The Millennium Project
GLOBAL FUTURES STUDIES & RESEARCH
Your views on these items and/or your suggestions of additional items are most welcome; please email Elizabeth Florescu at millennium-project@igc.org.
The Millennium Project defines environmental security as environmental viability
for life support, with three sub-elements:
· preventing or repairing military damage to the environment,
· preventing or responding to environmentally caused conflicts, and
· protecting the environment due to its inherent moral value.
For an organization of the items in cathegories around the structure of this
definition, please see:
- ES-scanning-09.pdf
for items identified between August 2002 and June 2009, or
- ES-2006-08.pdf (includes potential military implications)
for items identified between July 2006-June 2008, or
- ES-2008-09.pdf (includes potential
military implications) for items identified between July 2008-June 2009.
For a complete version of the monthly reports with Military Implications, see the Army Environmental Policy Institute web page http://www.aepi.army.mil/rpt-weei.html
This webpage lists the items identified since January 2006. For the 2002-2005
items, please see the links below or the webpage es-scann-2005.html.
Following are the items organized by the months they were identified -- updated
monthly.
2010
January 2010
2009
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
2008
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
July-August 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
2007
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
2006
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
Items identifed over 2002-2005:
2005
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
2004
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
2003
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
August-September 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
2002
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002
August 2002
The Haiti Earthquake Disaster Could Stimulate Improved Resilience Planning
The current chaotic situation and humanitarian disaster resulting from the
7.3 magnitude earthquake on January 12, 2010 in Haiti demonstrates the need
for improved early warning, resilience training, and post-disaster international
coordination. Since scientists warn that the number and intensity of natural
disasters will increase, the need for such systems and training will increase.
Unique preparation is needed for poorer, less resilient countries like Haiti.
UNEP is working for the Haiti Regeneration Initiative to be implemented by
a wide range of partners for long-term sustainable development and reduction
of vulnerability to natural hazards through ecosystem restoration and sustainable
natural resource management. [Related item: International Early Warning
Programme to Begin Operations in March 2007 environmental security report.]
Sources:
United
Nations Stabilization Mission in Haitihttp://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minustah/
Earthquake jeopardizes Haiti's security and stability http://www.isria.com/M/Weekly_Report_20100118.htm
Haiti earthquake: death toll may hit 200,000 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/haiti/7003057/Haiti-earthquake-death-toll-may-hit-200000.html
UNEP to lead environmental recovery efforts in Haiti http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=608&ArticleID=6448&l=en
Yemen’s Internal Conflicts
Are Water-Induced
A new analysis of Yemen’s drastic water situation points out that an
estimated 80% of conflicts in Yemen are over water. The country’s water
table is dropping about 6.6 feet per year, and in the capital, Sana’a,
water extraction rates are about four times that of replenishment. At this
rate Sana’a could become the first waterless capital in the world in
five to seven years. Water used for agriculture accounts for about 90% of
all consumption, and about 50% of it goes to growing qat (khat), a mild narcotic
plant. Since plantations are often controlled by the so-called qat mafia,
if farmers would be offered an alternative to qat, the critical water, food,
and security situations would be addressed together.
Sources:
Water woes could undermine
Yemen’s drive against Al-Qaeda http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hRiwhJYeUXY1B3Ma2oCfQVE0G9vA
Private sector considers desalination to save Yemen from drought http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100125113425/Private%20sector%20considers%20desalination%20to%20save%20Yemen%20from%20drought
International Lawsuits for Environmental
Crime Proliferate
International
lawsuits for environmental crimes are increasing, including those based on
damages due to climate change, which is a new phase in the international environmental
legal system. For example, Micronesia filed a case with the Czech Environment
Ministry against the extension of the Prunerov, CEZ’s largest coal-powered
generator, on grounds of potential increase of CO2 emissions with subsequent
consequences to global warming and rising sea levels. Consequently, the Czech
government ordered an international assessment of the project. Another example
is Kivalina, an Inupiat Eskimo village on a barrier island north of the Arctic
Circle. It has created a case against a group of fuel and utility companies
(including ExxonMobil and Shell Oil) for their contribution to climate change
that is accelerating the island’s
erosion. A third example is four Nigerian farmers and Friends of the Earth
Netherlands who filed a pollution lawsuit in the Netherlands against Royal
Dutch Shell for environmental degradation caused in Nigeria.
In a related activity, Bolivia’s President Evo Morales is organizing
an international conference April 20-22, 2010 in Cochabamba to explore creation
of an international court on environmental crimes and a “universal
proposal for the rights of mother earth.” Government officials, indigenous
people, other social movement representatives, environmentalists, and scientists
will be invited.
Sources:
Morales Calls Alternative Climate Meeting http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/06/tech/main6063924.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody
Courts as Battlefields in Climate Fights http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/business/energy-environment/27lawsuits.html
Czechs Cede To Micronesia Demands Seeking Power Plant Review http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/commodities/czechs-cede-micronesia-demands-seeking-power-plant-review/
Shell must face Friends of the Earth Nigeria claim in Netherlands http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/dec/30/shell-oruma-alleged-pollution-claim
Geoengineering May Require International
Environmental Regulations
Several
national authorities are assessing the potential need for national or international
regulations for safe development and use of geoengineering to address climate
change and global warming. A committee in Britain’s
House of Commons began its assessment and is cooperating with the U.S. House
Science and Technology Committee, which is also planning to begin hearings
this year on scientific, engineering, ethical, economic, and governance aspects
related to geoengineering. This March a group of scientists will meet in California
to set guidelines for large-scale field tests of proposed geoengineering techniques––ranging
from genetically modified trees to absorb CO2, to spewing sunlight-deflecting
sulfate particles into the upper atmosphere. Some scientists argue that new
environmental regulations should be established even before field tests begin,
due to potentially large geographic effects of some geoengineering techniques.
Others, while comparing geoengineering to nuclear weapons, which have been
successfully managed through international agreements, point out the possibility
of serious long-term risks, and propose an international annual research budget
growing from $10 million to $1 billion by the end of 2020.
Sources:
A Search for Rules
Before Climate-Changing Experiments Begin http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/01/18/18climatewire-a-search-for-rules-before-climate-changing-e-40048.html
Time to start researching global 'sun block': scientist http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2010/01/27/12637061.html
Research on Global 'Sun Block' Needed Now, Experts Argue http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127134243.htm
International Year of Biodiversity is 2010 and Convention on Biological Diversity
COP10 to Meet in Japan This Year
The year 2010 is designated
as the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. A panoply of
events is planned to take place around the world for raising awareness and generating
public pressure on leaders to develop new mechanisms to curb loss of the world’s
species due to human activity (estimated by some experts at 1,000 times more
than natural evolution). Scientists and officials agree that methods are needed
to price the impact of decisions on biodiversity and set policies that will
help create a better balance. The international community is expected to agree
on some post-2010 goals on biodiversity at the COP10 of the Convention on Biological
Diversity to be held October 18-29, in Nagoya, Japan.
Sources:
2010 UN Year of Biodiversity http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/
UN opens Biodiversity Year with plea to save world's ecosystems http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33393&Cr=envirionment&Cr1=
Benn to call on world leaders to adopt biodiversity pricing http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jan/25/hilary-benn-biodiversity-pricing
Reformed Common Agricultural Policy should incentivise biodiversity http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/reformed-common-agricultural-policy-should-incentivise-biodiversity-1102.aspx
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Genetically Engineered Bacteria Might Provide
Landmine Detection
Alistair Elfick, of the University of Edinburgh’s
Centre for Biomedical Engineering, and his team have genetically modified E. coli bacteria
to produce a protein in the cell membrane that senses TNT, one of the explosives
used in landmines. The group introduced the gene for the luciferase enzyme,
which produces light in fireflies. According to scidev.net, “When proteins
on the surface of E. coli detect TNT, this ‘switches on’ the
gene responsible for light production.”
Source:
Bacteria make light work of detecting
landmines http://www.scidev.net/en/news/bacteria-make-light-work-of-detecting-landmines.html
Work
Proceeds on Optical Fiber Detector for Bacterial Agents
Thomas Inzana, a bacteriologist at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College
of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, and his team have received a grant
by NIH to continue their work on development of nanoscale optical fiber biosensor
tests for detection of biological agents such as might be used in a terrorist
attack. According to the story in Nanowerk News, “the optical
fiber is coated with antibodies or DNA that will bind to antigens or DNA in
the specimen. When this happens, the light that normally passes through the
fiber will be decreased, indicating the presence of a biological agent.”
Source:
Nanoscale
optical fibers to detect bioterrorist agents http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=14320.php
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
New Selective Radiation Surfaces
May Save on Cooling Energy
Prof. Geoff Smith and Dr Angus Gentle of the
Institute of Nanotechnology at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia,
are conducting research on materials for building surfaces that radiate back
into the atmosphere at night, heat that was absorbed during the day. The heat
is radiated at wavelengths which are not absorbed by the atmosphere but continue
on out into space. The surfaces are coated with a mixture of silicon carbide
and silicon dioxide nanoparticles, and have cooled surfaces to 15°C less
than ambient temperature in Sydney. The scientists point out that the surfaces
could cool air or water, which could then be pumped through buildings to cool
them.
Sources:
Nanocoating that acts as efficient heat pump could reduce need for energy-guzzling
air conditioning http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=14466.php
Power-generating Flexible Films Might Power
Body-worn Devices
Michael McAlpine, a professor of mechanical and aerospace
engineering at Princeton University, and colleagues have developed power-generating
rubber films that are highly efficient in generating electrical energy when
flexed. The films combine silicone and nanoribbons of lead zirconate titanate
(PZT), a piezoelectric ceramic material that the developers say is 100× as
piezo-efficient as quartz.
Sources:
Energy-harvesting rubber sheets could power pacemakers,
mobile phones http://www.physorg.com/news183832835.html
Piezoelectric Ribbons Printed onto Rubber for Flexible Energy Conversion http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl903377u.
New Membranes Claim to Cut Desalination Energy Requirements
A start-up company, NanoH2O, is claiming a 20% reduction in the energy required
for reverse osmosis desalination using its new membranes. Other companies
(Danfoss, Novozymes, Aquaporin) are engaged in similar efforts.
Source:
NanoH2O to Change
the Economics of Desalination http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/print/nanoh2o/
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
The EU’s
Chemical Regulatory Regime might be adjusted to Include Nanomaterials
The
Institute for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission’s
Joint Research Centre (JRC) awarded two contracts to a consortium led by SAFENANO
(Institute of Occupational Medicine) for the development of specific advice
on the assessment of nanomaterials under REACH (the EU’s Regulation
on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals).
The two projects, REACH-NanoInfo (aka RIP-oN2), and REACH-NanoHazEx (RIP-oN3),
address the REACH information requirements on intrinsic properties of nanomaterials,
and the processes for undertaking exposure assessments and conducting hazard
and risk characterization for nanomaterials within the REACH context. The
work will be carried out in consultation with a range of stakeholders and
will be used by the EC to support further developments in REACH Guidance on
Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment. Along the same lines, Nanomaterials
under REACH report by the Netherlands’ National Institute for
Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) indicates that REACH doesn’t
adequately cover nanomaterials and points out the differences in risk assessment
requirements between nano- and macro-sized materials. [Related item: EU
to Add Carbon and Graphite to REACH Program in the June 2008 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
Consortium awarded crucial advisory contracts on the regulation
of nanomaterials under REACH http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=14573.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Consultancy & Review Activities - EC & SAFENANO http://www.safenano.org/REACHnanoInfo.aspx
REACH-NanoHazEx: Rip-oN 3 http://www.safenano.org/REACHnanoHazEx.aspx
Nanomaterials under REACH report http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/601780003.pdf
Nanomaterials under REACH: Some Adjustments Needed http://www.innovationsgesellschaft.ch/index.php?section=news&cmd=details&newsid=274&teaserId =
Monopoly
over Rare Earth Elements Raises Security and Environmental Concerns
Most new
technologies—from low-carbon energy production to defense—require
rare earth elements (REEs) for their manufacture. However, the distribution
and exploitation of these elements is limited, with over 95% of all REEs for
world consumption being produced in China. China’s own increasing technological
and green energy generation needs might considerably impact the supply and/or
price of some REEs (such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and erbium
used for wind turbine generators). John Kaiser, a California-based mining
expert and rare-earths specialist, warns, “If the world gets really
serious about green technology, it could result in a scale of demand that
rare-earth suppliers would be unable to cope with.” Pricing and different
work and environmental standards are among the main factors impeding exploitation
outside China. Business and political leaders should re-assess the supply
situation of REEs in view of new technological and security needs. [Related
item: Future Lithium Dependency Raises New Energy Security Concerns in
March 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
The Battle Over Rare Earth Metals http://www.ensec.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=228:the-battle-over-rare-earth-metals&catid=102:issuecontent&Itemid=355
EXCLUSIVE: Inside China's secret toxic unobtainium mine http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1241872/EXCLUSIVE-Inside-Chinas-secret-toxic-unobtainium-mine.html
New Evidence
on Silver Toxicity
Researchers of the Dept. of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
at Duke University Medical Center conducted a study whose results, “...provide
evidence that silver has the potential to kill developing nerve cells and
is even more potent than currently known neurotoxicants.”… Effects
varied widely with test conditions, making interpretation difficult. [Related
items: UK Defra
Committee Report on Nanosilver and Industry Silver Nanotech Group
Opposes "New Material" Designation in December 2009, and Petition
Filed for EPA to Regulate Nanosilver in November 2009 environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
Silver Impairs Neurodevelopment: Studies in PC12 Cells:
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/2009/0901149/0901149.pdf
Silver is a potent nerve cell toxicant:
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/silver-is-potent-neurotoxicant/
Botox Creates
Basis for New Terrorist Weapon
Counterterrorist experts claim Al-Qaeda has tried
to acquire botulinum toxin (an extremely deadly poison), which is found in
the Botox beauty treatment. Chechnya and other parts of the world may have
counterfeit Botox production facilities that can produce and sell botulinum
on the Internet. Increasing markets for counterfeit beauty and pharmaceutical
products could lead to increased access for biological terrorism. Although
it is known that such illicit facilities exist, they are difficult to find.
Due to specific characteristics, the most likely attack is contamination of
food or water supplies. [Related item: New
Technologies Need New Regulations Systems in March 2009 and other items
on similar issues in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Officials fear
toxic ingredient in Botox could become terrorist tool http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/24/AR2010012403013.html
Toxin Found in Botox Could Pose Bioterrorism Threat http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20100125_2898.php
France
Proposes Carbon Tax Across EU and on Imports
President Nicolas Sarkozy announced
that France would propose a carbon tax across the EU, and carbon tariffs on
products imported from countries with weaker environmental regulations. Nationally,
a bill expected to be presented soon to the Parliament is proposing a progressive
carbon tax similar to the income tax, taxing big polluters on their CO2 emissions.
The French government hopes the regulation will come into force on July 1,
2010, and be effective until the EU emissions permits scheme enters into force.
[Related item: EU
Potential New Measures For Reducing CO2 Emissions in October 2009 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
Paris wants pan-European carbon tax http://euobserver.com/9/29221/?rk=1
The Coming Battles Over Green Trade - by Mac Margolis http://www.eu-digest.com/2010/01/coming-battles-over-green-trade-by-mac.html
France to tax big polluters under revised scheme http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60J4FA20100120
U.S. to Strengthen Environmental Regulations
New Measures on Chemicals Safety
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency has created a ‘Chemicals of
Concern’ list and adopted additional measures for reducing risks posed
by compounds raising serious potential health or environmental concerns: phthalates
and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were added to the list; risk-reduction
actions should begin for several phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins,
and perfluorinated chemicals; and the three-year DecaBDE phaseout will be
reinforced. [Related item: New Chemicals Considered for Toxic Lists in
January 2009 environmental security report.]
The U.S. Congress is proposing to update the 34-year-old federal Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA), requiring more through testing for chemicals. In the preamble
to the debate, the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition released a
report which notes that since 1976, when the federal TSCA became law, the
EPA has required testing on only 200 of the 83,000 chemicals in common use
and issued regulations for only five, while 60,000 chemicals received approval
without preliminary government testing. Highlighting the health and cost issues
associated with toxic chemicals, it estimates that the new regulations would
reduce the incidence of chronic diseases by 0.1% and direct health care costs
by $5 billion a year in the U.S. [Related item: U.S. to Revise the Toxic
Substances Control Act in October 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
EPA
Announces Actions to Address Chemicals of Concern, Including Phthalates: Agency
continues efforts to work for comprehensive reform of toxic substance laws http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/2852c60dc0f65c688525769c0068b219!OpenDocument
Existing Chemicals Action Plans http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/ecactionpln.html
Stricter rules urged on toxic chemicals http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10022/1030212-114.stm
EPA Proposes Tougher Air-Quality Rules
The EPA tougher National Ambient Air Quality Standards proposal sets a primary
standard for ground-level ozone at no more than 0.060 to 0.070 parts per million
(measured over eight hours), to be phased in over the next two decades (extended
for regions with highest smog pollution). A secondary smog standard is proposed
to protect the environment, especially plants and trees. [Related item: EPA
Warnings on Various Potential Health Hazards in October 2009 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
EPA pushes tougher air-quality rules http://thehill.com//blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/74733-epa-proposing-tougher-smog-standards
EPA Strengthens Smog Standard/Proposed standards, strictest to date, will
protect the health of all Americans, especially children http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/d70b9c433c46faa3852576a40058b1d4!OpenDocument
E.P.A. Seeks Stricter Rules to Curb Smog http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/science/earth/08smog.html?th&emc=th
California Proposes Reducing the Level
of Chromium 6 in Water
The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment has proposed a “public health goal” of 0.06 ppb of
hexavalent chromium (Cr 6) for the state’s drinking water. The current
state and national standards for total Cr compounds are 50 ppb and 100 ppb,
respectively. (EPA is reevaluating the latter.) The new California value was
set as a result of a recent federal study setting a threshold of one cancer
among every one million people exposed for a lifetime. After public comments,
the California Department of Public Health will adopt a regulation setting
a maximum allowable level for water supplies based on the health goal but
also considering economic and technological factors. [Related item: New
Substances Identified as Harmful to Human Health and the Environment in
June 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
California
unveils new goal for controversial carcinogen in water http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/chromium-6-goal
Public Health Goal for Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water (Draft). Office
of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment California Environmental Protection
Agency http://www.oehha.ca.gov/water/phg/pdf/Cr6PHGdraft082009.pdf
First U.S.
National Health Security Plan Released
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department released the first National
Health Security Strategy for the event of a bioterrorism incident or other
large-scale health crisis. The strategy outlines objectives for different
government areas and for nongovernmental groups to focus on over the next
four years, and recommends a review of the national countermeasure system.
[Related item: Global Influenza Pandemic Declared in June 2009 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
First U.S. National Health Security Plan Released http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20100108_9470.php
HHS Delivers the Nation’s First Health Security Strategy http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100107a.html
Building Contaminants Linked to Parking Lots with Coal Tar Sealant
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey have published a paper linking high
concentrations of the contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
in house dust to coal tar sealants used on parking lots. PAHs are an environmental
hazard because several are probable human carcinogens. [Related item: Study
Shows Nanotube Manufacture May Pollute Environment in August 2007 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
Parking Lot Problems http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/40920
Contaminated House Dust Linked to Parking Lots with Coal Tar Sealant http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100113112056.htm
Coal-Tar-Based Parking Lot Sealcoat: An Unrecognized Source of PAH to Settled
House Dust http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es902533r
Scientists
Say Dolphins Should Be Treated As 'Non-Human Persons'
New study of dolphins’ behavior,
backed up by anatomic research, has led scientists to declare dolphins second
to humans in intelligence and suggesting that they should be treated as “non-human
persons”. [Related item: GreenhouseGasEmissionsIncreaseOcean Noise
Pollution in December 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Scientists
say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons' http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6973994.ece
Arctic Opens
to International Commercial Use
The first telecommunication project in the Arctic is to link Tokyo and London
by underwater fiber optic cable through the Northwest Passage, thus cutting
the transmission delay from 140 milliseconds to 88 milliseconds. Branch lines
would also link to the U.S. East Coast, ensuring quicker transmission times
between Tokyo and New York. In addition to being faster, these lines are apparently
also more secure, avoiding critical regions.
A report by UNESCO, “Climate Change and Arctic Sustainable Development” is
a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and social transformations
of the Arctic due to climate change, proposing an integrated approach for
monitoring and adapting to climate change in the Arctic based on multilateral
collaboration among scientists, circumpolar communities and decisionmakers.
[Related item: Arctic “Pole of Peace” Suggested to
Address Arctic Security Issues in December 2009 environmental security
report.]
Sources:
Global warming opens up Arctic for undersea cable http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/Africa%20Insight/-/625262/847148/-/wxhyixz/-/index.html
Climate Change and Arctic Sustainable Development http://publishing.unesco.org/details.aspx?&Code_Livre=4722&change=E
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
A preliminary analysis from
the National Climatic Data Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) found that the decade 2000-2009 is the warmest decade
since instrumental measurements of temperatures began in the 1880s, and 2009
(tied with 2006) was the fifth warmest year on record, based on measurements
taken on land and at sea. The average trend over the past three decades is
warming at about 0.36°F (0.2°C) per decade,
while average global temperatures have risen by about 1.5°F (0.8°C)
since 1880.
According to the Met Office’s forecast made using the Decadal Prediction
System (DePreSys), 2010 could yet be the hottest year on record, due to a
new El Niño warming period that has just started in the Pacific. Additionally,
the sun should also begin to brighten, as part of its 11-year brightness fluctuation
cycle (in 2009 it was at the bottom of the cycle.) Further, if not for 2010,
then “a record breaker will still occur in the next few years” says
Doug Smith, climate expert at the Met Office.
Oddball Winter Weather: Global Warming’s Wake-Up Call for the Northern
Unites States, a study by the National Wildlife Federation, documents
how climate change is linked to precipitation increase, including intense snowstorms,
as warmer winter weather causes more surface water evaporation (and less freezing),
thus recharging the atmosphere with moisture. This explains the unusually heavy
snowfall in many parts of the world.
Food and Water Security
A new report by the Division for Sustainable Development
of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs assessed the impact of
foreign land purchase for agriculture. Foreign governments and private investors
are increasingly purchasing or leasing key farmland in Africa on a long-term
basis. The report notes that it is critical to ensure that such contracts
promote shared food security interests and meet the need for improving legal
and technical capacities of host countries, as well as to conduct impact assessments
for the host country on the benefits, costs, and risks associated with land
acquisition.
Scientists warn that more attention should be given not only to the impact
of climate change on food quantity, but to its nutritional quality too. They
found that increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere reduces the nutritional
value of many basic food crops. It is estimated that the approximate 20% CO2
rise since 1960 may have already decreased protein concentration in wheat
flour by 5%–10%. A study by researchers at Southwestern University,
Georgetown TX, shows that if atmospheric CO2 reaches 540–960 ppm, it
could result in a significant decline (10%–15%) in protein content of
major food crops including barley, wheat, soya bean and potato. Additionally,
higher CO2 levels may reduce water flow through a plant, affecting the uptake
of micronutrients from the soil, such as sulphur, magnesium, iron, zinc, and
manganese.
Health
The WHO report “Protecting Health from Climate Change: Connecting Science,
Policy and People” provides an update of the scientific evidence on
health risks caused by climate change. It outlines necessary action to protect
health from negative impacts of climate change and describes a number of effective
interventions that can save lives in the present and reduce vulnerability
in the future. In addition, the report singles out several policy options
in other sectors, such as transport and energy production, that could simultaneously
improve health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Migration
The small island developing states continue efforts to have their
fate stipulated in a binding treaty on climate change. “It is important
that the recognition of SIDS as most vulnerable countries be preserved in
a legally binding outcome and that these countries receive priority access
to resources for urgent adaptation and mitigation projects,” said Mark
Jariabka, executive director of Islands First, an organization that promotes
and protects the interests of SIDS. In addition to vulnerability, they are
concerned about lack of any bilateral or multilateral agreements for eventual
relocation. “Even if such an
agreement is signed between an island nation and another host country, this
itself will raise a number of issues regarding international law - sovereignty
status, U.N. membership etc. etc.” says Ambassador Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed,
the permanent representative of Maldives to the United Nations. “Do
these people relocate as a ‘nation’ or as individual refugees
who are then subsumed into the host nation as their own citizens, or would
they enjoy ‘sovereign rights’? Would they continue to have claim
to the territory of the land they had vacated? If not, who would have claim
on it, if at all?” questions the Ambassador.
Adaptation
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced its ongoing
work towards the establishment of a Global Cryosphere (global solid water
system) Watch to serve societal needs for weather, climate and water, and
related environmental information and services. The World Meteorological Congress,
WMO’s supreme
governing body, is to consider ways and means of developing and implementing
a Global Cryosphere Watch at its next quadrennial session in 2011. Once established,
a Global Cryosphere Watch should enhance the capability of the research community
and operational services to predict the future state of the cryosphere and
facilitate assessments of the cryosphere and its components on a regional
to global scale to support climate change science, decision-making and formulation
of environmental policy.
The Joint Session of the Executive Boards of the UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and
WFP held on January 15, 2010 focused on the issue of climate change. Noting
that 40% of development investment from ODA and concessional lending is sensitive
to climate risk, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark spoke on how the UN agencies
can support countries in addressing the climate change challenge through their
programmatic activities at the country level to support capacity building
for adaptation and mitigation, and access to climate financing. She also said
that the UN Development Group (UNDG) developed guidelines to support the UN
Country Team on how to mainstream disaster risk reduction and environmental
sustainability into the programmatic activities at the country level. Specific
guidelines on climate change will be issued soon.
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) released a study, “Transboundary
flood risk management: experiences from the UNECE region,” which describes
problems and progress made regarding transboundary flood management in 10
transboundary river basins in the UNECE region; tools for improving resilience
against transboundary flood risk; and useful legal and institutional arrangements
for cooperation.” The study also notes that climate change is expected
to increase both the magnitude and the frequency of floods, although there
is considerable uncertainty. The study was prepared by the Task Force on Water
and Climate, under the UNECE Water Convention.
Climate Modeling and Scenarios
Scientists from NOAA, combining three models
into one tool, were able to simulate with higher accuracy storms’ evolution
and categories across the Atlantic. They found that by the end of the century,
although storms will in general decrease in number, they will be more powerful;
category 4 (210-249 kilometers per hour) and category 5 (over 250 kilometers
per hour) will double in frequency. The hardest hit will be Haiti and the
Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and the northeastern coast of the U.S. These
results corroborate results of other climate models.
Post-Copenhagen Negotiations
States that signed the Copenhagen accord agreed
to announce (by end-January 2010) their official CO2 emissions reduction commitments.
The EU decided to maintain its commitment of 20% greenhouse gas emissions
reduction by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, and 30% if other powers make comparable
pledges. Australia announced that it will cut greenhouse gas emissions by
5% of 2000 levels by 2020 unconditionally, and 15% to 25%, depending on other
countries’ commitments.
The environment ministers of the BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India,
and China) met on January 24 to discuss cooperation in future climate negotiations
and decided to adhere to the agreements made in the Copenhagen Accord regarding
the submission of their emission reduction actions. Cooperation among these
countries may shape future climate change negotiations and influence the adoption
of a binding climate agreement. The next round of climate talks is scheduled
for November 29, 2010, with pre-conference negotiations slated to take place
May 31 to June 11, 2010.
