintroducedadoublyefficientautomotivepaint.
ThenewDuPontLow-Emissioncarpaintisnotonlyenvironmentallyfriendly,italsohelpsbodyshopoperatorssavetimeandmoney.
Consistingof60-70percentlessVOCsorsolventsthanregularacryliccarpaint,thenewproductlinesandtheirsuccessfuldebutinEuropeandtheUS,twocountrieswhichhaveenforcedstrictlegislationsbanningtheuseofthesechemicals.
http://www.
malaya.
com.
ph/sep21/envi5.
htmPHILIPPINES:Buildenvironment-friendlybuildingsinRPTuesday,September182007-ThePhilippineGreenBuildingCouncil(Phil.
GBC)isnowcampaigningfortheestablishmentofenvironment-friendlybuildingsinthecountry.
ArchitectCarlosdelaCruz,arepresentativeofPhil.
GBC,heldaone-dayorientationwithmunicipalandcityengineers,planningofficersandothergovernmentrepresentativesfromthedifferenttownsandcitiesinNegrosOrientalonthecampaignrecently.
TheorientationisaprojectsupportedbytheEuropeanUnionandtheGermanFederalMinistryforEconomicConditionandDevelopmentandtheEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesDivisionoftheprovincialgovernment.
Theeffortinpushingforenvironment-friendlybuildingsisinlinewiththeWasteManagementprogramofahealthierenvironment.
Duringthebriefing,DelaCruzsaidthatbuildingenvironment-friendlyestablishments,throughthegreen-buildingconcept,wouldhelpreducethevolumeofpollutantslikechemicalsandothertoxicwastesfromconstructionsites.
Henotedthatnewbuildingsaresproutingeverydayacrossthecountryandmostcontractorsarenotawareofthepollutantstheyareusingduringconstruction.
ThearchitectsaidtheirgroupisurgingsomeoftheconstructionandmanufacturingcompaniesinthePhilippinestousewater-basedproductsinanefforttoreducetheuseoftoxicchemicals.
DelaCruz,however,admitteditwouldtakealongtimetofullyconvincebuildingcontractorsandmanufacturersofconstructionsuppliestouseandproduceenvironment-friendlystructures.
(PNA)http://www.
bayanihan.
org/html/article.
php/20070918160239895PHILIPPINES:DENRtoplant2,000mangroveseedlingsinWesternVisayasMonday,September172007-Moreorless2,000mangroveseedlingswillbeplantedinBarangayTando,NuevaValenciaGuimarasonWednesdaytosignaltheregionallaunchingoftheGreenPhilippinesPrograminWesternVisayas.
DepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)regionalexecutivedirectorLormelynClaudiosaidtheactivity,whichwillbegracedbyUndersecretaryTessCastillo,isashowofforcewithsome50governmentagenciesconfirmingtheirparticipationandtheprivatesectorandbusinessgroupsexpressingtheirsupportaswell.
Claudiosaidtheyalwaysbankoncommunityparticipationforthesuccessoftheprogram.
Sheaddedthattreeplantingisoneoftheoptionsormitigatingmeasurestolessentheimpactofclimatechangewhichhasalreadyaffectedthecountry.
ThemangroveandcoastalplantingisalsopartoftheDENR'srehabilitationprograminGuimarasaftertheoilspillincidentin2006.
(PNA)http://www.
bayanihan.
org/html/article.
php/20070917190950450MALAYSIA:CarboncredittradeinMalaysiaexpectedtosurgeKUALALUMPUR,Sept.
20(Xinhua)--DemandforcarboncredittradinginMalaysiaisexpectedtosurgeinthenextfewyearsasalargenumberofpollutingcompaniesscrambletobuyupcreditsinlinewiththeEuropeanUnion'senvironmentrules,localmediareportedonThursday.
Malaysiaisexpectedtobenefitasitalreadyhasahugepotentialtoincreasecarbontradingactivitiesduetotheabundanceofwasteresources,theNewStraitsTimessaid.
Carboncredits,whichareachievedthroughbiomassplants,areessentialtocountriescommittedtotheKyotoProtocoltocutemissionofcarbondioxideandothergreenhousegases.
TheKyotoProtocolcommits38industrializedcountriestoreducingtheirgreenhouseemissionsby2012.
UndertheKyotoProtocol,acountrysuchasMalaysia,whichbuysharmfulgasesmostlyproducedbydevelopedcountries,getspaidasanincentivetotrimglobalairpollution.
Developedcountries,whichhavelesscarboncreditsduetomorepollution,canbuythepointsfromdevelopingcountriessuchasMalaysia,whicharenormallylesspolluted.
TheMalaysianEnergyCenter(PTM)saidMalaysiahascarboncreditpotentialofupto100milliontonsfortheperiod2006to2012.
ThoughcarboncreditsisanewbusinessinMalaysia,thecountryisproudbecauseabiomassprojectineasternstateofSabahwasthefirstprojectintheworldtoreceivethecertifiedemissionreduction(CER)endorsementfromtheUnitedNations'CleanDevelopmentMechanism(CDM)executiveboard.
CDMisacooperativemechanismestablishedundertheKyotoProtocol,allowingindustrializedcountrieswithgreenhousegasreductioncommitmenttoinvestinprojectsthatreducesemissionsindevelopingcountries,asanalternativetocostlyemissionreductionattheirowncountries.
TheCERisaformofmeasurementissuedbytheCDMexecutiveboardforCDMprojects.
TheKyotoProtocolspecifiesthatdevelopingcountriesaretobenefitfromCDMprojectsandthatindustrializedcountriesmayuseCERstocomplywiththeirquantifiedemissionreductionemission.
ThegovernmentisgivingitsfullsupportinpromotingCDMprojectsandhasputinplacethemachineryandmechanismstotacklethegreenhousegasemissionsundertheKyotoProtocolatthenationallevelandpromotecarbontradinginthecountry.
IntablingtheBudget2008,thegovernmentannouncedthatcompaniesprovidingenergyconservationserviceswillgetanadditional10yearspioneerstatus.
Toencouragecompaniestoinvestingreenhousegasesemissionreductionprojects,inlinewitheffortstoovercomeglobalwarming,incomederivedfromtradingCERcertificateswillhavetaxexemption,effectivefromyearofassessment2008untilyearofassessment2010.
Theseincentiveswouldattractbuildingownerstomovetowardsgreenbuildings,representingmoreprojectsinthecountry.
http://news.
xinhuanet.
com/english/2007-09/21/content_6764071.
htmCHINA:Beijingtohost2ndChina-JapanEnergyandEnvironmentForumBEIJING,Sept.
19(Xinhua)--TheSecondChina-JapanForumonEnergyConservationandEnvironmentalProtectionisscheduledtoconveneonSep.
27and28inBeijing,theNationalDevelopmentandReformCommission(NDRC)announcedonWednesday.
ThefirstforumtookplaceinTokyofromMay29to31lastyear.
Thisforumwillbeco-hostedbyChina'sNDRCandMinistryofCommerce,andJapan'sMinistryofEconomy,TradeandIndustry,andJapan-ChinaAssociationonEconomyandTrade.
Thisforumaimstopromoteexchangesofenergy-savingandenvironmentalconservationtechnologiesbetweenthetwocountries.
Itisexpectedthatalmost1,000officials,scholarsandbusinessmenfrombothcountrieswouldparticipateintheforum.
Theywouldexchangeviewsonelectricity,automobiles,electricmachinery,energy-savingpolicies,energy-efficientbuildingsandlong-termSino-Japantradeagreements.
Inrecentyears,theChinesegovernmenthasadjustedthenation'sdevelopmentmodetoencourageenergyconservationandemissionsreduction.
"ChinawillenhancecooperationwithJapaninenergy-saving,environmentalprotection,newtechnology,disasterprevention,andsmallandmedium-sizedenterprises",saidChina'stoppoliticaladvisorJiaQinglinduringhisvisittoJapanearlierthismonth.
http://news.
xinhuanet.
com/english/2007-09/19/content_6755156.
htmROAMediaUpdate21September2007UN–UNEPInTheNewsSudan:ScrambleforResourcesDrivingConflictsInterPressService(Johannesburg):AU.
N.
EnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)reportreleasedherethisweekemphasisesstronglinkagesbetweenenvironmentalstressesandtheongoingconflictinSudan.
Thenewassessmentofthecountry,includingthetroubledregionofDarfur,indicatesthatamongtherootcausesofdecadesofsocialstrifeandconflictaretherapidlyerodingenvironmentalconditionsinseveralpartsofthecountry.
"Wemustaddresstherootcausesoftheconflict,whicharepovertyandenvironmentaldegradation,"AbdalmahmoodAbdalhaleemMohamad,Sudan'sAmbassadortotheU.
N.
,toldIPS.
"Unlessthisistackledtheywillrelapsetoconflict,"Mohamadsaid.
"Itisnotpeoplekillingeachotherfornoreason.
Politicalreasonscamelater.
Theconflicthasbeenthereforalongtime.
Gradualdegradationoftheenvironmentcompetingoverdwindlingresources,"hecontinued.
The354-page"Sudan:Post-ConflictEnvironmentalAssessment"pointstoenvironmentalimpactsofpopulationdisplacementandunder-investmentinsustainabledevelopment,pluscompetitionoveroilandgasreserves,Nilewater,timber,andagriculturallandasrootcausesinthe"instigationandperpetuationofconflictinSudan.
"http://allafrica.
com/stories/200709201094.
htmlNigeria:FAOCautionsAgainstChemicalUseDailyTrust(Abuja):TheFoodandAgricultureOrganisation(FAO)onTuesdaycautionedWestAfricancountriesagainstoverlookingtheimplicationsofhealthandenvironmentalproblemsinthequestformorefoodthroughtheuseofchemicals.
EdouardK.
Tapsoba,Coordinator,FAOSub-RegionalOfficeforWestAfrica,saidwiththeincreasingdemandinfoodproduction,therewasthepossibilityofanincreaseinagriculturalchemicals,includingpesticides.
"Itisimportantthatinmeetingthisdemand,healthandenviron-mentalproblemsdonotworsen,"hetoldparticipantsattheopeningofasub-regionalconsultationontheimplementationoftheRotterdamConventionforEnglish-speakingWestAfricancountries.
Thefour-daymeeting,beingattendedbyabout20participantsfromGhana,LiberiaandTheGambia,istodevelopanationalactionplanorstrategyfortheimplementationoftheRotterdamConvention.
TheRotterdamConventionisanagreementthatseekstopromotesharedresponsibilityandcooperativeeffortsbetweenexportingandimportingcountries,formanagingchemicalsthatposesignificantriskinordertoprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironment.
http://allafrica.
com/stories/200709201001.
htmlGeneralEnvironmentNewsLesEtats-UnissoutiennentleParcnationaldesVirungadeRDCLagos,Nigeria(PANA):LesEtats-Unisvontaccorderunesubventionsupplémentairede496.
000dollarspourvenirenaideauxgardes-forestiersetàlafaunemenacéeduParcnationaldesVirungadansl'EstdelaRépubliquedémocratiqueduCongo,selonuncommuniquéduDépartementd'EtataméricaintransmisàlaPANAmercredi.
LesfondssontacheminésparleDépartementd'Etatetl'Agenceaméricainepourledéveloppementinternational(USAID).
"Cetterégionabriteplusieursespècesuniques,commelesgorillesdemontagne,dontlenombrediminueenraisonduconflitarméencoursdanslarégion,dubraconnage,despressionsdémographiquesetdeladestructiondel'habitat",soulignelecommuniqué.
"Cettesubventionvaservirdirectementàfairefaceauxmenacescontrelabiodiversitéetaubraconnageillégalàl'intérieurduParcnationaldesVirungaetdanssesalentoursparunesurveillancetransfrontalièredelafaune,laréhabilitationdespostesdegarde,l'achatd'équipementsetlaformationdesgardes-forestiers",ajoutelecommuniqué.
LesEtats-Unisindiquentquelesoutienapportéauxgardes-forestiersvapermettrederenforcerleurscapacitésàmenerdesactivitésefficacesdeprotectiondelafauneetàimposerlerespectdeslois,àéchangerdesinformationsetàcoopéreraveclesautoritésrégionales.
"Noseffortssontconcentréssurlaconservationetlaprotectiondel'habitatdecesanimauxmagnifiques.
LasurviedesgorillesdemontagnedeVirungaestgravementmenacéeparlesévènementstragiquesdanslarégionetnouscontinueronsàconsacrertouteslesressourcespossiblesàlaprotectiondesgorillesetdesautresespècessurplace",adéclarélasous-secrétaired'EtatauxOcéans,àl'EnvironnementetàlaScience,ClaudiaA.
McMurray.
LesEtats-UnissoutiennentlaprotectionduParcnationaldesVirungadepuis2003parlebiaisduProgrammerégionalcentrafricaindel'USAIDpourl'EnvironnementetlePartenariatforestierduBassinduCongo(CBFP).
Zimbabwe:OrganisationTakesClean-UpCampaigntoSuburbanSchoolsTheHerald(Harare):EnvironmentAfricahastakentheClean-upZimbabwe2007CampaigntosuburbanschoolsinHararetocomplementeffortsbytheCityofHarare,whichhasbeenaccusedoffailingtodeliverascommemorationstomarkcleanenvironmentscontinues.
Harareresidentsarenothappywiththecouncil,whichtheyaccuseoffailingtocollectrefuse.
Theclean-upstartedatMasaisaiPrimarySchoolalongLorraineDriveinWestgateonTuesdayandendedatWestgateShoppingcomplex.
EnvironmentAfricafieldofficerresponsibleforHarareMissFionaManyebvusaidtheclean-upwasverysuccessfulandpeopleappreciatedthemovebytheorganisation.
Thecampaign,whichwaslaunchedinHararebytheDeputyMinisterofEnvironmentandTourism,CdeAndrewLangalastFriday,haditsmaineventcommemoratedinVictoriaFallsovertheweekend.
http://allafrica.
com/stories/200709200008.
htmlNamibia:InternationalOzoneDayMarkedAtKeetmansTheNamibian(Windhoek):TheMinisterofTourismandEnvironment,WillemKonjore,hascalledonNamibianstobacknationalandglobaleffortsaimedateliminatingozone-depletingsubstances.
Speakingatthe20thInternationalOzoneDayatKeetmanshoopovertheweekend,KonjoresaidstatisticsshowthatNamibiahascompletelyphasedouttheuseofozone-depletingsubstances(ODS)aheadofthe2010deadline.
However,hesaid,therewerestillanumberofeconomicandtechnicalchallengestobefaced,despitenationalandglobalachievementstoeliminatethesesubstances.
HeurgedindustriestorefrainfromusingtechnologiesdesignedtouseChloro-FluoroCarbons(CFCs),arefrigerationgasthatisoneofthemainculpritsindepletingearth'sprotectiveozonelayer.
Namibiaandothercountriesinthesouthernhemispherearemostvulnerabletotheeffectsoftheholeintheozonelayer,theMinistersaid.
http://allafrica.
com/stories/200709200649.
htmlSouthAfrica:CountryReceivesNewMarineResearchShipBuaNews(Tshwane):TheMinisterofEnvironmentalAffairsandTourismMarthinusvanSchalkwykhastakendeliveryofSouthAfrica'snewdedicatedresearchvessel,the43.
2metreEllenKhuzwayo.
Theministerreceivedthespecialisedvessel,saidtocostR100million,attheV&AWaterfrontinCapeTown,Thursday.
NamedafterthelateDrEllenKhuzwayo,ateacher,socialworker,authorandprominentfigureinthestruggleagainstapartheid,theshipwillbeusedprimarilyforininshoreresearch.
AccordingtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairsandTourism,theshipwillbeusedforscientificresearchonmarineanimalssuchasrocklobster,linefish,largepelagicfishes,seabirds,marinemammalsandsharks.
Itaddedthatthevesselwouldalsobeengagedindivingoperationsandmonitoringandresearchingoceanographicconditionsinthecountry'ssurroundingmarineenvironment.
http://allafrica.
com/stories/200709200730.
htmlNigeria:NOAPartnersHealthOfficersOnEnvironmentalLeadership(Abuja):InlinewiththeFederalgovernment'scommitmenttowardstherealisationofthecleanandgreeninitiative,thedirectorgeneralofImostateNationalOrientationAgencyhassaidthattheagencywillworkwithenvironmentalhealthofficersinachievingacleanenvironment.
Makingthisknownwhileaddressinghealthofficersandtheagencies27officersinOwerri,ChiefAngusOguikeurgedallhealthworkerstobecommittedinensuringasafeenvironmentwhichhesaidwillbringaboutwealthinNigeria.
WhiletaskinginspectorstomobilisethestatesindigenesandNigeriansasawholeinthetaskofenvironmentalcleanliness,hesaidthattheagencyiseverreadyandwillingtohelphealthofficerssucceedinensuringahealthandsustainableenvironmentthusurgedtheinspectorstoensurethattheirimpactisfeltinthecommunitiesandenvironments.
Ministerofenvironment,housingandurbandevelopment,ArchitectHalimaTayoAlaohadearlierinAbujanotedwithdisdainthedeclineinhealthofficerseffectivenessinthecommunitieswhichhavebeenattributedtononchalantattitudesofsucceedinggovernmentsonenvironmentalissues.
http://allafrica.
com/stories/200709200896.
htmlKenya:Tree-PlantingtheAnswertoChronicFloodsofBudalang'iTheNation(Nairobi):FloodinginBudalang'iinwesternKenyacouldbeathingofthepastoncere-afforestationofCheranganyForestiscompleted.
Thereplantingoftreeson100hectaresatthesourceofRiverNzoiawillreducethespeedofwaterflowingdownhill,thusdecreasingtheadverseeffectsofthewaterdownstream.
Budalang'ifrequentlysuffersfloodsevenwhenithasnotseenanyrain.
ThisisbecauseRiverNzoiaburstsitsbanksatitslowerendbecauseofexcesswaterfromCheranganyForestandthesurroundingareas,morethan300kilometresaway.
Whenitrainsinthedegradedforest,rainwaterfindsitswayintoRiverNzoiainafewhours,causingfloodinginwesternKenya.
Ifthetreesintheforestwereintact,rainwaterwouldslowlypercolateintothesoilandfinditswayintotheriversystemdaysaftertherains,whichmeanthatthespeedatwhichtheriverflowswouldbenaturallycontrolledbyvegetation.
CommunityDevelopmentTrustFund(CDTF),throughtheCommunityEnvironmentFacility(CEF),isseekingtoreclaimtheforest'sglory.
WorkinginpartnershipwiththeKenyaForestService,theministryofAgriculture,theWaterResourceManagementAuthorityandthelocalcommunity,thefundisusingSh27.
9millionfromtheEuropeanUniontofocusonenvironmentalconservationandpovertyreduction.
ThefundwillcontributeSh22.
8millionwhileotherpartnersandthelocalcommunityistocontributeSh5.
1millioninlabour.
Intheprojectexpectedtotakethreeyears,thefundwillsupporttheKenyaForestServicetocarryoutforestboundarysurveystoidentifythemostdegradedforestblocks.
Theprojectstartedthisyearandisexpectedtoendin2010.
http://allafrica.
com/stories/200709201215.
htmlRONAMediaUpdate20September2007ScrambleforResourcesDrivingSudanConflictsIPS20thSeptember2007ByMithreJ.
SandrasagraUNITEDNATIONS,Sep20(IPS)-AU.
N.
EnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)reportreleasedherethisweekemphasisesstronglinkagesbetweenenvironmentalstressesandtheongoingconflictinSudan.
Thenewassessmentofthecountry,includingthetroubledregionofDarfur,indicatesthatamongtherootcausesofdecadesofsocialstrifeandconflictaretherapidlyerodingenvironmentalconditionsinseveralpartsofthecountry.
"Wemustaddresstherootcausesoftheconflict,whicharepovertyandenvironmentaldegradation,"AbdalmahmoodAbdalhaleemMohamad,Sudan'sAmbassadortotheU.
N.
,toldIPS.
"Unlessthisistackledtheywillrelapsetoconflict,"Mohamadsaid.
"Itisnotpeoplekillingeachotherfornoreason.
Politicalreasonscamelater.
Theconflicthasbeenthereforalongtime.
Gradualdegradationoftheenvironmentcompetingoverdwindlingresources,"hecontinued.
The354-page"Sudan:Post-ConflictEnvironmentalAssessment"pointstoenvironmentalimpactsofpopulationdisplacementandunder-investmentinsustainabledevelopment,pluscompetitionoveroilandgasreserves,Nilewater,timber,andagriculturallandasrootcausesinthe"instigationandperpetuationofconflictinSudan.
""Seventy-fivepercentofthecountryisatpeace,therearestableoilrevenuescominginandthereisgoodrecognitionofenvironmentissuesatthelocallevel,"saidAndrewMortonofUNEP'sPost-ConflictandDisasterManagementBranch.
"ThisisanexcellentopportunitytointegrateconceptsofsustainabledevelopmentinSudan,"hestressed.
Theassessment,whichwasrequestedandcarriedoutincooperationwiththenewGovernmentofNationalUnityandtheGovernmentofSouthernSudan,andsponsoredbySwedenandBritain,makesseveralrecommendations.
Theseincludeclimateadaptationmeasures,capacitybuildingofnationalandlocalgovernmentinenvironmentalaffairsandtheintegrationofenvironmentalfactorsinallU.
N.
peacekeeping,reliefanddevelopmentprojects.
Thetotalcostofthisreport'srecommendationsisestimatedat120milliondollarsoverthreetofiveyears.
UNEPstressedthatallthesefundscouldcomethroughvariousSudaneseministries.
"Sincethepriceofoilfluctuates,wewouldlikethedoorforinternationalassistancetobeopen,"aSudanesedelegatetolddelegates,U.
N.
staffandjournalistsattheUNEPpresentationhere.
Sudan'sboominoilandgasexportspusheditsGDPin2005to85.
5billiondollars.
Duringhispresentation,Mortonwasquicktopointoutthatthoughthereportiscalleda"post-conflict"assessment,"itisapictureofSudanin2006".
Theconflictisongoing.
SinceitbeganinFebruary2003,whenmembersoftheregion'sethnicAfricantribestookuparmsagainstwhattheysawasdecadesofneglectanddiscriminationbytheArab-dominatedgovernmentinKhartoum,thepeopleofDarfur,Sudanhavebeensubjecttogovernment-sponsoreddisplacement,rapeandmurder.
TheviolencesponsoredbytheSudanesegovernmentandperpetratedbyitsJanjaweedmilitiashasclaimedatleast400,000lives,displaced2.
5millionpeopleandleftmorethan3.
5millionmen,womenandchildrenstrugglingtosurviveamidviolenceandstarvation,accordingtotheU.
N.
OnJul.
31,theU.
N.
SecurityCouncil,withKhartoum'sconsent,agreedtodeployapeacekeepingforceofupto26,000militaryandpolicepersonnelinDarfurknownbytheacronymUNAMID.
UNAMIDwillbeequippedwithresourcestoprotectciviliansandhumanitarianworkers,andtooverseeimplementationofapeaceagreement.
InJulyandAugust,KhartoumtoldinternationalaidagencystaffersthatDarfur's2.
2millioninternallydisplacedpersons(IDPs)werebeginningtoreturnhomevoluntarily.
However,thelandwheremanyIDPs'villagesarehasdegraded,accordingtoUNEP.
Sowhatisthesolutionforthelong-ternreturnofIDPs"TheU.
N.
willbecommittingabigmistakeiftheU.
N.
continuestofeedthemendlessly.
Endtheconflict,integratethem,"Mohamadsaid.
"Don'tgivethemafishtoeat,teachthemhowtofish.
""Wedon'twanttotakethemandgivethemeverything,becausetheywilldevelopasyndromeofdependency,"Mohamadstressed.
AccordingtoHumanRightsWatch(HRW),thesituationinDarfuristransformingfromahighlydestructivearmedconflictbetweenrebelsandthegovernmentintoaviolentscrambleforpowerandresourcesinvolvinggovernmentforces,pro-governmentmilitia,variousrebelandformerrebelfactions,andbandits.
ThescrambleforresourcesisahistoricprobleminSudan,stressestheUNEPreport.
Thereismountingevidenceoflong-termregionalclimatechangeinseveralpartsofthecountry.
ThisismarkedbydeclineinrainfallinthestatesofKordofanandDarfurstates.
InnorthernDarfur,forexample,precipitationhasfallenbyathirdinthepast80years,accordingtoUNEPfigures.
ThescaleofclimatechangerecordedinNorthernDarfurisalmostunprecedented,anditsimpactsarecloselylinkedtoconflictintheregion,asdesertificationhasaddedsignificantlytothestressontraditionalagriculturalandpastorallivelihoods.
Inaddition,"forecastclimatechangeisexpectedtofurtherreducefoodproductionduetodecliningrainfallandincreasedvariability,particularlyintheSahelbelt.
Adropincropyieldsofupto70percentisforecastforthemostvulnerableareas,"saysthereport.
TheSahelbeltishometoseveralmillionSudanese.
"Thereisamigrationwhichinvolvesmillionsofpeoplegraduallymovingsouthwhichleadstoconflict,"Mortonsaid,stressingthat"thishadnothingtodowithDarfur.
"WhilethetensionsandconflictsinDarfurarecurrentlyintheheadlines,thereportwarnsthatotherpartsoftheSudancouldseeresumptionsofhistoricalclashesdriveninpartbydeclinesinenvironmentalservices.
ThemostseriousconcernstoUNEParelanddegradation,desertificationandthespreadofdesertssouthwardsbyanaverageof100kmsoverthepastfourdecades.
Thesearelinkedwithfactorsincludingovergrazingoffragilesoilsbyalivestockpopulationthathasexplodedfromcloseto27millionanimalstoaround135millionin2006.
IntheNubamountainsregioninSouthernKordofan,forexample,theindigenousNubatribeexpressedconcernoverthedamagingoftreesandothervegetationduetotherecentpresenceofthecamel-herdingShanablatribe.
Likemanypastoralistcommunities,theShanablahavebeenforcedtomigratesouthinsearchofadequategrazinglandlostinthenorthtoagriculturalexpansionanddrought.
SomeNubawarnedof"restartingthewar"ifthisdamagedidnotcease,accordingtoUNEP.
Manysensitiveareasarealsoexperiencinga"deforestationcrisis"whichhasledtoalossofalmost12percentofSudan'sforestcoverinjust15years.
Someareasareexpectedtoundergoatotallossofforestcoverwithinthenextdecade.
Sudan,however,hasnaturalresourcesthatitneedstoexploit,MortontoldIPS.
"ThereareveryvaluablehardwoodtimbersinSudan,particularlymahogany.
Atthemomenttheyarebeingburnttoclearlandforagriculture,theyarebeinglostwithoutgettinganyeconomicgainoutofthembecausetherearenoroadstothemarket.
Ifsold,onetreecouldcreatefiveyears'income,"Mortonsaid.
"TherearesubstantivewaterresourcesthroughtheNile,"headded,"yetthereislittleirrigationdoneincentralandsouthernSudan,sothereareoptionsthereforagriculturaldevelopment.
"Lescasdecancersdelapeauexploserontd'ici2015ParFranoisCardinalLaPresse(Montreal)20thSeptember2007Lacouched'ozoneabeaumontrerdessignesd'amélioration,lapollutionquiamenéàsonappauvrissementcontinueradefairedevictimes:lescasdecancerdelapeausontappelésàdoublerd'ici2015.
Selonunvasterapportdel'ONUprésentélundiàMontréal,l'augmentationfulgurantedescasdecancerdelapeauaucoursdesdernièresdécenniesestappeléeàsemaintenirpendantplusieursannéesencore.
Danslespaysoùlapopulationestmajoritairementdepeaublanche,commeleCanada,l'incidencedecetypedecancerpourraitainsidoublerentre2000et2015,aprécisélorsd'unerencontreàhuisclosJanetBornman,coprésidenteduGrouped'évaluationdeseffetsenvironnementauxduProgrammedesNationsuniespourl'environnement(PNUE)Lesauteursdurapportsefonttoutefoisprudentsdansleursprédictions,estimantquechaquepersonnepeutavoiruneincidencesurl'impactréelqu'aurontlesrayonssolairesaucoursdesprochainesdécennies.
Cesontleschoixhumainsliésàl'expositionauxradiationssolairesquidéterminerontlesvéritablescontrecoupsdecettesituation,note-t-ondanscerapportd'évaluationscientifiquerédigépar250expertsinternationaux.
Publiédefaonpréliminairel'andernier,ilaétéofficiellementprésentélundiauxsignatairesduprotocoledeMontréal.
Ontientainsiàpréciserquel'expositionausoleilestbénéfiqueenvitamineD,maisquel'abusdesrayonsUVBpeutaucontraireprovoquerdifférentstypesdecancers(avecousansmélanomes)Commentunetelleprédictionest-ellecompatibleavecuneaméliorationlacouched'ozone,tellequerapportéecettesemainelorsdelainternationalesurlesujetLeprotocoledeMontréalacertainementpermisderéduireleproblèmeenlimitantl'usagedesproduitschimiquesnocifs,maislemalestdéjàfait,aindiquéenentrevueledocteurGirishShah,directeurdulaboratoirederecherchesurlecancerdelapeauauCHUL,àQuébec.
Cespécialistedelabiologiemoléculairefaitremarquerqueleprotocole,quifêteses20anscetteannée,necontribued'aucunefaonàcolmaterplusrapidementlefameuxtroudanslacouched'ozone.
Cedernierserésorberatranquillement,seul,àconditionquel'onréussisseàéliminerlesproduitsdangereuxquil'assaillent,commelesHCFC.
Selonl'ONU,quelquessignesavant-coureursdelareconstitutiondestratosphériquesontdéjàvisibles.
Maiscelanesignifiepasquelasituationestréglée,loindelàLacouched'ozoneau-dessusdeslatitudesmoyennespourraiteneffetsereconstituerd'icià2049,soitcinqansplustardquelaprécédenteévaluationfaiteen2002,souligne-t-ondanslerapportduPNUE.
Au-dessusdel'Antarctique,celan'aurapaslieuavant2065,soit15ansplustardqueprévu.
CestristesnouvellessontliéesàlarévisionàlahaussedesquantitésdeCFCquerenfermentlesréfrigérateursactuels,entreautres,etdontunegrandepartiefiniraéventuellementparrejoindrel'atmosphère.
Ellessontégalementliéesàl'explosionenChineetenIndedelaproductiondeHFCF,ceproduitderemplacementdesCFCquis'estavérénocifpourl'ozone,leclimatetlasantépublique.
Sil'augmentationdesrayonsUVBsepoursuit,nouspouvonsêtrecertainquelescasdecancersdelapeausuivrontlamêmecourbesinousrefusonsd'adopterdeshabitudesplussaineslorsdel'expositionausoleil,expliqueleDrShah.
Celaestencoreplusvraipourlesenfants,ajoute-t-il,carceux-cisontnonseulementplusvulnérablesauxrayonssolaires,ilspassentégalementplusdetempsàl'extérieurqueleursparents.
RappelonsquelesdélégationsprésentescettesemaineauPalaisdescongrèstententdes'entendresurunedéclarationcommunequiaccéléreraitl'abandondessubstancesappauvrissantlacouched'ozone,particulièrementlesHCFCquel'onretrouvedanslessystèmesdeclimatisationetderéfrigération.
LerapportduPNUEprésentélundiprécised'ailleursquetouteaccélérationdel'éliminationseraitbénéfiquepourlareconstitutiondelacouched'ozone.
Onsoutientquesil'onparvenaitàsupprimerdèsmaintenantlesémissionsprovenantdel'ensembledesagentsdestructeursdel'ozone,cederniersecolmateraitdès2034(auxlatitudesmoyennes).
Ongagneraitainsi15ans.
Briefing:UNAlertonGlobalWarmingNewsday(NewYork)20thSeptember2007Thescienceisclearandthetimeshort,butthepoliticalwillislackingtoconfrontglobalwarming,theUNsecretary-generalsaidTuesday,TheAssociatedPressreports.
BanKi-moonsaidhehopedMonday's"climatesummit"attheUnitedNationswillhelpgalvanizeleaderstotakeaction"beforeitistoolate.
"AskedatanewsconferenceaboutPresidentGeorgeW.
Bush'splannedseparatemeetingtodiscussglobal-warmingmeasuresamongahandfulofcountrieslaternextweek,theUNchiefsaidBushassuredhimitwouldbecoordinatedwiththeestablishedUNprocessofnegotiatingclimatetreatycommitmentsamongallnations.
TheU.
S.
administrationrejectstreatyobligations,suchastheKyotoProtocol,toreduceemissionsofcarbondioxideandothergreenhousegasesblamedforglobalwarming.
Bushfavorsvoluntaryreductionsinstead.
Inaseriesofreportsthisyear,aUN-sponsoredscientificnetworksaidunabatedglobalwarmingwouldproduceadifferentplanetby2100.
EPA:Despiteprogress,pollutionthreatensGladesByCurtisMorganMiamiHerald20thSeptember2007BillionshavebeenspenttocleanandrestoretheEvergladesoverthelastdecade,butkeypollutantsremainattroublinglevels,accordingtoaU.
S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyreportreleasedWednesday.
Whilethestudynotedsomesignificantimprovements,conditionsweredecidedlymixedacross2,063squaremilesfromEvergladesNationalParktotheLoxahatcheeNationalWildlifeRefugeinPalmBeachCounty.
Theerosionofessentialpeatsoilsfromdecadesofdrainagestabilized,forinstance,butmoreofitshowedimpactsfromphosphorus,afertilizeringredientthatchokesnativeplantsandfuelscat-tailsandotherexotics.
Mercurylevelsplummetedintinymosquitofish,amongthemostabundantlinksinthefoodchain,butnotenoughtoliftexistingstatehealthwarningsagainsteatingbassandotherEvergladesfishwhichgobblethemupandstoretheaccumulatedtoxin.
TONSOFPHOSPHOROUSFederalscientistsandstatewatermanagerscautionedthestudywasintendedasabasicgaugeofchange--nottogradeFlorida's$1.
8billionefforttoreducewhatscientistsconsiderthemostproblematicpollutant:tonsofphosphorusflowingfromsugarfarms,suburbsandpollutedLakeOkeechobee.
Still,findingssuggesttheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrict,whichhasbuilt41,000acresofmarshtocleanfarmrunoff,couldhavealongwaytogotohitasuper-lowtargetthatwentintoeffectthisyear.
OneEPAsamplinginNovember2005showedwhilephosphorusinthewaterdeclinedslightlysince1995,27percentofthemarshstillexceededthestandard.
Moresignificant,phosphorushadspreaddeeperintothesystem--withaquarteroftheGladestoppingstatestandardsforsoilandnearlyhalfexceedinggoalsofthe$20billionstate-federalEvergladesrestorationeffort.
'Tremendousprogressisbeingmade,''saidDanScheidt,aseniorscientistwithEPASoutheast.
``ButtherearestillpartsoftheEvergladesgettingmorephosphorusthanwhatthecriterioniscallingfor.
''GarthRedfield,thechiefenvironmentalscientistfortheSouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrict,saidthefederalreport,basedonsamplestakenduringwetanddryseasons,providedagood''snapshot,''notareliablemeasureofpollutiontrends.
''Thestrengthoftheirapproachisalsoitsweakness,''hesaid.
``Someofthethingstheytalkaboutandmeasurevaryoveraperiodoftime,oftenwidely.
''CharlesLee,avicepresidentwithAudubonofFlorida,saidthestudywasonlythelatestindicationofgrowingproblems.
Lastweek,thedistrictreleasedfiguresshowingsugarandotherfarmersmissedaphosphorusreductiontargetforthefirsttimein11years,andthatsometreatmentmarshesweren'tworkingaswellasinpreviousyears.
''Thingsaregettingworseonsomefronts,''Leesaid.
WatermanagersacknowledgeunexpectedsetbacksfromhurricanesthatrakedtreatmentmarshesandstirredupthepollutedmuckofLakeOkeechobee,triplingofphosphorusflowingtofarmsinirrigationwater.
Buttheprogramstillhaskept2,600tonsofphosphorusoutoftheGladesandthedistrictisrestoringthedamagedmarshes,adding18,000acresofnewtreatmentareas.
Theprogramremainsonpacetohitcleanuptargets,saidDeputyExecutiveDirectorChipMerriam.
JamesGiattina,EPASoutheast'swatermanagementdivisiondirector,saidnothinginthereportindicatedthecleanupwasfalteringandtheexpandingswathofphosphorusintotheGladeswasnotunexpected.
''It'sgottomovesomewhere,''hesaid,``andit'sgoingtomovedown.
''ENDANGEREDLISTInWashington,Sen.
BillNelsonheldahearingtotaketheWhiteHousetotaskforbackingtheremovalofEvergladesNationalParkfromaninternationallistof''endangered''sites.
Asaresult,theStateDepartmentsignaleditwillchangethewaytheU.
S.
delegationmakesdecisionsatsimilarmeetings,aNelsonspokesmansaid.
Nelsonsaidhewasgratifiedbytheresultofahearing.
''Becauseofthehearingthegovernmentischangingitspolicysoonepersoncan'tmakeadecisionthatcancausewidespreaddamage,like,downgradingtheEverglades,''Nelsonsaid.
``Nowwe'vegottokeepworkingtomakesuretheBushadministrationdoesn'tabandononeoftheworld'sgreatesttreasures.
''NelsonSpokesmanBryanGulleysaidToddWillens,aU.
S.
InteriorDepartmentdeputyassistantsecretarywhomadethemotiontoliftthedesignation,acknowledgedatthehearingthat``theadministrationwanted[theEverglades]offthelist.
''MiamiHeraldstaffwriterLesleyClarkcontributedtothisreport.
Florida'sfirst`green'firehouseopenstodayinLakeNonaByMarkSchluebOrlandoSentinel20thSeptember2007Orlandowillopena$3.
2millionfirestationtodaythatcityleaderssaywillbecomethefirst"greencertified"firehouseinFlorida.
Station15,inLakeNona'sSavannahParkneighborhood,wasdesignedwitheco-friendlyfeaturesmeanttoreduceitsimpactontheenvironmentandtosavemoneyonenergyandwater.
MayorBuddyDyerplanstousethefirestation'sceremonialopeningtokickoff"GreenWorksOrlando,"acitywideplanformoreeco-friendlyinitiatives.
Foritsfirestation,thecityhasappliedfor"LEEDcertification"--orLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign--fromtheU.
S.
GreenBuildingCouncil.
It'sthemostwidelyusedratingsysteminarapidlygrowingfield.
Thecouncilawardspointsforavarietyoffactors,fromthematerialsusedinconstructiontotheamountofopen,undevelopedspaceonthesite.
Thestation'sfeaturesinclude:Adesignthatallowssunlightintomostareas,solittleornoelectricallightingisneededduringtheday.
Urinalsthatuseone-sixthofagallonperflush,comparedwiththestandardonegallon.
Bathroomsalsohavedual-flushtoiletsthatuselesswaterforliquids.
Sensorsthatturnoffsomelightswhennooneisintheroom.
High-efficiencyheatingandcoolingsystems.
"Therearealotoflittlefacetsthatmakeuponebiggreenbuilding,"cityspokesmanCarsonChandlersaid.
"It'sliterallydozensanddozensoflittlethings.
"Thecitywillearnsomepointsforfeaturesthatlikelywouldhavebeenincludedanyway,suchastheuseofreclaimedwaterforirrigation.
Otherdetails,suchasdrought-tolerantlandscapingandbicycleracks,didn'taddmuchtothecost.
Butgreenfeaturesdidraisethepriceofthefirestationbyabout$100,000.
Cityofficialsestimatethatthey'llsaveabout$8,800ayearinelectricityandwatercosts,soitwillpayforitselfinabout11years.
Otherjurisdictionsplangreenfirestations,includingseveralinSarasota.
ButOrlandoofficialssaytheoneinLakeNonawillbethefirstinFloridatoreceivecertification,aprocessthatcantakemonths.
TwootherOrlandofirehousesthatareexpectedtoopeninthenextfewmonthsalsowillpursueLEEDcertification.
Climateprotect.
orgFeaturesEarthLabPersonalizedCarbonandLifestyleCalculator,ShowsIndividualsHowtoImpactChangePRNewswire20thSeptember2007KIRKLAND,Wash.
,Sept.
20/PRNewswire/--EarthLab(http://www.
earthlab.
com/)todayannouncedawebpartnershipwiththeAllianceforClimateProtection,ledbyitsChairmanAlGore.
WorkingtogetherwiththeAlliance,EarthLabprovidesacarboncalculatortohelpindividualsunderstandtheircarbonfootprint.
Armedwiththisknowledge,peoplecanbegintofindquickandeasywaystoreducetheirimpactontheclimatecrisis.
"WearepleasedtopartnerwithEarthLabtooffertheEarthLabcarboncalculatoronourwebsitetohelppeopleunderstandthatbymakingchangesintheirownlives,theycanbepartofsolvingthisglobalchallenge,"saidCathyZoi,CEO,AllianceforClimateProtection.
"Asindividuals,adoptingsolutionsisanimportantfirststepinreducingourcarbonfootprint,buteachofusmustalsodemandthatourleadersmakepolicychangestosolvetheclimatecrisis.
"AnyonecancalculateandunderstandtheirpersonalenvironmentalimpactwithEarthLab'sEarthConservationPlan(ECP)CarbonandLifestylecalculator.
Nowavailableathttp://www.
climateprotect.
org/astheofficialcalculatorfortheAlliance,EarthLab'scarboncalculatorgoesbeyondstrictcarboncalculationstoincludelifestyleelements,sothatuserscanformulateaplantodecreasetheirindividual,andfamily's,effectontheearth.