Sources:
The
resurgence of El Niño means that 2010 could yet be the hottest year on
record http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/10/climate-change-uk-big-freeze
Past Decade Warmest on Record, NASA [NOAA] Data Shows http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/science/earth/22warming.html
Foreign land purchases for agriculture: what impact on sustainable development? http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/resources/res_pdfs/publications/ib/no8.pdf
The 'hidden hunger' caused by climate change http://www.scidev.net/en/opinions/the-hidden-hunger-caused-by-climate-change.html
Protecting Health from Climate Change: Connecting Science, Policy and People http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241598880_eng.pdf
Climate Change: Small Islands Await Haitian-Type Disaster http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50036
WMO Information Note http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/infonotes/GlobalCryosphere.html
Transboundary flood risk management: experiences from the UNECE region http://www.unece.org/env/water/mop5/Transboundary_Flood_Risk_Managment.pdf
Models Foresee More-Intense Hurricanes in the Greenhouse http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/327/5964/399?ijkey=EFlfVe870I6Bg&keytype=ref&siteid=sci
EU climate offer unchanged http://euobserver.com/9/29357/?rk=1
Australia to put forward unchanged carbon cuts to UN http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Australia_to_put_forward_unchanged_carbon_cuts_to_UN_999.html
China, 3 others to chart climate roadmap http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2010-01/15/content_9324199.htm
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
European FramingNano Governance Platform
Draft Now Available
The draft FramingNano Governance Platform sets out a proposal for the framing
of policy on nanotechnology in Europe; and, according to Nanowerk News, “highlights
the major challenges to be overcome in order to successfully craft governance
policies for nanotechnologies, and the communication issues that need to be
addressed if Europe is to harness the full potential of this rapidly growing
area of technology.” The Governance Plan was discussed at the final
International Conference of the FramingNano FP7 held in December 2009 and
is being submitted to the European Commission “as a model of management
to be followed by European policy makers and stakeholders.”
Sources:
A New Governance Framework for Nanotechnologies (conference page,
with “Proceedings
now available for members”) http://www.framingnano.eu
Brussels conference discusses nanotechnology governance platform http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=14269.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Comprehensive Review of Engineered Nanomaterials Health And Safety
A
consortium led by Edinburgh Napier University and the Institute of Occupational
Medicine published a 426-page final report of the project Engineered Nanoparticles
- Review of Health & Environmental Safety (ENRHES), described by Nanowerk
News as "A comprehensive and authoritative review of the health
and environmental safety of engineered nanomaterials [that] considers sources,
pathways of exposure, [and] the health and environmental outcomes of concern".
The report contains prioritized recommendations to aid policymakers in formulating
regulations.
Sources:
ENRHES report provides in-depth examination of nanomaterials safety
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=14387.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29Engineered
Nanoparticles - Review of Health & Environmental Safety
project final report
http://nmi.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/pdf/ENRHES%20Review.pdf
Nanotechnology--Assessment of Health Safety and Environmental Factors
Frost & Sullivan,
and Research and Markets, are offering a new research report, Nanotechnology--Assessment
of Health Safety and Environmental Factors (Technical Insights). According
to the announcement, the report provides "an
overview of the HSE implications of nanotechnology … a forced field
analysis of the industry drivers and challenges… [a] strategic evaluation
of the possible initiatives… …[and] Profiling of commonly used
HSE nomenclature with a list of the ongoing research projects in North America
and Europe." The report is available for €4533-€5928, depending
on the scope of the license.
Source:
Nanotechnology - Assessment of Health Safety and
Environmental Factors
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/product/02ab42/nanotechnology_assessment_o
UK House
of Lords Committee Urges Nanosafety Transparency
Nanotechnologies and Food, a
112-page report presented by the UK House of Lords science and technology
committee, urges, "the government and research
councils to carry out more checks into the use of nanomaterials in food and
in particular the dangers for the human body." This call is the third
in two years, following those for more stringent safety checks from the Royal
Society and the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.
Sources:
Press Notice:
Science and Technology Committee - Nanotechnologies and Food http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/lords_press_notices/pn080110st.cfm
Nanotechnologies and Food. Science and Technology Committee, First Report http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldsctech.htm
Peers criticise food industry secrecy on nanotechnology http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/08/food-industry-nanotechnology-secrecy
UK Report
Calls on Government to Support Nanotech Risk Assessment
According to a story
in the Financial Times, a report just issued
by the UK's Nanotech Knowledge Transfer Network calls, "for the government
to assuage public fears over nanotechnology by supporting risk assessments
of new products", especially on behalf of small start-ups that may not
have the resources for such activities.
Sources:
Nanotechnology: a UK Industry View (report)
http://mnt.globalwatchonline.com/epicentric_portal/binary/com.epicentric.contentmanagement.servlet.ContentDeliveryServlet/MNT/Knowledge%2520Centre/MiniIGTReport2010.pdfBusiness
urges campaign over 'grey goo' fears
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/82d93a8a-00ad-11df-ae8d-00144feabdc0.html (Requires
a free subscription registration.)
Note: The following three items describe a key stage in development of an emerging issue: the rise of general public interest and outcry. It can signal a turning from involvement of technocrats and some politicians to a more general political atmosphere.
Public Disruptions Force Cancellation
of French Public Nano Debates
Disruptions by environmentalists have forced the cancellation of three of
the scheduled debates in France on nanotech issues. [See item French Public
Debate on Nanotechnology in the October 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Loud
Starts End France's Nanotech Debates
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2010/01/a-loud-start-to.html
Research Calls for Better Explanations and Sources in Nano Risk Communication
Johannes Simons, of the Institute for Food and Resource Economics at the
University of Bonn, and colleagues have published a paper, The Slings and
Arrows of Communication on Nanotechnology, that addresses the general problems
of communicating nanotechnology risk. According to Nanowerk Spotlight,
they utilized research from Germany, the US, and Australia to develop their
recommendation, “…risk communication on nanotechnologies requires
target-specific approaches…”, and that “...it is important
to involve trusted institutions in the risk communication process. This could
help people to accept the information because they do not suspect the communicator
of having some hidden interests or of deceiving them with misleading information.”
The need for reforms in the process is supported by a study by Prof. Elizabeth
Corley, of Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs, and
Dietram A. Scheufele of the University of Wisconsin—Madison that, “found
widening gaps in nanotech knowledge since 2004 between the least educated
and most educated citizens. Americans with at least a college degree have
shown an increase in understanding of the new technology, while knowledge
about nanotechnology has declined over time for those with education levels
of less than a high school diploma”, according to a Nanowerk News story
Sources:
The
slings and arrows of communication on nanotechnology http://www.springerlink.com/content/y6rxm682t4301353/
Communicating nanotechnology http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=14344.php
Nanotechnology outreach going wrong? http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=14296.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Outreach Going Wrong? When we talk nano to the public, we are leaving behind
key audiences http://www.the-scientist.com/2010/1/1/22/1/
5th International NanoRegulation Conference Report Available
The 5th
International NanoRegulation Conference took place on November in Rapperswil,
Switzerland, with the theme, " 'No Data, no Market?' - Challenges
to Nano-Information and Nano-Communication along the Value Chain", presenting
views and expectations regarding information and data exchange along the value
chain, and possible approaches to the problem. A report is now available.
According to Meridian Nanotechnology and Development News, "the debate
at the conference revealed an urgent need for '...a coordinated information
transfer of relevant nanospecific data along the value chain,' while recognizing
the concerns that nano-labeling could be misunderstood as an indication of
hazard by consumers."
Sources:
NanoRegulation Conference Report Now Available
http://www.innovationsgesellschaft.ch/index.php?section=news&cmd=details&newsid=263&teaserId=13
New
Studies Add to Knowledge on Nanoparticles and Biological Reactions
Work being
done by Silvia H. De Paoli Lacerda and Jack F. Douglas at the Polymers Division
of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is shedding new
light on the effects of nanoparticle size (5nm to 100nm) on their association
with a whole range of important blood proteins.
Sources:
Interaction of Gold Nanoparticles
with Common Human Blood Proteins http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn9011187
Trying to understand the interaction of nanoparticles with blood http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=14327.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Conference on New-Technology Sensors to Be Held in UK
The Micro and
Nano Sensors Interest Group (MiNSIG) of the UK's Sensors & Instrumentation
Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is organizing a conference, Applications
of Micro and Nanosensors in Security, Health and Environmental Monitoring,
for 4 March 2010 at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK. The
event will display novel sensing technologies developed by UK companies and
universities leading to new applications in security, health and environmental
monitoring. The keynote speakers will highlight some of the important developments
in nanotechnology and sensor applications including future challenges, trends
and opportunities, and will give an account of the requirements and opportunities
for novel sensor developers.
Sources:
Applications of Micro and Nanosensors in Security,
Health and Environmental Monitoring http://sensors.globalwatchonline.com/epicentric_portal/site/sensors/minsig-page2/?mode=0
Conference to discuss future of nanotechnology enabled sensors http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=14463.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Key
2009 Nano Environmental Health and Safety Developments
According to the
announcement, UK's SAFENANO's new report, "provides
a summary of key nanoEHS developments from 2009, … considers how these
are likely to shape 2010 in nano … [and] provides a personalised account
of news, publications and legal developments from 2009, …[c]overing
scientific discoveries, regulatory and governmental developments, consumer
issues, and developments in the nanotechnology community."
Sources:
2009 - a big
year for nano safety http://www.safenano.org/SingleNews.aspx?NewsID=957
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
Protecting
the environment during armed conflict. An inventory and analysis of international
law
Protecting the environment during armed conflict. An inventory and analysis
of international law report by UNEP is a comprehensive overview of
existing legislation protecting the environment in case of conflict and
gaps and areas that should, but are not yet, covered by regulations. The
report notes that there are no mechanisms to protect natural resources during
armed conflict, and no permanent international authority to monitor violations
and address liability and redress claims for environmental damage caused
during armed conflicts. There are also terminology issues, such as lack
of clear definition for “widespread,” “longlasting,” and “severe”,
as well as a standard definition of what constitutes a “conflict resource” or
their illegal exploitation and trade. While the majority of international
legal provisions protecting the environment during armed conflict—including
the ICRC Guidelines on the Protection of the Environment during Armed Conflict
(1994)—were designed for international armed conflicts, the majority
of today’s conflicts are internal; hence the legal instruments do
not apply. The report recommends, inter alia, that the Permanent Court of
Arbitration and its “Optional Rules for Conciliation of Disputes Relating
to the Environment and/or Natural Resources” should be considered
to address disputes related to environmental damage during armed conflict.
It concludes that “A summary report on the environmental impacts of
armed conflicts should be presented on an annual basis to the UN General
Assembly, in conjunction with the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation
of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict.”
Sources:
Laws Protecting the Environment
during Wars Need Enforcing and Strengthening to Deal with New Challenges
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=602&ArticleID=6362&l=en
Protecting the environment during armed conflict. An inventory and analysis
of international law
http://postconflict.unep.ch/publications/int_law.pdf
Environmental
Performance Index 2010 Score Worse for Vulnerable States
The 2010 Environmental
Performance Index ranks 163 countries on 25 performance indicators tracked
across ten policy categories. It facilitates cross-country comparisons as
well as analysis of how the global community and individual countries are
performing in particular sectors and policy issues, therefore helping assess
the sectors that should be improved. The 2010 EPI reveals that most of the
lower ranked nations are also vulnerable states, hence proving again the importance
of including environmental aspects in peace and vulnerability strategies.
Sources:
Environmental
Performance Index 2010 http://epi.yale.edu/
European
Space Agency First International Security Symposium
On February 9-10, 2010,
the European Space Agency will hold its First International Security Symposium
to “share information on security approaches, challenges
and evolution that international organizations face in the current geopolitical
situation.”
Source:
First International Security Symposium http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM08TRJR4G_Benefits_0.html
“Copenhagen Accord” Brokered by President
Obama at UN Climate Change Conference Is a Step Forward in Negotiations––Next
Stop Mexico
The UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen was attended by over 100 heads
of state and government, representatives of 193 nations, and between 40,000
and 100,000 people from around the world came to participate in side events.
The December 7–18, 2009 set of conferences and meetings resulted in a
non-binding 12-paragraph Copenhagen Accord that calls for international cooperation
to make sure global warming does not rise more than 2ºC, that developed
and developing nations set carbon reduction targets that are internationally
verifiable, that developed countries provide funds approaching USD 30 billion
for the period 2010 to 2012 for developing countries with balanced allocation
between adaptation and mitigation, and that developed countries mobilize USD
100 billion a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries. However,
the original objective was not achieved: to adopt a treaty that would extend
or replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and address global climate change.
The Conference and the numerous side-events generated an extraordinary wealth
of information regarding challenges and potential strategies for addressing
global climate change and set the stage for further negotiations. The next round
of climate talks is scheduled for November 2010 in Mexico.
Note: Some scientists warn that lack of clear targets and commitments might
raise CO2 concentrations to around 700 parts per million (compared to 450 ppm
that scientists consider the limit for keeping global warming below 2ºC),
meaning a potential warming by 3.5ºC by 2100. The International Energy
Agency estimates that about $10.5 trillion in additional investment is needed
by 2030 for setting the world on the path to low-carbon development.
Sources:
Copenhagen Accord. Draft decision -/CP.15 Proposal by the President. Conference
of the Parties, Fifteenth session, Copenhagen, 7-18 December 2009 http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/cop15/eng/l07.pdf
Summary of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference http://www.iisd.ca/vol12/enb12459e.html
The Copenhagen climate change summit. New Scientist's full coverage http://www.newscientist.com/special/copenhagen-climate-change-summit
Seven Tipping Elements That Could
Transform the Planetary Systems
Increasingly, scientists agree on some tipping elements that are extremely sensitive
to climate shifts and therefore might have an important impact on the planetary
systems. “The problem with tipping elements is that if any of them tips,
it will be a real catastrophe,” notes Anders Levermann, climate physicist
at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. The seven tipping
elements considered are:
• Polar sea ice––passing a potential warming tipping point
might cause serious loss of ice sheets and associated sea-level rise
• Amazon rainforest––increased weather-altering deforestation
after passing a critical deforestation point
• Chad Bodélé Depression––substantial increase
in dust production from the 10,000 square mile Saharan plain that now puts 700,000
tons of dust into the atmosphere annually
• South Asian Monsoons––amplified monsoon systems triggered
by increased heat
• The Gulf Stream––due to lack of good models, the IPCC’s
estimate of 10% Gulf Stream slowdown during the 21st century is uncertain
• Seafloor methane––increased release of methane (a powerful
greenhouse gas) from methane hydrate in the seafloor, due to warming over a
tipping point
• The Future––unknown features that could trigger radical
changes
Scientists point out that an additional important unknown element is the interaction
of these and other known elements.
Sources:
Tipping elements in the Earth System. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, PNAS December
8, 2009, vol. 106, no. 49, 20561-20563 http://www.pnas.org/content/106/49/20561.full
7 Tipping Points That Could Transform Earth http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/tipping-elements/all/1
Emerging International Packaging Standards
to Reduce Environmental Footprints
The first meeting of the ISO TC122 SC4 Packaging and Environment committee was
held in Stockholm to begin work on standards for reducing the environmental
footprint of packaging. The standards will cover source reduction, reuse, recycling,
energy recovery, chemical recovery, composting and biodegrading, and a seventh
overall standard. The new international standards are expected to be finalized
by mid-2012 and to consider existing packaging and environmental standards already
in use in Europe and Asia.
Sources:
Creation of International Packaging Standards Begins http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2009/12/10/creation-international-packaging-standards-begins
TC 122/SC 4 Packaging and Environment http://www.iso.org/iso/standards_development/technical_committees/other_bodies/iso_technical_committee.htm?commid=52082
Studies Show Increased Hazards from Some Types
of Airborne Particles
Latest research reveals that certain kinds of airborne metallic microparticles,
such as nickel, vanadium, and carbon, appear to pose a much higher toxic risk
than other materials, putting acute stress on the lungs and heart. Low grade
oil, such as is used in diesel trucks and space heaters, is a major source in
urban areas. Scientists stress that more work needs to be done to study the
relationships between particulate composition and biological harm.
Source:
Heavy metal: Some airborne particles pose more dangers than others http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/metal-particles
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
New Laser-based Gas Sensor Is Tunable over Wide Wavelength Range
A new type of optical gas sensor, using vertical-cavity, surface-emitting semiconductor
laser diodes (VCSELs) has the important property of being tunable over a 5 nm
spectral range, and thus able to detect a variety of different gases. The technology
is being developed by NEMIS, an EU FP6 project at the Walter Schottky Institut,
Technische Universität München in Munich.
Sources:
NEMIS (New Mid-Infrared Sources for Photonic Sensors http://www.nemis.eu/
Huge long-term potential for new breed of gas sensors http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13823.php
Ozone Bubbles Provide New Cleansing Technique
A new technique uses ozone bubbles to turn hydrocarbon [oil] content in water
or soil into a form that can be retained by sand filtration, which is a conventional
and economical process. This new method has been developed by Prof. Andy Hong
of the University of Utah, and is expected to be commercialized by Miracotech,
Inc. of Albany CA.
Source:
Tiny Bubbles Clean Oil from Water. New Method Targets Oil Sheen, Other Pollutants
http://unews.utah.edu/p/?r=111209-1
New Water Purifying Filter Requires No Energy or Running Water
Tata Chemicals, of Mumbai/Kolkata, India, has announced the release of ‘Tata
Swach’, a water purifier unit that requires no energy or running water
to operate. The unit uses a replaceable cartridge packed with a purification
medium that kills bacteria and disease-causing organisms. The cartridge can
purify up to 3000 liters of water, after which it stops water flow.
Source:
Tata Chemicals launches ‘Tata Swach’ http://www.tata.com/media/releases/inside.aspx?artid=TtOdcdNuSRk=
Nanotube-impregnated Paper Provides Sensitive Biosensor for Aqueous Toxins
Prof. Nicholas Kotov, of the departments of Chemical Engineering, Materials
Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan,
and associates from Jiangnan University, China, have developed a fast and inexpensive
sensor for detecting toxins in water, using paper strips with several layers
of single-walled carbon nanotube dispersion containing antibodies. The technique’s
sensitivity is high––comparable with such current biochemical techniques
as enzyme immunoassay and mass-spectrometry––and reportedly more
than 25 times faster. Kotov explains that “The change of electrical response
[conductivity] of the paper reflects the contents of the analyte”.
Sources:
Simple nanotechnology paper sensor for detecting toxins in water http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=13913.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Simple, Rapid, Sensitive, and Versatile SWNT-Paper Sensor for Environmental
Toxin Detection Competitive with ELISA http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl902368r
New Technology to Measure Single Nanoparticles
Prof. Lin Yang and his team at Washington Univ. have developed a “whispering-gallery-mode
resonator” that provides a new degree of accuracy––1% to 2%––in
the measurement of nanoparticle size. [Related item: New Paper Suggests
Concentrating Toxicity Studies on Smaller Nanoparticles in the September
2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Tiny whispering gallery: Sensor can detect a single nanoparticle and take its
measurement http://www.physorg.com/news180363327.html
On-chip single nanoparticle detection and sizing by mode splitting in an ultrahigh-Q
microresonator http://www.nature.com/nphoton/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nphoton.2009.237.html
(Abstract)
NIST Awards Development Funding for Extended Sensor for Infrastructure
Health
Under its Technology Innovation Program, the National Institute of Standards
and Technology has awarded development funding to Optellios, Inc. of Newtown
PA for distributed fiber-optic sensing technology to enable real-time monitoring,
identification, and location of disturbances and changes over long stretches
of pipelines. Although the system is intended to detect and locate leaks, third-party
actions, aging, and other disturbances in pipelines, it may also be applicable
to other types of infrastructure.
Source:
Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing Technology For Civil Infrastructure Management
http://tipex.nist.gov/tippb/prjbriefs/prjbrief.cfm?ProjectNumber=090038
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
‘Energy Harvesting’ Offers Possibilities for Environment-sparing
Power
A team of researchers at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, University
of Bristol, UK, are investigating technologies for ‘energy harvesting’––the
gathering of energy from low amplitude vibrations that occur naturally in the
environment, such as from machines or even the human body. Their research is
directed at making use of a much larger variety of vibrations than is currently
possible, by employing transducers that respond to a wider range of frequencies.
Source:
Pickin' Up Good Vibrations to Produce Green Electricity http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PressReleases/harvester
New Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Show Increase in Energy Conversion Efficiency
A new type of dye yields dye-sensitized solar cells with a three-fold increase
in energy conversion efficiency over current versions. The dye has been developed
by researchers from Monash University and the University of Wollongong, Australia,
and the University of Ulm, Germany.
Source:
Innovation puts next-generation solar cells on the horizon http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13777.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Genetically Engineered Bacteria Convert CO2 to Liquid Fuel
Scientists led by James C. Liao, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
at UCLA’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, have
genetically modified a cyanobacterium to consume CO2 and use sunlight-driven
photosynthesis to produce the liquid fuel isobutanol, which can potentially
be used as a alternative to gasoline.
Source:
Researchers engineer bacteria to turn carbon dioxide into liquid fuel http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13968.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Claims Reduced Lifecycle Cost
Thomas Adams and Prof. Paul I. Barton of the MIT Chemical Engineering Dept.
have proposed a design for a natural-gas-powered solid oxide fuel cell that
they claim, under a favorable carbon pricing structure, has a lower lifecycle
cost than present designs. Their system produces pure CO2, avoiding the step,
presently required for carbon sequestration, of separating that gas from the
total output stream.
Source:
A greener way to get electricity from natural gas http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/natural-gas.html
High-efficiency power production from natural gas with carbon capture http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TH1-4XJG5KY-3&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=56b56fc929eb0e36ed13f9567bbca539
(Abstract)
Nano-infused Paper Substrate Improves Energy Storage Capabilities
A research group at Stanford University, led by Yi Cui, assistant professor
of materials science and engineering, has shown that paper coated with ink made
of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires makes a more durable component for
flexible batteries and supercapacitors than the plastic used in previous experiments.
According to Cui, “The paper supercapacitor may last through 40,000 charge-discharge
cycles––at least an order of magnitude more than lithium batteries.
The nanomaterials also make ideal conductors because they move electricity along
much more efficiently than ordinary conductors.” [Related item: First
Flexible Supercapacitor Built in the April 2009 environmental security
report]
Sources:
Highly conductive paper for energy-storage devices http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/12/04/0908858106
At Stanford, nanotubes + ink + paper = instant battery http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/december7/nanotubes-ink-paper-120709.html
Thin Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Cells Offer Many Advantages
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have developed crystalline-silicon
photovoltaic cells from 14 to 20 µm thick and 0.25 to 1 mm across. According
to the announcement, the new devices “are expected eventually to be less
expensive and have greater efficiencies than current photovoltaic collectors
that are pieced together with 6-inch-square solar wafers.” Further, “they
use 100 times less silicon to generate the same amount of electricity,”
and “Since they are much smaller and have fewer mechanical deformations
for a given environment than the conventional cells, they may also be more reliable
over the long term.” A major manufacturing convenience is that a very
large number can be created from a single 12- or 18-inch diameter wafer, allowing
defective cells to be individually discarded.
Source:
Glitter-sized solar photovoltaics produce competitive results http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/news_releases/glitter-sized-solar-photovoltaics-produce-competitive-results/
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
The past ten years have been the warmest in 160 years of recorded history, reveals
preliminary data released by the UK Met Office based on temperature records
from over 1,500 global monitoring stations. Similarly, based on preliminary
data the World Meteorological Organisation announced that 2009 will be one of
the ten warmest individual years recorded, with a temperature 0.44ºC (0.79ºF)
above the long-term average of 14ºC (57.2ºF).
Preliminary disaster figures for 2009 show that over 75% of the people killed
and 95% of the total affected by natural hazards were due to extreme weather
events, says a joint press release by the UN International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction, UNDP, and World Meteorological Organization. Although the 2009 statistics
show lower figures compared to previous years, Margareta Wahlström, UN
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction,
warned that “extreme weather disasters remain top of the list and will
continue to affect more people in the future.”
The Global Climate Risk Index 2010 (see world map in the Appendix) compiled
by Germanwatch, shows that the top 10 countries most affected in the past 20
years by extremes of climate are: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Honduras, Vietnam, Nicaragua,
Haiti, India, the Dominican Republic, Philippines, and China. The Global Climate
Risk Index analyzes the impacts of weather-related loss events––mainly
storms, floods and heat waves––and is based on the NatCatSERVICE
database of Munich Re.
Food and Water Security
The Pacific Institute’s recently updated online chronology of water conflicts
shows 6 incidents during 2009, up from 3 in 2008. Peter Gleick, President of
the Pacific Institute, notes that a pattern of localized conflict is likely
to emerge in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, India, China, Pakistan, and
Burma in coming decades. Although skeptical about ‘water war’ or
full-scale interstate warfare triggered by water, he suggests that water and
climate change should still be considered serious security issues. Terrorist
groups could start to view water infrastructure as valuable targets as tensions
rise over water’s availability, says Gleick. In addition, in countries
like Pakistan, discontent with the West could intensify as water becomes scarcer,
which could help extremists bring in new recruits.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) collection of three technical
papers provides an overview of the current status of knowledge on “Climate
Change and Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture,” noting that ecosystem
approaches to aquaculture and fisheries, as well as precautionary management,
can help improve the resilience of the sectors and calling for the integration
of fisheries and aquaculture into national climate change and food security
policies.
The UN World Water Assessment Programme released two publications: “The
Implications of Climate Change for Water––Highlights on Climate
Change from the third World Water Development Report” addressing the potential
impacts of a changing climate on the availability of water and on the control
of water extremes; and “Water and Climate Change––An Overview
from the WWDR,” that underscores that water is at the root of a complex
vulnerability dynamic and describes the impacts of climate change on water,
making some recommendations for responses to climate change focused on water
and proactive adaptation measures.
The study “Local Responses to Too Much and Too Little Water in the Greater
Himalayan Region” by a consortium of international organizations, based
on the work of five field teams in China, India, Pakistan and Nepal, highlights
that adaptation practices need to be aligned with other processes if they are
to be successful, even over a short period. It also stresses the need for governments
to prioritize the development and improvement of national and regional policies
to provide better support for local long-term resilience and adaptation to more
extreme climate.
Health
Two reports by the World Health Organization, “Global Health Risks”and
“Protecting health from climate change: global research priorities,”
assess the potential health implications related to climate change, with detailed
global and regional estimates, and making some policy recommendations. Acknowledging
that only some of the many potential effects of climate change are quantifiable,
it underlines increased deaths from thermal extremes and weather disasters,
vector-borne diseases, a higher incidence of food-related and waterborne infections,
photochemical air pollutants and conflict over depleted natural resources. The
WHO fact file, “10 Facts on Children’s Environmental Health,”
summarizes environment-related causes and conditions of the nearly three million
annual deaths of children under five years old, underlying the increased risk
of children of injuries and death from floods and extreme temperatures, asthma
and respiratory diseases due to air pollution, and diarrheal diseases, malaria,
and malnutrition.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
The report “Melting Snow and Ice: A Call for Action” notes that
land ice melting is now becoming the dominant contributor to sea level rise,
while receding glaciers threaten the livelihood of millions of people by inundation
as well as decline of freshwater. The most important findings include: Greenland
ice cap reduction rate tripled over the past decade; snow cover is diminishing,
and glaciers from the Himalayas to the Alps are melting rapidly, with the greatest
reductions in the Andes and the Rockies; while Antarctica, which seemed immune
to global warming, now shows signs of net ice reduction on a similar scale to
inland Greenland.
According to the report “Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment”
by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, although the bulk of the
Antarctic ice sheet has shown little change, overall, 90% of the Peninsula’s
glaciers have retreated in recent decades. While since 1980 there has been a
10% increase in Antarctic sea ice extent, particularly in the Ross Sea region,
regional sea ice has decreased west of the Antarctic Peninsula. Loss of ice
from the West Antarctic ice sheet might raise sea level by 1.4 meters (4ft 6in)
by 2100, estimates the report.
According to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters,
infragravity waves generated by ocean-storms could cause dramatic ice breakups
far away from the storm’s origin, as the energy from the waves hitting
a shore is echoed back into the sea for thousands of miles. Warming waters will
likely aggravate the phenomena.
Migration
In view of the fact that Pacific Islanders are among the most affected by climate
change, UNHCR has partnered with other agencies to form a Pacific Humanitarian
Protection Group, which will help map and analyze the protection needs of people
in the region, and address disaster preparedness, mitigation and adaptation
together.
Tuvalu, the fourth-smallest nation on Earth, might become the first country
to be rendered unlivable by global warming. Nevertheless, the relocation of
some Tuvalu communities has been well-managed so far, given its small population.
However, the situation might get more difficult for the relocation of population
from other areas vulnerable to climate change such as Africa’s Sahel,
coastal Bangladesh, and Vietnam’s deltas. The displacement of those populations
could be “a phenomenon of a scope not experienced in human history,”
warns Koko Warner, an expert on climate change and migration at the United Nations
University in Bonn.