InitiallyhighlightedduringthehistoricLiveEarthconcerts(http://liveearth.
org/)heldJuly7,2007,EarthLab'sECPCarbonandLifestyleCalculatorhasalreadyreachedmorethan900,000people.
"Technologyandcommunityhasthepowertomakeapositive,long-termcontributiontosolvingtheenvironmentalchallengesweface,"saidDuaneDahl,CreatorofEarthLab.
"BybecomingawebsitepartnerwiththeAllianceforClimateProtection,wecanincreaseawarenessabouttheclimatecrisisanddriverealchangethatwillhelpcutcarbonemissionsthroughouttheworld.
"IndividualscanuseEarthLab'scalculatortoreceiveabaselinescorethatcanbesavedandtrackedforlong-termimprovement.
Userscancomparetheirpersonalresultstoaveragescoresbycity,state,orcountry.
Byaskingashortseriesofquestionsscientificallydesignedtoanalyzeeachindividual'senvironmentalfootprint,EarthLabdeliversanECPscoreonline.
Questionsrangefromthesizeofresidencetoaverageutilitybills,whatkindofacartheydrive,andpersonalenergyhabits.
TotranslatetheirECPscoreintoactions,individualscanmakepledgesonthesitetoshowtheircommitmenttotheenvironmentandsetpersonal,practicalandachievablegoals.
AbouttheAllianceforClimateProtectionTheAllianceforClimateProtectionisa501c3organizationfoundedin2006byVicePresidentAlGorewhoiscurrentlytheChairmanoftheBoardofDirectors.
TheAllianceisengagedinanunprecedentedefforttoconvincepeoplefromallwalksoflifeabouttheurgencyandthesolvabilityoftheclimatecrisis.
BuildingonthemomentumoftheAcademyAwardwinningfilm,"AnInconvenientTruth,"theAllianceobjectiveisto1)engageindividuals,communities,corporationsandgovernmentsacrosstheworldtotakeactiontoquicklyreducetheirowngreenhousepollutionand2)demandactionfrompolitical,businessandcommunityleaderstoenactpoliciesthatwillsharplyreduceemissions.
Throughaninnovativecombinationofcommunicationplatformsandaninfluentialcollectionofsupportersthatincludestheenvironmentalcommunity,keyleadersinbusiness,theentertainmentindustry,thefaithcommunity,laborandmanyothers,theAlliancewillreachnewaudiencestoengagetheminsolvingtheclimatecrisis.
AboutEarthLab.
com--TheEarthLabFoundationEarthLabisthefirstclimatecrisiscommunitydesignedtobeavoiceandforumforpeopleinterestedinleadingamoreearth-friendly,healthier,cleanerandenvironmentallybalancedlifestyle.
EarthLabisamulti-platformmediabrandandgivesapracticalguidetogreenliving.
Viacommunityinteraction,content,surveys,andeasylifestyletipstohelptheenvironment,EarthLabhelpsmakeadifferenceinyourhome,yourneighborhood,yourcity,andtheworld.
EarthLabfeaturesthemostwidelyusedcarbonindexandlifestylecalculatorandprofilethatleadsmembersthroughapersonalizedEarthConservationPlan(ECP).
Theprofileincludesaneasy-to-usesurveythatgeneratespersonalcarbonoutputandECPscores,andsavesandtracksresults.
Thecreationofapersonalandprivatestrategyfocusedonenvironmentallyfriendlyoptionsprovidesanopportunityforindividualstoeducateandactivatethemselveswhileembeddingagreenapproachtotheirlives.
EarthLabmemberscanmakepledgestoaffectsmallchangesintheirlifestylesandhabitstoinstillagreenapproachtoliving,whichimprovestheirscoreovertime.
EarthLabalsooffersexclusiveClimateCrisisrelatedcontent,advicefromexperts,andkeyanalysis.
EarthLabmaintainstestandcontentaccuracybyworkingcloselywiththeEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),Greenercars.
org,EnergyInformationAdministration(EIA),andtheAmericanCouncilforanEnergy-EfficientEconomy(ACEEE).
Testscoresaredirectlylinkedtoeachmember'sECP.
TheEarthLabFoundationisa501(c)(3)nonprofitorganizationheadquarteredinKirkland,Washingtonandisanindependentnon-profitserviceorganizationgovernedbyaBoardofTrusteesandAdvisoryCommittee.
TheEarthLabFoundationalsoprovidesfunctionaloutreachandreverseresearchandeducationaleffortsinpartthroughEarthLab.
com,(http://www.
earthlab.
com/),capableofprovidingunsurpassedreal-timedatacollectionfromconsumersworldwide.
InnovationsinEnergyTechnology;EnergyFromBiomassandWasteExpoPremieresinPittsburghPRNewswire20thSeptember2007PITTSBURGH,Pennsylvania,September20/PRNewswire/--America'sfirstinternationalexhibitonandconferenceon"energyfrombiomassandwaste"(EBW)premieresonSeptember25-27,2007attheDavidL.
LawrenceConventionCenterinPittsburgh,Pennsylvania.
Morethan80exhibitorsfromsevencountries-theU.
S.
,Canada,Germany,Belgium,Norway,Sweden,andAustria-willshowcasethelatestmachineryforpower,heatandvehiclefuelproductionfromwastematerialsandrenewables.
Aspecialfeatureareaintheexhibithallpresentsbiofuelcarsfromthedealer'sshowroom.
Theconcurrentlyheldconferenceprovideshands-oninformationonnewtechnologies,markettrends,andfinancingopportunitiesinover50sessions.
"ThemajorityofAmerica'selectricityiscurrentlybeingproducedbyfossilcoal-firedpowerplants",explainsDr.
InesFreesen,ManagingDirectorofEBWOrganizerFreesen&PartnerGmbH.
"Therefore,thesteamandrenewableelectricitygeneratedbythenation's89waste-to-energyfacilitiesarevaluablecommodities.
"Thewaste-to-energyplantsintheU.
S.
reliablyproduceapproximately17millionkilowatthoursofelectricityperyear,enoughtopower2.
3millionAmericanhomes.
Thisaccountsfornearly20percentofallrenewableelectricitygenerationintheUnitedStates.
AttheEBWConference,twopaneldiscussionsfocusonthebenefitsandchallengesofturningwasteintoenergy.
Expertsfromtheindustrytalkabouthowrefuse-derivedfuelscanbeusedbyabusinesstosaveonenergyandrecyclingcosts.
Biogasrecoverysystemsatlivestockandpoultryoperationscanbeanothersourceofcleanenergythatreducesgreenhousegasemissions.
Thereareover100biogas-producinganaerobicdigestersinoperationintheUnitedStates,with90moreprojectsunderconstructionorintheplanning/designphases.
Inaddition,therearecurrently430operationallandfillgastoenergysites,withapproximately50projectsunderconstructionandatleast50moreintheplanningstages.
"ThisconstitutesonlyafractionofthepotentialbeofferedintheUnitedStates",addsDr.
Freesen.
"InthestateofNorthCarolinaalone,therearemorethan1,100candidatefarmsforelectricityproductionfromswinemanure.
Californiahasover900candidatedairyfarmsforrenewablepowergeneration.
"AtEBW,speakersfromtheU.
S.
andabroadpresentbest-practicereportsandnewsfromthelababoutbiomassutilization,biogasandalternativefuelproduction.
EBWisopentoprofessionalsinthefieldandtothepublic.
Theentrancefeeforboththeexpoandtheconferenceis$50.
Thecompleteconferenceprogramandexhibitorlistareavailableon:http://www.
ebw-expo.
com/AbouttheEBWExpo&Conference:The"energyfrombiomassandwaste"(EBW)Expo&ConferenceisheldonSeptember25-27,2007attheDavidL.
LawrenceConventionCenterinPittsburgh,PA.
EBW'smissionistoeducateallrelevantstakeholdersabouttheecologicalandeconomicalbenefitsofcleanenergy,andtocreateaninternationalmarketplaceforbioenergyandenergy-from-wastetechnologiesinPennsylvania.
EBW2007issponsoredby:AlliedWasteIndustries,Inc.
;BenFranklinTechnologyPArtners;BiomassMagazine;Herbert,Rowland&Grubic,Inc.
;KfWIPEX-Bank;PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection;ThePennsylvaniaStateUniversity;Robert-JamesSales,Inc.
;TowPathRenewables;U.
S.
DepartmentofAgriculture;U.
S.
DepartmentofEnergy;USRenewablesGroup,LLC;andWestPennPowerSustainableEnergyFund,Inc.
In2008,theEBWExpo&ConferencereturnstoPittsburghonOctober14-16.
AboutFreesen&Partner:Freesen&PartnerGmbH,withofficesinAlpen,Germany,andRockport,Maine,isaconsultingandeventmanagementfirmspecializedinthefieldsofenergyandtheenvironment.
Withitsin-depthmarketknowledgeandcontactstotheinternationalenergyandwasteindustries,thecompanysuccessfullylaunchedseveraltradeshowsandconferences,allofwhichhavebecomeleadingforumsintheirmarkets.
CurrentactivitiesincludeHydrogenExpoUS,NorthAmerica'snumberoneshowcaseforhydrogenandfuelcelltechnologies,theElmiaWorldBioenergyexhibitionandconferenceinJonkoping,Sweden,andthe"wastetoenergy"exhibitionandconferenceonenergyfromwasteandbiomassinBremen,Germany.
ActivistssuefederalgovernmentoverKyoto;EnvironmentgroupssayOttawafailedtocomplywithclimate-changelawByPeterGorrieTheTorontoStarEnvironmentgroupsaresuingthefederalgovernmentforfailingtocomplywithalawthatrequiresittomeetCanada'sinternationalcommitmenttocutgreenhousegasemissions.
TheKyotoProtocolImplementationAct,whichcameintoforcelastJuneafterbeingpassedbytheHouseofCommonsandSenate,gavethegovernment60daystocomeupwithaplan"toensure"Canadameetsitstarget-a6percentcutinemissionsbelow1990levelsby2012.
Thegroupsarguethegovernment'sresponse,rightatthedeadlineonAug.
21,fellfarshortofwhat'srequired.
ThegovernmentisignoringtheruleoflawbyfailingtocomplywithanactpassedbyParliament,saysanapplicationfiledyesterdayintheFederalCourtofCanadabyEcoJustice,anon-profitenvironmentallawfirm,onbehalfofFriendsoftheEarthCanada.
MPsandsenatorsfromtheminorityConservativegovernmentvotedagainstthelegislation,introducedlastyearbyMontrealLiberalbackbencherPabloRodriguez.
ButtheoppositionpartiespusheditthroughbothchambersanditreceivedroyalassentonJune22.
TheAug.
21planwouldn'thittheKyototargetuntil2025.
Tryingtoachievethecutsby2012wouldbedisastrousforCanada'seconomy,EnvironmentMinisterJohnBairdsaid.
HisAugustdocumentbasicallyrestatedtheConservatives'officialclimatechangeplan,"TurningtheCorner,"releasedlastApril.
BecauseofCanada'sresource-basedeconomy,growingpopulationand"vastnortherngeography,"attemptingtofollowtheKyototimetablewouldcutCanada'sgrossdomesticproductbymorethan6.
5percent,reducepersonalincomes,leadtohigherunemploymentandenergyprices,andkicktheeconomyintoadeeprecession,theAugustplanstates.
Environmentalistsrejectthegloomyforecastandargue,instead,thatpursuingefficiencyandinnovationwouldboosttheeconomy.
Inanycase,theysay,thelawisthelawandthegovernmentmustobeyit.
TheywantthecourttoruleBairdhasnotcompliedwiththeactand,then,toorderhimtocomeupwithaplanthatdoescomply.
"Wearesimplyaskingthecourttodeclarethatthegovernmentisboundbytheact'srequirementsandtorequirethegovernmenttocomplywithit,"saidChrisPaliare,alawyerrepresentingthegroups.
Thecase"goesrighttotheheartofthematter-wehavealawandthegovernmentmustcomplywiththelaw,"saidBeaOlivastri,FriendsoftheEarth'sCEO.
AspokespersonforBairddefendedthegovernment'srecordonclimatechangebutwouldn'tcommentonacasebeforethecourt.
Award-WinningSkystream3.
7BackyardWindTurbineNowEligibleforStateofCalifornia'sRenewableEnergyRebateUSNewswire20thSeptember2007Now,CaliforniahomeownerswhoinstallaSkystream,ratedat1.
8kW,areeligibleforarebatefromthestateofCaliforniaforapproximately$4,100.
ThismakestheSkystream,whichcostsbetween$12,000and$15,000topurchaseandinstall,evenmoreaffordable.
"ThisisabigdevelopmentforCaliforniahomeownerswho'vewantedbackyardwindpowerforyears,butwhohavebeenwaitingfortherightproductandtherightrebates,"saysAndyKruse,VPofbusinessdevelopmentforSouthwestWindpower.
"Withthenewrebateinplace,it'snowmoreaffordablethanevertostartmakingcleanpowerinbackyardsacrossCalifornia,"Krusesays.
TheSkystream,developedincollaborationwiththeU.
S.
DepartmentofEnergy'sNationalRenewableEnergyLab,wasnamedaBestofWhat'sNewproductbytheeditorsofPopularScienceandaTop10GreenBuildingProductbyeditorsofSustainableIndustriesmagazine.
Skystreamisthefirstbackyard-sizedwindturbinetoincludeabuilt-ininverter,requiringnoexternalcomponents.
Dependingonthewindresource,Skystreamgeneratesbetween30-80percentofthepowerrequiredbyatypicalhome.
Typically,Skystreamisinstalledonlotsofahalfacreorlarger.
ScottJackson,principleofEvergreenDevelopment,acertifiedSkystreamdealerandinstaller,seesgreatpotentialforSkystreamintheCaliforniamarket.
"HereinCalifornia,homeownerscareabouttheenvironment,buttheyalsocareaboutaffordabilityandaesthetics.
Skystreamisthetotalpackage,"Jacksonsays.
TheSkystreamwindturbinewillbeondisplaythisweekendaspartoftheSanFranciscoBuildItGreenHomeTourinconjunctionwithWestCoastGreen2007.
TheSkystreamwillbeondisplayatahomeinSanFrancisco'sMissionDistrictlocatedat302725thStreet(nearBryantStreet).
TolocateaSkystreamdealerinyourareaortoinquireaboutbecomingacertifiedSkystreamdealervisithttp://www.
skystreamenergy.
com.
AboutSouthwestWindpowerFlagstaffArizona-basedSouthwestWindpoweristheworld'slargestproducerofsmall-scalewindgenerators(400to3000watts).
The20-yearoldcompanyhasbeenapioneerinthedevelopmentofwindtechnologyandhasproducedover90,000generatorsthatprovidepowertoeverythingfromresidentialhomestosailboats.
SouthwestWindpower'snewestwindturbine,theSkystream3.
7,isthefirstfully-integratedwindgeneratordesignedspecificallyforthegrid-connectedresidentialmarket.
SouthwestWindpowerdistributesinmorethan88countries.
OntheWeb:http://www.
skystreamenergy.
com.
AbouttheSanFranciscoBuildItGreenHomeTourinconjunctionwithWestCoastGreen2007OnSunday,September23,2007(10a.
m.
to5p.
m.
)sevenhomeownerswillopentheirdoorsfortheone-dayself-guidedtourthatwillintroduceattendeestohomeownersandbuildingprofessionalswhohavebuiltorremodeledgreen.
OntheWeb:http://www.
BuildItGreen.
org.
ClimateChangefavorsnuclearenergy:ouropinion:MoreCapacityNeededtoMeetFlorida'sGrowingDemands.
MiamiHerald20thSeptember2007FloridaPower&LightCo.
isridingfavorablewinds--political,economicandsocial--withitsrecentrequesttoexpandnuclearfacilitiesatTurkeyPointandSt.
LucieCounty.
ClimatechangeandagrowingawarenessamongAmericansofthebenefitsofnuclearenergycreateapositiveenvironmentforFPLtopitchitsrequesttoincreasegeneratingcapacityatthetwosites.
Approval,whichwouldbesensible,couldmeancheaperelectricityandlessairpollution.
ImpactonwetlandsTheprocessisjustgettingstarted.
FPLwillhavetonegotiatenumerousstateandfederalregulatoryagenciesand,eventhen,upgradingthefourpowerunitsatTurkeyPointandSt.
Luciewilltakeyears.
AddingtwomorenuclearfacilitiesatTurkeyPoint,whichFPLalsoplanstoaskfor,willtake10to12years.
TheSierraClubandothergroupsarewell-justifiedintheirconcernsaboutthesafety,securityandenvironmentalimpactofexpandingthefacilitiesandaddingnewones.
''Ithinkthereisgoingtobequiteafight,''MarkOncavageoftheSierraClubtoldaMiamiHeraldreporter.
Criticsarerighttoworryaboutthenegativeimpactonwetlandsandthehighdemandforwaterforcoolingtheturbines.
TheseconcernsmustbereconciledagainstthefactthatFlorida'srapidpaceofgrowthshowsfewsignsofabatingand,infact,isaggressivelyencouragedasofficialstatepolicy.
Also,publicattitudeshavechangeddramaticallysincethe1970swhenaccidentssuchasthebreakdownattheThreeMileIslandfacilityinPennsylvaniacausedalarmandworryaboutanucleardisaster.
U.
S.
nuclearfacilitieshaveoperatedsafelyfordecadesnow,includingatFPLand,so,thereisgreateracceptanceofnuclearpower.
A2006pollbyPenn,Schoen&BerlandAssociatesshowedthat59percentofAmericansviewnuclearenergyfavorably.
ThosenumbersincreaseaspeoplebecomeawarethatnuclearenergycanbeproducedwithoutreleasinggreenhousegasesintotheatmosphereandthatitcanreduceU.
S.
dependenceonforeignoil.
CleanenergyPolitically,Gov.
CharlieCristispushingaclean-energyagendathatisfocusedonreducinggreenhousegasesanddiversifyingfuelsusedbythestate'selectricutilities.
ThePublicServiceCommission,whichwillreviewFPL'srequestsformorenuclearcapacity,appearstobeonthesamepage.
PSCcommissionersrecentlyrejectedFPL'srequesttobuildalargecoal-burningplantnearLakeOkeechobee,inpart,becauseofconcernsaboutnoxiousemissionsthatfuelglobalwarming.
Forconsumers,thebottomlineiswhetherthemonthlyelectricbillwillbelower.
Thechancesofthathappeninggetbetterwithnuclearenergy.
FedstodecidebyAprilwhethertoprotectblackbearhabitatTheAssociatedPress20thSeptember2007TheU.
S.
FishandWildlifeServicewilldecidewithinsixmonthswhethertheLouisianablackbearneeds3millionacresof"criticalhabitat"tofurtherprotectthespecieslistedasthreatened.
Theagencyproposeddoingsoin1993,butlandownersandpoliticiansopposeditasaneedlesslayerofredtapethatwouldviolatelandownerrights.
Asettlementreachedthismonthinalawsuitovertheagency'sfailuretofollowthroughsetsAprilasadecisiondeadline.
PlaintiffsincludeHaroldSchoeffler,headoftheAcadianachapteroftheSierraClubwhowasactiveingettingthebearlistedasathreatenedspecies.
TheBlackBearConservationCommittee,agroupoflandowners,conservationistsandgovernmentagencies,opposestheproposal.
Itsaysdesignationascriticalhabitatwouldneedlesslytieupresourcesthatcouldbeusedinconservationandmightscarelandownersawayfromvoluntaryre-forestationprograms.
WhilemostofthetimberprotectedasspottedowlhabitatinthenorthwestU.
S.
wasonfederalland,90percentoftheLouisianablackbear'shabitatisonprivateland,accordingtotheBBCC.
Schoefflersaidthefederalpermitlinkcouldbringmorescrutinytooilandgasprojectsandcypressharvestincertainareas,aswellasrequiremoreextensivewetlandmitigationworkforfederalprojects.
Informationfrom:TheAdvocate,http://www.
2theadvocate.
comLandfillwillgetnewlife;NaturalgastobemadefrommethaneByKevinDuffyAtlantaJournalConstitutionAyearfromnow,oneofthebiggestlandfillsinGeorgiacouldbeproducingenoughnaturalgasfor20,000homes.
JacobyEnergyDevelopment,WasteManagement,DeKalbCountyandAtlantaGasLightannouncedWednesdaya$25millionprojecttoturnmethanegasintonaturalgasatLiveOakLandfillinsouthwestDeKalbCounty.
Afteroperationsstartinabout12months,theclosed130-acrelandfillwillproduce1.
4billioncubicfeetofnaturalgasayear,saidSuzanneSitherwood,presidentofAtlantaGasLight.
"Thewastethatpeoplethrowawayisnotgoingtowaste,"saidBradGardner,vicepresidentofWasteManagement'sAtlantaunit.
Currently,LiveOak'smethanegasisburnedoffinseveralflamesthatshoot30feetintotheair.
ThoseflameswilldisappearwhenthelandfillgasiscapturedandconvertedtonaturalgasbeforegoingintothepipelinewithnaturalgasfromGulfofMexicorefineries.
Marketerswillbuythegasandresellittoconsumers.
TheusersmightbeasfarnorthastheTennesseelineordowninValdosta.
LiveOak,whichshutdownin2004after19yearsofoperation,shouldproducenaturalgasfor18to20years,thepartiessay.
JacobyEnergywilloperatethefacility.
JimJacoby,chiefexecutiveoftheJacobyGroup,spearheadedtheAtlanticStationdevelopmentinMidtown.
"Renewableenergyproductionisamongthemostpressingenvironmentalchallengesofthe21stcentury,"hesaid.
"WeliketothinkWasteManagementistheSaudiArabiaforwaste.
"Jacobywilluserevenuefromthesaleofthegastopayoffatax-freestart-uploanandtooperatetheplant.
WasteManagement,thepropertyowner,andDeKalbCountyalsowillgetroyaltiesprojectedtobeatleast$500,000ayear.
DeKalbdeededthesitetoWasteManagementwiththestipulationthatifthelandfillbecamearevenueproduceragain,thecountywouldshareintheproceeds.
WasteManagementspendsabout$750,000ayeartomaintaintheclosedlandfill,andproducingnaturalgastherewouldhelpcoverthosecosts,saidMarchSmith,WasteManagement'sdirectorofclosedsites.
GasfromthelandfillwillbeafractionofwhatAGLsuppliesacrossthestate---roughly280billioncubicfeetayearthatcomesfromthegulf,Sitherwoodsaid.
Consumerswon'tseeanychangeintheirbillsbasedontheinclusionoflandfillnaturalgas.
DeKalbCEOVernonJones,who'srunningfortheU.
S.
Senate,saidlandfillneighborssupporttheplan.
"Thepublichasboughtintoit,"JonessaidattheannouncementatJacoby'sheadquartersatAtlanticStation.
"We'reaheadofthecurvehere.
"DeKalb'sDevelopmentAuthoritypassedaresolutionendorsingtheprojectsoJacobycouldqualifyforthetax-freeloan.
Mostofthatmoneywillbeusedtobuyequipment.
Jacobyisretrofittingabuildingonthelandfillsitetoprocessthelandfillgas.
Thegasmustbecleanedofsulfur,carbondioxide,waterandothercontaminantsbeforeitcangointoAGL's36-inchpipe.
Convertingmethanegasintonaturalgasorelectricityisnotanewidea.
Inthe1980s,anothercompanyworkingwithAGLtriedtoconvertlandfillgas,buttheprojectfizzled.
DeKalb'sSanitationDivisionlastyearbegancapturinggasattheSeminoleLandfilltoproduceelectricitythatGeorgiaPowerbuys.
Thegasoperatestwoenginesthatproduceelectricity.
LaGrangealsosellslandfillgas.
Nationwide,thereareabout400landfill-gasprojects.
JacobyispursuinganotherwasteenergyprojectinSt.
Lucie,Fla.
Butthere,wastewillbedestroyedandtheresultinggaswillproduceelectricityina10,000-degreeprocesscalledplasmagasification.
Thatprojectisexpectedtobeoperationalinlate2010,saidHilburnHillestad,presidentofJacoby'sGeoplasmasubsidiary.
Global-warmingskeptics:Mightwarmingbe'normal'ByBradKnickerbockerTheChristianScienceMonitorInasmallcollegetownlikeCorvallis,Ore.
,it'snotunusualthatGeorgeTaylorwouldrideabiketohisjobontheOregonStateUniversitycampus.
Hecommutesthiswayfortheexercise,hesays,butalsobecauseit'sgoodfortheplanet.
Mr.
TaylormanagestheOregonClimateService,andmuchofhisworkhastodowithglobalwarming.
"I'mcertainlyinfavorofdoingprudentthingstoreducethehumanimpact,"hesays.
Butunlikemostclimatescientists,hedoesnotbelievethatanthropogenic(human-caused)greenhousegases-mainlyfromcoal-firedpowerplantsandmotorvehiclesspewingcarbondioxide-arethemainculprits.
Infact,hesays,"It'smybeliefthatinthelast100yearsorsonaturalvariationshaveplayedabiggerrole.
"Amongtheforcesofnaturehecitesarechangesinsolarradiation,"verysignificantinfluences"ofthetropicalPacific(ElNinoandLaNinaeventsindecades-longcycles),aswellaschangesinEarth'stiltandorbitovercycleslastingthousandsofyears.
Aboveall,saysMr.
Taylor,whoispastpresidentoftheAmericanAssociationofStateClimatologists,"Theclimatesystemisvery,verycomplex,andthemorewelearn,themoreweseethatwereallydon'tunderstandit.
"Taylormaybeintheminorityamongclimateexperts,butheisnotalone.
Otherplanetsinoursolarsystemhaveexpandingandcontractingicecaps,too,otherskepticspointout,andthoseworldshavenopeopleasfarasweknow-certainlynogas-guzzlingmusclecarsandtrucks.
AntarcticaandGreenlandattimeshavebeenwarmandgreenbeforehumankindin--ventedmachines,indicatingtotheseskepticsthatthisisjustanaturalcycle.
InPhoenix,whereit'sbeenveryhotindeedthissummer,WarrenMeyerhaswritten"ASkepticalLayman'sGuidetoAnthropogenicGlobalWarming.
"Heisnotaprofessionallytrainedclimatescientist,buthestudiedphysicsandengineeringatPrincetonUniversity,thenearnedanMBAatHarvardUniversitybeforeenteringthebusinessworld.
LikeTaylor,Mr.
Meyercitesotherpossiblefactors-oceanoscillationsandcurrents,sunspotcycles,andrecoveryfromthe"LittleIceAge"(whichranforroughlythreetofourcenturies,uptothemid-19thcentury)-toarguethat"wearealongwayfromattributingallormuchofcurrentwarmingtoman-madecarbondioxide.
"Hesayshe'scarefullystudiedtheofficialreportsandassertionsaboutglobalwarmingandcometotheconclusionthat"it'safunnysortofanthropomorphichubristosaythatweknowwhat'normal'isorevenknowwhatthecyclesare.
"Look,there'salotgoingonherethatwe'veobservedforaveryshorttime,"Mr.
Meyersays.
"Wehaveallthesecomplicatedcycleshappening,andmanyofthemlastforthousandsormillionsofyears.
Andwe'veobservedthemcarefullyfor-what-30years"Isclimate'feedback'positiveornotMeyer'sengineeringbackgroundisinfeedbackandcontroltheory,soheespeciallytakesissuewiththebeliefamongmanyclimatescientists(aswellasactivistssuchasformerVicePresidentAlGore)thatwhathadbeenalong-term,stableclimatesystemisnowdominatedby"positivefeedback.
"Positivefeedbackmeansthatastemperaturesriseinextraordinaryfashiontherewillbeatendencyforglobalwarmingtospeedup.
Oneexampleiswhenlight-coloredseaicemeltstorevealdarkeroceanwater,whichinturnabsorbsmoreheat,whichmeltsmoreice.
Meyercontendsthatinphysics(andinnature)thetendencyisjusttheopposite:a"negativefeedback"willoccurasCO2levelsrise-inotherwords,coolingmechanismswillsetin.
Inthecaseofcarbondioxideandglobaltemperature,"futureCO2haslessimpactontemperaturethanpastCO2,"hesays.
OnebitofrecentresearchmaygivesomeweighttoMeyer'sargument.
ResearchersattheUniversityofAlabama'sEarthSystemScienceCenterinHuntsvillestudiedheat-trappingtropicalcloudsthoughttoresultfromglobalwarming.
Theyfoundanapparentdecreaseinsuchcloudsastheatmospherewarms,allowingmoreinfraredheattoescapefromtheatmosphere.
Theclouddecreaseappearstobe"negativefeedback,"meaningthataswarmingcontinuesitsetsoffanotherprocessthatcountersitseffects.
NeitherTaylornorMeyer(normostotherclimatechangeskeptics,someofwhomcallthemselves"global-warmingoptimists")denythatmodernhumandevelopmentintheformofadditionalgreenhousegaseshasplayedaroleinwarmingtheplanet.
ButmostofthemagreewithMeyerwhenhesays,"Tothisday,there'sstillnoempiricalproofofhowmuchwarmingiscomingfromCO2.
There'salotgoingon,andit'salmostimpossibletopickeffectsout.
"WarmingoceanstelladifferenttaleThatfliesinthefaceofwhatmostscientistssay.
"Forme,themostcompellingsingledatasetthatunderminesthatsuggestionistheincreaseintheheatcontentoftheoceans,"saysDanielLashof,sciencedirectorfortheclimatecenterattheNaturalResourcesDefenseCouncilinWashington,anenvironmentallobbyinggroup.
Anotherenvironmentalgroup,theUnionofConcernedScientists,notesthathighertemperatureshavebeenfound1,500feetdeepintheocean.
ItcallsoceanwarmingtheNo.
1"humanfingerprint.
.
.
welloutsidetheboundsofnaturalclimatevariation.
""There'sjustnoargumentaboutit,"Dr.
Lashofsays.
Heat"isgoingdownhundredsoffeet.
.
.
anaccumulationofheatthatthere'sjustnootherexplanationforotherthanthattheearthhasbeendrivenoutofenergybalancewiththesunbythisaccumulationofheat-trappinggasesintheatmosphere.
"JamesWang,ascientistintheclimateandairprogramatEnvironmentalDefenseinNewYork,pointsouttheclosecorrelationbetweencomputermodelpredictionsofhowmuchheathasbeentrappedbygreenhousegaseswithmeasurementsofhowmuchheathasbeenstoredintheglobaloceansoverthepastfewdecades.
"Theearthhasgottenwarmeroverthepast30years,andalotofthatadditionalheathasgoneintotheoceans,"Dr.
Wangsays.
"Wefindthatnoneofthenaturalfactors,suchassunlightandvolcanoes,canexplainthewarmingthathasoccurredoverthepast30yearsorso.
"Electricity,cars,andcement'seffectInarecentreport,WangandcolleagueBillChameides,chiefscientistatEnvironmentalDefense,write:"IndependentmeasurementsdemonstratethattheincreasedCO2intheatmospherecomesfromburningfossilfuelsandforests.
Theisotopiccompositionofcarbonfromthesesourcescontainsaunique'fingerprint.
'TheonlyquantitativeandinternallyconsistentexplanationfortherecentglobalwarmingincludestheintensifiedgreenhouseeffectcausedbytheincreaseinCO2andothergreenhousegases.
"ThisisessentiallywhattheUnitedNationsIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)concludedinitsmostrecentreportissuedearlierthisyear.
ThereportnotesthatconcentrationsofCO2andofmethane(anothermajorgreenhousegas)todayare"bothverylikelymuchhigherthananytimeinatleast650,000years.
"Burningfossilfuelstoheatandlighthomesandoffices,powervehicles,andeventomanufacturecement(whichreleaseshighamountsofCO2)accountsformorethan75percentoftheincreaseinCO2concentrationduringtheindustrialage,accordingtotheIPCC,withtherestattributabletosuchlandusechangesasdeforestationandbiomassburning.
ThetypeofCO2intheatmospheretoday,"inparticulartheratioofitsheavytolightcarbonatoms,"identifiesitashavingcomefromtheburningoffossilfuels,thereportsays.
Climatechangeskepticsaren'tconvinced.
NeitherTaylornorMeyerdenythatoceantemperatureshavebeenrising.
ButtheysaythepictureismorecomplicatedandinconclusivethanDrs.
WangandChameidesdo.
LookingatthedataontemperaturepredictionsfromtheIPCC,Meyerofthe"SkepticalLayman'sGuide"concludesthat"ifanything,theUnitedNationsisoverstatingit.
Eventakingtheworstitcouldbe,it'snotgoingtobethatbad,"hesays,referringtowhatheseesasalarmistforecastsbyMr.
Goreandothers.
"Thereforeundernocircumstancesshouldwebedoingthings[tocombatclimatechange]thatareextraordinarilyintrusive.
"We'dliketohearfromyou.
DoyouthinkclimatechangeskepticsareraisingpersuasivepointsorignoringstrongscientificevidenceWritetousatoped@csmonitor.
comIsBushedgingtowardcutsincarbonByBradKnickerbockerChristianScienceMonitor20thSeptember2007Overtheyearsofhispresidency,GeorgeBush'sattitudetowardclimatechangehasevolved.
Asacandidate,hepledgedtocontrolcarbondioxide(CO2)emissions-themaingreenhousegaslinkedtorisingglobaltemperatures.
Onceelected,hereversedthatpositionasVicePresidentDickCheneytooktheleadoncraftingtheadministration'senergypolicy.
Mr.
BushrejectedtheKyotoProtocol,theinternationalagreementtoreducegreenhousegases,onthegroundsthatitwouldharmtheUSeconomyandalsobecausemajorpolluters(especiallyChina)wereexemptfromthetreaty.
Inrecentyears,hehasmoreregularlyandreadilyacknowledgedtherealityofclimatechangeandtheneedtodosomethingaboutit.
MoreevidenceinthisdirectioncamerecentlywhenWhiteHousescienceadviserJohnMarburgeracknowledgedthattheplanetmaybecome"unlivable"withoutcutsinCO2.
HetoldtheBBC:"Ithinkthereiswidespreadagreementoncertainbasics,andoneofthemostimportantisthatweareproducingfarmoreCO2fromfossilfuelsthanweoughttobe.
Andit'sgoingtoleadtotroubleunlesswecanbegintoreducetheamountoffossilfuelsweareburningandusinginoureconomies.
.
.
.
TheCO2accumulatesintheatmosphere,andthere'snoendpoint,itjustgetshotterandhotter,andsoatsomepointitbecomesunlivable.
"Inessence,Dr.
Marburger,aphysicistandformerdirectorofBrookhavenNationalLaboratory,isendorsingthelatestmajorreviewofclimatesciencefromtheUnitedNationsIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange.
TheIPCCnowsaysthat"mostoftheobservedincreaseinglobalaveragetemperaturessincethemid-20thcenturyisverylikely[definedaswithmorethan90percentcertainty]duetotheobservedincreaseinanthropogenic[human-induced]greenhouse-gasconcentrations.
"Byagreeingwiththisconclusion,reportstheBritishnewspaperTheTelegraph"[Marburgerhas]deliveredthestrongeststatementyetfromwithintheUSadministrationthatgreenhouse-gasemissionscausedbyhumanactivityaretoblameforclimatechange.
"Marburger'scommentssetthescenefortwomajorgatheringsnextweekonclimateissues.
OnSept.
24,theUNGeneralAssemblyhasscheduledaday-longseminaronfutureinternationalagreements,focusingonfourthemes:mitigation,adaptation,technology,andfinancing.
Morethan70headsofstate(includingBush)areexpectedtoattend,makingitthelargestmeetingeverofworldleadersonclimatechange.
Laterintheweek,theUSpresidenthostsatwo-daymeetingofthe20nationsmostresponsibleforemittinggreenhousegases.
AsBushwroteinhisinvitationtoheadsofstate:"TheUnitedStatesiscommittedtocollaboratingwithothermajoreconomiestoagreeonadetailedcontributionforanewglobalframeworkbytheendof2008,whichwouldcontributetoaglobalagreementundertheU.
N.
FrameworkConventiononClimateChangeby2009.
.
.
.
Weexpecttoplacespecialemphasisonhowmajoreconomiescan,inclosecooperationwiththeprivatesector,acceleratethedevelopmentanddeploymentofcleantechnologies.
"Criticshavesaidthatbycallingformeetingslateinhistenureaspresident,Bushismerelyrunningouttheclockbeforeheturnsovertheproblemtohissuccessor.
Butinhisinvitationtoworldleaders,thepresidentindicatedthathisviewmayhavechangedastheIPCCandotherorganizationsconfirmedwithgreatercertaintytherealityandcausesofclimatechange.
Hewrote:"Inrecentyears,sciencehasdeepenedourunderstandingofclimatechangeandopenednewpossibilitiesforconfrontingit.
"Thatunderstandingapparentlyincludesmorecertaintythatgreenhousegasesareamajorcause.
Lastweek,ScientificAmerican.
comreportednewevidencefoundinfossilizedshellsthatconfirmsthelinkbetweencarbondioxidelevelsintheatmosphereandwarmeroceans.
Ancientspeciesofsquidsandclamsstoredrareisotopesofcarbonandoxygenintheircalciumcarbonateshellsthatthenfossilized.
SaystheScientificAmerican.
comstory:"Byexaminingthepercentageofsuchbondedrareisotopes,scientistshavenowconfirmedthelinkbetweencarbondioxidelevelsandwarmerancientclimates.
.
.
.
Thefindingaddsyetmoreweighttothecontentionthatgreenhousegasesdriveclimatechange,andbodeillforthepresentincreasesinatmosphericconcentrationsofsuchgases.
"VoteonFly-AshDisposalPutOffNewModelPitchedByEnergyFirmByWilliamWanWashingtonPost20thSeptember2007Afterhoursoftestimony,debateandpoliticalmaneuveringthisweek,theAnneArundelCountyCouncildelayedavoteonlegislationtobannewfly-ashdumpsitesinthecounty.
Countyofficialshavebeengrapplingwiththeissuesincelastfallwhentheydiscovered23contaminatedwellsintheGambrillsareaandlinkedthealarmingtracesofmetalsandchemicalsinthewatertoanearbydumpsiteforflyash,abyproductofcoal-firedpowerplants.
AlthoughtheproposedbanwouldnotaffecttheGambrillssite,CountyExecutiveJohnR.
Leopold(R)andothershavepushedforlegislationtoblocknewdisposalsitesfromopening.
Armedwithateamofexpertsandwitnesses,ConstellationEnergyCorp.
,thecompanythathasbeendumpingflyashattheGambrillssite,testifiedthatabanonfuturesiteswouldcomplicatetheireffortstoreachanagreementwiththeMarylandDepartmentofEnvironmenttocleanupthatsite.
Constellationofficialssaytheyneedtodisposeofmorethan200,000tonsofflyashayearinthecounty,largelyfromitstwopowerplantsinnorthernAnneArundelCounty.
ConstellationandBBSS,thecompanywhichownstheGambrillssite,havebeennegotiatingwiththestateonaconsentdecreethatwouldforcethetwocompaniestocleanupandmonitorthegroundwateraroundtheGambrillssite.
MDEhassaiditwilltakethecompaniestocourtifadealisn'treachedwiththestatebyOct.
1.
DuringthemeetingMondaynight,achemicalengineerfromConstellationalsopresentedanewmodelthathesaidwouldmakedumpingattheGambrillssitesafer.
Thecompany'slawyer,SagerWilliams,suggestedthatifthecountybansfuturefly-ashdumpsites,itcouldbecomeresponsibleforfindingwaystodisposeoftheashinasmuchasthepowerplantsareinAnneArundel.
SuchargumentswerelatercharacterizedasredherringsbyCountyAttorneyJonathanA.
Hodgson,whourgedcouncilmemberstopassthemeasure.
Butsomememberscautionedagainstactingtooquickly.
"Ithinkinthelongterm,weneedtobanthis,butit'stoocomplextorushthroughtonight,"saidCouncilChairmanRonaldC.
DillonJr.
(R-Pasadena).
Healsoexpressedconcernsthatbyactingtoosoon,thecountywouldloseleveragetoinfluencethecleanupeffortsatGambrills.
CouncilViceChairmanC.
EdwardMiddlebrooks(R-Severn)saidthatthebanwouldpromptConstellationtoshiptheflyashoutofthecounty,passingontheproblemtootherjurisdictions.
Middlebrooksamendedthebillfromanoutrightbantoaone-yearmoratoriumonnewsites.
Buttheamendedversionneverreachedavote.
Accordingtocountyrules,nolegislationcanbevotedonaftermidnight.
Astheclocktickedcloserto12,RepublicancouncilmemberscontinuedtalkingaboutthemeasureuntilDilloncheckedtheofficialtimewiththecouncilsecretary.
Shesaiditwas20secondspastmidnight.
Democraticcouncilmembers,includingJamieBenoit(D-Odenton),calledthemoveadeliberatefilibuster.
RepublicancouncilmemberCathyVitale(SevernaPark)deniedthat,sayingshebelievedtwominutesstillremainedtocallthevote.
TheproposedlegislationwillnotcomebeforethecouncilagainuntilOct.
1.
Meanwhile,someGambrillsarearesidentsformonthshavebeendrinkingbottledwaterdeliveredtothembyConstellationandBBSS.
Somesaytheyalsohaveavoidedcookingwiththeirtapwaterorshoweringtoooften.
"Iamappalledwe'vecometothispoint,"saidKeithGreenleaf,whosemotherandbrotherlivenexttotheGambrillssite.
"Ourwholeworldhasbeenturnedupsidedown.