A UNHCR working paper “Climate change, disaster, displacement and migration:
initial evidence from Africa,” based on evidence from Burundi and Somalia,
indicates that the frequency of climate-related disasters has increased in the
past two decades and underscores that disasters and environmental degradation
can trigger displacement and conflicts, which can further accentuate environmental
degradation.
A report by the Norwegian Refugee Council, “Climate Changed: People Displaced”
also explores who are affected by climate related displacement, and how they
are assisted and protected, when displaced within the borders of their own country
or across borders.
Adaptation
“Climate Change, Conflict and Fragility”. a new report by International
Alert, advises that adaptation strategies should be conflict sensitive and international
responses to disasters and conflict should take into account the interlinked
nature of the problems. Peace-building, for example, needs to be climate-proofed
by paying attention to the availability of resources such as water for agriculture
which could be affected by climate change. Similarly, large amount of funds
for adaptation given to vulnerable states could encourage warfare unless adequate
attention is paid to the systems of power and political reality in these countries.
Dan Smith, Secretary General of International Alert and co-author of the report,
warned “there is an enormous risk that money will go astray and end up
doing more harm than good.”
“Linking Climate Change Policies to Human Development Analysis and Advocacy”
by UNDP aims to integrate human development analysis and advocacy into more
equitable, sustainable and climate-resilient development planning and policy
debates. The guidance note proposes a conceptual framework for the analysis
and provides analytical data, policy and advocacy issues that can be adapted
to regional and national contexts.
Climate Modeling and Scenarios
A new scenario developed by Climate Analytics to the request of Greenpeace Switzerland
is forecasting global warming by considering the Swiss climate policy model
at world level and linearly extending the policy trend up to 2020 to 2100. By
these assumptions, global emissions peak at 60 Gt CO2 in the 2050s, and drop
below 50 Gt CO2 by 2100. The best-estimate global warming in this scenario is
1°C by 2020, 1.8°C by 2050 and 3°C above pre-industrial by 2100.
Sources:
Global-average temperature data released http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pressoffice/2009/pr20091208a.html
Joint Press Release: 55 Million People Affected by Extreme Weather Disasters
in 2009 http://www.unisdr.org/preventionweb/files/12035_PRUNDPUNISDRWMOCopenhagen14Dec2009.pdf
Global Climate Risk Index 2010 - reflecting most severely affected countries
over almost two decades http://www.germanwatch.org/presse/2009-12-08e.htm
Water Conflict Chronology List http://www.worldwater.org/conflict/list/
Special Report: Water and Climate Change - An Overview from the WWDR
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001863/186318e.pdf
Global Health Risks http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GlobalHealthRisks_report_full.pdf
Melting Snow and Ice: A Call for Action http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/Whats-new/news/2009/melting-snow-and-ice-a-call-for-action.html?id=587681
Storm 'Echoes' Could Break Up Ice Shelves http://news.discovery.com/earth/storm-echoes-antarctica-ice-sheets.html
Pacific islanders face the reality of climate change . . . and of relocation
http://www.unhcr.org/4b264c836.html
Climate Changed: People Displaced http://www.nrc.no/?did=9448676
Climate Change, Conflict and Fragility http://www.international-alert.org/press/Climate_change_conflict_and_fragility_Nov09.pdf
Linking Climate Change Policies to Human Development Analysis and Advocacy http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/Climate_Change_NHDR_Guidance_Note.pdf
Projected global warming under a worldwide climate policy following Switzerland's
example http://www.greenpeace.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/de/Klima/Klimastudie/2009_Stu_Projected_global_warming.pdf
No Enforcement Mechanism Proposed for Strengthening the Bioweapons
Treaty Due to “rapidly changing nature” of the threat
The 2009 Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention was
held in Geneva, December 7–11, with focus on promoting capacity-building
in the areas of disease surveillance, detection, diagnosis, and containment
of infectious diseases. The new National Strategy for Countering Biological
Threats presented by the U.S., although a comprehensive document designed to
strengthen the Convention, doesn’t propose any international monitoring
or enforcement system. A binding treaty on verification “would not be
able to keep pace with the rapidly changing nature of the biological weapons
threat,” noted Undersecretary of State Ellen Tauscher. [Related items:
U.S. Should Launch a New Biology Initiative in October 2009, and Biological
Weapons Convention (BWC) Meeting Improves International Resilience Systems to
Address Infectious Disease and BioWeapons in August 2009 environmental
security reports.]
Sources: (see an expanded list in the Appendix)
President Obama Releases National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-releases-national-strategy-countering-biological-threats
Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of States Parties Concludes in Geneva
http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/77D5F2659E3558E5C125768C00324E30?OpenDocument
China to Create an Emergency Environmental Management System
China’s Vice Minister of Environmental Protection, Zhang Lijun, announced
that one of the ministry’s priorities for 2010 is the creation of an environmental
management system for addressing pollution and its effects. Reportedly, “environmental
protection authorities at all levels should focus on the handling of mass disturbances
triggered by environmental pollution such as water and soil pollution, and reduce
the harm that pollution bring to people as much as possible.” A two-year
nationwide campaign will be conducted to investigate all pollution-related threats,
“which will gradually form a dynamic environmental management system,”
says Zhang. [Related item: China’s New Ministry of Environmental Protection
in March 2008 environmental security report.]
Note: A new poll of Chinese public opinion on ‘What does China see as
its greatest threat?’ shows that Chinese are more concerned by the environment
and domestic woes than potential geopolitical enemies. The study, conducted
by the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the MacArthur Foundation,
revealed that 75% of Chinese consider environmental problems such as climate
change as a major threat to China’s security, 67% consider water and food
shortages, and 58% internal separatists, while only 50% thought the U.S. posed
a security threat, and 45% are still worried about Japan.
Source:
China to establish emergency environmental management system http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/29/content_12725490.htm
Chinese See Environment As Biggest Security Threat http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/wealthofnations/archive/2009/12/10/chinese-see-environment-as-biggest-security-threat.aspx
Toxic Compound Detected in Chlorinated Tap Water
Xing-Fang Li and a team of scientists at the University of Alberta have discovered
minute amounts (a few ng/l) of one of the toxic dichloroquinone compounds in
chlorinated tap water. It is suspected that these compounds may pose a risk
of bladder cancer. [Related item: New Substances Identified as Harmful to Human
Health and the Environment in June 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
A Toxic Disinfection By-product, 2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone, Identified in
Drinking Water http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123218235/abstract
Tracing the traces: Nanogram concentrations of a toxic compound detected in
chlorinated tap water http://www.physorg.com/news180767147.html
Environmental Effects from Flame Retardant Manufacturing Impurities
A research team from Canada’s National Laboratory for Environmental Testing
has found that environmental pollution associated with the flame retardant Dechlorane
Plus comes not only from that compound but from impurities introduced during
its manufacture. [Related item: Dechlorane Plus® Detected in Atmosphere
in January 2006 environmental security report.]
Source:
Flame retardants are the suspected source of a new compound in the environment
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es903688s
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase Ocean Noise Pollution
New research reveals that oceans are becoming noisier due to declines of the
concentration of chemicals that absorb sound as result of ocean acidification
caused by increased concentrations of CO2. Model simulations show that increased
acidity could reduce sound absorption (mostly of lower frequency range) by 60%
by 2100 in high latitude oceans, potentially affecting marine life. The study,
published in the journal Nature Geoscience, was conducted by researchers at
the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. [Related
items: Sonar Restrictions Debate Continues in January 2008, and New
Measures for Improving Marine Environment in July 2009 environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
Ocean noise pollution turns up with greenhouse gas emissions http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20091227_Ocean_noise_pollution_turns_up_with_greenhouse_gas_emissions.html
Oceans becoming nosier thanks to pollution http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayarticleNew.asp?section=todaysfeatures&xfile=data/todaysfeatures/2009/December/todaysfeatures_December37.xml
Arctic “Pole of Peace” Suggested to Address Arctic Security
Issues
In view of the increasingly heated debate over the Arctic due to increased access
to resources, a group of Arctic security experts suggest that the U.S. should
take the lead in proposing that the central Arctic Ocean be declared a “pole
of peace and international cooperation based on shared interests in environmental
security,” and invite Canada, Denmark, Norway and Russia to endorse the
initiative. This might address the controversies over sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
[Related items: New Developments by Canada and the U.S. in Arctic Security
in August 2009 and other items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
United States leadership needed in Arctic Ocean
http://juneauempire.com/stories/120309/opi_531556737.shtml
Nuclear Disarmament Dilemma Continues
The US/Russia negotiations for a legal framework to replace the Strategic Arms
Reduction Treaty (START I), which expired on December 5, 2009, are expected
to be restarted in mid-January 2010. Meantime, they pledged to continue working
“in the spirit” of the 1991 pact. Reportedly, a major cause of the
delay in concluding a new treaty is disagreement over compliance verification
mechanisms. However, failure to reach agreement before the next Review conference
might jeopardize nuclear non-proliferation advancements.
Meantime, the UN General Assembly, acting on the recommendation of its Disarmament
and International Security Committee, adopted 16 texts in the nuclear weapons
category, including a resolution naming August 29 as the international day against
nuclear tests; beginning of negotiations in 2010 for a treaty for banning fissile
material use for nuclear weapons; and a renewed determination towards the total
global elimination of nuclear weapons (adopted by an overwhelming margin, with
only India and North Korea voting against, and Bhutan, China, Cuba, France,
Iran, Israel, Myanmar and Pakistan abstaining).
The report “Eliminating Nuclear Threats: A Practical Agenda for Global
Policymakers” by the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation
and Disarmament evaluates the threats and risks associated with the existing
nuclear weapons, highlighting their potential use by accident, miscalculation
or design, or falling into the hands of terrorist actors, and calls upon nations
with nuclear arms to adopt a “no first use” stand, as well as a
reduction of nuclear arsenal to 2,000 weapons by 2025, roughly 10% of today’s
stockpile. The 230-page report compares nuclear weapons to climate change in
terms of gravity, although underlining their much higher potential immediate
impact. [Related item: UN Security Council Resolution on the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in September 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
START Talks to Continue in Geneva in January: Dec. 22 State Department Briefing
http://geneva.usmission.gov/2009/12/23/start-talks/
On Recommendation of First Committee, General Assembly Adopts 54 Texts, Sets
Aside Four Weeks in 2012 to Hammer Out Legally Binding Arms Trade Treaty http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/ga10898.doc.htm
Commission Report Launched in Tokyo: Towards a Nuclear Weapon Free World http://www.icnnd.org/releases/091215_report.html
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
NanoAssociation for Natural Resources and Energy Security (NANRES) Formed
A group of nanotechnology-interested companies have formed the NanoAssociation
for Natural Resources and Energy Security (NANRES), which, according to Nanowerk
News, "is designed to advance the research, development, and commercialization
of innovative energy and environmental-specific nanotechnologies."
Sources:
NanoAssociation for Natural Resources and Energy Security (NANRES) http://www.nanres.org/
New nanotechnology association established to address 21st century natural resource
and energy security challenges http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13992.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Tunisia Sets Up Unit for Environmental Applications and Nanotechnology
In Tunisia, the National Agency of Environmental Protection (ANPE) and the Tunisian
Association of Nanotechnology have set up a partnership for the creation of
a unit for nanotechnology research and environmental applications of nanotechnology.
Source:
Nanotechnology for the Environment http://www.tunisiaonlinenews.com/?p=30787
Global Archive of Government Nanotech Documents Launched
The Center for the Study of Law, Science, & Technology at Arizona State
University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law has launched the Nanotech Regulatory
Document Archive, a global database of government documents on nanotechnology.
Each document will be accompanied by an abstract. The archive will be set up
as an edited wiki, and, notes Nanowerk News, “Documents for a specific
jurisdiction can be accessed by clicking on a map or on a region, nation or
entity.”
Sources:
Welcome to the Nanotech Regulatory Document Archive http://nanotech.law.asu.edu/
First global nanotechnology regulation database launched http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13817.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
List of Experts in Nanotechnology Ethics Published
The ObservatoryNano project has published Experts NanoEthics and Ethical, Legal
and Social Aspects of Nanotechnology [sic], a comprehensive list of personnel
in the field. According to the announcement, it "includes senior academics
and consultants, experienced in nanoethics or ethical, legal and social aspects
of nanotechnology from different countries in Europe and the rest of the world
… [,and in] addition, a list of junior experts including PhD students
and young professionals". Each entry includes complete contact information
and a note on area of expertise.
Source:
Experts NanoEthics and Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of Nanotechnology http://www.observatorynano.eu/project/document/2918/
Scientists Object to Generalized Nano-Hazard Statements
A group of distinguished scientists in the nanotechnology field have published
an open letter in Nanotoxicology in order "to draw the attention of the
nanotoxicology community to how the term 'nanoparticles' is being somewhat indiscriminately
used, especially in the titles of scientific papers and in statements to the
press." Their objection takes as an example "a recent paper that linked
nanoparticles in the most general sense to seven very serious cases of occupational
lung and pleural injury occurring in China. The exposures were not characterized,
but histological assessment of lung biopsies and pleural fluid indicated the
presence of nanoparticles with an unidentified origin or chemistry. Despite
a lack of information on the nature of the nanoparticles, the research was published
under the title ‘Exposure to nanoparticles is related to pleural effusion,
pulmonary fibrosis and granuloma’ ". The panel strongly cautions
all involved in communication of nanotech issues to consider the present uncertainties
in the study of nanotech pathogenesis, to be precise in stating the technical
bases and limitations of studies, and not to make such generalized statements
as in the title cited above.
Source:
Nanoparticles – one word: A multiplicity of different hazards http://informahealthcare.com/doi/full/10.3109/17435390903337701
UK Defra Committee Report on Nanosilver
The Advisory Committee On Hazardous Substances of the UK Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued its report on nanosilver. The paper
(7 pp, with references) states that it reviews information and studies on the
environmental exposure and effects of nanoparticulate silver, comments on known
or predicted environmental exposure levels and whether these present a human
health or environmental risk, and considers what action should be taken to further
develop understanding in this area. It does not comment on risk management issues
because of insufficient information and because those are the responsibility
of the relevant policy and regulatory bodies.
Source:
Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances Report on Nanosilver http://www.nanoforum.org/dateien/temp/achs-report-nanosilver.pdf?20112009112655
"Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Nanotechnology"
Topics covered in this ten-chapter book include: The properties, preparation
and applications of nanomaterials; Characterization and analysis of manufactured
nanoparticles; The fate and behaviour of nanomaterials in aquatic, terrestrial
and atmospheric environments; Ecotoxicology and human toxicology of manufactured
nanoparticles; Occupational health and exposure of nanomaterials; and Risk assessment
and global regulatory and policy responses.
Source:
Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Nanotechnology http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reportinfo.asp?report_id=1083599&t=d&cat_id=
December 2009 Nano Magazine Features Nanotech Applications and the Military
Most of the December issue of the UK's Nano Magazine is devoted to articles
on various aspects of the military use of nanotechnology.
Source:
NANO Magazine, issue 15, Published December 2009 http://www.nanomagazine.co.uk/read.php?i=121
OECD Publishes Nanomaterials Roadmap and Information Gathering Analyses
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has published Manufactured
Nanomaterials: Roadmap for Activities During 2009 and 2010, which, according
to Nanowerk News, "presents a brief description of the ways in which the
Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) contributes to the overall
objectives of the Environment, Health and Safety Programme (EHS), and the OECD
as a whole." It has also issued Analysis of Information Gathering Initiatives
on Manufactured Nanomaterials, which specifies a desirable set of information
elements, and considerations and recommendations for countries planning such
an activity, and summarizes existing efforts in seven countries.
Military Implications:
Military personnel involved in nanotech risk assessment should review these
publications for useful ideas.
Sources:
OECD Nanomaterials Roadmap http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2009doc.nsf/LinkTo/NT00004E1A/$FILE/JT03269258.PDF
OECD Information Gathering Analyses http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2009doc.nsf/LinkTo/NT00006F1E/$FILE/JT03274953.PDF
OECD publishes manufactured nanomaterials roadmap 2010 http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13990.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
NIOSH Updates Its Nanotechnology Web Resources
According to Nanowerk News, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) has updated a number of its on-line publications and sites. They
include:
Progress Toward Safe Nanotechnology in the Workplace, Publication No. 2010-104.
Updates on 43 NIOSH projects on risk assessment, and on extramural research.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-104/default.html
Strategic Plan for NIOSH Nanotechnology Research and Guidance, Publication No.
2010-105. Research planned by NIOSH for 2009-2012 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-105/default.html
NIOSH Nanotech Web Topic Page http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/
Nanoparticle Information Library http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/NIL.html
Source:
NIOSH updates its nanotechnology web resources http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13932.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+(Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News)
New On-line Nanotech Information Service
Knovel, an online technical information company, has announced availability
of subscriptions to its Nanotechnology collection, with content focused on nanoscale
materials, nanostructure-dependent properties and phenomena data as well as
fabrication and manufacturing techniques. It includes a section on Environmental
Nanotechnology and Environmental Safety.
Source:
Knovel Launches Nanotechnology Collection http://why.knovel.com/company/press/345-knovel-launches-nanotechnology-collection-.html
New book: Nanoethics: Big Ethical Issues With Small Technology
According to the Nanowerk News review, "This book explores in an accessible
and informative way how nanotechnology is likely to impact the lives of ordinary
people in the coming years and why ethical reflection on nanotechnology is needed
now. Articulate, provocative and stimulating, this timely book will make a significant
contribution to one of the most important debates of our time." Military
applications is one of the topics discussed.
Sources:
Nanoethics Big Ethical Issues with Small Technology http://www.continuumbooks.com/books/detail.aspx?BookId=132355&SearchType=Basic
Nanoethics: Big ethical issues with small technology http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13819.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Industry Silver Nanotech Group Opposes "New Material" Designation
The Silver Nanotechnology Working Group (SNWG) has released the content of a
presentation it made to EPA's Scientific Advisory Panel on the topic of "Evaluation
of Hazard and Exposure Associated with Nanosilver and Other Nanometal Oxide
Pesticide Products". In it, the group stated that EPA has safely and successfully
regulated these products for decades, and that "calls for treatment of
nanosilver as a new material requiring development of expensive new test regimes
and discriminatory regulatory consideration are difficult to justify."
Source:
Silver Nanotechnology Working Group: EPA Has Safely Regulated Nanosilver for
Decades http://www.silverinstitute.org/snwg.php
Green Nano: Challenges of Sustainability Conference to Be Held in Germany
The Green Nano: Challenges of Sustainability - Saving Resources & Protecting
Life conference will be held 26 - 27 January 2010 at DECHEMA-House, Frankfurt
am Main, Germany. The program will include 21 talks, and poster presentations.
Source:
Green Nano: Challenges of Sustainability. Frankfurt am Main, 26 - 27 January
2010 http://www.processnet.org/en/cnt10.html
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
State of the World 2010 Calls for a New Paradigm in Addressing Security
Worldwatch Institute’s annual report State of the World 2010: Transforming
Cultures; From Consumerism to Sustainability is a comprehensive assessment
of the strategies and measures necessary for improving humanity’s prospects
by switching away from consumerism-based patterns. Concerning security, the
report argues that as “it will become increasingly clear that the biggest
threats to national security are not foreign armies or terrorist groups but
the weakened state of the planet,” there will be important changes to
the security and legal systems, including new concepts such as “Earth
jurisprudence,” while a more balanced military-to-climate budget would
“do more to protect people than the largest nuclear arsenal ever could,
and in the process it will create additional economic opportunities and new
openings to improve diplomatic relations between countries.” The recommendations
include, inter alia, the establishment of global political institutions for
guaranteeing security, and increasing use of environmental restoration, diplomacy,
and cooperation for addressing conflict.
Source:
State of the World 2010. Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability
http://blogs.worldwatch.org/transformingcultures/contents/
Summary of European Battery Regulations Released
The environmental consulting firm Enhesa has published its 2009 Batteries Report,
with a detailed comparative analysis of the regulatory requirements, including
take-back and disposal, in nine European countries compared to the EU Batteries
Directive 2006/66/EC.
Sources:
Enhesa Releases Battery Report 2009 Will Santa Claus break the law? The European
Batteries Directive http://www.enhesa.com/en/docs/PressRelease_Enhesa_Batteries_final_200912.pdf
Enhesa Batteries Report 2009 http://www.enhesa.com/en/service/docs/Enhesa_Batteries_Report_2009.pdf
Water Treatment Technologies for the Removal of High-Toxicity Pollutants
“Water Treatment Technologies for the Removal of High-Toxity Pollutants,”
part of the NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security,
presents the proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop with the same
name, held September 13–17, 2008 in Košice, Slovak Republic. It is
an overview of problems related to high toxicity pollutants in the environment,
especially in drinking waters, some technologies for water treatment, as well
as policy aspects for increasing environmental security.
Source:
Water Treatment Technologies for the Removal of High-Toxity Pollutants http://www.springerlink.com/content/978-90-481-3495-3?sa_campaign=email/NBA
China and U.S. Announce Climate Change Goals
China announced it will reduce carbon emissions per unit of GDP by 40 to 45%
of 2005 levels, by 2020. The U.S. announced its goal of reducing its emissions
by 17% (regardless of emissions per unit of GDP) during this period, matching
legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Both President Obama
and Premier Wen will attend the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen in December
along with more than 85 heads of state and government (confirmed as of November
30, 2009.) Premier Wen Jiabao has also hosted a group from developing countries
including India and Brazil to create a technology transfer position from richer
countries in exchange for developing countries’ mitigation efforts.
Sources:
China announces carbon reduction targets http://english.cctv.com/program/bizchina/20091126/104112.shtml
President to Attend Copenhagen Climate Talks http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-attend-copenhagen-climate-talks
Big Developing Countries Form Climate Change Front http://planetark.org/wen/55688
Changes to War Crimes Proposed for the International
Criminal Court
The 8th session of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal
Court discussed proposals to amend the Rome Statute. Belgium proposed modifying
Article 8 to cover use of certain weapons (chemicals, gases, and certain bullets)
for international and non-international conflict situations and expanding the
list of war crimes to include use of chemical, biological, and some conventional
weapons, and anti-personnel mines. These proposals are considered relatively
non-controversial so as not to deter non-parties from ratifying the Rome Statute
and to be consistent with other multilateral agreements in force and with international
customary law. Mexico proposed adding the employment or the threat to employ
nuclear weapons to article 8. The Netherlands proposed inclusion of Crime of
Terrorism under Article 5: Crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court. The
first Review Conference on the Rome Statute will be held May 31-June 11, 2010,
in Kampala, Uganda.
Sources:
Report of the Bureau on the Review Conference; Addendum. ICC-ASP/8/43/Add.1,
10 Nov., 2009 http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/asp_docs/ASP8/ICC-ASP-8-43-Add.1-ENG.pdf
Report of the Bureau on the Review Conference. ICC-ASP/8/43, 15 November 2009
http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/asp_docs/ASP8/ICC-ASP-8-43-ENG.pdf
Increased Calls for Banning Nonlethal Riot-control
Agents
Should advances in non-lethal riot control agents be considered in the Chemical
Weapons Convention (CWC)? Currently, the Chemical Weapons Convention and its
enforcement mechanisms do not apply to non-lethal riot control agents, incapacitants,
and certain munitions containing chemical agents. The nature of the global chemical
industry and chemical warfare materials are evolving outside international regulations.
A report, Dangerous Ambiguities: Regulation of Riot Control Agents and Incapacitants
under the Chemical Weapons Convention by Michael Crowley of the University of
Bradford Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project documents these problems. It notes
that the danger of “misuse of riot control agents by law enforcement officials,
military personnel and private military company employees” grows exponentially
as research on these agents proliferates around the world. The report recommends
that the next (third) CWC review conference, scheduled for 2013, considers clarifying
ambiguities that undermine effective enforcement of the Convention with regard
to such weapons and, in the meantime, adopt a moratorium on weaponization of
incapacitants. Some states, led by Switzerland, show an increased interest in
discussing a legal framework for incapacitants. [Related item: Eleventh
Chemical Weapons Convention in December 2006 environmental security report]
Sources:
Danger of "Nonlethal" Agents Grows Amid States' Inaction, Report Says
http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20091106_8443.php
Dangerous Ambiguities: Regulation of Riot Control Agents and Incapacitants under
the Chemical Weapons Convention. Michael Crowley, 2009 http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/nlw/publications/BNLWRPDangerous1.pdf
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
New Technique Helps Reduce Nanoparticle Wastewater Pollution
Scientists at the UK’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have discovered
that coating nanoparticles with a surfactant causes them to clump together and
form a removable solid sludge when they appear in wastewater as a result of
their use (now widespread) in commercial products, enabling them to be cleared
from treatment plant effluent streams.
Source:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. New discovery may help manage nanoparticle
wastes from consumer products
http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news/press/Managenanoparticlewastesfromconsumerproducts.asp
Evaporation Provides Power in New Desalination System
Saltworks Technologies in Vancouver, BC, Canada claims to have developed a desalination
technology that uses up to 80% less energy than current commercial processes,
according to the originators. The method depends on using heat in the environment
to evaporate salty water to a high degree of concentration, and then setting
up an “ionic current” which removes the Na and Cl components. The
result, according to the developers, is a system that needs only enough external
energy to drive its pumps.
Sources:
Saltworks Technologies Company http://www.saltworkstech.com
Breakthrough in Energy Efficient Desalination Technology http://www.globe-net.com/green_tech/listing.cfm?ID_Report=1856
A fresh way to take the salt out of seawater http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14743791
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
New Tool for Reducing Carbon Emissions from Building Construction Projects
The Rocky Mountain Institute has released a new on-line computational tool,
Green Footstep, which provides the design targets required to achieve carbon
neutrality, net zero site energy, and other environmental objectives for a building
construction project. It is based on information input about the location and
other characteristics of the building, and the local ecosystem. The Green Footstep
will produce a carbon emissions performance report for all phases of the work.
Source:
Green Footstep http://greenfootstep.org
Quantum Dots Offer New Possibilities for Energy from Waste Heat
Peter Hagelstein, an associate professor of electrical engineering at MIT, and
associates have published a paper setting forth new results that promise major
improvements in devices for converting waste heat into electrical energy, offering
both high efficiency and high throughput power. Additional technological development
will be needed, but MTPV Corp. of Boston is working on exploitation of these
ideas.
Sources:
Better way to harness waste heat with quantum dot devices http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13604.php
Quantum-coupled single-electron thermal to electric conversion scheme http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=JAPIAU000106000009094315000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=yes
Software Standards to Connect Data Globally
Denis Havlik of the Austrian Institute of Technology is coordinating an EU FP6
project, Sensors Anywhere (SANY), which embodies the technical capability to
allow the free exchange and use of environmental monitoring data regardless
of its source. SANY allows a user to search for and retrieve raw or processed
environmental data using standardized methods and to receive it in a standard
format set out by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGS).
In another project with a related goal, the University of New Mexico, the Oak
Ridge National Laboratory, and associated institutions worldwide are beginning
work on establishing DataONE, a global data access and preservation network
"for organizing and providing large amounts of highly diverse and interrelated
but often incompatible scientific data", according to ORNL's Robert Cook.
Sources:
SANY Project http://sany-ip.eu/
Open shop for environmental data http://www.physorg.com/news177671377.html
DataONE http://dataone.org
DataONE helping scientists deal with data deluge http://www.physorg.com/news177765736.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
New Decisions Adopted for Strengthening the Montreal Protocol
The 21st meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer (MOP21), held in Port Ghalib, Egypt, November 4-8, 2009, adopted
30 decisions, including examining alternatives to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),
environmentally sound management of banks of the ozone depleting substance methyl
bromide; and data and compliance issues. A North American proposal on phasing
down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) was withdrawn after China, India, and several
Arab countries disagreed with discussing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol. [Related
item: Powerful Greenhouse Gas HFCs Might be banned under the Montreal Protocol
in the August 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Documents of the 21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, 4-8 November,
2009
http://ozone.unep.org/Meeting_Documents/mop/21mop/index.shtml
Twenty-first meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer http://www.iisd.ca/ozone/mop21/
UNECE Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change
The fifth meeting of the parties to the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe (UNECE) Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses
and International Lakes (Water Convention) was held November 10-12, 2009 in
Geneva. It adopted the Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change to
help address the impacts of climate change on transboundary freshwater. The
Guidance provides an overview of multilateral agreements related to water issues,
and an interdisciplinary methodology on how to develop and implement an adaptation
strategy in a transboundary context, as well as recommendations to decisionmakers
and water managers on how to assess impacts of climate change on water quantity
and quality, perform risk and vulnerability assessments, and design and implement
appropriate adaptation strategies. It also contains about 40 case studies. [Related
item: Draft European Transboundary Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate
Change in September 2009 environmental security report.]