"BoardGivesGo-AheadtoEco-FriendlyTaxicabsByKirstinDowneyWashingtonPost20thSeptember2007Afleetof85guilt-freetaxicabssoonwillbeplyingArlingtonstreets,offeringtransportationforpassengerswhowanttogogreen.
TheArlingtonCountyBoardthisweekauthorizedanewtaxicompanytooperatewithanall-hybridfleetof50vehiclesandgaverivalcompaniespermissiontoadd35hybrids.
Hybridcarsarefuel-efficientandproducelowcarbonemissions,abyproductblamedforsuchenvironmentalproblemsasglobalwarming.
ThegreentaxiexpansionispartofacountycampaignknownasFreshAIRE,orArlingtonInitiativetoReduceEmissions,whichaimstocutproductionofgreenhousegasesfromcountybuildingsandvehiclesby10percentby2012.
Countyofficialsareseekingasmanywaysaspossibletopromoteenergyefficiency.
Arlingtonrecentlyaddedeightheavy-dutybusesthatrunonnaturalgasandareequippedwithbikeracks.
Thecountyalsorecentlycertified17homebuildingandremodelingprojectsasenergy-efficient,thankingthehomeownersatanawardsceremony.
Fuelsavingsalonewillhelpmakethenewtaxicabinitiativeprofitable,countyofficialssaidasitwonunanimousapprovalTuesday.
OfficialssaidtheybelievethecountywillhavethelargesthybridtaxifleetintheWashingtonarea.
Thevehiclesareexpectedtobeonthestreetsbyyear'send.
"Investinginhybridsmakessensefortheenvironmentandgoodeconomicsenseforthesecompanies,"saidCountyBoardChairmanPaulFerguson(D).
"It'sexciting;it'sprogressive,"residentChrisO'Briensaid.
Manytaxidriverscriticizedtheboard'sdecision,sayingthatalthoughtheytoowanttopromotegoodenvironmentalstewardship,addingmorecabstothestreetswillmakeitharderfordriverstoearnanadequateliving.
FormertaxidriverLouGattidisplayedphotographsshowingthatcabsclogmanyArlingtonstreets.
"Therearecabseverywhere,"hesaid.
CharlesKing,vicepresidentofRedTopCab,said"anunprecedentednumberofnewcabs"would"dilutedrivers'earnings.
"TaxidriverAlfredoReyesaskedtheboardto"haveaheart"andnotexpandthenumberofcabsontheroad.
Otherspeakers,however,saidtherearenotenoughcabsinsomeneighborhoodstoservethedisabledorothercustomers.
Theyalsosaidthereissometimesadearthofcabsinlate-nighthourswhenbarsclose.
"WedoneedmoretaxicabsinSouthArlington,"saidAngelaMcCant,whoworksandlivesthere.
Afteralengthypublichearing,theboardapprovedtheapplicationofEnviroCAB,anewcompany,tooperatetheall-hybridfleetof50ToyotaPriusandFordEscapecabs.
Italsoacceptedthecountymanager'sproposaltoallowexistingtaxicompaniestoadd35hybrids.
BoardapprovalisrequiredforanynewtaxicompanytooperateinArlingtonandfortheexpansionofexistingfleets.
Theboardalsosetstaxifares.
Thehybridswillchargethesameasstandardvehicles.
BoardmemberChrisZimmerman(D)saidresidentswillbeabletochoosewhethertheywanttorideinastandardtaxiorahybrid.
"Theburdenofproofneedstofallinfavorofchoice,"hesaid.
EnviroCAB's50-vehiclefleetwillbeownedbydrivers;thecompanywillprovidedispatchservice.
RedTopCabwilladd20hybridtaxis,CrownCab10andYellowCabfive.
The85hybridtaxisandawheelchair-accessiblevehicleoperatedbyFriendlyCabwilljoin666cabsnowauthorizedinArlington.
TurfWarsOrganicAdvocatesStriveToMowDownChemicalsByAdrianHigginsWashingtonPost20thSeptember2007Forhalfacenturyormore,wehaveusedsyntheticchemicalstofeedandmedicatethatuniversaliconoftheAmericanhome,thelawn.
Butinnurturingourownenvironments,manybelievewedamagedthebroaderworldbyrelyingonfertilizersandpesticides.
America'slawnsreceive90millionpoundsofherbicideeachyear,accordingtotheenvironmentalgroupBeyondPesticides.
PaulTukey,whoranalawn-carebusinessintheearly1990s,saidhedevelopednosebleedsandshortnessofbreathafteraspringofapplyingfertilizerandherbicidestohiscustomers'lawnsinMaine.
Thisguidedhimtoapathoforganicgardening,andhehasbecome,asanauthorandhostofagardeningshowoncableTV,ahigh-profileadvocatefororganiclawncare.
Inthisseasonoflawnrepair,Tukeywantspeopletothrowawaythechemicalsandswitchtoorganicmethodsofestablishingandmaintainingturfgrass.
Notthathe'salone.
Threeyearsago,theNationalGardeningAssociationpolledconsumersontheiruseofchemicalsingardeningandfoundthatalthoughonly5percentsaidtheyusedstrictlyorganicfertilizersandpesticides,13percentsaidtheyprobablywouldgoorganic,accordingtoBruceButterfield,theassociation'sresearchdirector.
About35percentusedbothorganicandnonorganicproducts,hesaid.
Heplanstorevisitthetopicnextyearandexpectstoseeatleastadoublingoforganic-onlygardeners.
Meanwhile,organicproductshavebecomemainstream,withwidespreadretaildistributionofsuchthingsasliquidseaweedandfishemulsion,andgranularfeedsmadefromlivestockmanure,poultryfeathersandalfalfameal.
EvenScottsMiracle-Gro,whichgrewintoahugecorporationsellingbagsofchemicalfertilizersandherbicides,hasmovedintotheorganicarena.
Amongitsmanyorganicproductsisanewlawnfeed,ScottsOrganicChoiceLawnFood,madefromfeathermealandotheranimalbyproducts.
Tukey,inhisbook"TheOrganicLawnCareManual"(Storey,$19.
95),saysthattraditionallymaintainedlawnsarechemicallydependent,thatittakesthreeyearstotransitiontoasustainingorganicturfandthatthefirststepischangingthewaywethinkaboutgrass.
Theorganicfarmer'smantraoffeedingthesoil,nottheplant,appliestoturfaswell.
Tukeyandothercriticsofchemicallawncarecontendthatsyntheticfertilizers,fungicidesandinsecticidesdamagesoilstructureandsuppresstheteemingmicrobiallifeinthesoil.
Asaresult,thethatchlevelatthecrownofeachgrassclumpbuildsuptosuchalevelthatmoistureandnutrientsareblockedandrootdevelopmentisdiminished.
Thethatchlayerbecomesabreedinggroundforinsectpests.
Herecommendsrebuildingthesoillifebytop-dressingthelawnwithscreenedcompostandgivingfouryearlyapplicationsofcomposttea,anorganicbrewmadebyplacingorganicsolidsandsugarsinameshbag,immersingthebaginalargecoveredbucketandaeratingitforaday.
Manyofthestepsinthemanualaresoundpracticesthatarerecommendedwhetherornotyougoorganic:*Getasoiltestsoyouknowhowmuchfeedingandlimingisneeded.
*Dethatchandaeratethelawn(seesidebar).
*Top-dresswithcompostandover-seedwiththebestgrassvarieties(inourarea,generally,turf-typetallfescuesdevelopedforthehot,humidclimate).
*Observecorrectmowingheights(noshorterthan21/2inches)andwateringregimens(insummer,thatmeansweeklysoakings,notdailysprinkling).
Itisinthefeeding,weedingandpestkillingthatthedifferencesintroducedbyanorganicapproacharemostpronounced.
FeedingLawnsneedfeedingtoremainthickenoughtosuppressweeds(andlookgood).
Formostofus,thatmeansspreadingagranularchemicalfertilizerinthespringandfall.
Whateverdamagethesefertilizersdo,cumulatively,tothehealthofthesoil,theyaremadeinaprocessthatinvolvesburninglargeamountsofnaturalgas.
Naturalalternativesincludeplant-derivednutrientssuchasalfalfamealandseaweed,animalbyproductssuchasfeathermealandfishemulsion,mineralssuchasgreensandandrockphosphate,andlivestockmanures.
Intheseorganicnutrients,thelevelsofnitrogen,potassiumandphosphorusaregenerallylowerthaninsyntheticfeeds.
Organicfansarguethatthenaturalproductsreleasetheirnutrientsoveralongerperiodandthatplantsgrowinginmicrobiallyrichsoilneedfewernutrients.
Thenaturalfertilizerscostasmuchas50percentmorethanthesynthetics.
WeedingInorganictreatment,weedsareeitherhanddug,mowedtopreventannualseeding,orspot-sprayedwithorganicherbicides.
Citrus-andvinegar-basedproductsareavailable.
Householdvinegarisnotconcentratedenoughtoworkwell,andsomehorticulturistsalsoquestiontheeffectivenessofthemorepotentherbicideformulations.
Naturallawn-carecompaniesusecornglutentoinhibitcrabgrassseedgerminationinthespring,butTukeyacknowledgesthatitisonly65percentaseffectiveassyntheticpre-emergentherbicides.
(AstudybytheUniversityofMarylandfoundthatcornglutenprovidedfaircrabgrasscontrolwhereweedpressurewaslowormoderatebutwasineffectiveinheavilyinfestedlawns.
)Corngluten,however,alsoactsasanitrogenfertilizer.
Forspotweeding,gardenerscangetapropane-fueledflamerthatvaporizestheoffendingplant.
Tukeyrecommendsonewithanignitionswitchbecause"I'vescorchedthehairsonmyhandmorethanoncebylightingaflamerwithmatches.
"PesticidesBurrowingwhitegrubsofvariousbeetlespecies,especiallytheJapanesebeetle,candestroyturfbyeatinggrassroots.
Onecommonsystemicpesticide,imidacloprid,ishighlytoxictohoneybees.
Organiccontrolsincludebeneficialnematodes,tinyeelwormsthateatthegrubs,ormilkyspore,whichisabacteriumthatattacksthegrubs.
Tukeysaysotherturf-destroyinginsectscanbemanagedwithnematodesandinsecticidalsoapandbydethatching.
RichMartinez,chiefenvironmentalofficerwithScottsMiracle-Gro,saidthecompanymakesorganiclawn-careproductsanditslawn-caredivisionprovidesorganicservicesbecauseconsumerswantthechoice.
Asfortheenvironmentalbenefitsoforganics,"webelievemostofthatisperception,"hesaid.
DavidClement,ahomelandscapeexpertwiththeUniversityofMaryland,isskepticaloftheclaimsoforganicturf-grassadvocates.
"Organiclawncareisfine,andyoucandothat,butwhenyouhaveproblems,veryfewoftheorganicsolutionsareaseffective,"hesaid.
Followingbasiclawn-carepracticessuchasmowingattherightheightandover-seedingwithsuperiorvarietiesofgrassseedwillmakemostofthechemicaltoolsunnecessary,hesaid.
"It'slikeanygoodgardening:Ifyoudotherightculturalthingsattherighttime,youdon'thavealotofproblems,"Clementsaid.
"I'mnotsoldthatorganicwouldbethatmuchbetterthantheregularregime,"hesaid.
"Iknowtherearealotofpeoplewhofeelotherwise.
Italmostcomesdowntoyourbeliefvalues.
"ToddHarrington,whorunsanorganiclawn-carecompanyinWindsor,Conn.
,isamongthosewhofeelotherwise.
"Withchemicals,you'renotreallydoinganythingbeneficial;you'repollutingandyou'retakingrisks,"hesaid.
"Withorganics,you'recreatingasustainableenvironment.
"UNITEDNATIONSNEWSSERVICEDAILYNEWS20September2007Intheheadlines:'Calculatedrisks'crucialinpushingMiddleEastDRCongo:teamsongroundtoallowforquickerpeaceprocessforward–UNofficialdiagnosisofdisease–UNUNcallsformoreoffersoftroops,specialistunitsUNtribunalforRwandangenocideurgescontinuedforhybridforceinDarfursupportfromMemberStatesSecurityCouncilcondemnsdeadlyterroristattackFirst-yearsuccessreportedforUN-backedHIVandagainstLebaneselawmakerTBdrugfacilityforpoorExtendingUNmissioninLiberia,SecurityCouncilUNESCOadds23newsitestoglobalnetworkofapprovestroopdrawdownbiospherereservesCountriescandomoretoimplementinternationalUNPeacebuildingCommissioncallsonBurundiantreaties,saysUNofficialrebelstore-engagewithGovernmentWorkinggroupmeetsatUNtoputteethintoplanSecurityCouncilrenewsinternationalsecurityforcetoboostAfricandevelopmentinAfghanistanfor12months'Calculatedrisks'crucialinpushingMiddleEastpeaceprocessforward–UNofficial20September-ThesituationonthegroundintheMiddleEastisvolatileand"calculatedrisks"arenecessarytoachievepeace,thetopUnitedNationspoliticalofficialtoldtheSecurityCounciltoday,aheadofaseriesofhigh-levelmeetingstobeheldthisweekend.
OnSunday,23September,theMiddleEastQuartet–thediplomaticgroupingthatcomprisestheUN,B.
LynnPascoeaddressestheEuropeanUnion,RussiaandtheUnitedStates–willmeetinNewYork,andSecretary-GeneralSecurityCouncilBanKi-moonwillstatehisconcernsforthewelfareofGaza'sPalestinianpopulationtohiscolleagues.
An"iftar"willbeheldafterwardswithseveralArabLeaguemembers,whichprovides"anopportunityfortheQuartettoconveyitsdeterminationtoworkcloselywithitsArabPartnersinanefforttorealizethepotentialoftheArabPeaceInitiativeandtoadvancethecauseofacomprehensiveregionalpeace,"B.
LynnPascoe,Under-Secretary-GeneralforPoliticalAffairs,said.
"Thesemeetingswillonlybeasusefulastheagreementsandstepsofimplementationtheyhelpbringabout,andthechangesonthegroundtheyhelptocatalyze,"hesaid,notingthatmuchisatstakeinthecomingmonths.
"Therewillbedifficultandunpopularchoicesahead.
Calculatedrisksarerequiredforpeace,"headded.
"Therisksofinactionortimidityareincomparablygreaterthantherisksofaction.
"TheUnder-Secretary-GeneraltoldtheCouncilthatthesearchforpeaceintheMiddleEasthasreachedacrucialjuncture.
"Anewpushforpeaceisbeingmade,andholdsgenuinepromise.
Howeverthesituationonthegroundremainsofdeepconcern,"hesaid.
Briefingthe15-memberbodyonthelatesteventsintheregion,hevoicedhisworriesatreportsofincreasinghumanrightsabusesinGaza–includingtheviolentdispersalofdemonstrationsandtheillegaldetentionofotherPalestinians–perpetratedbyparamilitaryHamasforces.
Mr.
PascoealsocitedthecontinuedclosureofGazaasanothersourceofconcern.
TheKarniandRafahcrossingshavebeensealedsinceHamastookoverinJune,andalthoughreliefsuppliesarereachingthepopulation,"thishascausedseverepersonalandeconomichardship,"hesaid.
UNandWorldBankprogrammesworth$200millionareatastandstillinGaza,whileonethirdofstudentshavekickedofftheschoolyearwithouttextbooks.
Inaddition,foodinflowsaredecreasing,andtheUNWorldFoodProgramme(WFP)saidthatonly60percentoffoodneedsarebeingmetbycurrentimports.
"ThecontinueddivisionoftheoccupiedPalestinianterritoryisamatterofdeeppolitical,securityandsocio-economicconcern,"theUnder-Secretary-Generalsaid.
"Obviously,thelongeritcontinues,theharderitwillbetoovercome.
"HealsonotedthatnoactionshavebeentakentoremoveobstaclestofreedomofmovementintheWestBank,andthattheconstructionofsettlementsiscontinuingonbothsidesofthebarrierinthemajorityofsettlements.
RegardingLebanon,Mr.
Pascoesaidthatpoliticaltensionsremainhighinthelead-uptopresidentialelections,whichmustbeheldinaccordancewiththetimeframeandprocedureslaidoutintheLebaneseConstitution.
"ThisrequiresanopenandgenuinedialogueamongthepartieswithaviewtoelectingaPresidentwhoenjoysthebroadestsupportoftheLebanesepeople,"hetoldtheCouncil,addingthatSecretary-GeneralBanKi-moonhasbeenincontactwiththecountry'sleaderstoencouragethemtoendeavourtoagreeonaPresident.
UNcallsformoreoffersoftroops,specialistunitsforhybridforceinDarfur20September-TheUnitedNationssaidtodaythatithasstillnotreceivedanyoffersforsomeessentialunitsofthehybridpeacekeepingforceitplanstodeploywiththeAfricanUnioninthewar-wrackedSudaneseregionofDarfur.
Followingameetingwithpotentialcontributorsyesterday,theDepartmentofPeacekeepingOperations(DPKO)saidthattherehavebeennoofferssofarforthemediumutilityhelicopterunitsorthemediumheavytransportationcompaniesintheforce,whichwillbeknownasUNAMID.
SomeofthecountriesthathavepledgedtocontributetroopstoUNAMIDhavealsoacknowledgedthattheircontributionswouldnotmeetUNpeacekeepingstandards,UNspokespersonMicheleMontastoldreporters.
"Forthesereasons,DPKOsaysitwelcomespledgesforallunitsincludedintheUNAMIDmilitarycomponent,"saidMs.
Montas.
Whenfullyoperational,UNAMIDwillbecomethelargestpeacekeepingforceintheworld,withalmost26,000troopsandpoliceofficersandnearly5,000civilianstaff.
Itwillhaveaninitialmandateof12monthsandwillincorporatetheexistingAUMissioninSudan(AMIS).
TheSecurityCouncilauthorizedtheoperationinlateJulyamidmountinginternationalconcernatthesituationinsideDarfur,wherefightingbetweenrebels,GovernmentforcesandalliedJanjaweedmilitiagroupshasledtothedeathsofover200,000peopleandthedisplacementofatleast2.
2millionothers.
Ms.
MontassaidDPKOhasreceived19firmoffersforthe19formedpoliceunitsplannedforUNAMID,andpledgesofmorethan2,500policeofficersforthe3,772individualpositions.
TheheadquartersofUNAMIDwillbeinElFasher,thecapitalofNorthDarfurstate,withaseriesofsectorheadquartersandotherdeploymentlocationsspreadacrossthethreestatesofDarfur,anaridandimpoverishedregionnearlyaslargeasFrance.
OnFriday,Secretary-GeneralBanKi-moonandAUChairpersonAlphaOumarKonaréwillco-chairahigh-levelmeetingonDarfuratUNHeadquartersthatisdesignedtomapoutthestrategyforthepeacetalksbetweentheGovernmentandrebelsthatisscheduledtotakeplaceinLibyanextmonth.
Aheadofthatmeeting,theProsecutoroftheInternationalCriminalCourt(ICC)LuisMoreno-OcampotoldjournalistsinNewYorktodaythatjusticemustbeapriorityforDarfur.
"Wemustbreakthesilence,"hesaid,addinglaterthat"therecanbenopoliticalsolution,nosecuritysolutionandnohumanitariansolutionaslongastheallegedwarcriminalsremainfreeintheSudan.
"Twosuspects,AhmadMuhammadHarunandJanjaweedleaderAliMuhammadAliAbd-Al-Rahman(alsoknownasAliKushayb),arewantedtostandtrialintheICCforwarcrimesandcrimesagainsthumanityoverattacksagainstfourvillagesinWestDarfurbetweenAugust2003andMarch2004,buttheyhavenotyetbeenarrestedbySudan.
Mr.
HaruniscurrentlySudan'sMinisterofStateforHumanitarianAffairs,withresponsibilityforDarfur'scampsforinternallydisplacedpersons(IDPs),andlastmonthMr.
Moreno-OcampotoldtheUNNewsCentrethatitwas"totallyunacceptable"thatheheldthatpost.
"AhmadHarunisnotprotectingthecamps;heiscontrollingthem,"theProsecutorsaidtoday.
"Heforcedmillionsintothosecamps,andhestillcontrolsthem.
Hemustbestopped.
Hemustbearrested.
Thisismygoal.
ThisistheCourt'sgoal.
Thismustbeoursharedgoal.
"SecurityCouncilcondemnsdeadlyterroristattackagainstLebaneselawmaker20September-TheSecurityCounciltodaystronglycondemnedyesterday'sterroristattackintheLebanesecapitalBeirutthatkilledatleastsevenpeople,includingtheparliamentarianAntoineGhanem.
InapresidentialstatementreadoutbyAmbassadorJean-MauriceRipertofFrance,whichholdstheSecurityCouncilrotatingpresidencythismonth,theCouncilexpresseditsdeepestsympathiestothevictims'families,aswellastothepeopleandGovernmentofLebanon.
The15-memberbodyreiterateditscondemnationofalltargetedassassinationsofthecountry'sleadersthathavetakenplace,includingthosesinceOctober2004,andappealedforanendtotheuseofintimidationandviolenceagainstrepresentativesoftheLebanesepeopleandinstitutions.
Anyattempttodestabilizethecountry,suchasthroughthesetargetedattacks,mustnotbeallowedtoimpedeorsubvertLebanon'sconstitutionalprocess,Mr.
Ripertsaid.
HesaidCouncilmemberscalledfortheholdingoffreeandfairpresidentialelections"inconformitywithLebaneseconstitutionalnormsandschedulesandwithoutanyforeigninterference.
"Thestatementalsocommended"thedeterminationandthecommitmentoftheGovernmentofLebanontobringtojusticetheperpetrators,organizersandsponsorsofthisandotherassassinations.
"Yesterday,Secretary-GeneralBanKi-moonsaidinastatementthathewas"shockedbythebrutalassassination"ofMr.
Ghanem.
"SuchactsofterrorismaimatunderminingLebanon'sstabilityandareunacceptable,"hisstatementsaid.
"Lebanonhassufferedfartoomanysuchattempts.
"Mr.
BanurgedallLebanesetoshow"calmandrestraintatthisverycriticaltimeandtoallowjudicialprocedurestotaketheircourse"andstressedtheneedforcontinueddialoguewithinthecountry.
ExtendingUNmissioninLiberia,SecurityCouncilapprovestroopdrawdown20September-RecognizingthecontinuingchallengesLiberiafacesasitseekstorebuildaftera14-yearcivilwar,theSecurityCounciltodayextendedthemandateoftheUnitedNationsmissioninthecountrywhileendorsingSecretary-GeneralBanKi-moon'scallforthedrawdownofthelevelofbluehelmetsthere.
InunanimouslyadoptingtheresolutionrenewingthemandateoftheUNMissioninLiberia(UNMIL)until30September2008,Councilmembersalsobackedthethree-yearplan,settostartthisOctober,whichentailsreducingUNMIL'smilitarycomponentbyapproximately5,000anditspolicecomponentby500.
TheplanwaspresentedlastmonthinMr.
Ban'slatestreportonLiberia,inwhichhewrotethat"sufficientprogresshasbeenmadeintheimplementationoftheMission'smandateandinstabilizingthesecuritysituationinthecountrytoallowforfurtheradjustmentstobemadetothemilitaryandpolicecomponentsofUNMIL.
"Thedrawdownforboththemilitaryandpolicecomponentwouldtakeplaceinmultiplestages,resultingin9,750peacekeepingtroopsandUNpoliceonthegroundinLiberiaattheendof2010.
Oneofthebenchmarksforthedrawdownisthecreationofa500-personLiberianquickreactionforceinthecountry'sNationalPolice,settobeestablishedbyJuly2009.
Despitethecountry'sprogress,includinganearly50percentincreaseinpublicrevenues,Mr.
Bannotedinhisreportthatthe"slowprogressinstrengtheningthesecuritysectorisasourceofgreatconcern.
"HealsocitedthehurdlesoflimitedfundingandequipmentfacedbytheLiberianNationalPolice.
"Thesedeficienciesareamajorobstacletothefulldeploymentofthepolicethroughoutthecountry,"Mr.
Bansaid,appealingtotheinternationalcommunityforassistance.
UNMILwasestablishedin2003tosupportLiberia'sceasefireandpeaceprocess,andcurrentlyhasover14,000troopsandnearly1,200policeofficers,alongwitharound500internationalcivilianpersonnel,almost1,000localstaffand220UNVolunteers.
Countriescandomoretoimplementinternationaltreaties,saysUNofficial20September-Morethan40countrieshavenowindicatedtheyplantosign,ratifyoraccedetoatleastoneinternationaltreatyoverthenexttwoweeksaspartoftheannualcampaigntopromotesuchconventionsduringtheopeningoftheGeneralAssemblysession,aUnitedNationsofficialsaidtoday.
AnnebethRosenboom,ChiefoftheTreatySectionintheUNOfficeofLegalAffairs(OLA),toldreportersthatalthoughthosefiguresareimpressive,countriesshouldandcandomoretoensuretheyareputtingintoplacealltheprovisionsofthetreatiesandpactsunderwhichtheyarenowbound.
"Whilesignificantachievementshavebeenmadeinthedevelopmentofthemultilateraltreatyframework,domesticimplementationstillneedstobeimproved,"shesaid,notingthatthisyear'sthemestressedbothparticipationandimplementation.
Thisyear'streatyevent,theninthintheseries,willbeheldonthesidelinesoftheGeneralAssembly'sGeneralDebateatUNHeadquartersinNewYorkon25-27Septemberand1-2October.
Thefocuswillbeon43treatiesthatdealwithpeace,developmentandhumanrights.
Ms.
Rosenboomsaid"animpressivetotalof1,278treatyactionshavebeenundertaken"duringtheannualeventsinceitwasinitiatedin2000,butsheaddedthatnoneofthetreatiesbeingfeaturedthisyearyetenjoyedtheparticipationofallStates.
OneofthefeaturedtreatiesistheConventionontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities,whichisdesignedtoprotecttherightsoftheestimated650millionpeopleworldwidewhohavedisabilities.
Althoughithasalreadygarnered102signatoriessinceMarch,theConventionwillonlytakeeffect30daysafterthe20thcountryagreestoratification.
Sofar,fivenations–Jamaica,Hungary,Croatia,PanamaandCuba–haveratified.
UNofficialThomasSchindlmayr,fromtheConvention'sSecretariat,toldreportersthathewasconfidentthatthenext15ratificationswouldbeobtainedsoonandthetreatywillbeabletoenterintoforce.
HestressedtheimportanceoftheConventiongiventhatpeoplewithdisabilitiesareoftenamongthemostmarginalizedgroupsintheworld.
Severalfeaturedtreatiesthisyearfocusontheneedfornationstoactdecisivelytopreventandmitigateviolenceagainstwomen.
ChristineBrautigam,ChiefoftheWomen'sRightsSectionoftheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,warnedthatwhenStatesfailtoholdtheperpetratorsofviolenceaccountable,impunitypersistsandinequalityanddiscriminationarereinforced.
ShecalledfortheuniversalratificationoftheConventionontheEliminationofallformsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.
Some185StatesarepartytotheConvention,butIran,Nauru,Palau,Qatar,Tonga,Somalia,SudanandtheUnitedStatesarenot.
WorkinggroupmeetsatUNtoputteethintoplantoboostAfricandevelopment20September-SeniorinternationaldevelopmentleadersmetatUnitedNationsHeadquartersinNewYorktodaytoforgeanoperationalworkagendatoboostAfrica'sasyetfailingeffortstomeettheambitiousgoalstheworldhassetitselftoslashpoverty,hunger,maternalandinfantmortality,andothersocialills,allby2015.
DSGMigiro(centre,frontrow)withSteeringGroupTheclosed-doorsession,chairedbyDeputySecretary-GeneralAsha-RoseMigiro,wasthefirstmeetingoftheWorkingGroupoftheSecretary-GeneralBanKi-moon'sMillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs)AfricaSteeringGrouplaunchedbySecretary-GeneralBanKi-moonlastFriday.
ParticipantsincludedleadingeconomistsfromtheAfricanUnion,AfricanDevelopmentBank,EuropeanUnion,IslamicDevelopmentBank,InternationalMonetaryFund(IMF),OrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD),UNDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),UNEconomicCommissionforAfricaandtheWorldBank,aswellastheSecretary-GeneralSpecialAdviserontheMDGs,JeffreySachs.
Today'smeetingwascalledtocarryouttheSteeringGroup'srecommendationsinthreeareas:toidentifyeffectivemechanismstoimplementcommitmentsintheareasofhealth,education,infrastructure,agricultureandfoodsecurity,andstatisticalsystems;toimproveaidpredictabilitysothatAfricangovernmentscanplanyearsaheadforadditionalhospitals,schoolsandtraindoctors,teachersandnurses;andtostrengthenjointeffortsatthecountrylevel.
LaunchingtheinitiativeonFriday,Mr.
BanvoicedconcernthatmanyAfricancountriesareoffcourseformeetingtheMDGs,particularlyinsub-Saharanregions.
"Thatistheonlyregionintheworldwherenotevenasinglecountryisonthetrack.
Wemusthelpthosecountriessothattheycanjoinonthetrack,"hesaid.
TheareasforactiontheSteeringGroupidentifiedcomprisefiveoftheeightMDGs:cuttingbyhalftheproportionofpeoplelivingonlessthanadollaradayandsufferingfromhunger;ensuringthatallboysandgirlscompleteafullcourseofprimaryschooling;slashingthemortalityrateamongchildrenunderfivebytwothirds;reducingthematernalmortalityratiobythreequarters;andhaltingandbeginningtoreversethespreadofHIV/AIDSandtheincidenceofmalariaandothermajordiseases.
DRCongo:teamsongroundtoallowforquickerdiagnosisofdisease–UN20September-TheUnitedNationsWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)anditspartnersnowhavesubstantialteamsinthefieldintheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo(DRC),whereninecasesofthedeadlyEbolavirushasbeenconfirmed,itwasannouncedtoday.
"Therewillsoonbetwofully-functioninglabsontheground,whichwillallowforquickerdiagnosisofdisease,"UNspokespersonMicheleMontastoldreportersinNewYork.
Ofsome400casesofillnessand170deathsreportedsinceAprilinthewesternKasaiProvince,ninecasesofthehaemorrhagicEbolavirus,whichcausesdeathin50to90percentofcases,havebeenconfirmed.
TheEbolavirusistransmittedbydirectcontactwiththeblood,secretions,organsorotherbodilyfluidsofinfectedpersonsoranimalssuchaschimpanzees,gorillas,monkeysandantelopes,andithasanincubationperiodoftwoto21days.
Additionally,fivecasesoftyphoidandonecaseofShigelladysenteryhavebeenverified,Ms.
Montassaid.
Resultsfromthetestsof45othersamplesarestillpending.
UNtribunalforRwandangenocideurgescontinuedsupportfromMemberStates20September-TheUnitedNationswarcrimestribunalforthe1994RwandangenocidesaysitwillnotsucceedinmeetingtheSecurityCouncil-imposedtimetableforcompletingitsworkunlessUNMemberStateshelptoarrestsuspectsstillatlarge,acceptthetransferofcasesandprovideenoughfundsforittoconducttheremainingtrials.
Initsannualreport,coveringJuly2006toJunethisyear,theInternationalCriminalTribunalforRwanda(ICTR)saysitiscommittedtodoingallitcantomeetthe"completionstrategy,"theCouncilplanunderwhichalltrials,excludingappeals,aresupposedtobefinishedbytheendofnextyear.
Butthestrategy'ssuccess"willcontinuetodependontheassistanceandcooperationofStates.
"TheTribunalstatesithasintensifieditsprosecutorialandjudicialwork,with27casesinvolving33accusedpeoplehavingsofarcompletedthetrialstage,whilethetrialsof22accusedinninedifferentcasesremaininprogressandeightotherdetaineesawaittrial.
OnecasewastransferredtotheNetherlandsduringtheyear,while30otherswerehandedovertoprosecutorsinRwanda'sjudicialsystem.
Theannualreport,releasedtoday,saystheICTR–whichisbasedinArushainneighbouringTanzania–willcontinuetotrytoimprovetheRwandanjudicialsystemandstrengthenitscapacitysothatitcanhandletransferredcases.
"Intheprocessofachievingitsmandate,theTribunalalsocontributestobringjusticetovictimsofthemassivecrimesthatwerecommitted,andiscontinuouslyestablishingarecordoffactsthatwillaidreconciliationinRwanda,"thereportnotesinitsconclusions.
"TheTribunalwillleavealegacyofinternationaljurisprudencethatcanguidefuturecourtsanddeterthefuturecommissionofthesegravecrimes,andpreventimpunitybypotentialperpetrators.
"Some800,000TutsisandmoderateHutusweremurdered,mostlybymacheteorclub,acrossRwandainlessthan100daysstartinginearlyApril1994.
LaterthatyeartheSecurityCouncilestablishedtheICTRtodealwiththeworstcases.
First-yearsuccessreportedforUN-backedHIVandTBdrugfacilityforpoor20September-IntheyearsinceitwasestablishedtoprovidemedicinesforHIV/AIDS,malariaandtuberculosistothepoorestpeopleofdevelopingcountries,theUnitedNations-backedinternationaldrugpurchasefacilityUNITAIDhasmanagedtoreducethepriceofHIVtreatmentsforchildrenbyalmost40percent.
LaunchedinSeptember2006duringthesixty-firstUNGeneralAssembly,thefacilityhasalsocutpricesforsecond-lineantiretroviral(ARV)drugsbybetween25and50percent.
IncollaborationwiththeClintonFoundation,UNITAIDhasdeliveredmorethan33,000paediatrictreatmentsagainstHIV/AIDSandisoncoursetomeettheneedsof100,000childrenbytheendofthisyear.
Itsbudgetfor2007isover$300millionand90percenthasalreadybeencommittedtoprogrammesinmorethan80countries.
Ithascommitted$45millionforsecond-lineantiretroviraldrugstofundthetreatmentof65,000patientsby2008.
Fourcountries–Botswana,Cameroon,UgandaandZambia–havealreadyreceivedafirstsupplyofsecond-lineARVdrugsandafurther13countriesarecurrentlyawaitingdelivery.
InpartnershipwiththeUNWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)andtheUNChildren'sFund(UNICEF),UNITAIDhaspurchasedanddistributed1.
3millionArtemisinin-basedCombinationTherapies(ACT)inBurundiandLiberia.
ItisalsosupportingACTprocurementanddeliverytoeightcountriesincollaborationwiththeGlobalFundtoFightAIDS,TuberculosisandMalariaandUNICEF.
ContributingtothefightagainstTBtogetherwiththeGlobalDrugFacilityandtheStopTBPartnership,bytheendoftheyearUNITAIDwillhaveprovidedtreatmentsto150,000childrenin19countriesandwillbesupportingprovidingofdrugsformultidrug-resistantTBin17low-incomecountries.
UNITAIDseekstoscaleupaccesstotreatmentsforHIV/AIDS,malariaandTBindevelopingcountriesbyleveragingqualitydrugsanddiagnosticspricereductionswhileacceleratingthepaceatwhichthesearemadeavailable.
Foreachprogramme,UNITAIDsetsupapartnershipwithexistingorganizations:WHO,UNICEF,theGlobalFund,theClintonFoundation,GlobalDrugFacility/GreenLightCommitteeandtheStopTBPartnership.
Itoffersbeneficiarycountrieslong-termsupportthroughsustainableandpredictablefunding,mobilizedbyinnovativefinancingmechanisms,suchasasolidaritycontributiononairtickets,togetherwithmulti-yearpredictablebudgetarycontributions.
BasedinGeneva,itsTrustFundandSecretariatarehostedbyWHO.
Atpresent,27countries,19oftheminAfrica,aremembersandcontributetoUNITAID.
Atleast85percentofUNITAIDfundsarespentinlow-incomecountries.
UNESCOadds23newsitestoglobalnetworkofbiospherereserves20September-RemotecloudforestsinVietNam,hundredsofatollsinMicronesiaandmangrovesinElSalvadorarefeaturedinthe23ecosystemswhichwereaddedtodaytoaUnitedNationsnetworksetuptofightbiodiversitylossandpromotesustainabledevelopmentthathelpslocalcommunities.
TheWorldNetworkofBiosphereReservesnowhas529sitesin105countriesafterthe23siteswereNoosaBiosphereReserve,addedbytheUNEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)followingathree-dayAustraliameetingthisweekatitsParisheadquarters.
Ateachreserve,localcommunitiestrytoenhancetheirsocio-economicdevelopmentwhilepromotingbiodiversityconservationonascientificbasis.
Communitymemberscontributetogovernance,management,research,education,trainingandmonitoringatthesites.
ThesitesapprovedtodayincludehabitatsinthreecountrieswhichuntilnowhavenothadareserveintheNetwork–ElSalvador,QatarandtheUnitedArabEmirates.
InElSalvador,XiriualtiqueJiquitizcoisthecountry'slargestextensionofmangroves,andhometocommunitiesthathavebeenabletoharvestcrops,raiselivestockandestablishatouristindustrybasedonsustainabledevelopment.
Apaneca-Llamatepec,consistingmainlyofmountainvegetationoverlavafieldsinthewestofthecountry,isalsousedbylocalinhabitantstoproduceshade-growncoffee.
TheMarawahbiospherereserveintheUnitedArabEmirates,whichincludesseagrassbeds,coralreefsandmangroves,ishometotheworld'ssecondlargestpopulationofdugongs.
AtQatar'sAl-Reemsite,whichincludeslimestoneformationsunderwhichliesanoilfield,localshaveopenedbreedingcentrestoreintroducenativefauna–suchastheArabianoryxanddesertgazelle–alongsidemodernoilandgaspumpingstations.
TheotherapprovedsitesincludeVietNam'sWesternNgheAn,whichcompriseslowlandmonsoonalevergreenforestsandelfincloudforestsathighaltitudesandishometonumerousethnicminoritiesandtheFederatedStatesofMicronesia'sAndAtoll,where607islandsandreefsspreadoveranareahalfthesizeoftheUnitedStatestoprovidehabitatformorethan1,000speciesoffish,350speciesofcoralandthousandsofspeciesofsponges.
EightoftheothernewsiteslieineitherNorth,CentralorSouthAmerica:ManicouaganUapishka(Canada),Fundy(Canada),SierradeAlamos–RíoCuchujaqui(Mexico),AndinoNorpatagonica(Argentina),PereyraIraola(Argentina),BosquesTempladosLluviososdelosAndesAustrales(Chile),AguayPaz(CostaRica)andPodocarpus–ElCondor(Ecuador).
Theothernewsitesare:CapeWinelands(SouthAfrica),Noosa(Australia),JabalAlRihane(Lebanon),MongolDaguur(Mongolia),Chebaling(China),XingkaiLake(China),CorvoIsland(Portugal),GraciosaIsland(Portugal)andRioEo,OscosyTerrasdeBuron(Spain).
TheBureauoftheInternationalCoordinatingCouncilofUNESCO'sManandtheBiosphere(MAB)Programme,whichselectedthenewsites,alsoapprovedchangestotwoexistingbiospherereserves.
TheboundariesofFrontenacArchinCanada(formerlyknownasCanadianThousandIslands-FrontenacArch)andtheGreatVolzhsko-KamskyinRussiahavebeenextended.
Germany,meanwhile,haswithdrawntheBavarianForestbiospherereservefromtheNetworkbecauseitnolongermeetsthecriteria.
UNPeacebuildingCommissioncallsonBurundianrebelstoreengagewithGovernment20September-TheUnitedNationsPeacebuildingCommissionhascalledonthelastmajorrebelhold-outgroupinBurundito"resumepromptlywithoutcondition"itsparticipationineffortstofinallyclosethechapteronyearsofethnicviolenceinthesmallCentralAfricancountry.
InJulythePalipehutu-FNL,whichhasnotsignedpeaceaccordsreachedwithotherrebelgroups,withdrewfromtheJointVerificationandMonitoringMechanism(JVMM)setuptomonitoraceasefireitsignedwiththeGovernmentlastyear,andUNofficialshavesincecalledonbothsidestorefrainfromanyactionsthatmightleadtoaresumptionofhostilities.
TheCommission,setuplastyearaspartofmajorUNreformstohelppreventcountriesemergingfromconflictfromslippingbackintoviolencethroughtechnicalandothersupport,includingfinancialaidfromtheUNPeacebuildingFund,yesterdayurgedtherebelgrouptoconstructivelyre-engagewiththeGovernmenttoresolvetheirdifferences.
AtameetinginNewYork,italsocalledontheGovernmenttoinvestigate"fullyandimmediately"recentgovernanceissuesandtakestepstostrengthenGovernmentcontrolsoveritsexpenditurestostemmisuseofpublicfunds.
TheCommissionalsoaskedtheAfricanUniontocontinuesupportingregionalpeaceinitiativesandupholditstimetableforcompletingimplementationoftheceasefireagreementbytheendoftheyear.
Burundi,whichwastornapartby13yearsofarmedconflictbetweentheHutumajorityandTutsiminority,becamethefirstfocusoftheCommission,alongwithSierraLeone.
BeyondtheissueofthePALIPEHUTU-FNL,thecountryalsofaceschallengestopeacestemmingfromregionaldevelopments,afragilebudgetarysituationandaparliamentarydeadlockpreventingthepassageofcruciallegislation.
BurundianrepresentativeJosephNtakirutimanasaidtheGovernmentwouldmakeeveryefforttocomplywiththeCommission'srequests,buthevoicedconcernthattheInternationalMonetaryFund(IMF)hadnotheardtheGovernment's"criesofalarm"byrecommendinganincreaseinoilpricesevenwhileBurundistruggledwithitsfinances.