Source:
Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change http://www.unece.org/env/documents/2009/Wat/mp_wat/ECE_MP.WAT_30_E.pdf
International Gene Synthesis Consortium Created for Increasing Biosecurity
Five companies that represent about 80% of global gene synthesis capacity have
formed the International Gene Synthesis Consortium for increasing the security
of their products, preventing misuse of gene synthesis technology, and helping
to prevent bioterrorism and the use of manufactured DNA sequences in producing
lethal disease agents. The Consortium’s “Harmonized Screening Protocol
for Gene Sequence & Customer Screening to Promote Biosecurity” creates
a framework for safe use of synthetic genes covering aspects related to: screening
of transactions and customers, record keeping, and regulatory compliance. In
the meantime, the International Association of Synthetic Biology finalized the
Code of Conduct for Best Practices in Gene Synthesis, and the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO) held a ‘Symposium on Future Challenges of
International Law: The Way Forward in Patenting Biotechnology’ on November
25, 2009, to address the challenging interface between biotechnology, intellectual
property rights, and international trade (the outcomes were not yet available
at the time of this writing.) [Related item: Synthetic Gene Ordering Security
Screening Up for Discussion in September 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
World’s Top Gene Synthesis Companies Establish Tough Biosecurity Screening
Protocol http://www.genesynthesisconsortium.org/November_19.html
Gene Synthesis Companies Pledge to Foil Bioterrorists http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/11/gene-synthesis.html
Code of Conduct for Best Practices in Gene Synthesis http://www.ia-sb.eu/go/synthetic-biology/activities/press-area/press-information/code-of-conduct-for-best-practices-in-gene-synthesis/
Symposium on Future Challenges of International Law: the Way Forward in Patenting
Biotechnology http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/2009/wipo_ls_biot_ge_09/
UK and US Legislators Review Geoengineering Proposals
The US House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing
to examine the scientific, engineering, ethical, economic, and governance aspects
of geoengineering and intends to hold two or three more. The UK House of Commons
Science and Technology Committee has plans for studying whether geoengineering
would require new national or international regulations. The two groups plan
a partnership, holding parallel hearings and sharing materials when they are
publicly available. [Related item: London Convention Might be Expanded to
Include Ocean-based Geoengineering in November 2007 environmental security
report.]
Sources:
Geoengineering Gets a Hearing in Congress -- and in the U.K., Too http://industry.bnet.com/energy/10002452/geoengineering-gets-a-congressional-hearing-and-the-uk-too/
Geoengineering: Assessing the Implications of Large-Scale Climate Intervention
http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?newsid=2668
Ken Caldeira Testifies to Congress on Geoengineering http://www.ciw.edu/news/ken_caldeira_testifies_congress_geoengineering
EPA Issues New Regulations on Water Pollution from Construction
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule to be phased in
over four years to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. Builders
must use best management practices to ensure that construction activity does
not pollute nearby bodies of water; and, for larger projects, they must also
monitor discharges and ensure they comply with specific limits. [Related item:
Fiber Check Dams with Chemicals Control Polluting Construction Runoff
in April 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Construction and Development. Final Effluent Guidelines http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/construction
EPA Issues Rule to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/3881d73f4d4aaa0b85257359003f5348/46b167e60dac2c2185257677005bf4fa!OpenDocument
Ultrathin Solar Panels Could End Up On the EU list of Hazardous Materials,
Due to Cadmium Content
The ultrathin photovoltaic panels, favored over the conventional crystalline
models because they are more versatile, contain cadmium telluride for converting
light to electricity. Since cadmium is banned from most products in Europe,
rather than amending the law, the EU is expected to propose a way of pressuring
solar companies to come up with alternatives to cadmium telluride, e.g., by
requiring them to apply for four-year, renewable grace periods. A French government
report concluded that risks to human health from cadmium exposure during normal
operation of the panels were negligible. One of the largest U.S. panel manufacturers
has set up a voluntary system that would be funded in advance to recycle and
reuse 95% of the cadmium and tellurium in its modules sold worldwide. [Related
items: RoHS Closer to Deadline in May 2006 and UN E-Waste Forum
and Basel Convention’s Conference of Parties in December 2006 environmental
security reports.]
Source:
Balancing energy needs and material hazards http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/business/energy-environment/09iht-green09.html
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
Global mean warming might reach 7°C (12.6°F) by the end of the century,
without drastic mitigation efforts, estimate scientists contributing to the
IPCC AR5, due in 2013. The Copenhagen Diagnosis is “an interim scientific
evaluation” prepared for the December climate Summit. Similarly, the Global
Carbon Project warns that unless urgent actions are taken to reduce CO2 emissions,
global temperatures are on course to rise by about 6°C by the end of the
century. They estimate that emissions rose by 29% between 2000 and 2008, and
suggest that in order to limit global temperature rise to 2°C, average carbon
emissions per capita for goods and services should be reduced to 0.3 metric
tons by 2050, from 1.3 metric tons now.
The 2008 Greenhouse Gas Bulletin by the World Meteorological Organization also
reveals that the global trend of rising atmospheric global greenhouse gases
(GHG) continues. Globally, the averaged mixing ratios of carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) reached new highs in 2008; and, while
some halocarbons, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are decreasing slowly
as a result of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer, concentrations of their substitutes, such as HCFCs
and HFCs, are increasing rapidly. Simultaneously, the first comprehensive study
accounting for oceans’ intake of CO2 over the past 250 years reveals that
since 2000, as the oceans’ acidity increases, their carbon-sequestration
capacity is declining. Therefore, “we cannot count on these sinks operating
in the future as they have in the past, and keep on subsidizing our ever-growing
appetite for fossil fuels,” says lead author, oceanographer Samar Khatiwala,
from Columbia University. A recent assessment financed by the Global Environment
Facility indicates that 61 of the world’s 64 large marine ecosystems experienced
a significant increase in sea surface temperatures in the last 25 years.
Food and Water Security
Food Security and Agricultural Mitigation in Developing Countries: Options for
Capturing Synergies, released by FAO prior to the World Summit on Food Security,
says that 70% of agriculture’s mitigation potential can be realized in
developing countries. The report highlights the importance of considering food
security, agricultural mitigation, adaptation, and development in global agendas
and national strategies for addressing climate change, and it stresses the need
for reaching global consensus on measurable, reportable, and verifiable requirements.
Agriculture adaptability was also the main theme of the World Summit on Food
Security held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, November16-18, 2009. UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon underlined that “there can be no food security without climate
security.” The Summit adopted a Declaration that outlines strategic objectives,
commitments and actions, and establishes the Five Rome Principles for Sustainable
Global Food Security.
The World Bank report Agricultural Development Under a Changing Climate: Opportunities
and Challenges for Adaptation, focuses on rural development in the context of
climate risk management and adaptation, particularly on issues of seasonal climate
forecasting, water management in rain-fed and irrigated production systems,
sustainable land management, crop and livestock breeding, crop genetic diversity,
seed systems, pests, and urban and peri-urban agriculture.
The FAO policy brief Climate Change and Food Security in the Pacific warns that
climate change will have serious impacts on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
in the Pacific islands, leading to increased food insecurity and malnutrition.
Considering climate change as a “threat multiplier” in a region
that is already under severe ecological and economic stress, FAO urged governments
and donors to start implementing robust and action-oriented climate change adaptation
plans for all Pacific islands.
Aaron Wolf, Program Director in Water Conflict Management and Transformation
at Oregon State University, said that the source of potential tensions and conflicts
over water is not scarcity but poor capacity to deal with changes in the water
basin. He gives as examples some regions that had organizations to oversee shared
river basins; including those formed by India and Pakistan, and by Israel and
its Arab neighbors, which had remained intact for decades.
Colin Chartres, Director General of the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CIGAR) warned that countries depending on snowmelt could
expect water levels to drop by up to 30%. He underscored the need for investments
amounting to $270 billion in drinking and irrigation infrastructure in Sub-Saharan
Africa and India. Along the same lines, the UNEP report, Fresh Water Under Threat,
Vulnerability Assessment of Freshwater Resources to Environmental Change, Africa,
calls for urgent adaptation measures to combat scientific and technical deficiencies,
poor governance and management structures, pollution of water resources, and
industrialization and urbanization.
Health
The World Health Organization is increasingly publishing articles that highlight
the link between environmental conditions and health, such as the need to examine
the spatial distribution of vector-borne diseases in relation to climate change,
and design strategies that would help mitigate climate change while also improving
human health. The Feeling the Heat report by Save the Children notes that climate
change is the 21st century’s biggest global health threat to children,
with impacts including: over 900 million children in the next generation to
be affected by water shortages; 160 million more children to be at risk of catching
malaria; and 175 million children a year to suffer the consequences of natural
disasters such as cyclones, droughts, and floods by 2030. It warns that 250,000
children could die next year due to climate change (a figure that could reach
1 million by 2030).
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
The interim scientific report, The Copenhagen Diagnosis reveals: summer-time
melting of Arctic sea ice surpassed by about 40% the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change’s forecasts for the period 2007–2009, Greenland
and Antarctic ice-sheets are losing mass at an increasing rate, and glaciers
and ice-cap melting accelerated in most parts of the world since 1990. Similarly,
an analysis of data from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment
(Grace) mission reveals that the East Antarctic ice sheet, thought to be stable,
has been losing 57 billion metric tons per year since 2006.
Rising Sea Levels
Sea-level rise might reach 2 meters by 2100, say the new estimates by the interim
scientific report The Copenhagen Diagnosis. It notes that global average sea-level
rise was 3.4 mm/year over the past 15 years, 80% above the IPCC forecasts, but
consistent with an accelerating melting of glaciers, ice caps, and the Greenland
and West-Antarctic ice-sheets. The report also underlines that sea level will
continue to rise over the next few centuries after global temperature have been
stabilized.
Migration
Nearly 10% of the world’s population––500 million to 600 million
people––are at risk from displacement by climate change, and up
to 150 million “climate refugees” might move to other countries
by 2050, predicts the report No Place Like Home by the Environmental Justice
Foundation. Some countries––Tuvalu, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, the
Marshall Islands, the Maldives and some of the Lesser Antilles––are
in danger of losing a significant part of their land in the next 50 years, while
others could see large movements of people: Bangladesh, Kenya, Papua New Guinea,
Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Chad, and Rwanda.
In an address to the Third Meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development
held November 4th, in Athens, Greece, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, identified
climate change along with human trafficking and economic crisis as a cause of
international migration, , therefore emphasizing that protection of vulnerable
communities should be a priority of adaptation efforts.
Adaptation
The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat (UNISDR) 2010-2011
Biennial Work Programme: Invest Today for a Safer Tomorrow includes four strategic
objectives: 1) accelerate the promotion of national coordination mechanisms
for disaster risk reduction with the goal of including climate change concerns;
2) participate in UNFCCC processes; 3) promote joint adaptation and risk reduction
measures in countries; and 4) increase global inter-agency coordination on risk
analysis and risk reduction, as a tool for climate change adaptation. While
the current strategic overview is for two years, the vision, targets, and strategic
directions are forward looking to 2015. Key expected outcomes include improved
knowledge, strategies, and political and financial commitments, as well as better
coherence and coordination among international and regional actors to address
climate-related risks.
In partnership with the IPCC, UNISDR is working on a special report, Managing
the Risk of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation,
to be released in 2011, representing the first global scientific effort to examine
the linkages between disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change.
A Declaration of ‘climate vulnerable’ States demands that the Copenhagen
outcome document include adaptation finance mechanisms to address the needs
of the most vulnerable countries, amounting to at least 1.5% of developed countries'
GDP (in addition to the 0.7% for overseas development assistance) annually by
2015 to assist developing countries to make their transition to a climate-resilient
economy and to address the health, human rights, and security implications of
climate change, including communities’ relocation and a legal framework
to protect climate refugees. A follow-up Climate Vulnerable States Forum will
be held in Kiribati in 2010.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for National and International
Policy Makers; Summary: Responding to the Value of Nature assesses reasons and
methods for measuring the value of ecosystems and includes a series of recommendations
for improving decisions. It highlights that the ratio of benefits to costs for
ecosystem protection ranges between 25-to-1 and 100-to-1. For example, expanding
marine protection from less than 1% to 30% would cost about $40-50 billion per
year, whereas the annual benefit would be about $4-5 trillion. “Recognizing
and rewarding the value delivered to society by the natural environment must
become a policy priority,” said The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
study leader, Pavan Sukhdev.
The EU estimates that €100 billion ($150 billion) a year by 2020 would
cost-effectively address climate change. It estimates it would cost about €7
billion ($10.5 billion) a year for the first three years to “fast-track”
funding in the developing world. There is no agreement on who should pay what
and if the contributions should be voluntary or mandatory, or linked to the
“polluter pays” principle. Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly said
that the European and the U.S. shares should be around one-third each.
The State of World Population 2009 report by the UN Population Fund focuses
on the impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable - and poor women specifically.
The report argues that the fight against climate change is more likely to be
successful if decisions take into account the needs, rights, and potential of
women.
Climate Modeling
A newly revised NASA model trying to address the complexities of atmospheric
chemistry, suggests that some greenhouse gases have considerably stronger warming
effects than previously estimated. When the hydroxyl-consuming effect is factored
in, methane’s planet-warming potential is about 28 times more than that
of CO2 (compared to 25 times shown by previous studies), while carbon monoxide’s
greenhouse warming potential rises from 2.2 times to 3.3 times that of CO2.
It further finds that their greenhouse effect increases even further if their
inhibiting influence on the formation of planet-cooling clouds is incorporated
into the model. The new finding, published in the October 29 Science, reveals
the difficulty of making long-term climate predictions under various emissions
scenarios. However, the model can help policymakers better assess the potential
climatic effects of specific types of emissions and design reduction targets
accordingly.
Recent discoveries reveal that it took only six months to plunge Europe into
the last ice age. The research, conducted by William Patterson from the University
of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, using mud deposits from Lough Monreagh
lake in western Ireland, shows that 12,800 years ago, most probably due to a
sudden slowdown of the Gulf Stream, the northern hemisphere was plunged into
a mini-ice age that lasted for 1,300 years. Professor Tim Lenton from the University
of East Anglia notes, “In the period from 65,000 to 10,000 years ago there
were periods of abrupt warming and cooling roughly every 1,500 years, when the
temperature in Greenland might fall or rise by 10°C (18°F) in a decade.”
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The final round of negotiations before the Climate Summit to be held in Copenhagen
took place November 2-6, 2009, in Barcelona, Spain. Despite some progress, concluding
a legally binding instrument in Copenhagen remains uncertain. While some suggest
that a new mandate might be needed to continue negotiations and possibly reach
a global climate pact in 2010, new hopes emerged when Britain suggested the
creation of a Copenhagen launch fund for helping poorer states deal with climate
change-related challenges. The fund, to begin in 2010, would reach $10 billion
per year by 2012. Britain already pledged £800 million ($1.3 billion).
The Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (Committee
of Ten) mandated to speak on behalf of Africa expressed that Africa expects
the agreement to stipulate clear measures for providing Africa technology and
capacity-building to “resolve the present climatic crises and spare the
continent from catastrophes.” The vulnerable island states also ask for
funds and concessions to deal with rising sea level consequences. At the same
time, new targets were announced by the world’s largest GHG emitters:
U.S. intends to reduce its GHG emissions “in the range of” 17% below
2005 levels by 2020 and 83% by 2050, while China plans to reduce its CO2 intensity
— emissions per unit of GDP — by 40–45% by 2020, compared
to 2005 levels. The EU already announced its 20/20/20 policy cutting emissions
by 20% (30% if other industrialized states follow suit) by 2020 compared to
1990 levels. Brazil, the fourth-biggest GHG contributor, offered a reduction
of 36-39% based on its projected economic output in 2020. India is also expected
to make some announcement soon.
Sources:
The Copenhagen Diagnosis: Climate Science Report http://copenhagendiagnosis.org/
Earth 'heading for 6C' of warming http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8364926.stm
Oceans' ability to sequester carbon diminishing http://news.mongabay.com/2009/1118-hance_ocean_carbon.html
World Summit on Food Security http://www.fao.org/wsfs/world-summit/en/
Food security in the Pacific at risk due to climate change http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/37758/icode/
2nd Africa Water Week http://www.dwaf.gov.za/dir_ws/2aww/
Taking the heat out of the population and climate debate http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/11/09-072652/en/index.html
'Feeling the Heat: Climate Change and Child Survival' http://www.savethechildren.net/alliance/what_we_do/emergencies/climate_change/feelingtheheat.html
The Copenhagen Diagnosis: Climate Science Report http://copenhagendiagnosis.org/default.html
East Antarctic ice sheet may be losing mass http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8371773.stm
Global warming could create 150 million 'climate refugees' by 2050 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/03/global-warming-climate-refugees
UNISDR 2010-2011 Biennial Work Programme http://www.unisdr.org/news/v.php?id=11801
First global scientific effort to examine the linkages between disaster risk
reduction and climate change adaptation http://www.unisdr.org/news/v.php?id=11682
Aerosols cloud the climate picture http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48940/title/Aerosols_cloud_the_climate_picture
Climate change catastrophe took just months
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/earth-environment/article6917215.ece
Barcelona Climate Change Talks 2009 http://unfccc.int/meetings/intersessional/barcelona_09/items/5024.php
UK's Brown backs $10 billion climate change fund http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSGEE5AQ1KN
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
New Results on TiO2 Nanoparticle Toxicity to Cells
Scientists at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have published the
results of a study showing that a physicochemical reaction to ingestion of TiO2
nanoparticles can induce DNA breaks, chromosomal damage, and inflammation in
cells in various organs in a mouse model.
Sources:
Nanoparticles used in common household items caused genetic damage in mice http://www.physorg.com/news177608158.html
Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Induce DNA Damage and Genetic Instability In
vivo in Mice Cancer Res. 69: 8784-8789 http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/gca?sendit=Get+All+Checked+Abstract%28s%29&SEARCHID=1&FULLTEXT=tio2&VOLUME=69&ISSUE=22&FIRSTINDEX=0&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&gca=canres%3B69%2F22%2F8784
Sodium Cholate Found to Be Safe Surfactant for Carbon Nanotubes
Prof. Lifeng Dong and associates at Missouri State University, Springfield MO,
have shown that sodium cholate is an environmentally friendly surfactant for
the purification and dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes, not affecting
cell morphology, proliferation, or growth.
Source:
Cytotoxicity Effects of Different Surfactant Molecules Conjugated to Carbon
Nanotubes on Human Astrocytoma Cells http://www.springerlink.com/content/g5x542181j646494/
OECD to Release Guidance for Manufactured Nanomaterials Testing
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development plans to publish in
the next month or so new draft guidance on the preparation of samples used for
safety testing of manufactured nanomaterials. According to the Bureau of National
Affairs, an OECD official stated that using traditional bulk chemical test methods
with nanomaterials can lead to unexpected results and, “Materials tend
to agglomerate or will attach themselves to other things that are in the [test]
medium. So there is always the possibility that people are not testing the thing
that they thought they were testing,” He also announced that OECD will
be explaining human health and environmental safety aspects of nanotechnology
at a series of regional meetings. “We will be explaining the kind of work
we've been doing and the kind of guidance documents that we've developed,”
he said. The first such event will be Nov. 27 in Beijing, for the Asia-Pacific
region.
Source:
OECD to Release Preliminary Guidance For Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials
http://ehscenter.bna.com/pic2/ehs.nsf/id/BNAP-7XGFWX?OpenDocument
UK Nanotech EHS Directory Published
The UK's Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network has published the UK Nanotechnology
Health, Safety and Environment Directory 2009, listing more than 30 institutes,
government departments, networks and commercial service providers that are recognized
as contributing in some way to the EHS debate.
Sources:
NanoKTN publishes a UK nanotechnology health, safety and environment directory
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13506.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
UK Nanotechnology Health, Safety and Environment Directory 2009
http://mnt.globalwatchonline.com/epicentric_portal/binary/com.epicentric.contentmanagement.servlet.ContentDeliveryServlet/MNT/Knowledge%2520Centre/UKNanoHSEDirectory1.5.pdf
European Consumer Organizations Call for Better Nano Regulation
Two European consumer organizations – the European Consumers' Organisation
(BEUC) and the European consumer voice in standardization (ANEC) – have
issued a preliminary inventory of products on the EU market that contain nanomaterials.
Its launch was accompanied by a series of demands from the organizations for
better European regulation of nanotechnology.
Source:
EU consumer bodies launch nanotechnology consumer product inventory http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13465.php
Nanomaterials Labeling in New EU Uniform Cosmetics Rule
A story in Nanowerk News reports that the EU has harmonized 55 existing directives
into a single regulation on the labeling of cosmetics in the Union. One provision,
opposed by Germany, requires that product labels indicate the presence of nanomaterials.
Sources:
Germany resists EU regulation for 'nanotechnology' label for cosmetics
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13681.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products
(recast); PE-CONS 3623/09 http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/09/st03/st03623.en09.pdf
New Centre for Nano Safety Established in Scotland
Edinburgh Napier University has set up a new Centre for Nano Safety as "a
multi-disc[i]plinary centre addressing the potential human and environmental
effects of nanomaterials, incorporating human and environmental toxicology as
well as microbiology."
Sources:
New nanomaterials safety research center launched in the UK http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13489.php
Centre for Nano Safety http://www.napier.ac.uk/RANDKT/RKTCENTRES/NANOSAFETY/Pages/CentreforNanoSafety.aspx
Petition Filed for EPA to Regulate Nanosilver
The International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) and a coalition of
consumer, health, and environmental groups has filed a petition with EPA, requesting
that it regulate all nanosilver products as pesticides and ban all consumer
products containing nanosilver, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Act. The action is being interpreted as a first step in a campaign
for more intensive evaluation and possible regulation of nanoproducts.
Sources:
Demands for Regulation of NanoSilver – The First Battle for the Industry’s
Future? Vol. 6/3 http://www.nanolabweb.com/index.cfm/action/main.default.viewArticle/articleID/300/CFID/2812526/CFTOKEN/41767117/index.html
(Abstract; full article by subscription)
Legal Petition Challenges EPA’s Failure to Regulate Environmental and
Health Threats from Nano-Silver. Executive Summary http://www.icta.org/nanoaction/doc/CTA_nano-silver_executive_summary_5_1_08.pdf
NIEHS Awards 13 Grants for Nanomaterials Assessment Methods
The NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has awarded 13 new
two-year grants to develop better methods to assess exposure and health effects
associated with nanomaterials. According to Nanowerk News, the grants, "focus
on ensuring that we have reliable and reproducible methods and models to assess
exposure, exposure metrics, and biological response to nanomaterials",
and the "research is also essential for the harmonization of research results
and forming a scientifically sound basis for hazard assessment, as well as the
safe design and development of [engineered nanomaterials]".
Sources:
NIEHS grants to focus more research on health and safety of nanomaterials http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13626.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
NIEHS Awards Recovery Act Funds to Focus More Research on Health and Safety
of Nanomaterials http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/releases/2009/nanotech.cfm
Australian Group Releases Two Workplace Nanosafety Reports
Safe Work Australia has announced the release of two research reports on engineered
nanomaterials, Engineered Nanomaterials: Evidence on the effectiveness of workplace
controls to prevent exposure, prepared by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology,
and Engineered nanomaterials: A review of the toxicology and health hazards,
researched by Toxikos Pty Ltd..
Sources:
Safe Work Australia releases two new reports for its Nanotechnology Occupational
Health and Safety Program
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13469.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Australian Government Proposes New Nanotech Regulations
The Australian government is inviting discussion of a proposal to strengthen
regulation of industrial nanomaterials use in Australia. According to Nanowerk
News, "Major regulatory reforms … include: refinement of pre-market
assessment categories for nanoforms of new chemicals, particularly where human
health or environmental exposure can reasonably be anticipated; and a mandatory
notification and assessment program for nanoforms of existing chemicals."
It is expected that this carefully drafted proposal may serve as a model for
other jurisdictions' regulatory efforts.
Probably also adding to the prominence of nanotech risk in the public eye in
Australia is a new report, "What you should know about nano" for the
Australia Institute by Fern Wickson of the University of Bergen, presented at
the Asia-Pacific Science, Technology and Society Network Conference in Brisbane,
and recommending stronger regulatory measures.
Sources:
Nanotechnology - Stakeholder Consultation http://www.nicnas.gov.au/Current_Issues/Nanotechnology/Stakeholder_Consultation.asp
Government invites consultations on strengthening nanomaterial regulations in
Australia http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13431.php
Australia Seeks Comment on Proposal for Regulating Industrial Nanomaterials
http://news.bna.com/deln/DELNWB/split_display.adp?fedfid=15757279&vname=dennotallissues&fn=15757279&jd=a0c1k2r9g5&split=0
What you should know about nano. Policy Brief No. 8, November 2009, ISSN 1836-9014
https://www.tai.org.au/file.php?file=/media_releases/PB8%20Nanotechnology%20final.pdf
Nanotechnology - the sexy new science with lots of unanswered questions http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13702.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nanowerk%2FagWB+%28Nanowerk+Nanotechnology+News%29
Lack of Standards for Engineered Nanoparticles in European Surface Waters
As reported by Meridian Nanotechnology and Development News, a recent article
in the Journal of Environmental Monitoring "concludes that it is impossible
to set limit values for engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in European surface
waters now and in the foreseeable future…due to the extensive lack of
knowledge not only of toxic effects, degradability, and bioaccumulation of ENPs
in the aquatic environment, but also due to the questionable validity of test
systems and methods to establish environmental quality standards" and goes
on to explain the role of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) as an environmental
control.
Sources:
Setting the limits for engineered nanoparticles in European surface waters –
are current approaches appropriate? J. Environ. Monit., 2009, 11, 1774 - 1781,
DOI: 10.1039/b909730a http://www.rsc.org/delivery/_ArticleLinking/DisplayHTMLArticleforfree.cfm?JournalCode=EM&Year=2009&ManuscriptID=b909730a&Iss=10
EU Water Framework Directive—information page http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html
Questions Raised on Reliability of In Vitro Nanomaterials Toxicity Testing
In talks, one self-characterized as provocative, at the National Science and
Technology Council's workshop Nanomaterials and Human Health & Instrumentation,
Metrology, and Analytical Methods, Prof. David Grainger of the Univ. of Utah
and Dean Martin Philbert of the University of Michigan's School of Public Health
raised serious questions about the reliability of in vitro tests for toxicity
of nanomaterials and advocated more whole body research, basing their criticism
on the variability of in vitro tests and the lack of knowledge of nanomaterial
interactions in a full biological environment.
Sources:
In vitro assessments of nanomaterial toxicity (Abstract) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL
Cell Tests Can Produce Any Desired Result about Nanomaterial Toxicity, Speaker
Says http://www.merid.org/NDN/more.php?id=2270
Risk Assessment Leader Warns against "Temptations"
Dr. Kristen M. Kulinowski, Director of the International Council on Nanotechnology,
has recently written an article, Temptation, Temptation, Temptation: Why Easy
Answers About Nanomaterial Risk are Probably Wrong, citing three temptations
that can produce misleading conclusions about nanotech risks. T 1: “Generalizing
Results from One Study to All of ‘Nanotechnology’”: she suggests
using the Virtual Journal of NanoEHS (http://icon.rice.edu/virtualjournal.cfm)
and its accompanying analysis tool to aid in placing new results in their proper
place in the developing body of risk knowledge. T 2: “Mischaracterizing
the Impacts Research as Either Non-Existent or Conclusive”: The current
lack of full understanding of the nanomaterial/biosphere interaction makes difficult
the evaluation of results. T 3: “Basing Risk Management Decisions on Non-Nanoscale
Material”: Nanomaterials may be qualitatively different.