Schoolshadbeenunabletoopenfortheacademicyeareventhougheducationwasapriorityandastrikebymagistrateswasalsothreatenedhesaid,addingthatperhapstheIMFwasnotworkinghand-in-handwiththeCommission.
HeaskedtheCommissiontodoitsutmosttoensurethatthepromisedbudgetarysupportreachthecountryby"tomorrow"asfailuretoreceivesuchsupportcouldresultinfurtherseriousdifficultiesforthecountry.
SecurityCouncilrenewsinternationalsecurityforceinAfghanistanfor12months20September-VoicingitsconcernaboutincreasedviolenceandterrorisminAfghanistan,theSecurityCouncilhasapprovedtheextensionoftheNATO-ledInternationalSecurityAssistanceForce(ISAF)inthecountryforanotheryear,withtheRussianFederationabstainingonthevote.
Theother14CouncilmembersvotedinfavourofextendingthemandateoftheForce,whichwasestablishedafterUnitedStates-ledforcesoustedtheTalibanregimeinlate2001tohelpAfghanistan'sthen-interimauthoritiesmaintainsecurityacrosstheimpoverishednation.
Indoingso,the15-memberbodyalsocalledonMemberStatestocontributepersonnel,equipmentandfundingtostrengthentheNATO-ledForceandmakeitmoreeffective.
TheCouncilalsostressedtheimportanceofimprovingAfghansecurityservicesinordertoprovidelong-termsolutionstosecurityinthecountry,andencouragedISAFandotherpartnerstosustaintheireffortstotrainandempowertheNationalPoliceandotherAfghanforces.
Speakingbeforethevote,RussianAmbassadorVitalyChurkinexplainedthatwhilehisdelegationhadtraditionallysupportedISAFandthecontinuationofitsmandate,itcouldnotsupportthecurrenttextbecausethenewissueofmaritimeinterceptionhadyettobeclarified.
"IshouldliketonotethatduringtheagreementofthedraftresolutionnoclaritywasmadeabouttheproposednewwordingaboutthemaritimeinterceptioncomponentofthecoalitionForcewhichdidnotappearinallofthepreviousresolutionsoftheSecurityCouncilonAfghanistan,"hestated.
"ThemaritimecomponentisnecessaryexclusivelytocombatterrorisminAfghanistanandshouldnotbeusedforotherpurposes,"headded.
Healsonotedthattherehadbeenplentyoftimetoclarifyhisdelegation'sconcernssincethemandateoftheForcedidnotexpireuntilnextmonth.
"TheunityoftheSecurityCouncilhasbeensacrificedtounduehaste.
"AfghanchildrenflykitesforpeaceaspartofUN-backedcampaign20September-OntheeveoftheInternationalDayofPeace,some100AfghanstreetchildrenflewkitesadornedwithdovesandolivebranchesatopahilloverlookingKabultoday,markingtheclosingstagesofaUnitedNations-backedcampaigntohaltviolenceinthewar-tornnation.
Today'sevent,onNaderKhanhill,wasoneofmanyaroundthecountryinthefinaldaysofatwo-monthcampaignlaunchedbytheUNAssistanceMissioninAfghanistan(UNAMA),theUNChildren'sFund(UNICEF)andtheglobalcampaigngroupPeaceOneDay.
KiteflyingwasbannedunderthebrutalTalibanregimewhichwasoustedin2001.
Theinitiativehasgrowntoencompassscoresoforganizations,businesses,andinstitutions,aswellaspoliticiansandindividualcitizens–allurgingahaltingofviolenceinAfghanistanonandaround21September,whichisobservedannuallyastheInternationalDayofPeace.
SincetheTalibanwasousted,kiteflyinghasre-emergedasapopularpast-time,particularlyforAfghanchildren.
Thosetakingpartintoday'seventbelongtoKabul'sAschianaFoundation,anon-governmentalgroupthatlooksafterstreetchildren.
Expressingthehopesofmanyofthechildren,11-year-oldSweetasaid,"Wewantourpeacekitestoflyashighaspossible,soeverybodycanseehowmuchwewantpeace.
"BoAsplund,theSecretary-General'sDeputySpecialRepresentativeinAfghanistan,sharedthehopeofthechildrenwhowishedforpeace.
"FartoomanyAfghanscontinuetoliveintheshadowoffearandinsecurity.
Letustodaypledgetodomoretoremovethescourgeoffearandinsecurityfromthelivesofpeopleacrossthecountry.
"EarlierthisweekchildrenfromAschianatravelledaroundKabulvisitingtelevisionstationstoappealbysongforsupport.
KabulmunicipalityjoinedinbyopeningthefabledgardensofBaburtoaphotoexhibitionforpeace.
Acitycleanupandadvertisingcampaignhasbeenlaunched,andtelecomscompaniesRoshanandAWCChaveissuedthousandsofbulkSMSmessagesforpeace–afirstinAfghanistan.
Inaddition,peacemarchesareplannedinthecitiesofHeratandJalalabad,andinthesouthernandsoutheasternprovinces–areasdirectlyaffectedbytheinsurgency–UNICEFandtheUNWorldHealthOrganization,alongwithAfghanhealthauthorities,havelaunchedapoliovaccinationcampaigntocoincidewithPeaceDay.
RevisionplannedforUN-backedsystemtoinformpublicofseverityofnuclearaccidents20September-TheUnitedNations-sponsoredsystemtoenhanceinternationalsafetybypromptlycommunicatingtothepublicthesignificanceofnuclearandradiologicalaccidentsandincidentsisbeingupgradedtomakeitevenmoreversatileandinformative.
Originallydevelopedinthe1990sbytheUNInternationalAtomicEnergyAgency(IAEA)andtheNuclearEnergyAgencyoftheOrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment,theInternationalNuclearEventScale(INES)aimstoconsistentlycommunicatetheseverityofreportednuclearandradiologicalevents,withascalerangingfor1(anomaly)to7(majoraccident).
"We'vebroughtINESintotheworldofnuclearandradiologicaleventssurfacinginthe21stcentury,"IAEAIncidentReportingCoordinatorandINESofficerRejaneSpiegelberg-Planersaid.
"OuraimistoconsolidatetheoldINESmanualandtheadditionalguidancedocumentsandclarificationsthathadbeenissuedoverthepast15ormoreyears.
"UndertheINESscale,the1986accidentattheChernobylnuclearpowerplantintheSovietUnion(nowinUkraine)hadwidespreadenvironmentalandhumanhealtheffectsandwasclassifiedasLevel7,whilethe1979ThreeMileIslandaccidentintheUnitedStates,withverylimitedoff-siteradioactivityalthoughthereactorcorewasseverelydamaged,wasratedasLevel5,basedontheon-siteimpact.
Theimprovementsaredesignedtobetteraddressareassuchasthetransportationofradioactivematerial,orhumanexposuretosourcesofradiation.
Theunderlyingmethodologyhasnotchanged,butpreviousprocedureswerenotdetailedenoughtoconsistentlyrateeventsrelatedtoradiationsourcesandtransport.
Terminologyhasalsobeenstandardized.
ThecriteriaforratingradioactivesourcesandtransporthavebeenconsolidatedaccordingtoadditionalguidancewhichwasinpilotuseforalmosttwoyearsandthenapprovedbyIAEAMemberStatesin2006.
TherevisionofINESistheculminationofalengthyandcomplexprocess.
Sincetheearly1990s,severaladditionshavebeenmadetothemethodologyoriginallydevelopedfornuclearpowerplants,whilethelastcompleteINESmanualwaspublishedin2001.
TheprocesshasengagedIAEAexperts,aswellastheINESAdvisoryCommitteeandconsultantsinnuclearsafetyandradiologicalprotection.
OncereviewedbyINESmembers,thetargetdateforofficiallyissuingthenewandimprovedscaleistheendof2008.
FloodinghampersUNhumanitarianaideffortsforrefugeesinChad20September-HeavyrainyseasondownpourshaveleftareasofeasternChadfloodedandseriouslyhamperedeffortsbyUnitedNationsandotheraidagenciestohelptensofthousandsofSudaneserefugeesandinternallydisplacedpersons(IDPs).
AlthoughfoodisnotamajorproblembecausesupplieswerestockpiledincampsinAprilandMay,theUNHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR)ishavingdifficultysupplyingneededgoodssuchasnewtents,whiletheagencyandothershavedelayedorcancelledmissionsintheregion.
Aidcanonlybetransportedtosomeoutpostsbyairandeventhentherainoftenmakesairstripsunusable,UNHCRsaidinitslatestupdatefromAbecheineasternChad.
Earlierthismonth,twoflightstoGozBeidawerecancelledfortwodaysinarowbecausetheairstripcouldnotbeused.
"Wehaven'tseensuchfloodinginthepasttwoyears.
Therewassomuchrainthattheroadsandwadisbecamealmostimpassable,"UNHCRdriverKhalilOusmanesaid.
Takingdetourstoavoidfloodedareasmeantthatjourneystookuptothreetimesaslongasnormal,headded.
Driversalwaystookbeddingwiththemincasetheyhadtosleepenroute.
TherainshaveeasedoverthepastweekbutfloodingcontinuestocutlandaccesstotheKoukouAngaranaregioninthesoutheastandhasforcedlocalsandIDPstoheadforhigherground.
GozAmir,oneof12UNHCR-runcampshousingsome230,000SudaneserefugeesfleeingtheconflictinDarfur,isinthefloodedarea.
Therearealso170,000ChadianIDPsinthearea.
"UNHCRanditspartnersarehelpingseveralhundreddisplacedfamiliesandhostcommunitieswhohavebeenaffectedbytherainsandsoughtshelteronhigherground,"saidBryanHunter,UNHCRprotectionofficerinGozBeida.
UNHCRstaffhavebeenforcedtorentcartsfromlocalssothattheycanhelpthoseuprootedbythefloods,headded.
Sincetherainsbeganinmid-June,floodedwadishavemadeitalmostimpossibletodrivebetweentheUNHCRlogisticshubatAbeche,themaintownineasternChad,andFarchana,thegatewaytoseveralrefugeecampsneartheborderwithSudan'sDarfurregion,withthefloodscuttingoffsomeofthecamps.
Exposuretotheelementsiscausingphysicaldiscomfortandputtingaddedlogisticalandfinancialpressureonaidagencies.
"Withmostsheltersincampsbeinginapoorstate,thenumberofpeopleaskingfornewtentsgrowsduringandaftertherainyseason,"saidJulienSangtam,aUNHCRcommunityservicesassistantinthetownofBahai.
"Theirconcernsarerealandjustified,butwecan'tsatisfythembecauseoflogisticalproblems.
"Businessesmustsupportemissionsreduction,topUNofficialsays20September-Theprivatesectormustsupportindustrializedcountries'seriousemissionreductioncommitmentstocurbclimatechangeandmaintainthemomentumofthesystemofexchangingemissionsonthe'carbonmarket,'thetopUnitedNationsclimatechangeofficialsaidtoday.
"Withoutbindingcommitmentsandtheresultingdownwardpressureongreenhousegasemissions,thereisnocarbonmarket.
What'sworse,wemightfailinourbattleagainstclimatechange,andthatwouldresultincoststhataremuchhigherthanthecostofactionnow,"UNFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC)ExecutiveSecretaryYvodeBoersaidatthisyear'sCarbonFinanceWorldconferenceinChicago.
Lastyear,theinternationalcarbonmarket–spawnedbythe1997UN-backedKyotoProtocol–wasworthmorethan$30billion,tripleitssizein2005,andisexpectedtogrowsignificantlythisyear.
Thecarbonmarket"canhelpusachievethenecessaryshiftstogreeninvestmentandcontributetotheadditionalhundredsofbillionsofdollarsthatareestimatedtobeneededtoaddressthisproblem,"Mr.
deBoernoted.
EmissionstradingandotherKyoto-inspiredandmarket-basedsystems,suchasthecleandevelopmentmechanism(CDM),whichallowsprojectsthatreducegreenhousegasemissionsindevelopingcountriestoearncertifiedemissionreductioncredits,engagethebusinessworldandcreatelow-costopportunitiestocutbackemissions.
TheCDMhasgrownconsiderably,withnearly800projectsin48developingcountries.
Ithas"provideddevelopedcountrieswithadegreeofflexibilityinhowtheymeettheircommitmentsundertheKyotoProtocol,"theExecutiveSecretarysaid.
"FortheCDMtobetrulyeffective,however,itmustbescaledupsubstantially.
Thisalsoappliestothecarbonmarketasawhole,andforanyothermarketmechanismPartiesmightchoosetocreateaspartofapost-2012agreement.
"Inarelateddevelopment,theheadoftheUNWorldMeteorologicalOrganization(WMO)todaysaidthatthedebateoncombatingclimatechangemustnotonlyfocusonmitigation,butalsoonadaptation.
Speakinginadvanceofthehigh-levelinformaldialoguetobeconvenedbySecretary-GeneralBanKi-moonon24September,WMOSecretary-GeneralMichelJarraudsaidthatallsocio-economicsectors–influencedinsomewaybyweatherandtheclimate–willbeimpactedbythefrequencyandintensityofextremeeventssuchasdroughtsandfloodsbroughtonbyglobalwarming.
Mr.
Jarraudalsocalledontheinternationalcommunitytostepupsupportforcountrieswithoutthenecessarytechnologyorresourcestoallowthemtomakethemostoptimaldecisionsoninfrastructurebuildingpossiblegiventhemostcurrentandaccurateweatherinformation.
Nextweek'shigh-levelmeetingwillsetthestageforamajorDecembersummitinBali,Indonesia,whichwillseektodeterminefutureactiononmitigation,adaptation,theglobalcarbonmarketandfinancingresponsestoclimatechangefortheperiodaftertheexpiryoftheKyotoProtocolin2012.
FormerUNPeaceMessengerAnnaCataldijoinscampaigntocurbTB20September-ItalianauthorandjournalistAnnaCataldi,aformerUnitedNationsMessengerofPeace,wastodayappointedasanAmbassadoroftheStopTBPartnershiptoraiseawarenessworldwideabouttheunfairburdenoftuberculosisonrefugees,migrants,peoplelivinginpovertyandotherdisadvantagedgroups.
In2005alone,thediseaseisestimatedtohavekilled1.
6millionpeople.
AnnaCataldiTheStopTBPartnership,whosesecretariatishostedbytheUNWorldHealthOrganization(WHO),isanetworkofmorethan500internationalorganizations,countries,donorsfromthepublicandprivatesectors,TBpatientsandnongovernmentalandgovernmentalorganizations.
ItsgoalistoeliminateTBasapublichealthproblemworldwide.
"AnnaCataldihasanextraordinarytrackrecordofgalvanizingpeopletoconfrontissuesthatcausehumansuffering,"PartnershipExecutiveSecretaryMarcosEspinalsaid.
"ShewillbeastrongvoicecallingforaccesstoTBprevention,diagnosisandtreatmentasahumanright.
"Ms.
Cataldisaidshewas"gratefultotheStopTBPartnershipforgivingmethisopportunitytoadvocateonbehalfofthosesufferingfromthisdisease.
"Welcomingtheappointement,formerUNSecretary-GeneralKofiAnnanpraisedMs.
Cataldiforhertirelesseffortsanddevotion.
"Shewasanactive,compassionateandproductiveMessenger,"hesaid.
"Shetravelledtodifficultplaces,suchasAfghanistanandSomalia,tobringsupport,encouragementandhopetothedesperateandvoiceless.
IamdelightedshewillnowdevoteherenergiestotheStopTBcampaign.
"ThePartnership'sGlobalPlantoStopTB(2006-2015)seekstotreat50millionpeopleforTBbetweennowand2015andsaveabout14millionlives.
ItaimstohalveTBprevalenceanddeathscomparedwith1990levelsby2015.
"Ms.
CataldiissuretoadvancetheglobalfightagainstTB.
Wewelcomeherappointmententhusiastically,"saidMarioRaviglione,DirectoroftheStopTBDepartmentatWHO.
Ms.
CataldiistheauthorofLettersfromSarajevo,whichchronicledtheimpactofwaronBosnia'schildren.
In1998,tomarkthe50thanniversaryoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights,sheinitiatedaprojecttocreateanddistributeapassport-sizedpamphletversionoftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsforchildren.
ThisMarch,sheconceivedandhelpedorganizeaphotoexhibitfocussingonTBattheUN'sNewYorkHeadquartersthatwasviewedbymorethan100,000people.
DAILYPRESSBRIEFINGBYTHEOFFICEOFTHESPOKESPERSONFORTHESECRETARY-GENERAL20September2007Thefollowingisanear-verbatimtranscriptoftoday'snoonbriefingbyMichèleMontas,SpokespersonfortheSecretary-General,andJanosTisovszky,SpokespersonfortheGeneralAssemblyPresident.
BriefingbytheSpokespersonfortheSecretary-GeneralGoodafternoon,all.
Asourguestsatthenoonbriefingtoday:AnnebethRosenboom,ChiefoftheTreatySectionoftheOfficeofLegalAffairs,togetherwithmembersfromtheSecretariatoftheConventionoftheRightsofPersonswithDisabilitiesandtheDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,willbriefyouontheupcomingFocus2007TreatyEvent.
**SecurityCouncilOntheSecurityCouncil,theSecurityCouncilthismorninghelditsperiodicmeetingontheMiddleEast.
Consultationsonthatsametopicarecurrentlyunderway.
Inhisbriefingthismorning,Under-Secretary-GeneralforPoliticalAffairsB.
LynnPascoesaidweareataveryimportantjunctureinthesearchforpeaceintheMiddleEast.
Anewpushisbeingmadeandholdsgenuinepromise,henoted.
Butthesituationonthegroundremainsofdeepconcern.
Inthatcontext,headdedthatitwasnecessarytotake"calculatedrisks"forpeace.
OnGaza,PascoesaidhewasparticularlyconcernedbyreportsofmountinghumanrightsabusesatthehandsofparamilitaryHamasforces.
Atthesametime,heexpressedworryoverthecontinuedclosureofGaza.
HeaddedthatthecontinueddivisionoftheOccupiedPalestinianTerritorywasamatterofdeeppolitical,securityandsocio-economicconcern.
PascoealsonotedthatnoactionhadbeentakentoeaseobstaclestofreedomofmovementintheWestBank,andthatsettlementconstructionwascontinuingonbothsidesofthebarrierinthemajorityofsettlements.
OnLebanon,PascoesaiditwasparamountthatthepresidentialelectionsbeheldinaccordancewiththetimeframeandproceduresstipulatedintheLebaneseConstitution.
ReferringtotheMiddleEast-relatedmeetingstakingplacethisweekendhereatHeadquarters,hesaidtheywouldonlybeasusefulastheagreementsandstepsofimplementationtheyhelpedbringabout,andthechangesonthegroundtheyhelpedtocatalyse.
NotingthattheSecretary-GeneralwouldimpressuponhisQuartetcolleagueshisconcernsforthewelfareofthePalestinianpeople,heconcludedthatnowwasthetimeforleaderstoputtheirlong-sufferingpeoplefirst,tothinkofthenextgenerationandtodowhatneededtobedone.
WehaveMr.
Pascoe'sfullremarksupstairs.
Followingtoday'sconsultationsontheMiddleEast,theSecretary-General'sSpecialEnvoyforMyanmar,IbrahimGambari,willbriefCouncilmembers,underothermatters,onhisrecentconsultationsinkeycapitalsaboutthatcountry.
We'llprovideareadoutonceitisdone.
Earliertoday,theSecurityCouncilunanimouslyadoptedaone-yearextensionoftheUNMissioninLiberia.
Andyesterdayafternoon,theCounciladoptedanextensionoftheInternationalSecurityAssistanceForce(ISAF)inAfghanistanforoneyear.
Thatextensionwasadoptedbyavoteof14infavour,withRussiaabstaining.
CouncilmembersalsodiscussedadraftresolutionconcerningapossiblefutureUNoperationinChadandintheCentralAfricanRepublic.
**LebanonOnLebanon,theSecretary-General,inastatementissuedyesterdayafternoon,expressedhisshockatthebrutalassassinationofMemberofParliamentAntoineGhanem,aswellasothercivilians,inBeirutthatday.
Hecondemnedinthestrongesttermsthisterroristattackandexpressedhissincerecondolencestothebereavedfamiliesofthosekilled.
TheSecretary-Generalcalls,nowmorethanever,forcontinueddialogueamongallLebaneseandurgesallLebanesetoexerciseutmostcalmandrestraintatthisverycriticaltimeandtoallowjudicialprocedurestotaketheircourse.
ThatstatementisonourcounterandontheWeb.
TheSecretary-Generalhasalsoreceivedaletter,sentyesterdaybyLebanesePrimeMinisterFouadSiniora,requestingtechnicalassistanceintheefforttoinvestigateGhanem'smurder.
**SudanOnSudan,yesterdayafternoon,thelatestmeetingoftroopandpolicecontributorstotheAU-UNforceinDarfur(UNAMID)washeldatUNHeadquarters.