Source:
Temptation, Temptation, Temptation: Why Easy Answers About Nanomaterial Risk
are Probably Wrong http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleId=2448
Conference on the Potential Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology
Presentations from the OECD Conference on the Potential Environmental Benefits
of Nanotechnology are now available. According to Nanowerk News, "...the
conference explored the environmental profiles of emerging nanoscale innovation
with the goal of encouraging development of technologies that can result in
environmental gain while addressing unintended consequences."
Source:
Presentations from the OECD Conference on the Potential Environmental Benefits
of Nanotechnology http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13420.php
Possibly Unfounded Concern over Nanoparticle Cell Damage Study
Gevdeep Bhabra, et al., contend in Nature Nanotechnology that cobalt-chromium
nanoparticles damage DNA across cell boundaries. Other experts in the field
are upset over wide and alarmist publicity being given to this new study. Critics
say it is seriously flawed. The study claims that cells in the farthest layer
of a four-layer cellular barrier were damaged by cobalt-chromium particles introduced
into the nearest layer. These critics point out that the particle concentration
was thousands of times higher than could be expected to occur in the human body,
and the particle size was not limited to the nano range.
Sources:
Nanoparticles can cause DNA damage across a cellular barrier http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nnano.2009.313.html
Experts Criticize Nanoparticle Study http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/1106/1
FramingNano Conference to Present Nanotech Governance Framework
The Final International Conference of the FramingNano FP7 project will take
place December 15, 2009 at the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel. The Governance
Plan developed within the Project will be discussed, in preparation for its
presentation to the European Commission (EC) as a model of management to be
followed by European policy makers and stakeholders. Its aim is described as,
"to ensure that the development of nanosciences and nanotechnologies takes
place responsibly, and to the benefit of individuals and society as a whole."
Sources:
A new governance framework for nanotechnology http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13435.php
A New Governance Framework for Nanotechnologies http://www.framingnano.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=39&Itemid=63
Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies: An action plan for Europe 2005-2009. Second
Implementation Report 2007-2009 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2009:0607:FIN:EN:PDF
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
Climate Change Threats Increasingly Top Security Agendas
The first study assessing quantitative links between climate change and the
risk of civil war found that in sub-Saharan Africa, between 1980 and 2002, the
incidence of conflicts across the continent rose by nearly 50% with a 1°C
temperature increase in a given year. Using these assumptions and 20 global
climate models, the researchers warn that without swift mitigation action, the
incidence of African civil war could increase 55% by 2030 relative to 1990.
“If uncontrolled, climate change will have security implications of similar
magnitude to the World Wars, but which will last for centuries [….] Security
sector actors must not just prepare responses to the security challenges of
climate change; they must also be part of the solution,” states the report
Climate Change and the Military: The State of the Debate prepared by the Institute
for Environmental Security and partner organizations. In this spirit, the First
Statement of the Military Advisory Council of the Climate Change and the Military
project calls upon governments to integrate into their respective military strategies
the security implications of climate change, and on the military to reduce its
own carbon “bootprint.” Climate and Energy the Dominant Challenges
of the 21st Century from members of the Center for Naval Analyses Military Advisory
Board states that climate and energy security threats “will dominate and
shape the state of nations in the decades to come.”
Sources:
The Role of the Military in Climate Change and Security http://www.brookings.edu/events/2009/1029_climate_change_military.aspx
"Climate and Energy the Dominant Challenges of the 21st Century http://www.acus.org/new_atlanticist/environmental-threats
The war against warming http://www.nature.com/climate/2009/0912/full/climate.2009.120.html
Climate change could boost incidence of civil war in Africa, study finds http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/11/23_africa_climate_change.shtml
European Environment Agency Draws First Map of Europe’s Noise
Exposure
The European Environment Agency has launched the most comprehensive map of noise
exposure, NOISE (Noise Observation and Information Service for Europe). Using
database map software, map products show the numbers of people exposed to noise
generated by air, rail and road traffic across Europe and in 102 large urban
agglomerations. NOISE is expected to help enforce the Environmental Noise Directive
adopted in 2002 and to reduce human noise exposure.
Source:
EEA draws the first map of Europe's noise exposure http://www.eea.europa.eu/pressroom/newsreleases/eea-draws-the-first-map-of-europe2019s-noise-exposure
Consumer’s Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste
The booklet “Consumer’s Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste”
describes how individual consumers can help alleviate modern society’s
mounting solid waste problem by making environmentally aware decisions about
everyday needs. This booklet outlines many practical steps to reduce the amount
and toxicity of solid waste.
Sources:
Consumer’s Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/catbook/index.htm
UN Treaty on Maritime Goods Transportation Opened for
Signature
The new UNCITRAL Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods
Wholly or Partly by Sea, known as the “Rotterdam Rules”, provides
a legal framework governing the international carriage of goods by sea and industry
practices. 90% of world trade travels in part by ocean transport. The Convention
sets clear global rules for rights and obligations, liability and redress of
all parties involved in shipping goods by sea. Adopted by the General Assembly
in December 2008, the Rotterdam Rules opened for signature on September 23,
2009 and need 20 ratifications for entry into force. To date, it already has
20 signatories (including the U.S.) representing over 25% of current world trade
volume.
Sources:
United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods
Wholly or Partly by Sea - the "Rotterdam Rules" http://www.uncitral.org/uncitral/en/uncitral_texts/transport_goods/2008rotterdam_rules.html
Rotterdam Rules Gain Momentum as 20th State Signs http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2009/unisl133.html
The Rotterdam Rules. Wide Support by States at Signing Ceremony in Rotterdam
https://www.bimco.org/Corporate%20Area/About/Press/Press_Releases/2009_09_23
East Africa to Increase Environmental
Security
The East African Community (EAC) conference, ‘Peace and Security for Stability
and Development,’ held in Kampala, Uganda, October 5–7, 2009 explored
the issues and impacts of globalization and climatic change on the region. It
recommended the creation of a regional standby force that would provide collective
protection of EAC’s natural resources (land and marine), as well as the
unified airspace. It would have active and reserve contingents, and would be
different from the Brigades established by the African Union. The Implementation
Plan for the EAC Regional Strategy for Peace and Security addresses broad human
security concerns, including population growth, socio-political and economic
security issues, and global warming. Along the same lines, the Annual Regional
Parliamentary Forum on Environmental Security in Eastern Africa, held October
13–14, also in Uganda, discussed security implications of environmental
challenges facing Africa, as well as environmental crime and its trans-boundary
manageability. The recommendations to parliamentarians include initiating policy
reforms and legislation, as well as establishing monitoring systems for environmental
security related issues.
Sources:
EAC Peace and Security Conference. Conference Resolutions and Recommendations
http://www.eac.int/component/content/315.html?task=view
Regional MPs Advocate for Climatic Change Mitigation http://allafrica.com/stories/200910160024.html
Annual Regional Parliamentary Forum on Environmental Security in Eastern Africa
13 and 14 October 2009 http://www.amaniforum.org/images/09_updates/Update%20on%20Environemtnal%20Security%20Forum.pdf
Changes to Chemicals Regulatory Systems
Asian Countries to Adapt their Chemicals Regulatory Systems to EU REACH
System
China, Japan, and Korea have set the broad framework for adapting their chemicals
regulatory systems to the EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization
and Restriction of Chemical substances) system. So far, they have only introduced
REACH in the top legal structure, but during 2009–2010, their governments
will issue additional regulations on issues such as chemical exposure, risk
assessment, classification of chemicals, and collection of hazard data. Venues
used for policy coordination include: the Tripartite Environmental Ministers
Meeting; the Chemical Dialogue; the UN Strategic Approach to International Chemical
Management, and the Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling
of Chemicals. The “REACHing Asia Continued” report examines the
differences between the Asian chemicals regulatory system (specifically China,
Japan and Korea) and the EU REACH system and outlines national frameworks covering,
inter alia: pollutant release and transfer register; import and export restrictions;
occupational exposure limits and protection; and chemical restrictions in products/compositions.
Source:
Park, DaeYoung: REACHing Asia Continued (September 16, 2009) http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1474504
U.S. to Revise the Toxic Substances Control Act
The overhaul of the U.S. 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) will require
prioritizing tens of thousands of chemicals currently on the market. While there
is agreement that the focus should be on the highest-priority chemicals based
on potential health risks, the industry prefers using existing data, while environmentalists
call for a risk-based standard focused on chemical regulation rather than product
regulation.
Sources:
Experts debate ways to reform 1976 toxics law http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/10/07/07greenwire-experts-debate-ways-to-reform-1976-toxics-law-83495.html
Revisiting the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/7092/
Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/tsca.html
EU to Introduce New Environmental Index
In order to better measure progress, the EU Commission plans to develop a comprehensive
index of environmental sustainability, which would include indicators on the
main environmental policy and protection aspects. The index would complement
the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thus helping sustainable development policies.
A pilot version of the index will be presented in 2010. The European Statistical
System will also implement Environmental Accounting as a standard in macro-economic
statistics, while the Commission will speed up environmental and social data
generation for producing near real-time information for decision-making.
Sources:
Environment: Measuring progress in a changing world http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1286
Brussels wants wider measure of well-being than mere GDP http://news.my.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3559371
Technological Advances with Environmental Security
Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Multi-component Environmental Sensing System Could Help Anticipate Crises
Prof. Eyal Ben-Dor of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Geography has
recently described applications of his team’s ‘Hyperspectral Remote
Sensor’ concept, which combines ground-, air-, and space-based physical,
chemical and optical sensors to provide advance warnings of disasters or post-event
damage assessments.
Source:
Sensing disasters from space http://www.physorg.com/news175441355.html
Scanning Instrument for Chemical Agents Detection
Researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, are developing
a new sensor that has the potential to detect chemical agents within seconds.
The system consists of special gel pads to collect samples from people or objects,
and a scanning device (using Raman spectroscopy). Mixing the samples with nanoscale
silver particles amplifies the signals of compounds, allowing detection of even
very small traces of chemical agents.
Sources:
Chemical sensor to fight terrorism http://latestnews.virginmedia.com/news/tech/2009/10/05/chemical_sensor_to_fight_terrorism
Ulster scientists develop sensors for chemical agents http://kn.theiet.org/news/sep09/ulster-chem-sensors.cfm
Ultrasensitive Sensor Could Detect Bacteria in Minutes
According to an article in MIT’s Technology Review, a new sensor developed
by Benjamin Miller, professor of dermatology and biomedical engineering at the
University of Rochester Medical Center, and associates, could be the basis for
a portable instrument that could detect bacteria in the environment in 15 minutes
to two hours. The sensor is based on a folded strand of complementary DNA that
unfolds upon bonding with a sensed target sequence, allowing a fluorescent molecule
attached to one end of the DNA to glow. Lighthouse Biosciences in West Henrietta,
New York is commercializing the technology. Other similar efforts at Northwestern
University (used in a product by Nanosphere of Northbrook IL) and MIT are also
briefly cited in the article.
Source:
Ultrafast DNA Nanosensor. A new type of sensor makes diagnosing infections quick
and easy http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23575/
New Method for Assessment of Fine Dust Composition
A project managed by Dr. Cord Fricke-Begemann at the Fraunhofer Institute for
Laser Technology in Aachen, Germany, has developed a new technique for analyzing
by particle size the components of fine dust (< 100 nm) such as may be generated
by industrial processes. According to a story in Nanowerk News, “a gas
stream separates the particles into size classes before they are collected on
filters. Their composition is then examined by means of laser emission spectroscopy.”
Results can be obtained in less than 20 minutes.
Source:
Tracing ultra-fine dust http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12864.php#
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
Algae Provide Material for New Thin and Flexible Battery
Scientists at the Ångström Laboratory at Uppsala University, Sweden,
have developed a new type of battery, using algae-derived polypyrrole-coated
cellulose for electrodes, separated by saline-soaked filter paper, yielding
a product which, although less powerful than conventional units, is light-weight,
inexpensive, and environmentally friendly to produce.
Sources:
Super-thin batteries made from paper and algae
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/September/15090902.asp
Ultrafast All-Polymer Paper-Based Batteries
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl901852h
Salt and Paper Battery May One Day Replace Lithium Batteries http://www.physorg.com/news172241467.html
Changing Temperature Changes Roof Tiles from Black to White to Save Energy
A group of recent MIT graduates have developed a material for roofing tiles
that changes color from black to white as the temperature rises, reflecting
the sun's heating rays, and thus saving on building cooling requirements and
consequent energy demand, while still absorbing the radiation in cold weather.
Nick Orf, a member of the Thermeleon team, says it is determined to pursue the
project and develop it into a marketable product, but also notes that the material’s
cost and durability remain to be explored.
Source:
Energy savings in black and white http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/madmec-roof.html
Progress Announced in Methane-to-Liquid Process Development
Scientists at the departments of chemistry at the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill and the University of Washington have announced the first observation
of a metal complex (a compound consisting of a central metal atom connected
to surrounding atoms or molecules) that binds methane in solution. This is an
important first step in the development of a process for converting methane
to a more easily transported and stored and more environmentally friendly liquid
fuel.
Sources:
New clues in quest for liquid methane http://futurity.org/top-stories/new-clues-in-quest-for-liquid-methane/
Characterization of a Rhodium(I) {sigma}-Methane Complex in Solution http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/sci;326/5952/553
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Assessment and Potential Revision of Resolution 1540 on Preventing WMD
Terrorism
The UN Security Council’s 1540 Committee conducted a three-day review
meeting of Resolution 1540 (that requires states to take steps to prevent terrorists
from acquiring chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons) to assess
the evolution of risks and threats, and to address implementation aspects. Issues
identified include: lack of capacity-building tools and criteria for evaluation,
geographical gaps, and compatibility differences of national systems, as well
as potential weaknesses at the international level. Some delegates argued that
the resolution did not have the same power and impact as a convention, therefore
legislations are not 1540-specific, and cannot be used for prosecutions. The
Committee hopes to prepare a report on collaborative anti-WMD strategies by
the end of 2009, said panel head, Jorge Urbina, Costa Rican ambassador to the
UN. [Related item: Increased Efforts Needed to Counter the Proliferation
of Weapons of Mass Destruction in July-August 2008 environmental security
report.]
Source:
Risks to Non-proliferation Regime Challenge Resolution 1540 to Ensure States
Enact Domestic Controls over Weapons of Mass Destruction Spread to Non-State
Actors
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/sc9757.doc.htm
First Simultaneous ExCOPs for Improving MEAs' Synergies and Coordination
As part of the UN’s effort to improve coordination, reduce overlaps, and
improve enforcement of multilateral environmental agreements, the first simultaneous
extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel (control
of transboundary movement of hazardous waste), Rotterdam (prior informed consent
for certain hazardous chemicals), and Stockholm (on POPs) Conventions, will
be held February 22-26, 2010, in Bali, Indonesia, in coordination with the UNEP
11th Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum. The Synergies Oversight
Team, composed of the Executive Secretaries of the three Conventions and representatives
of UNEP and FAO, is coordinating the preparation of the simultaneous ExCOPs,
while also assessing synergies in a strategic and long-term perspective. In
a preamble to the conference, UNEP and FAO have launched a website that presents
updated information on the ExCOPs: http://excops.unep.ch. Incidentally, the
Basel Convention Committee has recently released a practical guide on national
reporting by parties to the Basel Convention. [Related item: UNEP Governing
Council/Global Ministerial Forum Makes Progress on Global Environmental Governance
in February 2007 environmental security report.]
Source:
Simultaneous Extraordinary Meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the
Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions http://excops.unep.ch/
Basel Convention National reporting http://www.basel.int/natreporting/index.html
(direct link to the Guidance Document on Improving National Reporting by Parties
to the Basel Convention: http://www.basel.int/natreporting/GuidFinal-22102009.doc)
Reducing GHG Emissions Using the Montreal Protocol and other Regulatory
Systems
Considering the need for “fast-action” to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and avoid abrupt climate changes, international ozone negotiators
suggest the use of the Montreal Protocol and similar existent international
regulations, by amending them to cover greenhouse gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), and black carbon particles and precursor gases. The subject is on the
agenda of the 21st meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer, to be held in Egypt, on November 4-8, 2009. Note:
“fast-action” includes regulatory measures that can begin within
2–3 years, be substantially implemented in 5–10 years, and produce
a climate response within decades. [Related item: Regulations Might be Needed
for New Greenhouse Gases in April 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Reducing abrupt climate change risk using the Montreal Protocol and other regulatory
actions to complement cuts in CO2 emissions http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/10/19/0902568106.full.pdf+html
Climate scientists suggest revisiting the 1987 Montreal Protocol http://www.canada.com/technology/Climate%20scientists%20suggest%20revisiting%201987%20Montreal%20Protocol/2103810/story.html
Ozone protocol squares up to climate http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091028/full/4611184a.html
Belgian Senate to Consider Nuclear-Weapon Ban
A bill submitted to the Belgian Senate on October 15, 2009, is proposing a ban
in Belgium on the manufacturing, fixing, sale, shipping, and possession of nuclear
arms. Deliberations will take at least until May 2010. Belgium has already banned
cluster and depleted uranium munitions. [Related item: UN Security Council
Resolution on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in September 2009
environmental security report.]
Sources:
Belgian Senate to Consider Nuclear-Weapon Ban http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20091016_3998.php
Bill to ban nuclear weapons reaches Belgian Senate http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9BBIE780&show_article=1
Belgian initiative to ban nuclear weapons http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NucNews/message/30249
EU Potential New Measures For Reducing CO2 Emissions
Following discussions of EU finance ministers concerning a carbon tax across
the bloc to further reduce CO2 emissions and fight climate change, the European
Commission will probably make the formal proposal next year. Several EU member
states already have such a tax, but a bloc-wide deal might be difficult, since
taxation is a matter of national sovereignty and any change requires unanimity
among the 27 member states.
To further reduce emissions from transportation vehicles, the European Commission
proposed emissions limits for light trucks and vans (minibuses to be exempted).
The proposal restricts light trucks and vans CO2 emissions to 175 grams/kilometer
driven (present EU average is around 200 grams.) This limit will be introduced
gradually from 2014 to 2016, while by 2020 van makers would have to meet a 135
grams target or face fines. The draft legislation moves now to negotiations
at the European Parliament and EU governments. [Related item: European Climate
and Energy Package Formally Adopted in April 2009 environmental security
report.]
Sources:
EU mulls carbon tax to fight climate change http://english.cctv.com/20091003/102119.shtml
Commission unveils van CO2 emissions standards proposal http://euobserver.com/9/28904/?rk=1
Europe Suggests Emissions Limits on Small Trucks http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/business/energy-environment/29vans.html?_r=1
Russia to Boost Its Space Security Program
Reportedly, participants in the Russian State Duma hearings on planetary security
stated that it was time for Russia to supplement its national space program
with the study of the asteroid hazard and possible ways to protect the Earth.
[In March 2009 an asteroid missed Earth by 77,000 kilometers, 80% closer to
the planet than our moon is. If it had hit Earth, it would have wiped out all
life on 800 square kilometers. No one knew it was coming.] Asteroid-comet hazard
and international legal aspects of counteracting the impact hazard were also
on the agenda of the ‘Asteroid-Comet Hazard-2009’ conference held
September 21-25, 2009, in St. Petersburg (proceedings to be available on November
6). NASA already has a Near-Earth Object Program Office, and Italy and Spain
cooperate on NEODYS (Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site). Meantime, Roscosmos (the
Russian Federal Space Agency) announced plans to design by 2012 a nuclear-powered
spacecraft, to be ready for a manned mission after 2021. [Related items: Steps
for an International Regime for Space Debris and Space Traffic Control System
in May 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Russia Needs To Add Asteroid Hazard Study To National Space Program –
Opinion (ITAR-TASS, Moscow, October 6)
International conference Asteroid-Comet Hazard – 2009 http://www.ipa.nw.ru/conference/ach2009/first_announcement.php?lang=en
Russia develops design for spaceship with nuclear engine http://en.rian.ru/science/20091028/156623290.html
Asteroid Apophis less likely to collide with Earth http://www.itwire.com/content/view/28361/1066/
EPA Warnings on Various Potential Health Hazards
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final Federal Register notice
designating 31 areas throughout the U.S. as “nonattainment” and
“unclassifiable/attainment” for the 24-hour national air quality
standards for fine particulate matter, also called PM2.5. These communities
will have to formulate plans for reducing fine particle pollution.
Another EPA announcement warns that high levels of PCBs can readily occur in
the caulking material used in buildings built or renovated from 1950 to 1978,
and that there is a continuing risk to personnel from exposure to PCBs in the
material around doors and windows, and in the joints between masonry products
such as brick or concrete block.
Sources:
EPA Lists Areas Violating Daily Air Pollution Requirements 31 locations not
meeting 24-hour fine particle standards http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/
EPA Designates Areas as Attainment and Nonattainment for the 24-Hour PM2.5 National
Air Quality Standards http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/regs.htm#4
PCBs in Caulk in Older Buildings http://www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
Scientists found that Arctic Ocean waters are acidifying at an unprecedented
rate, as more CO2 can dissolve in cold water than warm. Research carried out
in the archipelago of Svalbard revealed that seawater could reach corrosive
levels within 10 years, thus jeopardizing shellfish and other life forms and
livelihoods depending on it. At this rate, scientists fear that 10% of the Arctic
Ocean will be corrosively acidic by 2018; 50% by 2050; and entirely by the end
of the century.
Food and Water Security
The number of hungry people in the world rose to 1.02 billion this year. Varying
impacts of climate change (including lower water availability, and an increase
in plant and animal pests and diseases) could lead to a 30% reduction in agricultural
productivity output in Africa and a 21% reduction in Asia, noted FAO Director-General
Jacques Diouf, at the two-day high-level forum “How to Feed the World
in 2050,” held October 12-13. About 300 experts attending the forum, debated
policy, technology, and investment needs to achieve food security by 2050. FAO
estimates that in order to ensure food security for over 9 billion people in
2050, investments in agriculture in developing countries should increase by
about 50%, to $83 billion a year ($29 billion for India and China). Noting the
challenge of feeding another 2.3 billion people by 2050 while at the same time
limiting the environmental impact of the farm sector, the report Reaping the
benefits: Science and the sustainable intensification of global agriculture
by the Royal Society is calling for a £2 billion “Grand Challenge”
research program on global food security including investment in genetically
modified crops. The Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs of Adaptation
report by the International Food Policy Research Institute, examining the impact
of climate change on food security compared to a no-climate-change scenario,
forecasts that in 2050 there will be a 90% increase in wheat prices, in the
developing world calorie availability will decline relative to 2000 levels,
and there will be an additional 25 million malnourished children.
The Africa Factbook 2009 by the Global Footprint Network warns that if current
population and consumption trends continue, Africa’s Ecological Footprint
will exceed its biocapacity within the next 20 years, with some countries, including
Senegal, Kenya, and Tanzania, potentially reaching that threshold in less than
five years. It notes that between 1961 and 2005, while Africa’s population
grew from 287 million to 902 million people, the amount of biocapacity (food,
fiber and timber resources that are renewably available) per person decreased
by 67%. A World Summit on Food Security will be held at FAO headquarters in
Rome, November 16-18, 2009.
In India, the four-month monsoon season ended with rains 23% below normal, causing
the country’s worst drought since 1972. Food prices already skyrocketed
and threaten inflation. About half of India’s 1.2 billion people depend
on agriculture for their income.
The Water Governance Programme for Arab States was officially launched by the
UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States and the League of Arab States at the high-level
Partners Meeting on Water Governance, on October 12, 2009. The Programme aims
to support water management in the Arab States by integrating socio-economic
and environmental dimensions. Meantime, Egyptian officials warn that the Nile
Delta region is facing a double threat, due to freshwater needs which might
surpass resources by 2017, and rising sea levels inundating much of the fertile
Delta region, where 60% of the country’s 78 million people live. Over
the past decade, the Mediterranean is been rising an average of 2 centimeters
annually, says Mohamed al-Raey of Alexandria University. A one-meter sea-level
rise would submerge Alexandria. Meantime, Egypt is facing disputes with the
other ten Nile basin countries that are demanding bigger shares of Nile water
to compensate for reduced rainfall.
Health
Health Problems Heat Up: Climate Change and the Public's Health by the Trust
for America’s Health warns that climate change will make Americans more
vulnerable to diseases, disasters, and heat waves. According to the report,
only five states have published a strategic climate change plan that includes
a public health response, including planning for health challenges and emergencies
expected to develop from natural disasters, pollution, and infectious diseases
as temperatures and sea levels rise. The report includes several recommendations
related to setting national guidelines and measures for core public health functions
and funding for climate change planning and response, and special efforts to
address the impact of climate change on at-risk and vulnerable communities.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Losses from both Greenland and Antarctica have accelerated over the past seven
years, shows a comprehensive continuous monitoring of the ice sheets using the
Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission, which ‘weighs’
the ice on a monthly basis. NASA geophysicist Isabella Velicogna says that “That
is a big thing,” and “We should be more concerned.” Similarly,
based on recent field observation, David Barber, Canada’s Research Chair
in Arctic System Science at the University of Manitoba, notes that the multiyear
ice covering the Arctic Ocean is almost gone.
Migration
UNDP’s Human Development Report 2009, Overcoming barriers: Human mobility
and development, focuses on different forms of migration. The report indicates
that out of about 1 billion migrants worldwide, 740 million are intrastate,
and only about a third of the transnational migrants move from a developing
country to a developed one. The report notes that climate change-induced displacement
is very difficult to estimate, due to many uncertain variables, and comments
that estimates of 200 million to 1 billion migrants by 2050 do not take into
account the adaptation and mitigation measures, while environment-related migration
is directly dependent on livelihood opportunities and public policy responses
combined.
The UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik, reiterated the
need for some legal framework for environmental refugees, to ensure that people
affected by climate change are treated with dignity, offered appropriate housing
and livelihoods, and social organizations of those affected are protected.
Adaptation
The Consultative Meeting of Parliamentarians from Central Africa, held October
17 in Chad, recognized the synergies between disaster risk reduction and adaptation,
and concluded that disaster risk reduction measures should be a main adaptation
tool to the effects of climate change that are already affecting many African
countries. The Chair of the African Parliamentarian initiative on Climate Risk
Reduction called for a common African position that would link climate change
adaptation to disaster risk reduction. Participants to the Southern African
Development Community annual emergency preparedness and response workshop held
in Johannesburg, South Africa, also pledged to strengthen their ability to respond
to natural disasters and reduce risks on their populations. The SADC Secretariat
will set up a regional disaster risk reduction unit that will provide leadership
and coordination for early warning and disaster risk reduction to SADC member
States. At the World Forum on Sustainable Development held October 9-11, 2009,
in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, under the theme “Climate Change: What Opportunities
for Sustainable Development?” African leaders emphasized that climate
change adaptation policies and development strategies in the region should be
integrated. They also called for the acceleration of the creation of a department
for African environmental programs at the African Bank of Development, with
a special fund to be contributed mainly by the developed countries. It was also
decided that Africa speaks with one voice at the Copenhagen climate summit,
including the demand for a compensation to be paid by major polluters, estimated
at $65 billion dollars.
Managing our coastal zone in a changing climate: the time to act is now, a report
by the Australian House of Representatives Climate Change, Water, Environment
and the Arts Committee, is a comprehensive analysis of the impact of climate
change on Australia. The report highlights the importance if the issue since
80% of Australia’s population lives in the coastal zone. It recommends
new coastal management measures, based on national leadership in a collaborative
framework with state and local governments and communities.
Scenarios
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report Climate Solutions II warns that
the world has only five years to switch to low-carbon reindustrialization and
avoid the point of no return estimated to be in 2014. The report considers two
scenarios of emission cuts by 2050 relative to 1990 levels: one of 63% cuts,
and another of 80%. It finds that clean, low-carbon industries would need to
grow at least 22% a year for the 63% reduction scenario to be achieved, and
at least 24% a year for the 80% reduction scenario to be achieved. According
to the report, the estimated short-term investment to achieve these goals is
between $7 trillion and $17 trillion.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The deadlock in negotiations for a UN climate treaty continues. The Bangkok
talks (held September 28 to October 9, 2009) ended with deep divisions between
developing and developed countries and the length of the text still to be processed
remains considerable. “Satisfactory” progress is reported as being
achieved on issues such as adaptation, technology, and capacity building. The
negotiations will resume in Barcelona, November 2-7, which should produce a
report to the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to be held in Copenhagen,
Denmark, December 7-18, 2009. Many speculate that a legally binding document
is unlikely to be agreed upon in December, and a new deadline might be set in
2010.