Today,theDepartmentofPeacekeepingOperationsreportsthat,withregardtoforcegenerationforthemilitarycomponentofUNAMID,theystillhavenotreceivedoffersforsomeessentialunits,inparticular,fortheMediumUtilityHelicopterunitsandtheMediumHeavyTransportationcompanies.
Inothercases,troopcontributorshavesaidthattheymaybeabletoprovidetroopsforthehybridoperation,butbytheirownadmission,theircontributionwouldnotmeetUNstandards.
Forthesereasons,DPKOsaysitwelcomespledgesforallunitsincludedintheUNAMIDmilitarycomponent.
Withrespecttopolicerecruitment,DPKOreportsthatishasreceived19firmoffersforthe19requiredformedpoliceunitsandover2,500pledgesforthe3,772individualpoliceofficers.
**MillenniumDevelopmentGoalsOntheMDGs,nowongoingatUNHeadquartersisaclosed-doormeetingoftheSecretary-General'sUNMillenniumDevelopmentGoalsAfricaSteeringGroup.
ThemeetingischairedbyDeputySecretary-GeneralAsha-RoseMigiroinafollow-uptotheGroup'sinauguralmeetinglastweek.
Today'smeetingislaunchingtheoperationalworkagendaoftheSteeringGroupandisattendedbytop-rankingofficialsoftheUNsystem,theBrettonWoodsinstitutions,Africanandothermultilateralorganizationsandthe30-memberOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment.
Wehaveupstairspressmaterialsaboutthismeeting.
**Ethiopia-OCHAThehumanitariansituationinEthiopia'sSomaliRegionalStatehasdeterioratedsubstantiallyinthelastfewmonths,accordingtoarecentUNinter-agencymissionthatvisitedzonesinwhichmilitaryoperationsarecurrentlyunderway.
Themissionfoundthatthepriceoffoodhadnearlydoubled,owingtoGovernmentrestrictionsoncommercialandlivestocktrade.
Householdfoodreservesarenearlyexhaustedandfoodaidoperationshavebeenseriouslydelayed.
Themissionfearsthatthesituationcouldrapidlyworsenwithintwoorthreemonthsunlessmorefoodgetstothepopulation.
Wehaveapressreleaseandcopiesofthereportupstairs.
**DRC–EbolaWehaveanupdateonthediseaseoutbreakintheWesternKasaiProvinceoftheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo.
TheWorldHealthOrganizationsaysitanditspartnersnowhavesubstantialteamsinthefield.
Therewillsoonbetwofully-functioninglabsontheground,whichwillallowforquickerdiagnosisofdisease.
Ofroughly400casesofillnessand170deathssinceApril,sofarninecasesofebola,fivecasesoftyphoidandonecaseofshigellahavebeenconfirmed.
Testresultsfrom45furthersamplesarestillpending.
**WHOIthasnowbeenoneyearsincetheestablishmentofUNITAID,theinternationaldrugpurchasefacilityhostedbytheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO).
Duringthepastyear,UNITAIDhasreducedthepriceofHIVtreatmentsforchildrenbyalmost40percent,andisoncoursetomeettheneedsof100,000childrenbytheendofthisyear.
Inotherhealth-relatednews,authorAnnaCataldi,whoservedasaUNMessengerofPeacefrom1998to2007,hasjustbeenappointedbytheWHO-hostedStopTuberculosisPartnershipasanAmbassadorinthefightagainstthatdisease.
WehavemoreinformationontheseitemsinmyOffice.
**UNESCO–BiosphereReserveTheUNEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)hasadded23newbiospherereservesin18countriestoitsManandBiosphereProgramme.
Suchsitesareexamplesofinnovativeapproachestocombiningconservationandsustainabledevelopment.
Wehavethefulllistavailableofthenewsitesupstairs.
**RwandaTribunalOutasadocumenttodayisareportbytheArusha-basedInternationalCriminalTribunalforRwandatothesixty-secondsessionoftheGeneralAssemblyandtotheSecurityCouncil.
Init,theTribunaldescribesitsactivitiesbetweenJuly2006andJune2007andgivesanupdateonitseffortstomeetthedeadlineofitscompletionstrategy.
Thereportnotesthatduringthereportingperiod,theTribunal'sthreetrialchambersrendered5judgementsin5casesbeforeitinvolving5suspects,bringingthetotalofcasescompletedinthefirstinstanceto27andthenumberofindividualstriedto33.
Trialsinvolving22accusedin9differentcasesarenowinprogress.
Meanwhile,onecasewastransferredtotheNetherlands,whileanother30weretransferredtothenationaljurisdictionofRwanda.
Amongthereport'srecommendations,TribunalofficialsappealformorefundingtocontinuethevitalworkofbringingtojusticethearchitectsoftheRwandangenocide.
PressBriefingsThepressconferencescomingup.
Todayfirst,at3:15p.
m.
SaraDareshorifromHumanRightsWatch,DismasNkundafromtheDarfurConsortiumandInternationalRefugeeRightsInitiative,andNiematAhmadioftheDarfuriLeadersNetworkwillbriefyouonthesituationinDarfur.
ThispressconferenceissponsoredbythePermanentMissionofLiechtenstein.
Thereareseveralpressconferencesscheduledfortomorrow.
At9a.
m.
therewillbeapressconferencebyOlavKjrvenofUNDPontheupcominghigh-leveleventonclimatechange.
ThispressconferencewilltakeplaceatUNDPitselfandthereismoreinformationavailableupstairsonhowyoucanattendthatmeeting.
At10a.
m.
,membersoftheWorldPeaceTourforChildrenwillbriefonaconcertseriesinsupportofprojectsprovidingsecurity,healthcareandeducationtochildrenaroundtheworld.
ThispressconferenceissponsoredbythePermanentMissionofGermany.
That'sat10:00,membersoftheWorldPeaceTourforChildren.
AndincommemorationoftheInternationalDayofPeace,KiyoAkasaka,Under-Secretary-GeneralforCommunicationsandPublicInformation,willholdapressconferenceat11a.
m.
toannouncetheSecretary-General'slatestMessengersofPeace.
HewillbejoinedbycurrentMessengers,namelyMichaelDouglas,JaneGoodallandElieWiesel.
OurguestatthenoonbriefingwillbeTomKoenigs,SpecialRepresentativefortheSecretary-GeneralforAfghanistan,whowillupdateyouontheworkoftheUnitedNationsAssistanceMissioninAfghanistan.
Itisalot.
Youcanhavemoreinformationonthesedifferentpressconferenceslateronupstairs.
ThisisallIhaveforyou.
Thankyou.
**QuestionsandAnswersQuestion:Michèle,didMr.
BanKi-moonmeetMr.
[TerjeRoed-]LarsenrecentlyregardinghisremarksAndisthereanyfollow-uponwhathesaidSpokesperson:Nothereisnofollow-up.
Thingsarethesameastheywere.
Question:DidtheyhaveameetinganddidtheydiscussthisSpokesperson:No,theyhavenotmetsince.
Yes,Mr.
MasoodQuestion:Michèle,IjustwantedtofindaboutthisonIraq,theBlackwatercontroversyhasbymistakekilledIraqiswithouthavingtheauthoritytodoso.
TheUnitedStatesandtheIraqiPrimeMinisterarediscussingthat.
HastheSecretaryGeneral'senvoy,whoisthere,submittedanyreportaboutwhathappenedandastohowthissituationcametopassSpokesperson:NotthatIknowof.
Yes,backthere.
Question:YesthisisaboutBurma.
AlotofthemonksareprotestinginBurma.
IstheUNawareaboutitandissomethingbeingdonetopreventlarge-scaleactionbeingtakenbytheBurmesemilitaryjuntaSpokesperson:Well,aswe'respeakingrightnow,Mr.
Gambari,whoistheSpecialEnvoy,isspeakingtotheCouncilandIthinkthiswillberaisedattheCouncil.
YesQuestion:IsthefactthattheCouncil'sscheduleddebate…wasthatpushedbyMr.
GambariordidMr.
GambarijustanswerthecallfromMemberStatesSpokesperson:Idon'thavethatinformation,butMr.
Gambarihasbeenverywillingtocomeandtalk.
Hetalkedtoyoutheotherdayandhehasbeenverywillingtobeavailableonthatsubjectand,asyouknow,he'sbeenpreparingatriptotheregion.
Justasecond,Masood.
YesQuestion:ThelastSecurityCouncilresolutiononSomaliaaskedMr.
BanKi-moontodevelopplanstosendforcestheretoensurestability.
WouldyoupleaseupdateusonwhathasbeendonesofarregardingthisSpokesperson:WelltheDepartmentofPoliticalAffairsandtheDepartmentofPeacekeepingOperationsarebothworkingontheissuesoIdon'thaveanyupdateatthispoint.
YesQuestion:AlsoonSomalia,there'sthisUN,Iguessmissionofpeopletravellingthere,EricLaRocheandthisguyGhanimAlnajjar,who'sthehumanrightsexpert.
Soit'sreportedthattheTransitionalFederalGovernmentactuallybarredhimfromentryinitially;theytriedtoflyhimbyDohaandtoldhimhe'dactuallyhavetoflybacktoKenya.
SocanyouconfirmthattheUN'shumanrightsguyforSomaliawasturnedawaySpokesperson:Ican'tconfirmthisatthispoint,Ihavetocheckwiththem.
Question:Okay.
I'msorrytoaddthis,I'llaskthis,youmayormaynotanswerit,butthiscontroversyaboutthePresidentofIran--nowthathe'svisiting--seekingtolayawreathatGroundZerohereinNewYork.
DoestheUNhaveany--justintermsofhostcountryrelationsorinternationalrelations--haveanyviewonwhetherheshouldbeallowedtodothatSpokesperson:Wedon'thaveanycommentonthis.
Yes,MasoodQuestion:Alsoafollow-upinasense.
TherhetoricbetweenIranandIsraelisnowgoingupagain.
Itseemstobeagainthere'sawar.
IstheSecretary-GeneraltakingnoticeofthesituationandwillhetalktotheIranianleaderwhenhecomeshereSpokesperson:Yeshe'sscheduledtomeet…Question:…andtheIsraelileadersaboutthesituationintheMiddleEastSpokesperson:Well,theywillmeetandtheywillcertainlyspeak.
Icannottellyouinadvancewhattheywillsay.
Question:No,Idon'twantyoutotellmeinadvance.
Ijustwanttoknowishecognizantofthefact,especially,willhetalktotheIsraelisaboutthesituationthat'sgoingoninIsraelnowSpokesperson:Itoldyou.
Ijustansweredyourquestion,Masood.
Icannotinadvancetellyouwhattheyaregoingtosay.
Iwillrepeatthat.
Okay.
Yes,inbackthereQuestion:DoyouhaveanythingmoreonthesituationinOgaden,inEthiopianOgaden,aboutthehumanrightsviolationsandthenewrecommendationsforapaneltoinvestigatethisSpokesperson:Well,whatwehavethatwehaveputouttodayisthereportonthehumanitariansituation.
Iknowthereisahumanrightsreportbutitisnotout.
OkayYes,Mr.
BarisQuestion:TheaccusationoftheUSAaboutNorthKorea,thatyouknowit'shelpingforthenuclear[programme]toSyria.
DoestheSGhaveanythingaboutthatAnythingtosayaboutthatSpokesperson:Aboutthe…Question:ThatNorthKoreaishelpingSyriaaboutthenucleararmsSpokesperson:No,wedon'thaveanycommentsatthispoint.
Asyouknow,therearediscussionsbeingheldelsewhereonthisissue.
Okay,wearealittleshortontimebecausewehavefirstJanos,thenwehaveourguestsatthenoonbriefingtocome,soifyoudon'tmindwe'lljuststophereand,JanosBriefingbytheSpokespersonfortheGeneralAssemblyPresidentGoodafternoon.
Goodtoseeyouall.
Idon'thavemuchbutIstillwanttoflagacoupleofthingsforyou.
**InformalMeetingonFinancingforDevelopmentToday,asImentionedyesterday,therewasaninformalmeetingonfinancingfordevelopment.
PresidentSrgjanKerimoftheGeneralAssemblychairedthismeeting.
ItwasonthestatusofpreparationsfortheHigh-LevelDialogueonFinancingforDevelopmentwhichissetforthe23rdand24thofOctober.
Theintentionofthismorning'smeetingwastointensifythepreparationsforthathigh-levelmeeting.
ThePresidenthasalreadyreappointedthetwofacilitators--theyareAmbassadorMagedA.
Abdelaziz,thePermanentRepresentativeofEgypt,andAmbassadorJohanL.
Lvald,thePermanentRepresentativeofNorway--tocontinuetheireffortstotaketheconsultativeprocessfurther.
TheHigh-LevelDialoguethatissetforOctoberisintendedtogivefurtherimpetustothepreparationsfornextyear'smeetinginDoha,whichisintendedtoreviewtheimplementationoftheMonterreyConsensus.
**MeetingwithSecretary-GeneralIdidmentionyesterdayinmybriefingthatthePresidentoftheAssemblyhadaworkinglunchwiththeSecretary-General.
Thatdidhappen.
Thetwoagreedtocontinuetohavecloseworkingrelations.
Thetopicsdiscussedincluded:howtotakeforwardtheclimatechangeissuebasedontheoutcomeofthehigh-levelmeetingandthegeneraldebate;alsotheMDGs;managementreformwasontheagenda,includingtheso-calledFourNationsInitiativeofChile,SouthAfrica,SwedenandThailand;alsobudgetaryquestions,aswellastheissueoftheEthicsOffice;andalsoanupdateontheCapitalMasterPlan.
That'sallIhave.
Please…**QuestionsandAnswersQuestion:OntheEthicsOffice,isthereanythingmoreyoucansayaboutwhatwasactuallydiscussedintermsofwhethertherewillbeavoteintheGAorwhatthenextstepisonhavingtheEthicsOfficecoverUNDPandotheragenciesSpokesperson:AllIcansayisthattheybothagreedtomoveonthisissueforwardandthey'rebothlookingforasystem-widecodeofethics.
Question:ButacodeorlikecoverageMeaning,couldUNDPwhistle-blowers,couldtheycometotheUNEthicsOfficeorjustbesubjecttothesameprinciplesSpokesperson:Idon'thavethedetailsonthat.
Question:CanyoutellmewhereareweatinthevariousCommitteesdiscussingtheHumanRightsCouncilSpokesperson:MeaningQuestion:MeaningtheHumanRightsCouncil's…Spokesperson:TheHumanRightsCouncil'sreportCorrespondent:Right.
Spokesperson:Right.
ItwasdiscussedyesterdayintheGeneralCommitteeandthedis…Question:InwhichCommitteeSpokesperson:TheGeneralCommittee.
TheGeneralCommittee,whichdecidesonthedraftagendaitemsortheagendaitemsforthesession,aswellastheallocationoftheitems.
NowtheGeneralCommitteedidlookattheHumanRightsCouncil'sreportanddecidedtodeferactiononit.
Soatalaterstagetheywilllookatit.
Question:Youmean…Spokesperson:Meaningwheretoallocatetheitem.
Question:ButwhentheHumanRightsCouncilwasestablishedlastyear,wasn'ttheresupposedtobeareviewattheGeneralAssemblyofitsperformanceSpokesperson:Thatiscorrect.
Ithink,ifIremembercorrectly,therewereseveralelementsofthereportandpartofthatwasdiscussedwithinthesixty-firstandpartofthatissupposedtobecarriedover.
ButI'llgetyouthedetailsonthat,butthepointhereisthatitdidcomeupintheGeneralCommitteeintheframeworkofwheretoallocatetheitem.
ButthemembersoftheCommitteedidnottakeadecision;theydeferredthat.
SotheGeneralCommitteewilldiscussatalaterstagewhereexactlytheywanttodiscussthis:inwhichCommitteeorintheplenaryormaybebothaswasthecaseinthesixty-firstsession.
Ifyouremember,itwasasplitdecisiontodiscussitalsointheplenaryandintheThirdCommittee.
MasoodQuestion:Yes,Iunderstandthatsomebodyalsowantstobringit(inaudible).
Spokesperson:IbegyourpardonCorrespondent:Somebodywantstoreopenthewholestructure.
ThereareMemberStateswhowanttoreopenthewholeHumanRightsCouncilstructure.
Spokesperson:Thatcouldwellbethecase.
Dependingonwhereitis,actually,itdoesn'treallymatterwhereitisdiscussed,MemberStatesareattheirlibertytoreviewthisissuedependingon,orirrespectiveactuallyof,whetherthisistheThirdCommitteeortheplenary.
Itcanbereopened,yes.
MasoodQuestion:OntheCapitalMasterPlan,what'stheupdateSpokesperson:Idon'thaveanupdateonthat.
IjustknowthatthiswasoneofthetopicsdiscussedbetweentheSecretary-GeneralandthePresidentoftheGeneralAssembly.
ButIdon'thavethedetailsonthat.
Question:Soinregardstosecuringenoughloansandmoneyandwhenit'sgoingtostart,noupdateonthatSpokesperson:Idon'thaveanupdateonthat.
I'lllookintoitandI'llgetbacktoyou,thatIcanpromise.
Question:Onethingfromyesterday,abouttheGeneralCommitteemeetingyesterday.
Doweknowwho,thefactthatitwasaclosedmeeting,which,whenweaskedaround,generallyinthepastfewyears…Spokesperson:Yes.
Therewasnovotetakenonthat.
Inthepreparations,intheconsultationprocessforthatGeneralCommitteemeeting,itwasdecidedbythemembersoftheCommitteetoholditasaclosedmeeting.
IfwelookattheproceduresandtherulesandregulationsoftheGeneralAssembly,ifyoulookatRule60itclearlysaysthatallmeetingsaresupposedtobeopenexceptifthereareothercircumstancescallingforittobeaclosedmeeting.
InthiscaseandasImentionedyesterday,itisuptotheMemberStatestodecideandinthiscasethatiswhattheydecided.
Nobodyhastogiveareasononthat.
WhyTheyjustagreedonaconsensualbasisinthepreparationsleadinguptothemeetingthattheywillhaveitintheformofaclosedsession.
That'ssimplywhathappened.
Question:Nottobetoo,too…justifthePresidentoftheGAistheChairoftheCommittee,canyousaywhathispositiononthiswasDidhewantthistobeclosedDidhesupportthatImean,he'sapartoftheCommittee,it'snotlike…whatwashispositionSpokesperson:Thatiscorrect.
He'spartoftheCommittee.
He'sbasicallydrivenbythewishesoftheMemberStatesonthis.
Question:Sois--didhewantittobeopenDidtheywantittobeclosedImean,nottomaketoofineapointofit.
Spokesperson:Idon'tseemtorememberthattherewasanykindofadebateonthis.
ItwassimplyaconsensualdecisionbythemembersoftheGeneralCommitteetoholditasaclosedsession.
Andifthatiswhattheywant,thenthePresidentisgoingtogoalongwithit.
Question:Wellif"he"isapartof"they"or…Spokesperson:Ofcoursehe'spartoftheminthesensethathe'safacilitator.
PleaseQuestion:I'msorry,IfeelI'mnotquiteclearabouttheCommitteewithrepresentativesofEgyptianandNorwayAmbassadors.
IsitacommitteefordevelopingandaidWouldyougiveussomemoredetailsaboutitSpokesperson:Yes.
ThisisaconsultativeprocessfortheMemberStatesleadinguptoameetingnextyearinDoha,Qatar,sometimemostlikelyinthelatterpartoftheyear,reviewingtheso-calledMonterreyConsensusonFinancingforDevelopmentfortheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals.
Thisprocess,thisconsultativeprocess,isnudgedalongbytwofacilitatorswhohaveactedonthisintheprevioussession--soduringthesixty-firstsession--andthesetwofacilitators,thetwoAmbassadorsthatImentioned,theAmbassadorofEgyptandtheAmbassadorofNorway,theyarereappointedbythecurrentPresident,PresidentSrgjanKerimofthesixty-secondsession,tocontinuetheirconsultativework.
OneofthehighpointsinthatconsultativeprocessiswhatImentioned:the23-24Octobermeeting,thehigh-levelmeetingonFinancingforDevelopment.
ThiswillbeonaMinisteriallevel;whatyouwillseeisplenarymeetings,round-tablemeetings,andit'llcomerightaftertheAnnualSummitMeetingoftheBrettonWoodsinstitutions.
SobasicallyyouwillseeFinanceMinisters,MinistersofDevelopment,MinistersofAidetceteracominghere.
Idon'thavenumbersatthemomentbutthat'stheintention.
Question:Hastherebeenanagreementonthe0.
7percentcontributionOrthereisnoagreement,isthereThat'swhatthey'regoingtotalkaboutSpokesperson:Amongstothers,yes.
They'regoingtolookathowthisissueisfaringandwhatcanbedone,andwhatcanbedoneonsomeoftheothercommitmentsmade:howcanthosefunds…Howcanthereberecommitmentsmade,howcanthosecommitmentsmadeatMonterreybesecuredandwhatexactlyistheirstatus*****