Meantime, regional and national efforts continue. Europe offers to cut its greenhouse
gas emissions by up to 95% by 2050 and by 30% by 2020 if a deal is reached at
Copenhagen. The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is advancing
on climate-change legislation, to be submitted at the beginning of November,
that aims to reduce 2005-level greenhouse gases emissions of U.S. industry by
20% by 2020.
Sources:
Arctic seas turn to acid, putting vital food chain at risk http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/04/arctic-seas-turn-to-acid
How to feed the world 2050 (12-13 Oct) http://www.fao.org/wsfs/forum2050/wsfs-forum/en/
Footprint Factbook | Africa 2009. Securing human development in a resource constrained
world
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/images/uploads/AfricaFactbook_2009.pdf
UNDP launches its "Water Governance Programme for Arab States" http://content.undp.org/go/newsroom/2009/october/undp-launches-its-water-governance-programme-for-arab-states.en
EGYPT: Disaster looms for Delta region http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86472
Health Problems Heat Up: Climate Change and the Public's Health http://healthyamericans.org/reports/environment
Both of the World's Ice Sheets May Be Shrinking Faster and Faster http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x213048
UNDP Human Development report 2009 http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2009/
African Parliamentarians agree on concrete actions to reduce the impact of climatic
disasters http://www.unisdr.org/news/v.php?id=11479
World 'Has Five Years' to Stop Climate Change http://allafrica.com/stories/200910190109.html
Summary of the Bangkok Climate Change Talks: 28 September - 9 October 2009 http://www.iisd.ca/download/pdf/enb12439e.pdf
Europe offers to cut emissions 95% by 2050 if deal reached at Copenhagen http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/21/europe-carbon-emissions
Sen. Boxer to move ahead on climate bill http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE59Q0JY20091029
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
EPA Unveils Nanotech Risk Research Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new research strategy for
the next several years for work on the health and environmental risks from manufactured
nanomaterials and on nanotech-based cleanup techniques.
Sources:
Nanomaterial Research Strategy. Office of Research and Development U.S. EPA
http://www.epa.gov/nanoscience/files/nanotech_research_strategy_final.pdf
EPA announces research strategy to study nanomaterials http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12839.php#
European Commission to Review Nanomaterial Policies
Responding to a request from the European Parliament, the European Commission
plans to "review all relevant legislation within two years to ensure safety
for all applications of nanomaterials in products with potential health, environmental
or safety impacts over their life cycle," according to EU Environment Commissioner
Stavros Dimas.
Source:
EU plans to review its policies on nanomaterials http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13104.php
European Environmental Bureau Assessment of Nanotech Governance Issues
According to Nanowerk, the European Environmental Bureau has issued a report,
Nanotechnologies in the 21st Century - A Critical Review of Governance Issues
in Europe and Elsewhere (October 09), outlining the critical governance structures
needed for the safe development and use of nanotechnology. The report "reviews
the current uncertainties associated with the governance of nanotechnologies
... [and] presents NGO initiatives for nano regulation calling for the application
of the precautionary principle and pre-market registration of materials."
Sources:
Nanotechnologies in the 21st Century - A Critical Review of Governance Issues
in Europe and Elsewhere Report http://www.eeb.org/publication/2009/2009-NanoBrochureNo3-WEB.pdf
European Environment Bureau assesses critical nanotechnology governance issues
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13044.php
EC's DEEPEN Final Report on Nanotech Development Ethics Released
The release of the Final Report from the EC-funded DEEPEN Project has been announced.
The project characterizes itself as "Europe’s leading research partnership
for integrated understanding of the ethical challenges posed by emerging nanotechnologies
in real world circumstances, and their implications for civil society, for governance,
and for scientific practice."
Sources:
DEEPEN Final Report released 28th September 2009 http://www.geography.dur.ac.uk/projects/deepen/NewsandEvents/tabid/2903/Default.aspx
Nanotechnology Decision-Making Needs Greater Public Involvement http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?NewsID=13873#
EC Presentations on Risk Assessment of Nanotechnologies
The presentations from the European Commission (DG Health and Consumers) Scientific
Hearing on the risk assessment of nanotechnologies have been posted on the DG
Health and Consumer's website. The topics are:
The Role of EU Scientific Committees for Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/nanotechnology/docs/ev_20091103_co01_en.pdf
Public Consultation on Risk Assessment of Nanotechnologies: Summary of contributions
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/nanotechnology/docs/ev_20091103_co02_en.pdf
(Scientific) Comments on the Public Consultation’s Summary http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/nanotechnology/docs/ev_20091103_co03_en.pdf
NC Summit to Focus on Environmentally Responsible Development of Nanotech
The Research Triangle Environmental Health Collaborative’s second annual
environmental health summit in early October focused on Environmentally Responsible
Development of Nanotechnology. According to Nanowerk News, it brought together
150 experts from around the US “to address critical issues in nano-enabled
product development and manufacturing … [to] overcome barriers to success
related to environmental/occupational health concerns.” and produce a
guidance document with recommendations about how to successfully address the
critical issues. That document will be available at http://environmentalhealthcollaborative.org/summit/summit-2009/.
Source:
Industry leaders gather in North Carolina to focus on environmentally responsible
development of nanotechnology http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12947.php#
Report Suggests Current Nanotech Protective Gear May Not Be Adequate
In a paper to be published in a journal next year, Patricia Dolez of the Dept.
of Mechanical Engineering, at the École de technologie supérieure,
in Montréal, and colleagues, point out possible problems with the adequacy
of current workplace protective equipment when dealing with nanomaterials in
the environment, and suggest that further research is needed into these special
risks.
Source:
Current safety equipment may not be adequate for nanoprotection http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=13054.php
Paper in the International Journal of Nanotechnology (Int. J. Nanotechnol.,
2010, 7, 99-117)
French Public Debate on Nanotechnology
The French Commission of Public Debates has launched a public debate on nanotechnology,
with seventeen meetings to be held around France, starting in mid-October, and
running through February 2010. Each of the meetings will be organized around
a different topic, but participants will be free to raise other issues. Planned
subjects include European regulation of nanotechnology, nanostructured materials,
consumer and workplace protection, nanoparticles in the organism, and ethics
and governance. The project is supported by a Web site (in French) <http://www.debatpublic-nano.org/
>.
Source:
France launches public debate on nanotechnology http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Formulation-Science/France-launches-public-debate-on-nanotechnology
European Project to Study Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Risks
According to an item in Nanowerk News, CIC biomaGUNE, the Centre for Cooperative
Research in Biomaterials, in Guipúzcoa, Spain, is to lead the European
FP7 project HINAMOX (Health Impact of Engineered Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles:
Response, Bioimaging and Distribution at Cellular and Body Level). The aim of
the three-year project is to evaluate the possible impact on health of metal
oxide nanoparticles, including zinc, cerium, titanium and iron oxides.
Sources:
European project evaluates possible health impact of metal oxide nanoparticles
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12904.php#
CIC biomaGUNE is to lead a european project that will test the toxicity of the
nanoparticles in metal oxides http://www.cicbiomagune.es/secciones/noticias/noticias_detalle.php?idioma=en&id_noticia=33
Norwegian Research Group Launches Nanotech Particles Project
The SINTEF Group, the largest independent research organization in Scandinavia,
has established a project, ‘The environmental fate and effects of SINTEF-produced
nanoparticles’, to investigate the behavior and effects of nanoparticles
in marine environments. Several other nanotech-oriented efforts are also underway
in the Group.
Sources:
Nanoparticles - toxic or harmless? http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12802.php#
SINTEF Group http://www.sintef.no/Home/
New Nanotech Survey Book Covers Environmental Aspects
A new book, Nano-Society - Pushing the boundaries of technology (ISBN: 978-1-84755-883-1),
surveys 122 nanotech research projects, grouped into four sections, one of which,
Simply Green – Environmental Applications and Risk Management, covers
Green nanotechnology, Dealing with pollution, Energy – renewable and clean,
and Nanotoxicology – assessing the risks.
Sources:
Nano-Society. Pushing the Boundaries of Technology http://www.rsc.org/Shop/books/2009/9781847558831.asp
Nano-Society - Pushing the boundaries of technology
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=12798.php#
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
Reconsidering the Rules for Space Security
Reconsidering the Rules for Space Security by Nancy Gallagher and John D. Steinbruner
reviews the current regulations that currently govern the use of space and the
relevancy of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. It argues that the U.S. should advance
international negotiations based on the Treaty for developing new rules that
explicitly address problems of space security, to specifically outlaw weaponization
of space, and define the legitimate limits of space-based support for military
missions. Some practical recommendations for successful negotiations include
strategies for equitable distribution of the costs of compliance systems.
Source:
Reconsidering the Rules for Space Security http://www.amacad.org/publications/reconsidering.aspx
U.S. Should Launch a New Biology Initiative
A New Biology for the 21st Century: Ensuring the United States Leads the
Coming Biology Revolution, a report from the National Research Council,
assessing the state of use of recent advances in biology, concludes that the
design, manipulation, and prediction of complex biological systems needed for
practical applications are “well beyond current capabilities.” To
accelerate the implementation process, the report recommends a National New
Biology Initiative, with an interagency and interdisciplinary approach and a
timeline of at least ten years and funding in addition to current research budgets.
The report underlines that the initiative could also be used to address environmental
issues by making it possible to monitor ecosystems and diagnose and repair ecosystem
damage.
Source:
National New Biology Initiative Offers Potential For 'Remarkable and Far-reaching
Benefits' http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12764
London Conference to Include Hazard Detection Technologies
The Institute of Nanotechnology is holding a conference, Converging Technologies
for 21st Century Security, on 25 November 2009 at the Royal College of Physicians,
London. The meeting will include a session, ‘Hazardous Material Detection,’
and a paper, ‘Use of Antibody-based Approaches for the Detection of Hazardous
Materials.’
Source:
Converging Technologies for 21st Century Security http://www.nanoforum.org/nf06~modul~showmore~folder~99999~scc~news~scid~4016~.html?action=longview&
Climate Change at the UN and G-20
Climate change was the focus of several international summits held in September
2009: the UN Climate Change Summit that attracted 100 Heads of State and Government
and was convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Climate Change Summit
of the Alliance of Small Island States (ASOIS), the UN General Assembly, the
G-20 summit, and additional international forums held in parallel with these
summits. Although the issues discussed ranged from addressing economic crises
to disarmament and reforming the UN system, the theme most mentioned was climate
change and policies to address its causes and effects, including adaptation
and setting emission reduction targets. The AOSIS underscored security implications
of climate change and asked for a greater say in the related negotiations. Vanuatu’s
Prime Minister Edward Natapei emphasized that “climate change poses a
real threat to the future survival of mankind.” French President Nicholas
Sarkozy reiterated the call for creation of a new World Environment Organization
to replace the current several disparate agencies and committees. UN reform
ideas converged towards a more representative Security Council and more powerful
General Assembly so that its resolutions are implemented and legally binding.
Sources:
General Debate of the 64th Session; 23-26 & 28-30 September 2009 http://www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate/2309.shtml
Leaders' Statement: The Pittsburgh Summit http://www.pittsburghsummit.gov/mediacenter/129639.htm
Ahead of Copenhagen talks, small island nations sound alarm at UN on climate
change http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=32265&Cr=climate+change&Cr1
Chemicals Management to Address Emerging Technologies-related
Issues
The Secretariat of Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management
(SAICM) released an update on current emerging policy issues related to: nanotechnologies
and manufactured nanomaterials, hazardous substances within the life cycle of
electrical and electronic products, chemicals in products, and lead in paint.
These were adopted by Resolution II/4 at the second session of the International
Conference on Chemicals Management. SAICM, in collaboration with OECD and the
UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), will organize during 2010 a
series of regional informative workshops on potential applications and risks
associated with nanotechnologies and nanomaterials, as well as capacity assessment,
and awareness building. Submissions for emerging policy issues are welcome and
would be considered at the next Conference, scheduled for June 2012.
Sources:
Emerging policy issues - ICCM2 outcomes and follow-up http://www.saicm.org/index.php?menuid=9&pageid=392&submenuheader=
Update on SAICM implementation – emerging policy issues. 2 September 2009
http://www.saicm.org/documents/iccm/ICCM2/September09%20update-rev%20on%20emerging%20issues.pdf
Draft European Transboundary Guidance on Water
and Adaptation to Climate Change
The Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International
Lakes (Water Convention) of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is
preparing a draft Guidance on water and adaptation to climate change, the first
of its kind looking at adaptation from a transboundary perspective. The Guidance
will cover impacts of climate change on water quantity and quality, assessment
of risks, and addressing vulnerability and adaptation strategies in the UNECE
region and beyond. The draft Guidance will be submitted to the fifth session
of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention, to be held November 10–12,
2009 in Geneva.
Sources:
Draft Guide to implementing the Convention http://www.unece.org/env/documents/2009/Wat/mp_wat/ECE_mp.wat_2009_L2_%20E.pdf
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International
Lakes, Fifth session, 10-12 November 2009 http://www.unece.org/env/water/mop5.htm
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Neurotoxins Detected/Neutralized by New Fast Molecular Configuration
A new type of organophosphate neurotoxin sensor molecule that detects such neurotoxins
as sarin up to105 times faster than previous reagents was developed by researchers
from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA. The detector also renders
the toxin harmless, and signals its activity by significantly increasing the
intensity of its fluorescence.
Sources:
Hydroxy Oximes as Organophosphorus Nerve Agent Sensors http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122597479/abstract?
(abstract)
Ring closure as warning - new, extremely fast detection of neurotoxins http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12678.php
New Ultra-sensitive Detector for Water-borne Hazards
A new semiconducting-nanotube-based chip that reliably detects very low concentrations
(ppb) in water of TNT or a chemical relative of sarin has been developed by
researchers from the Dept. of Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. According
to the principal investigator, Prof. Zhenan Bao, the new device “offers
a rare combination of low-cost materials, low power usage, robust and repeatable
performance in water, instant response and physical flexibility,” and
its technology is applicable to a wide variety of target compounds.
Sources:
Cheap, sensitive carbon nanotube sensors could detect explosives, toxins in
water http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12779.php
Sorted and Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks for Transistor-Based
Aqueous Chemical Sensors http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn900808b
New Color Matrix Sensor Array Warns of Toxic Gases
As part of the NIH Genes, Environment and Health Initiative, Prof. Kenneth S.
Suslick and colleagues at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have
developed what they characterize as an ‘optoelectronic nose.’ The
system uses a postage stamp-sized 6×5 array of sensor dots, each of which
signals the presence of one or more particular toxins by changing color. According
to Prof. Suslick, “The pattern of the color change[s in the whole array]
is a unique molecular fingerprint for any toxic gas and also tells us its concentration.
By comparing that pattern to a library of color fingerprints, we can identify
and quantify the TICs in a matter of seconds.” Tests were run on a set
of 19 toxic industrial chemicals.
Sources:
Postage stamp-sized electronic nose sniffs out poisonous gases http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12593.php
An optoelectronic nose for the detection of toxic gases http://www.nature.com/nchem/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nchem.360.html
Dirty Bomb Treatment Technology Developed in U.K.
Scientists in the UK have developed a suitcase-sized device that could help
fast treatment of large numbers of people following exposure to a radiological
‘dirty bomb.’ The device could test 30 samples per hour, determining
the level of cellular damage a person is suffering following exposure to radiation.
Sources:
'Dirty bomb' breakthrough http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/dirty-bomb-breakthrough-1786616.html
A New Water Management Tool
The Mapping Evapotranspiration with High Resolution and Internalized Calibration
(METRIC) tool, developed by the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the
University of Idaho, offers specific measurements of the water consumed across
a region. Using surface temperature readings from satellites, air temperature,
and a system of algorithms, the tool allows measurement of water quantities
consumed on a certain piece of land through “evapotranspiration”
(water that leaves the land for the atmosphere.)
Sources:
Washington Post: Water Measured From the Sky http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/13/AR2009091302368.html
The Idaho Department of Water Resources http://www.idwr.idaho.gov/
Electric Vehicle Powered by Sodium-Nickel-Chloride Batteries
The prototype of Electric Daily, the first zero emission light commercial vehicle
produced in Latin America was presented by Iveco in Brazil. The prototype uses
three Zebra Z5 sodium, nickel, and chloride batteries claimed to be completely
recyclable and not producing gaseous emissions.
Source:
Iveco launches the Daily Electric in Brazil http://www.iveco.com/en-us/PressRoom/PressRelease/Pages/DailyElettricoBrasile.aspx
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
UN Mission Assessment of Gaza Conflict Included Environmental Impacts
The UN Mission assessment of the December 2008–January 2009 Gaza conflict
found evidence that both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants committed
actions that could be violations of international law. The 575-page report,
“Human Rights in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories; Report
of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict,” includes
impacts on the environment and public health. The Mission assessed particularly
the use of white phosphorous, fléchette missiles, DIME (dense inert metal
explosive) munitions, and depleted uranium. The Mission “…believes
that serious consideration should be given to banning the use of white phosphorous
in built-up areas” (par. 897). Similarly, it notes that DIME weapons injuries
might raise the risk of cancer (par. 904). The report recommended further environmental
monitoring under UN auspices and underlined that a detailed environmental impact
assessment is being conducted by UNEP [see UN to Conduct Post-Conflict Environmental
Assessment in Gaza in April 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Human Rights in Palestine and other Occupied Arab Territories. Report of the
United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (Advance Edited Version;
A/HRC/12/48) http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/9/docs/UNFFMGC_Report.pdf
UN Fact Finding Mission finds strong evidence of war crimes and crimes against
humanity committed during the Gaza conflict; calls for end to impunity http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/9B63490FFCBE44E5C1257632004EA67B?opendocument
UN Security Council Resolution on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty
The UN Security Council endorsed a resolution aiming to advance global nuclear
disarmament. Measures include: discouraging withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Treaty, increasing membership in the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty,
and creating additional nuclear weapon-free zones. Non-compliance with the Nuclear
Nonproliferation Treaty would be referred directly to the Security Council for
possible punitive action, rather than to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
[Related items: Entire Southern Hemisphere Covered by Nuclear-Free Zone
Treaties in August 2009, Advancements on Non-proliferation and Nuclear
Disarmament in May 2009 and other previous items in environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
U.N. Security Council Approves Nuclear Resolution http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20090924_4766.php
Fact Sheet on the United Nations Security Council Summit on Nuclear Nonproliferation
and Nuclear Disarmament UNSC Resolution 1887
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-on-the-United-Nations-Security-Council-Summit-on-Nuclear-Nonproliferation-and-Nuclear-Disarmament-UNSC-Resolution-1887/
Observation and Information System for the World's Oceans to be Created
Confirming that a systematic scientific analysis of the oceans and seas is needed,
the OceanObs’09 (for ocean observatories) meeting held September 21-25,
2009, at Venice, Italy decided to build a comprehensive observation system for
monitoring the marine environment, assessing longer term trends and promoting
sustainable marine resources management. UNESCO announced that the first globally
integrated oceans assessment system could be delivered under the auspices of
the UN by 2014. In the meantime, the U.S. National Science Foundation and the
Consortium for Ocean Leadership have signed a Cooperative Agreement as the next
step toward construction of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, “a network
of ocean observing components, and their associated cyberinfrastructure, that
will allow scientists to examine ocean processes on global, regional and coastal
scales.” [Related items: World Database on Marine Protected Areas
in June 2009 and “Roving” Marine Protected Areas as Climate
Change Affects Migration in March 2008.]
Sources:
'Assessment of Assessments' (of the oceans) http://www.unga-regular-process.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=20
OceanObs’09 Conference http://www.oceanobs09.net/
Ocean Observatories Initiative Receives Award http://www.oceanleadership.org/2009/ocean-observatories-initiative-receives-award/
Synthetic Gene Ordering Security Screening Up for Discussion
A proposed Code of Conduct for the DNA synthesis services industry is scheduled
to be discussed and possibly adopted at the International Association of Synthetic
Biology’s (IASB) Second Annual Industry Workshop on Technical Solutions
for Biosecurity in Synthetic Biology in Cambridge MA on November 3, 2009. The
IASB developed such a code, but a similar but less rigorous and less costly
process is advocated by two leading companies, raising safety concerns among
scientists. A UC Berkeley scholar characterizes it as “a standards war
that is a race to the bottom.” [Related item: New Technologies Need
New Regulations Systems in March 2009 and other items on this issue in
previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Gene-synthesis industry at odds over how to screen DNA orders http://www.k8science.org/news/news.cfm?art=5579
K8 Science http://www.K8Science.org
IASB Workshop http://www.ia-sb.eu/go/synthetic-biology/activities/press-area/press-information/workshop-on-synthetic-biology/
Hazardous Waste Disposal of Increasing Concern
According to the European Environment Agency, paper, plastic, and metal trash
exported from Europe rose tenfold from 1995 to 2007, with 20 million containers
of waste now shipped each year; either legally or illegally. In 2008, the Netherlands
returned 80 illegal shipments to their countries of origin. Hong Kong authorities
say that about 100 containers of waste arrive daily from the US and Canada.
Recently, Italian mafiosi confessed that that they have been disposing of toxic
waste by putting it onboard ships and then deliberately sinking the vessels.
[Related items: Organized Crime Targets Electronic Waste Recycling
in July 2009, Toxic Waste Disposal of Global Growing Concern in September
2006 and other environmental security reports.]
Participants in the first international E-Waste Summer School, in Eindhoven,
Netherlands, September 6-11, recommended adopting global policies and standards
for recycling electronic products to avoid illegal and harmful e-waste processing
practices in developing countries.
Sources:
Smuggling Europe’s Waste to Poorer Countries http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/science/earth/27waste.html
Mafia 'sank ships of toxic waste' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8257912.stm
Set world standards for electronics recycling, reuse to curb e-waste exports
to developing countries
http://www.physorg.com/news172237477.html
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
By 2060, the global average temperature could rise by 4°C (7.2°F), unless
sound greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies are implemented, revealed
a study by the UK Met Office, prepared for the Department of Energy and Climate
Change. Nevertheless, UNEP’s “Climate Change Science Compendium
2009” estimates that even in the best case scenario––if the
world’s most ambitious targets are met––the planet will still
warm by 3.5°C (6.3°F) by the end of the century. The calculations consider
the upper-range targets of nearly 200 nations’ climate policies (e.g.
U.S. emissions reduction of 73% from 2005 levels by 2050, EU 80% from 1990 levels
by 2050). The report also notes that sea level might rise by 6 feet by 2100
instead of 1.5 feet, as projected by the IPCC.
The August 2009 ocean surface temperature was the warmest since 1880, when record
keeping began. The average ocean surface temperature for June–August was
16.9°C (62.5°F), which is 1.04°F above the 20th century average,
according to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center. For the same period,
the combined global land and ocean average surface temperature was 16.2°C
(61.2°F), the third warmest on record, and 1.06°F above the 20th century
average.
Food and Water Security
By 2050, to feed 9.1 billion people, world food production should increase by
70% and withdrawal of water for irrigation by almost 11%, notes FAO in a paper
prepared for the high-level experts forum and World Summit on Food Security
to be held in October 2009. Given that 90% of the growth in crop production
is projected to come from higher yields and increased cropping intensity, even
small changes in precipitation and/or crop yield due to climate change could
have devastating impacts on food security in the world.
A study by the Asian Development Bank warns that if current trends persist until
2050, the yields of irrigated crops in South Asia will decrease significantly
and resulting food scarcity will lead to higher prices and reduced caloric intake
across the region. Under this scenario, per capita calorie availability in 2050
will be below levels recorded in the year 2000. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India,
and Nepal are identified as particularly vulnerable to falling crop yields caused
by glacier retreat, floods, droughts, erratic rainfall, and other climate change
impacts. The study, “Addressing Climate Change in the Asia and Pacific
Region: Building Climate Resilience in the Agriculture Sector,” was officially
launched by ADB on the sidelines of the UNFCCC meeting held in Bangkok, September
28-October 9, 2009.
Researchers reiterated a warning that growing corporate control over seeds is
reducing the diversity of traditional seed varieties and traits that help farmers
adapt to the effects of climate change, jeopardizing poor farmers’ livelihoods.
They suggested that farmers would benefit from a similar legal protection over
their traditional seed varieties and associated knowledge as do corporations
through the international treaty on the protection of new varieties of plants.
Researchers from the International Institute for Environment and Development
(IIED) and partner organizations in China, India, Kenya, Panama and Peru launched
the warning ahead of the 2nd World Seed Conference held September 8-10, 2009,
in Rome, Italy.
A prolonged drought is sweeping across Kenya, thought to be a result of the
El Niño cycle worsened by global warming and continued degradation of
forest ecosystems. Crops have been destroyed, and domestic and wild animals
are dying, negatively affecting the two key industries: agriculture and tourism.
Four million Kenyans face mass famine, and foreign aid is reluctantly provided
and inadequate. Tensions are spawning ethnic conflict as communities fight over
the last remaining pieces of fertile grazing land.
Health
WHO notes that while 37 of the least developed countries admit the link between
population growth and climate change, only six of them identify family planning
as part of their adaptation strategy. A study of the first 40 National Adaptation
Programmes of Action (NAPAs) shows that only 7% of 448 projects across the 40
NAPAs were in the health sector. At the same time, Lancet notes that over 200
million women worldwide lack access to contraceptives. Remedying this, could
prevent 76 million unintended pregnancies a year, reducing demographic pressure
on the environment. A study by the London School of Economics estimates that
$7 spent on family planning would reduce carbon emissions by one ton, while
low carbon technologies cost an estimated $32 per ton reduced ($24 for wind
power, $51 for solar, $57-83 for coal plants with carbon capture and storage,
$92 for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and $131 for electric vehicles).
Researchers warn of increased incidence of dengue fever, which sickens over
50 million and kills 24,000 worldwide every year. The main causes are population
growth, increased traveling, and global warming disrupting the natural cold
temperature processes that limit the population of dengue carrying mosquitoes.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Findings outlined in the UNEP report “Climate Change Science Compendium
2009” reveal that mountain glacier melting seems to be accelerating. If
current trends continue, most glaciers from the mountains of tropical Africa
will disappear by 2030, and those from the Pyrenees by 2050. Similarly, most
models project that by 2030, the Arctic Ocean might be ice-free in September.
The Greenland ice sheet surface melting rate was some 60% higher in the summer
of 2007 than the previous record in 1998.
NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center noted that Arctic sea ice cover was
an average of 6.3 million sq kilometers (2.42 million sq miles) during August,
18.4% below the 1979-2000 average.
Rising Sea Levels
UNEP reassessment of potential sea level rise based on the combined effects
of melting land-ice and thermal expansion of oceans reveals a rise of 0.8–2.0
meters above the 1990 level by 2100, and 5–10 times that over following
centuries.
According to an analysis based on ten years of global daily satellite images,
85% of the world’s 33 largest delta regions experienced severe flooding
due to sinking land and rising seas. The study warns that if ocean levels increase
as projected under the moderate climate change scenarios, delta land vulnerable
to serious flooding could expand by 50% this century, Asia being the worst affected.
The study was led by the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Migration
In 2008, climate-related natural disasters displaced about 20 million people,
compared to 4.6 million who were internally displaced by conflicts, revealed
a UN report compiled by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
and the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. Trying for the first time to
quantify the number of people displaced by climate change, the UN study estimates
that out of the total of 36 million people displaced by rapid-onset natural
disasters, 15 million were due to the Sichuan earthquake, while 90% of the others
were due to floods, storms, drought and other climate change-related phenomena.
Computer Modeling
Climate-Rapid Overview and Decision Support Simulator (C-ROADS) is a new climate
change model, developed by the Sustainability Institute, aiming to help policymakers
assess the greenhouse gas emissions implications of their strategies. The forecasts
show that unless all nations take dramatic steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
temperature and sea level rises will be unacceptably high by the end of the
century.
Scientists participating at the conference Climate Forcing of Geological and
Geomorphological Hazards, September 15-17, 2009, outlined evidence that global
warming could cause geological disturbances, which can result in earthquakes,
tsunamis, avalanches, and volcanic eruptions. Although linking earth’s
sensitivity to climate is only emerging and more data is needed to build predictive
climate models linking the two systems, the evidence is there, say scientists.
Adaptation
The “World Economic and Social Survey 2009” calls for a ‘Global
New Deal’ at the scale of $500-600 billion, compared to the ‘woefully
inadequate’ estimated $21 billion currently allocated internationally
for climate change adaptation and mitigation plans. The report presents a range
of possible multilateral measures in support of a global investment program,
including a global clean energy fund, a global feed-in tariff regime in support
of renewable energy sources, and a more balanced intellectual property regime
for aiding the transfer of clean technologies. The Christian Aid report “Community
Answers to Climate Chaos” estimates that rich countries’ overall
annual contribution to a proposed Sustainable Development Innovation Facility
should be over €110 billion ($161 billion) to help local communities cope
with climate change effects.
Similarly, the World Bank’s “World Development Report 2010: Development
and Climate Change” estimates that by 2030, developing countries will
need $75 billion annually for adaptation, and another $400 billion for low-carbon
technology development. The report notes that poor nations will bear between
75-80% of the cost of floods, increased desertification and other disasters
caused by global warming. Countries in Africa and South Asia are slated to lose
as much as 5% of their GDP if temperatures rise just 2°C above pre-industrial
levels. The WDR 2010 focuses on the many dimensions of development that are
affected by climate change, including: reducing human vulnerability; managing
land and water; stimulating development without compromising the climate; harnessing
and efficiently using funds for mitigation and adaptation; accelerating the
spread of “climate-smart” technologies; and communicating climate
change issues to societies.
The World Climate Conference-3 held in Geneva, August 31–September 4,
2009, under the theme “Better climate information for a better future”
decided to establish a Global Framework for Climate Services, to improve science-based
climate prediction services and long-range seasonal weather projections. This
will be an important tool for policymakers in general and for developing nations
most vulnerable to the impact of global warming, specifically.
The “Lomé Declaration on Climate Change and Protection of Civilians
in West Africa,” adopted at the Regional Conference on Protection Challenges
to Climate Change in West Africa, from 14-16 September 2009, in Lomé,
Togo, calls for broader consideration of the social impacts of climate change
through a human rights-based approach. Participants underscored conflicts arising
from natural resource depletion and the infringement of displaced people’s
rights. They also recommended establishment of a special fund to help address
climate change-induced impacts on affected parts of the population; called for
measures to protect climate-affected persons; and agreed that a regional platform
should be established for information exchange.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
Some 100 heads of State and Government attended the UN climate change summit
one day before the opening of the UN General Assembly’s 64th session (September
23rd). Japan’s prime minister-elect pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions
by 25% in the next 10 years from 1990 levels. The Climate Change Summit of the
Alliance of Small Island States, held on September 21st, adopted the AOSIS Climate
Change Declaration, which calls on “urgent progress towards a fair and
meaningful Copenhagen outcome.” Along the same lines, the G-20 summit
agreed on actions such as phaseout over the medium term of inefficient fossil
fuel subsidies, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2050.
In view of almost stalled negotiations for a climate change treaty, French President
Nicolas Sarkozy proposed that the leaders of the major industrialized nations
hold an extraordinary summit ahead of the December climate conference. The next
post-Kyoto treaty negotiations are taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, September
28–October 9, 2009.
Sources:
Four degrees and beyond http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/news/latest/four-degrees.html
NOAA: Warmest Global Sea-Surface Temperatures for August and Summer http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090916_globalstats.html
Global agriculture towards 2050 http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/Issues_papers/HLEF2050_Global_Agriculture.pdf
Researchers: farmers' rights to adapt to climate change ignored http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2009-09/07/content_8663923.htm
Sexual and reproductive health and climate change http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61643-3/fulltext
Dengue becoming unstoppable http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/219444/dengue-becoming-unstoppable
Impacts of Climate Change Coming Faster and Sooner: New Science Report Underlines
Urgency for Governments to Seal the Deal in Copenhagen http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=596&ArticleID=6326&l=en
Natural disasters displacing millions - U.N. study http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-42632820090922?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
C-ROADS: A New Climate Change Model Used By Diplomats
http://www.bgrncol.com/
Climate change may trigger earthquakes and volcanoes http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327273.800-climate-change-may-trigger-earthquakes-and-volcanoes.html?full=true
The World Economic and Social Survey 2009 http://www.un.org/esa/analysis/wess/
World Development Report 2010 http://go.worldbank.org/ZXULQ9SCC0
Nations Appear Headed Toward Independent Climate Goals http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092201137.html
Bangkok Climate Change Talks – 2009 http://www.iisd.ca/climate/ccwg7/
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
Comprehensive report on nanotechnology-related regulatory issues
Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies Towards Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation
report by the international collaborative project Regulating Nanotechnologies
in the EU and U.S., is a comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of aspects
related to nanotechnology: environment, health and safety risks; and key regulatory
frameworks, issues and challenges––including relevant national and
international institutions—in the U.S., EU, and internationally, with
specific focus on chemical, food, and cosmetics regulations. The report highlights
that although “No efforts have been undertaken as yet to create a formal,
treaty-based, international framework for nanomaterials regulation,” in
the future such an international framework treaty might be needed, given the
globalization of nanotechnology developments. It concludes that the EU and the
US should play a greater role in developing an international nanotech regulatory
framework. Commenting on the report, some experts expressed that nanotechnology
and biotechnology would need a complex and flexible regulatory system, due to
their unknown evolution and often absence of data. [Reference to the report
launch: Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies
in August 2009 environmental security report.]
Source:
Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies: Towards Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation
http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/files/14692_r0909_nanotechnologies.pdf
Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event_summary&event_id=544514
OECD Nanotech Safety New Publications
OECD has released several new publications in its series on the Safety of Manufactured
Nanomaterials, including “Preliminary Review of OECD Test Guidelines for
their Applicability to Manufactured Nanomaterials.”
Sources:
OECD adds new publications to its series on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12391.php
Preliminary Review of OECD Test Guidelines for their Applicability to Manufactured
Nanomaterials http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2009doc.nsf/LinkTo/NT000049AE/$FILE/JT03267900.PDF
Nanotechnology, Synthetic Biology, & Public Opinion A Report Of Findings
Based On A National Survey Among Adults http://www.nanotechproject.org/process/assets/files/8286/nano_synbio.pdf
Nanotechnology, Synthetic Biology, and Biofuels. What does the public think?
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event&event_id=551829
New Paper Suggests Concentrating Toxicity Studies on Smaller Nanoparticles
An on-line paper by researchers from the Center for the Environmental Implications
of NanoTechnology (CEINT), Duke University, suggests that particles in the <30
nm section of the 1-100 nm "nano spectrum" should receive the most
attention in studying the environmental and human health impacts of nanomaterials,
since it is in that high surface-area-to-volume ratio range that possibly hazardous
increases in reactivity are more likely to be observed.
Sources:
When nano may not be nano http://www.physorg.com/news172072324.html
Towards a definition of inorganic nanoparticles from an environmental, health
and safety perspective http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nnano.2009.242.html
Call for Systematic Studies to Link Nanoproperties and Hazards
A recent paper by Dr. Amanda Barnard of CSIRO Australia discusses a “number
of strategies … combining the desirable aspects of theory, simulation,
experiment and observation, and leading to predictions for incorporation into
preventative frameworks” for mitigation of possible hazards from nanomaterials.
Sources:
Computational strategies for predicting the potential risks associated with
nanotechnology http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/NR/article.asp?doi=b9nr00154a
News Story: Meridian Nanotechnology and Development News - Headlines for: 9/4/2009
http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemTech/Volume/2009/11/calculated_risk.asp
Report Reviews Nanoparticle Risks and Regulation
A new paper in the Royal Society’s Interface reviews the current state
of nanoparticle risk research and regulation. The authors discuss “Lessons
from History”, “Nanotoxicology & Exposure” (concluding
that “in many cases knowledge is sufficient to implement effective controls
to minimise exposure and these should be put into place”), and “Knowledge
gaps & the road to regulation.” The 12-page paper lists 52 references
Sources:
Nanoparticles, human health hazard and regulation http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2009/08/31/rsif.2009.0252.focus.short?rss=1
Nanoparticles, Risk & Regulation http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=34583
Researchers Call for Broad Approach to Nanotube Risk Assessment
Enrico Bergamaschi and colleagues of the Department of Clinical Medicine, at
the University of Parma (Italy) Medical School suggest in a recent paper that
“we need a much more detailed toxicological approach to hazard assessment
before judgement regarding the long-term safety of carbon nanotubes can be made,”
according to a story in Nanowerk News. They point out that “carbon nanotubes
are a recent invention … and so clinical and epidemiological evidence
for any long-term effects they may have on human health are entirely lacking”
and recommend that “we should combine experimental, clinical and epidemiological
evidence … [and] set up preventive measures as well as assess the need
to implement periodic health examinations of employees exposed to carbon nanotubes.”
Sources:
“A toxicological approach to hazard assessment of carbon nanotubes: implications
for workers’ health protection” in Int. J. Environment and Health,
2009, 3, 249-263 (International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH);
Volume 3 - Issue 3 – 2009) http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=142&year=2009&vol=3&issue=3
Carbon nanotube risk assessment http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12653.php
Metallic Impurities Affect Carbon Nanotube Toxicity
According to a story in Highlights in Chemical Science, Martin Pumera and Yuji
Miyahara of the National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan describe
in a recent paper how “A main factor in nanotube toxicity are the metal
contaminants that remain from manufacture, which are typically one to ten per
cent by weight.” In a test, only 100 ppm of iron was needed to dominate
the ability of five nanotube samples to reduce or oxidize two biomarkers - hydrogen
peroxide and hydrazine. The story goes on to point out that this value is significantly
lower than the detection limits of the methods routinely used to assess nanotube
purity.
Sources:
How safe are carbon nanotubes? http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/ChemScience/Volume/2009/11/carbon_nanotubes.asp
What amount of metallic impurities in carbon nanotubes is small enough not to
dominate their redox properties? http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/NR/article.asp?doi=b9nr00071b
New Inventory Lists More Than1000 Nanoproducts
The Wilson Center/Pew Trusts’ Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN)
has noted that its inventory of consumer nanoproducts has now exceeded 1000
entries. [Related item: New Map of Nanotech Centers in the August 2009
environmental security report.]
Sources:
Nano, nano everywhere. Not exactly, but we’re working on it http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/business-brains/nano-nano-everywhere-not-exactly-but-were-working-on-it/2021/
An inventory of nanotechnology-based consumer products currently on the market
http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/
First Global On-line Nanotech Conference to be Held 22-25 March, 2010
The organizers have announced the First On-line International Conference &
Exhibition, "Nano-Globe", 22-25 March 2010. Access will be over any
>28.8 kbps Internet connection, and the meeting will feature fully equipped
“virtual rooms.” According to the announcement, there will be some
coverage of “Key solutions: Environmental and Health Risks,” but
no details are given.
Source:
"Nano-Globe" First On-line International Conference & Exhibition
http://www.nano-globe.com
OECD Nanomaterials Working Party to Meet in Paris in October
The OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPN) will hold its 6th
meeting at the OECD headquarters in Paris on 28-30 October 2009 to discuss its
achievements to date as well as to agree on the targets that need to be set
in order to implement the Programme of Work 2009-2012. One of the topics will
be how to continue progress on the Sponsorship Programme for the Testing of
Manufactured Nanomaterials.
Sources:
Intro. to Working Party http://www.oecd.org/site/0,3407,en_21571361_41212117_1_1_1_1_1,00.html
Programme of Work http://www.olis.oecd.org/olis/2009doc.nsf/linkto/env-jm-mono(2009)22
Vision Statement http://www.oecd.org/document/35/0,3343,en_21571361_41212117_42378531_1_1_1_1,00.html
Sponsorship Programme http://www.oecd.org/document/47/0,3343,en_2649_37015404_41197295_1_1_1_1,00.html
New Paper Studies Public Perceptions of Nanotechnology
A study published in Nature Nanotechnology and reported by Nanowerk News found
that public perceptions of nanotechnology do not follow previously seen patterns
for new technological developments, and concludes that “Given the potential
malleability of perceptions, novel methods for understanding future public responses
to nanotechnologies will need to be developed.”
Sources:
Anticipating the perceived risk of nanotechnologies http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nnano.2009.265.html
Nanotechnology is viewed favorably, but possible risks should be acknowledged
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12706.php
New Grant in Wales for Nanotoxicology Research
Researchers at Swansea University’s Centre for NanoHealth in the UK have
been awarded £1 million to analyze the levels at which nanoparticles can
be judged safe within cells. The four-year project, led by Prof. Huw Summers,
Chair in Nanotechnology for Health at Swansea University, is closely linked
to the Centre for NanoHealth initiative at the university.
Source:
Centre for NanoHealth researchers to study safety of nanoparticles http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12439.php
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
Royal Society Issues Major Geo-engineering Report
“Geoengineering the climate: science, governance and uncertainty”
by the UK Royal Society is a comprehensive review of the main geo-engineering
options. The 98-page document discusses carbon dioxide removal techniques, solar
radiation management techniques, and governance. It also contains a large reference
list and a complete glossary. [Related item: Geo-engineering Promises/Threatens
Major Consequences in June 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Geoengineering the climate. Science, governance and uncertainty (September 2009)
http://royalsociety.org/displaypagedoc.asp?id=35094
Risky schemes may be only hope for cooling planet: scientists http://www.physorg.com/print171034934.html
Energy Security Challenges for the 21st Century
Energy Security Challenges for the 21st Century: A Reference Book provides an
“overview of the world’s energy system and the vulnerabilities that
underlie growing concern over energy security”, as well as “various
approaches energy producers, consumers and transit states have toward energy
security and it examines the domestic and foreign policy tradeoffs required
to ensure safe and affordable energy supply.”
Source:
Energy Security Challenges for the 21st Century. A Reference Handbook http://www.greenwood.com/psi/book_detail.aspx?sku=C9997
New Flood Center to Develop Warning Systems
Professor Witold Krajewski of the University of Iowa has been named director
of the new Iowa Flood Center, which has at the top of its agenda the development
of prototype flood warning and forecasting systems to mitigate the effects of
future floods. What the engineers and scientists learn is expected to enhance
their overall understanding of floods and improve the accuracy of flood warning
systems.
Source:
Better Prediction Sought for Devastating Floods http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=115479&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Meeting Improves
International Resilience Systems to Address Infectious Disease and BioWeapons
About 500 participants from 95 countries, UN organizations such as WHO, FAO
and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), regional disease surveillance
organizations, academic institutions, NGOs, and corporations participated in
the 2009 Meeting of Experts from States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention
in Geneva, August 24-28. The meeting focused on international cooperation for
fighting infectious diseases, while also discussing peaceful uses of advances
in bioscience and the establishment of mechanisms for promoting the implementation
of the Convention’s Article X on scientific and technological cooperation
related to “bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins for peaceful
purposes.” The results of the meeting will be considered for the Meeting
of States Parties, to be held December 7-11, 2009. Although in force since 1975,
the treaty has no verification or compliance monitoring provisions or organization.
According to the report Ensuring Compliance With the Biological Weapons Convention,
some biodefense research might violate member-states commitments to the BWC.
Along the same lines, New Approaches to Biological Risk Assessment, published
by the British Royal Society and the International Council for the Life Sciences,
calls for a harmonized international and inter-sectoral system to assess the
“full spectrum” of bio-threats––ranging from naturally
occurring diseases to accidental or intentional misuse of biological materials.
The report acknowledges the difficulties generated by the variety of hazards
and the limited data available on some threats. Reportedly, a meeting at the
White House on August 13 represented the first in a series of meetings with
biological experts for strengthening the strategy on bioterrorism, including
inputs for the BWC and its 2011 review conference. [Related items: Biological
Weapons Convention Meeting in July-August 2008, and other items on this
issue in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Biological Weapons Convention Expert Meeting Concludes http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/CE96DCFC346B580DC1257620004DAC6F?OpenDocument
Biodefense Research Could Violate Weapons Conventions, Report Warns http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20090820_6796.php
New approaches to biological risk assessment http://royalsociety.org/document.asp?tip=0&id=8700
White House, Scientists Discuss Biological Threats http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/ts_20090828_3718.php
Entire Southern Hemisphere Covered by Nuclear-Free
Zone Treaties
With the entry into force of the Pelindaba Treaty for an African Nuclear-Weapon-Free
Zone, nuclear weapons will be banned throughout the entire Southern Hemisphere.
The Treaty requires the establishment of an African Commission on Nuclear Energy
to implement the agreement and to promote cooperation for the peaceful uses
of nuclear science, and stipulates procedures by which the African Union could
refer non-compliance cases to the UN Security Council. The other regional agreements
banning nuclear weapons in their area are: the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, the 1967
Treaty of Tlatelolco (for Latin America and the Caribbean), the 1985 Treaty
of Rarotonga (for the South Pacific), the 1995 Treaty of Bangkok (for Southeast
Asia), and the 2006 Treaty of Semipalatinsk (for Central Asia).
Sources:
Africa Renounces Nukes. Treaty's Entry into Force Makes Entire Southern Hemisphere
Free of Nuclear Weapons http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/News/2009/africarenounces.html
African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Force: What Next for Diego Garcia? http://www.asil.org/files/insight090827pdf.pdf
Gimcheon, South Korea to Create a Global Climate
Change Situation Room
On August 19, 2009, the City of Gimcheon, South Korea, announced that it will
establish a global climate change situation room. The Millennium Project has
agreed to provide the collective intelligence system based on the GENIS model
(Global Energy Network and Information System) with additions for climate science,
adaptation, and mitigation. Collaboration will be sought with related efforts
such the War Room on Climate Change proposed by Richard Branson (see Branson
calls for War Room on Climate Change at the United Nations in February
2008 environmental security report.)
Sources:
Climate Change Situation Room opening ceremony in Gimcheon, South Korea http://www.millennium-project.org/millennium/Korea-CCSR.html
Global Energy Network and Information System (GENIS) http://millennium-project.org/millennium/GENIS.pdf
Technological Advances with Environmental Security
Implications
Network of Autonomous Robots Monitors Difficult Environments
A NASA project recently tested the concept of a network of rugged, autonomous,
environment-sensing “spiderbots” that can be placed into a hazardous
environment (in this trial, dropped into Mount St. Helens) to communicate among
themselves and with the outside world, including satellites, to monitor an environmental
situation. The network bypasses inoperative nodes and can command satellites
to provide additional coverage. The principal investigator is Prof. WenZhan
Song of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University.
Source:
‘Spiderbots’ talk amongst themselves inside active volcano http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-117
Improved Techniques for Water Desalination
A team led by Bruce Logan, Kappe Professor of Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania
State University, has modified a microbial fuel cell. It simultaneously desalinates
salty water, and internally produces the electrical power required for operation,
thus lowering the cost of water treatment. A different line of investigation,
by Professor Shin-Ho Chung and a group from the Computational Biophysics Group
of the Research School of Biology at the Australian National University, led
to the discovery that using boron nitride nanotubes in desalination filters
allows four times faster water flow, yielding a much faster and more efficient
desalination process. [Similar items: New Process Improves Water Desalination
Efficiency in January 2009 and others in previous environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
Salt Rejection and Water Transport Through Boron Nitride Nanotubes http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smll.200900349
Using microbes and wastewater to desalinate water http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es902384g?prevSearch=logan%2Bbacteria%2Bdesalination&searchHistoryKey=
Nanotubes help to solve desalination problem http://news.anu.edu.au/?p=1558
Grease-repelling Surface Coating Reduces Need for Detergents
A new surface coating reportedly repels oils while allowing water through; hence,
surfaces can be cleaned using reduced quantities of detergents, which are damaging
to the environment. The research team is led by Prof. Jeffrey Youngblood, of
the School of Materials Engineering at Purdue University.
Source:
Scientists Develop Self-Cleaning Material http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=13153
Improved Battery Performance Techniques
Techniques Provide Improved Lithium-ion Battery Performance
An article in MIT's Technology Review reports that an advance in lithium-ion
battery design by Prof. Yi Cui and colleagues at the Dept. of Materials Science
and Engineering, Stanford University, has dramatically increased efficiency.
A new anode structure using carbon nanowires coated with amorphous silicon provides
about 2000 milliampere-hrs/g. This is an almost six-fold increase over today’s
graphite-based 360 mA-hrs/g. The article also briefly describes related work
being carried out at other laboratories. In a related development, researchers
at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure
and Nanotechnology have synthesized a nanocomposite of LiFePO4 nanoparticles
embedded in a nanoporous carbon matrix as a superior cathode material for lithium-ion
batteries. Although this compound offers 170 mA-hrs/g, it has other deficiencies
that the new structure ameliorates. Next Alternative Inc. of Ottawa, Canada
also claims to have a greatly improved battery design based on carbon nanotubes.
Sources:
Nanowire Advance for Lithium Batteries http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23240/page1/
Carbon-Silicon Core-Shell Nanowires as High Capacity Electrode for Lithium Ion
Batteries http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl901670t
Superior cathode material for electrochemical energy storage devices http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12231.php
Next Alternative Introduces Car Battery With Carbon Nanotube Technology http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12068.php
New Ceramic Membrane Enhances Battery Performance
Ceramatec Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah announced development of a new battery
design, based on a paper-thin ceramic membrane. The company claims that their
sodium-sulphur unit will store 20-40 kWh in a package the size of a refrigerator,
operate below 90°C, and withstand 3,650 daily discharge/recharge cycles
over 10 years. The expected sales price is around $2000.
Source:
New battery could change world, one house at a time http://www.heraldextra.com/news/article_b0372fd8-3f3c-11de-ac77-001cc4c002e0.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
International Water Issues
Water to be Considered Integral Part to Copenhagen Negotiations
The Stockholm Statement adopted at the World Water Week conference held in Stockholm,
August 16-22, 2009, calls for global water management strategies to be considered
as integral parts of the negotiations for a global climate agreement in Copenhagen,
in December. Some 2,500 water experts from 130 countries attended the meeting.
It also stresses the need for a clear framework for more effective use of water
across borders, as well as for better cooperation between officials involved
in land and forest management, climate, and water issues. [Related item: A
New Step Toward Preventing Water Wars in July-August 2008.]
Sources:
World Water Week http://www.worldwaterweek.org
Experts: water issue crucial in world climate deal http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jWIcs1HTs6jJh9W36Ni_qGRQx7xwD9A7ABMO1
Nile Basin Controversies Continue
The Cooperative Framework Agreement for water-sharing by the ten Nile basin
countries was postponed for at least another six months. It is mainly opposed
by Egypt, which doesn’t want to renounce privileges given by previous
agreements. Because of increased economic development in the region and the
consequences of climate change, the Nile’s flow is likely to decrease;
hence, a Nile accord could be essential for preventing further escalation of
disputes in an already vulnerable region. The ten Nile countries are: Burundi,
the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan,
Tanzania, and Uganda. [Related items: Water Scarcity in February 2007
and several climate change-related items in previous environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
Egypt blocks Nile water deal http://www.ethiopianreview.com/news/6468
Nile Basin countries may fight for water: expert http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6716139.html
Powerful Greenhouse Gas HFCs Might be banned under the Montreal Protocol
Although hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are not ozone-depleting chemicals, their
use and commercialization might be banned under the Montreal Protocol. Experts
and policy makers increasingly call for HFCs’ phaseout due to their global
warming potential hundreds or even thousands of times greater than CO2. Countries,
like the Federated States of Micronesia, threatened by global warming, are advocating
for a 90% HFC phaseout by 2030. The issue is expected to be discussed at the
next meeting of the States Party to the Montreal Protocol, to be held November
4-8 in Port Ghalib, Egypt. [Previous item on this issue: Regulations Might
be Needed for New Greenhouse Gases in April 2009 environmental security
report.]
Source:
Ozone Treaty May Hold Key to Halting Climate Change http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48211
Insecticide Ingredient Deet May Be a Neurotoxin
Deet (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, aka N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) might be
a toxin to the human central nervous system, as revealed by new research by
a team of scientists led by Vincent Corbel from the Institut de Recherche pour
le Développement in Montpellier, France and Bruno Lapied from the University
of Angers. According to Science Daily, “Researchers say that more investigations
are urgently needed to confirm or dismiss any potential neurotoxicity to humans,
especially when deet-based repellents are used in combination with other neurotoxic
insecticides.” [Related item: New Chemicals Considered for Toxic Lists
in January 2009 environmental security report.]
The Insect Repellent DEET http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/chemicals/deet.htm
Popular Insect Repellent Deet Is Neurotoxic http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804193230.htm
Study Reveals Extensive Danger from Lead in Foreign Paints
A new study reveals that approximately 73% of consumer paint brands tested from
12 countries in Africa, Asia, and South America exceeded the former U.S. standard
of 600 parts per million (ppm) for lead in paint (now 90 ppm), with 69% of the
brands having at least one sample exceeding 10,000 ppm. “A global ban
on lead-based paint is drastically needed” underlines main author, Dr.
Scott Clark, professor of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati.
[Previous relevant items: Low-fume Paint Requirements Spread in the
July 2009, and Call for Global Ban on Lead-based Paints in October
2007 environmental security reports.]
Source:
Lead-Based Consumer Paint Remains a Global Public Health Threat http://healthnews.uc.edu/news/?/8982
New Developments by Canada and the U.S. in Arctic Security
A high-level Canadian delegation, led by the Prime Minister, made a five-day
tour of the northern military operations and held a cabinet meeting in Iqaluit
as part of an effort to stress Canada’s sovereignty in the region. Nevertheless,
it is not clear yet how much Canada will allocate to increase its security capacity
in the North. In the meantime, the U.S. Coast Guard is developing strategies
to strengthen security in the Arctic region, including a new duty station. The
U.S. is among the countries that consider the Northwest Passage an international
waterway, rather than Canada’s sovereign waters. [Related items: Arctic
Civil and Military Activities Increasing in July 2009 and other items in
previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Harper of the melting North http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14313727
Congress hears Alaskan views on Arctic Ocean issues http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/082809/loc_8_001.shtml
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
In July 2009, the world’s oceans reached the highest average temperature
since record keeping began 130 years ago. Some NASA scientists suggest that
warming oceans could cause Earth’s axis to shift more than previously
estimated, with potential implications for interpreting how the Earth wobbles.
Another record was set by big tropical storms in the Atlantic, as the average
frequency of hurricanes over the past decade was higher than at any time in
the last 1,000 years, reveals a study published in the journal Nature.
As CO2 levels are increasing at a faster rate than the IPCC worst-case scenario,
the planet might be heading for an “irreversible” climate change
by 2040 says a paper by Andrew Brierley of St. Andrews University and Michael
Kingsford of the James Cook University in Australia, which specifically examines
the effect of CO2 emissions on ocean ecosystems.
Food and Water Security
Competition for food, water and energy is expected to worsen as the world’s
population increases faster than expected. The 2009 World Population Data Sheet
by the Population Research Bureau reveals that world population will reach 7
billion in 2011 (a year earlier than expected), and 8.1 billion by 2025. With
at least 97% of the growth occurring in developing countries, by 2050, nine
in ten people under 25 will live in those countries, mostly in Africa and Asia.
Africa’s population reached 1 billion and will double by 2050.
Revitalizing Asia's Irrigation: To Sustainably Meet Tomorrow’s Food
Needs, a report by FAO and the International Water Management Institute
calls for increased investments in irrigation systems and reforms in the way
water is used for agriculture to feed an additional 2.5 billion people over
the next 40 years. Otherwise, many developing nations face the risky prospect
of having to import more than a quarter of their rice, wheat, and maize by 2050.
“If nothing is done, you are going to get an increase in social unrest,
migration and a fertile ground for terrorism,” warns Colin Chartres, the
director general of IWMI.
In China, 27% of the land area is now desert or suffering from land degradation,
and experts warn that desertification is one of the greatest ecological threats
to the entire Northeast Asia area.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Satellite records show that one of Antarctica’s largest glaciers is thinning
four times faster than thought ten years ago. At its current pace, Pine Island
Glacier in west Antarctica could disappear in 100 years, 500 years sooner than
previously thought. Meanwhile, at the other pole, three major glaciers ––
Gulkana and Wolverine in Alaska and South Cascade in Washington ––
are also decreasing at dramatic rates, according to a study by the U.S. Geological
Survey.
Computer Modeling
A computer model developed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation has confirmed for the first
time that there is a link between southeast Australia’s changed weather
patterns––decline in rainfall (drought)––and rising
levels of greenhouse gases, aerosols, and ozone depletion.
Adaptation
The United Nations is setting up a Global Impact and Vulnerability Alert System
to help poorer countries such as those in the Pacific region deal with the combined
effects of the global economic crisis and climate change. “Mitigation
and adaptation must both be our urgent priorities,” said UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon in a message to the 40th Pacific Leaders Forum in Cairns, Australia.
The study Assessing the costs of adaptation to climate change: A critique
of the UNFCCC estimates reveals that the real costs are likely to be 2-3
times greater than the estimates by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC). Among other things, the UN estimates didn’t include key sectors
such as energy, manufacturing, tourism, and natural ecosystems. The UNFCCC estimates
are $40 billion to $170 billion a year until 2030. Pointing out that some existing
studies already suggest that costs will be considerably higher, the study calls
for detailed case studies of what adaptation costs would be.
Reportedly, a draft resolution by African leaders will ask rich nations for
$67 billion per year to help them cope with the impacts of global warming. The
draft resolution is prepared for the summit to be held in December, at Copenhagen.
The UN International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction (UN/ISDR) warns that
the frequency of landslides is expected to increase as climate change increases
the intensity of rainfall. Actions such as building early warning systems to
alert people living in landslide-prone areas are necessary to reduce impacts,
says UN/ISDR.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
An intersessional consultation, as part of ongoing negotiations for a post-Kyoto
Protocol, was held in Bonn, August 10-14, 2009, attended by approximately 2,400
participants. One of the focal points was to revise and consolidate the nearly
200-page long text and prepare for negotiations at coming meetings. Vulnerable
states call for a 1.5ºC (2.7ºF) temperature rise ceiling by the end
of the century, meaning that rich nations should cut greenhouse gases by at
least 45% below 1990 levels by 2020. However, average cuts promised so far by
the rich total just 10% to16%. The next negotiations will be held in Bangkok,
Thailand from September 28 to October 9, and Barcelona, November 2–6.
Other related meetings (before Bangkok) are the UN High-Level Event on Climate
Change, and the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
China announced that its CO2 emissions will start falling by 2050, said Su Wei,
director-general of the climate change department at the country’s National
Development and Reform Commission. This sets the first officially announced
timeframe. The current five-year plan to 2010 stipulates a target of reducing
energy intensity by 20%, and the next five-year plan is expected to include
tougher targets. Nevertheless, it is not clear if China will agree to some emissions
cap ahead of the Copenhagen climate meeting.
Sources:
Global warming could change Earth's tilt http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17657-global-warming-could-change-earths-tilt.html
Big Tropical Storms in Atlantic Hit 1,000-Year High http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/JustOneThing/story?id=8332131&page=1
Scientists claim planet is heading for 'irreversible' climate change by 2040
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland/Scientists-claim-planet-is-heading.5515749.jp
2009 World Population Data Sheet http://www.prb.org/Publications/Datasheets/2009/2009wpds.aspx
Asia facing unprecedented food shortage, UN report says http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/17/asia-facing-food-crisis
Giant glacier in Antarctic is melting four times faster than thought http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article6797162.ece
Alaska Glaciers Shrinking Fast: Survey http://planetark.org/wen/54191
Study links drought with rising emissions http://www.smh.com.au/environment/global-warming/study-links-drought-with-rising-emissions-20090815-elpf.html
Assessing the costs of adaptation to climate change: A critique of the UNFCCC
estimates http://www.iied.org/pubs/display.php?o=11501IIED
Summary of the Bonn Climate Change Talks http://www.iisd.ca/vol12/enb12427e.html
China sets date for CO2 cut http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cfc5d2fa-8933-11de-b50f-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
International NanoRegulation Conference to be Held in November
The 5th International NanoRegulation Conference will be held in Rapperswil,
Switzerland, November 25-26, 2009. The conference will offer a comprehensive
overview of the political and regulatory background of nanotechnology governance
at the national, European, and global levels; discuss who in the nanotechnology
value chain needs what kind of information; and suggest strategic guidelines
for a feasible and effective information policy along the value chain and towards
external stakeholders.
Source:
5th International NanoRegulation Conference. No data, no market? Challenges
to nano-information and nano-communication. Rapperswil, Switzerland, 25–26
November, 2009
http://www.nanoeurope.com/wEnglisch/messen/nanoeurope/02_aussteller/FlyerNREG09_V20090810.pdf
New Paper Claims Nanotech Environmental Downsides Trivialized or Ignored
The International POPs Elimination Network’s Nanotechnology (IPEN) Working
Group and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) issued a paper claiming, "there
is emerging evidence … claims [of nanotech benefits] do not provide the
whole picture, with serious environmental risks and costs being trivialised
or ignored". The 8-page paper covers a variety of topics, and contains
a large number of references to the literature. The EEB also published a series
of papers on Nanotechnologies in the 21st Century. IPEN is a global network
of more than 700 public interest NGOs, and EEB represents over 145 environmental
organizations in 31 countries.
Sources:
Nanotechnology and the environment: A mismatch between claims and reality http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12357.php
Nanotechnology and the environment: A mismatch between claims and reality http://www.eeb.org/documents/090713-OECD-environmental-Brief.pdf
Five-year Review of Royal Society Report
To mark the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Royal Society report
on nanotechnology, the Responsible Nano Forum "invited opinion formers
from science, risk, investment, NGOs, unions, business and consumer groups to
reflect on the legacy of the report and what still remains to be done."
The new report features contributions on: General Reflections; Regulation, responsibility,
safety, and risk; Standardisation; Social, ethical, and public engagement; and
International organisations. The Responsible Nano Forum also created a new website
at www.nanoandme.org to provide a forum for discussion of nanotech issues.
Source:
A beacon or just a landmark? Reflections on the 2004 Royal Society/ Royal Academy
of Engineering Report: Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties
http://www.responsiblenanoforum.org/pdf/beacon_or_landmark_report_rnf.pdf
Regional Reports on Nanotech Issued by International Group
ICPCNanoNet is a repository of published nanoscience research for scientists
in the EU and International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC). It has begun
to publish its series of annual regional reports describing nanoscience and
nanotechnology initiatives and activities in eight ICPC regions: Africa, Caribbean,
Pacific, Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), Latin America, Mediterranean
Partner Countries (MPC), and Western Balkan Countries (WBC). Their extensive
content includes regional initiatives, national programs for nanoscience and
nanotechnology, responsible government agencies, centers for nanoscience and
nanotechnology research, and national nanoscience and nanotechnology networks.
It is an EU FP7 support action coordinated by the UK Institute of Nanotechnology
that brings together partners from the EU, China, India and Russia. For access
to reports, registration is required.
Source:
ICPC Reports http://www.icpc-nanonet.org/content/category/7/20/46/
Improved Investigative Techniques for Identifying Engineered Nanomaterials
in the Environment
A recently published note summarizes the present state of affairs in retrieving
and analyzing nanoparticles from the environment. Some nanoparticles in the
outside world have originated from masses of normally sized material of the
same kind; others were coated originally or have acquired disguising coverings.
This short article from Environmental Science and Technology of the American
Chemical Society cites several current efforts to improve investigative techniques.
Source:
Hunting for engineered nanomaterials in the environment http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/es902174z
Insects Are Affected by, and Can Spread, Carbon Nanoparticles
David Rand and Robert Hurt, and colleagues, at Brown University have published
a study that, according to Nanowerk News, "raises the possibility that
flies and other insects that encounter nanomaterial 'hot spots,' or spills,
near manufacturing facilities in the future could pick up and transport nanoparticles
on their bodies, transferring the particles to other flies or habitats in the
environment". Further, "adult [fruit] flies died or were incapacitated
when their bodies were exposed to large amounts of certain nanoparticles."
Larvae were unaffected by ingested nanomaterial. The scientists also found that
contaminated flies could transfer the nanoparticles to other flies, and hence
possibly to humans.
Sources:
New insights into health and environmental effects of carbon nanoparticles http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12021.php
Differential Toxicity of Carbon Nanomaterials in Drosophila: Larval Dietary
Uptake Is Benign, but Adult Exposure Causes Locomotor Impairment and Mortality
http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/es901079z
Databases on Nanosafety
OECD Database on Nanomaterials Safety Research
The July 2009 issue of the bimonthly newsletter published by the European Network
on the Health and Environmental Impact of Nanomaterials notes the establishment
of the OECD Database on Research into the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials,
which "holds details of completed, current and planned research projects
on safety, which are to be updated (electronically) by delegations."
Sources:
Information about database: http://www.oecd.org/document/26/0,3343,en_2649_37015404_42464730_1_1_1_1,00.html#Additional_Info
Database access: http://webnet.oecd.org/NanoMaterials
Automated Nanosafety Database Planned
According to a news release, a four-year R/D effort, the Nano Health Environment
Commented Database (NHECD), is underway to "create and maintain an automated
database that will retrieve, index and extract from scientific publications
results related to the health and environmental impact of nanoparticles. The
annotated, commented results and the extracted information will be stored at
a central repository that will be available to research scientists, regulatory
bodies and NGOs, [and] the general public." The EU FP7 project is coordinated
by Prof. Oded Maimon and managed by Abel Browarnik, both of Tel Aviv University's
Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
Source:
NHECD http://www.nhecd-fp7.eu/index.php?id=515
New Map of Nanotech Centers
An article in Nanowerk News calls attention to a new map issued by the Pew Trusts/Wilson
Center's Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. The new work plots as varying-diameter
and color-coded circles the locales and metro centers of nanotech enterprises
of various types around the U.S. Available adjacent to the map are links to
raw data and inventories of entities in various application areas.
Sources:
Mapping nanotechnology in the U.S. http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12202.php
PEN Map http://www.nanotechproject.org/121
Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies
The EU and the US have undertaken a collaborative research project, Regulating
Nanotechnologies in the EU and US: Towards Effectiveness and Convergence, to
investigate the regulatory challenges raised by nanotechnologies and to assess
the effectiveness of existing approaches. A conference, Transatlantic Regulatory
Co-operation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies, will be held September
10-11, 2009, in London, to discuss recommendations from the project, and to
consider new ideas for the future. A subsequent, shorter meeting on the same
subject will be held at the Wilson Center in Washington on September 23, 2009.
Sources:
London: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/internationalRelations/centresandunits/regulatingnanotechnologies/nanohome.aspx
Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event_summary&event_id=544514
NIOSH to Sponsor Conference on Nanomaterials and Worker Health
NIOSH and other co-sponsors will convene a conference in July 2010 in Colorado
to identify gaps in information and to address questions focusing on occupational
health surveillance, exposure registries, and epidemiologic research involving
nanotechnology workers.
Source:
Upcoming Conference; First Announcement. Nanomaterials and Worker Health: Occupational
Health Surveillance, Exposure Registries, and Epidemiological Research
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/NanoConfJuly2010.html
OECD Publishes Three Papers on Safety of Engineered Nanomaterials
The OECD has published three reports on the safety of engineered nanomaterials:
• Report of an OECD Workshop on Exposure Assessment and Exposure Mitigation:
Manufactured Nanomaterials (90 pp.) Contents include presentations on Exposure
Measurements--Latest Developments in Analytical Methodology; Distinction Between
Carbonaceous Nanomaterials and Background Airborne Particulate Matter; Relevance
of Dustiness and Aerosol Dynamics for Personal Exposure; Development of Exposure
Situations for Manufactured Nanoparticles (MNPs); Control Banding Nanotool-
A Qualitative Risk Assessment Method; Approaches for the Definition of Threshold
Limit Values for Nanomaterials
https://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/25/43290538.pdf
• Comparison of Guidance on Selection of Skin Protective Equipment and
Respirators for Use in the Workplace: Manufactured Nanomaterials (25 pp.) https://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/56/43289781.pdf
• Emmision (sic) Assessment for Identification of Sources and Release
of Airborne Manufactured Nanomaterials in the Workplace: Compilation of Existing
Guidance (25 pp.)
https://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/60/43289645.pdf
Nanotech Conferences Scheduled in Europe
The fourth international conference on "Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles
and Nanomaterials" will be held in Vienna from September 6 to 9, 2009.
About 200 scientists are expected to participate in the event. The conference
will open with a workshop on the advantages and disadvantages of current methods
and analytical techniques applicable to the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Europe's largest annual nanotechnology conference and exhibition, Nanotech Europe,
will take place September 28-30, 2009 in Berlin. There will be sessions on Safe
and Sustainable Development of Nanotechnology, and Assessing Exposure and Toxicology.
12 themes will be covered by over 180 speakers and 220 posters will be displayed.
Sources:
Conference: Effects of nanotechnology on the environment --Vienna: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=12337.php
Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials Vienna conference announcement:
http://nano2009.univie.ac.at
Europe’s Largest Annual Nanotechnology Conference and Exhibition --Berlin:
http://www.nanotech.net/
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
IAEA Database Recorded 1,562 Nuclear Trafficking Incidents for the Period
1993–2008
The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that in 2008, 119 events were
added to the agency’s Illicit Trafficking Database. Fifteen of those were
cases of illicit nuclear material possession or related incidents and 16 were
cases involving the theft or loss of sensitive substances. Between 1993 and
the end of 2008, the database had recorded 1,562 nuclear trafficking incidents,
ranging from illicit disposal efforts to nuclear material of unknown provenance.
As of the end of 2008, 103 IAEA member states participated in the reporting
program.
Sources:
IAEA Tracks Illicit Possession of Nuclear Materials http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20090817_4827.php
IAEA Annual Report 2008 (1 January to 31 December 2008) http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Reports/Anrep2008/anrep2008_full.pdf
International Framework Needed to Address Governance Gap over Geoengineering
A new report by the ETC group addresses the potential implications of geoengineering
pointing out the urgent need for an international framework developed under
the auspices of the UN to evaluate new technologies.
Source:
The Emperor’s New Climate: Geoengineering as 21st century fairytale http://www.etcgroup.org/en/materials/publications.html?pub_id=762
Including Security Implications of Climate Change on the Copenhagen Agenda
The second conference “Climate Change & Security at Copenhagen: New
Thinking on the Atlantic Contribution to Success” to be held October 7-8,
2009 in Brussels, will focus on the security aspects of climate change and trans-Atlantic
co-operation, as inputs for the Copenhagen conference.
Source:
Climate Change & Security at Copenhagen - II: - New Thinking on the Atlantic
Contribution to Success, 7-8 October 2009 – Brussels
http://www.envirosecurity.org/events/
Kiev Protocol to Aarhus Convention Enters into
Force in October 2009
The Kiev Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers to the UNECE Aarhus
Convention (Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making
and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters) will enter into force on October
8, 2009, 90 days after receiving its 16th ratification (France, on July 10,
2009.) The Kiev Protocol is a legally binding international instrument among
European countries regulating information on pollutants’ release and transfer,
with the objectives of enhancing public access to information, assessing progress
and priority areas for pollution reduction, and monitoring compliance with certain
international agreements. It requires facilities to report annually on the amounts
of certain pollutants they release to the environment or transfer to other facilities.
The EU-27 countries are expected to release their first annual reports on the
pollutants covered by the Protocol on September 30, 2009.
Sources:
Kiev Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers http://www.unece.org/env/pp/prtr.htm
New International treaty requires industries to report on pollutants http://www.unece.org/press/pr2009/09env_p17e.htm
Toxics Release Inventory Program http://www.epa.gov/TRI/
More than 30 New International Food
Safety Standards Adopted
The Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted more than 30 new international standards,
codes of practice, and guidelines concerning dangerous bacteria and chemicals
in food.
Source:
More than 30 new food safety standards adopted http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2009/food_standards_20090706/en/index.html
New EU Body Recommended for Assessing Human Enhancement
Advances in biological technologies to increase human capabilities are accelerating.
These are expected to have profound implications for the future of civilization
and what it means to be human. Future schisms between those who are enhanced
or favor enhancement vs. those who are not enhanced or oppose human enhancement
are possible. Frameworks to understand, monitor, and regulate such advances
are lacking. A European Parliament-requested study on these issues recommended
improved public understanding and establishment of a European body for monitoring
human enhancement technologies (HET) within and outside Europe in order to develop
a normative framework that would guide the formulation of EU policies.
Sources:
European Parliament. Science and Technology Options Assessment. Human Enhancement
Study http://www.europarl.europa.eu/stoa/publications/studies/stoa2007-13_en.pdf
Staff conversations with one of the authors: Gregor Wolbring <gwolbrin@ucalgary.ca>
Technological Advances with Environmental Security
Implications
Water decontamination improved with gallium
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that adding an atom
of gallium to the key molecules in a coagulant widely used for water decontamination
greatly improves its effectiveness and shelf life.
Sources:
Purer water made possible by Sandia advance http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2009/waterpurity.html
Enhanced Water Purification: A Single Atom Makes a Difference http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es803683t
Paper biosensors to detect toxins, pathogens, and viruses
A team of Canadian researchers from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario
reports developing a paper biosensor technology that would enable fast and cost-effective
detection of harmful substances, including toxins, pathogens, and viruses. The
system is similar to printers using cartridges, but with two layers of “ink”
(the first one comprising biocompatible silica nanoparticles, and a second containing
an enzyme), which form a bio-ink that changes color upon contact with a specific
biological agent.
Sources:
System created to make paper biosensors http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/07/15/System-created-to-make-paper-biosensors/UPI-86031247691146/
Printing toxin-detecting paper http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/story.cfm?id=6280
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
New Measures for Improving Marine Environment
Work Plan for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships
The Marine Environment Protection (MEP) Committee of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) agreed to an interim package and a work plan aiming to reduce
greenhouse-gas emissions from shipping. The procedures do not set any CO2 reduction
rates, and include only voluntary technical and operational measures to reduce
emissions. The measures have a trial status until the MEPC 60th session, to
be held in March 2010, when they will be adapted as necessary. The Second IMO
study on GHG emissions estimates that the shipping industry was responsible
for 3.3% of the 2007 global emissions, and, if no global policies are adopted
to regulate shipping emissions, by 2050 they might increase by 150% to 250%
compared to 2007 levels. However, implementing technical and operational measures
could increase efficiency and reduce emissions by 25% to 75% below the current
levels. [Similar items: Tougher Global Limits Imposed on Air Pollution from
Large Ships in October 2008, and Concerns over Maritime Air Pollution
Increase in February 2008 environmental security reports.]
Sources:
IMO environment meeting issues technical and operational measures to address
GHG emissions from ships http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1773&doc_id=11579
Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, Second IMO GHG Study 2009 http://www.imo.org/Environment/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1823
Climate targets for ships deferred (subscription required to access full article)
http://www.nature.com/news/2009/090717/full/news.2009.704.html
Better Planning Needed for Maritime, Especially Coastal, Areas
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, head of the U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), has called for better planning for use of ocean waters, especially along
coasts, citing the myriad, and often conflicting activities that are putting
pressure on that environment.
A team led by marine ecologists at the National Center for Ecological Analysis
and Synthesis (NCEAS) at the University of California, Santa Barbara produced
a composite map of the status of West Coast marine ecosystems, plotting the
location and intensity of 25 human-derived sources of ecological stress. This
provides important information on the impact of the activities and their sustainability
or potential relocation. The effort represents a methodological refinement of
an earlier globally oriented assessment. [Related item: World Database on
Marine Protected Areas in June 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
NOAA chief says new ocean uses creating conflicts http://www.physorg.com/news167373736.html
Scientists Map West Coast Areas Most Affected by Humans http://www.ia.ucsb.edu/pa/display.aspx?pkey=2009
EPA Plan for Reducing Ship Emissions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working on plans to reduce harmful
emissions from ships, primarily nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter
(PM). The organization is proposing to use the Clean Air Act to set engine and
fuel standards for U.S.-flagged ships to bring them in line with international
standards. When fully implemented, the coordinated effort would reduce NOx emissions
by 80% and PM emissions by 85%. Meantime, California air-quality regulators
have begun enforcing emission rules on ships within 24 miles of the coast. [Related
items: Tougher Global Limits Imposed on Air Pollution from Large Ships
in October 2008, and U.S. and Canada to Control Air Emissions from Ships
in April 2009 environmental security reports.]
Sources:
EPA Cracks Down on Ship Emissions http://www.thegreenitreview.com/2009/07/epa-cracks-down-on-ship-emissions.html
Regulators cracking down on ship emissions http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_12846903
Organized Crime Targets Electronic Waste Recycling
A series of raids in the UK to enforce the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment Directive (WEEE) revealed increased involvement of organized crime
in illegal export of unrepairable electric and electronic equipment to developing
countries, mostly in Africa. Organized crime is primarily interested in retrieving
some valuable parts of those devices. Dumping as well as dismantling of electronic
waste in developing countries in Africa and Asia represents a serious threat
to human health and the environment. [Related items: EC's WEEE Directive
Goes into Effect in UK in July 2007, Waste Management Policies
in June 2008, and Toxic Waste Disposal of Global Growing Concern in
September 2006 environmental security reports.]
Source:
Organised crime targets waste recycling http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jul/08/recycling-electronic-waste-crime
Central Asian Nations to Create Regulatory Frameworks for Reducing
Nuclear and Toxic Waste Threat
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, supported by a consortium
of national and international organizations, are taking measures to reduce the
threat posed by nuclear and hazardous material left over from the Soviet era.
Some 800 million tons of radioactive and toxic waste are stored in vulnerable
depots, threatening both general environmental contamination and specific contamination
of the water supplies of millions of people, and increasing “dirty bomb”
threats. A declaration adopted at Geneva on June 29, 2009, outlines the main
actions to address the problem, including regulatory frameworks and capacity
building. [Previous related item: Central Asia Becomes Nuclear Weapon-Free
Zone in December 2008 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Governments seek to avoid radioactive catastrophe in Central Asia http://content.undp.org/go/newsroom/2009/june/governments-seek-to-avoid-radioactive-catastrophe-in-central-asia.en
Central Asian Nations Seek to Reduce "Dirty Bomb" Threat http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20090630_8549.php
Tuvalu to use only renewable energy by 2020
Tuvalu, one of the small island states threatened by disappearance due to rising
sea levels, has set a goal to use 100% renewable energy by 2020. It estimates
that shifting exclusively to wind and solar power would cost a little over $20
million. Following Maldives, Tuvalu is the second country intending to set an
example to nations responsible for large greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the
Copenhagen negotiations. “We look forward to the day when our nation offers
an example to all –– powered entirely by natural resources such
as the sun and the wind,” said Kausea Natano, Minister for Public Utilities
and Industries. [Previous related item: Maldives to Become World’s
First Carbon Neutral Country in 10 Years in May 2009 environmental security
report.]
Source:
At risk from rising seas, Tuvalu seeks clean power http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE56I1EO20090719
Arctic Civil and Military Activities Increasing
Satellite measurements of the thickness of the arctic ice revealed that the
Arctic Ocean’s permanent ice cover around the North Pole has thinned by
more than 40% since 2004. Experts are therefore reassessing the timing of when
the Arctic would be ice-free in the summer.
Jonas Gahr Støre, Norway’s foreign minister predicted that the
“northeast passage” for shipping around Russia’s arctic coast
and across the North Pole will be opened within a decade. The route through
previously inaccessible Russian waters would cut sailing times between Rotterdam
in the Netherlands and Yokohama in Japan by 40%, while also providing a safer
and “pirate-free” route for trans-global shipping.
A Danish defense position paper suggests substantial enhancement to the country’s
northern military capabilities, including creating a dedicated arctic military
body (potentially an Arctic Command) that would combine army, navy and air force
assets, as well as upgrade of surveillance systems. A more detailed plan is
expected for fall 2009. As many nations increase military resources dedicated
to arctic operations, worry increases that conflict potential is also increasing.
The Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment, by the Arctic Council, reiterates warnings
that an expected increase in shipping threatens the fragile ecosystem due to
release of oil and other hazardous substances, harm to marine wildlife, and
introduction of new invasive species. Recommendations include, inter alia, that
arctic nations increase efforts for reducing pollution from ships, and consider
designating special Arctic Ocean areas for environmental protection. [Previous
related item: New Developments Concerning the Arctic in July-August
2008 environmental security report.]
Sources:
NASA satellites reveal extent of Arctic sea ice loss http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/08/arctic-ice-ocean
Global warming to open up north-east Arctic tanker route http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/14/global-warming-tanker-route
Danish military plans raise fears of northern conflict http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1134516.html
Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment 2009 http://arcticportal.org/pame/pame-document-library/progress-reports-to-senior-arctic-officials/olgaamsa2009report.pdf
Low-fume Paint Requirements Spread
Illinois recently passed a law requiring the use of low-VOC (volatile organic
compounds) paints; many other states already have such laws or are expected
to enact them, and manufacturers are modifying product lines to meet similar
requirements in other parts of the world. VOCs in paints and other finishes
have been shown to present serious health hazards. [Previous related item: Models
for Photochemical Pollution Assessment in Urban Areas in June 2006 environmental
security report.]
Sources:
State rolls out new paint law to reduce harmful fumes http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=308600&src=119
Celanese Introduces EcoVAE™ Emulsions for Low to No VOC, Eco-Friendly
Paints in Asia http://www.pr-inside.com/celanese-introduces-ecovae-emulsions-for-r937682.htm
Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulations and Laws Spreading Around
the World
Australia’s Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
released the draft “National Waste Policy Framework––Less
Waste More Resources,” aiming to reduce waste by increasing its use as
a resource. In the U.S., the city of San Francisco is the latest community to
enact a compulsory composting/recycling law, joining a growing worldwide group
of jurisdictions having such regulations. [Previous related items: European
Union to Consider Regulations for Curbing Biowaste in June 2009, and EU
New Strategy on Waste Recycling in December 2005 environmental security
reports.]
Sources:
Draft National Waste Policy Framework - less waste more resources http://www.environment.gov.au/wastepolicy/consultation/index.html
S.F. OKs toughest recycling law in U.S. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/10/MN09183NV8.DTL
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
Scientists say that the effects of El Niño on the global climate vary
and might be altered by global warming, and they warn that an emerging El Niño
could cause droughts, floods and an increased number of forest fires. There
is a strong correlation between intense El Niño and droughts in Southeast
Asia and floods in western Latin America––Colombia, Ecuador and
elsewhere. In a recent study, periodic warming of the central Pacific was linked
to an increase in Atlantic hurricanes.
Climate Change-Induced Migration
The Future is Here: Climate Change in the Pacific, a report by Oxfam Australia,
warns that by 2050, more than 75 million people living in the Asia-Pacific region
will have to relocate due to the effects of climate change. Some have already
been displaced because of food and water shortages, the rising incidence of
malaria, and more frequent flooding and storms. Although some islands began
adaptation plans, the report underlines that many people will not be able to
relocate within their own country; hence, developed nations in the region, such
as Australia, should work with Pacific nations’ governments to design
immigration strategies.
In Bangladesh, thousands of people are becoming environmental refugees every
year, and their number is growing due to increased frequency of natural disasters
and rising sea levels. Experts warn that unless there is implementation of adequate
policies and strategies for addressing adaptation and climate change, by 2030-2050,
at least 35 million Bangladeshi will have to migrate, since one-third of the
country might be submerged due to sea level rise.
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Images by the Icesat satellite, launched in 2003, measuring Arctic sea ice thickness,
revealed that the Arctic Ocean’s permanent ice cover around the North
Pole has thinned by more than 40% since 2004 as noted in item 5.5. Although
scientists say that the loss was “remarkable”, they refrain from
speculating when the region would be completely summer-ice-free. Overall, the
study says that the ice, typically up to about 3 meters thick, thinned by 67
centimeters over the observed period. The multiyear ice was reduced from 62%
of the region’s total ice volume in 2003, to only 32% in 2008, thus 68%
represents “first-year” seasonal ice, which mostly melts during
the summer.
Same rapid melting is revealed by the more than a thousand intelligence images
of the Arctic region taken over the past decade and released at the request
of the National Academy of Sciences. The images, being at higher resolution,
depict pools of melted water on top of Arctic ice floes stretching across 30
meters. These pools, absorbing rather than reflecting the sun’s heat,
increase the melting process, further adding to global warming.
Computer Modeling
For the first time, researchers have constructed a model that combines the impact
on global temperature of four factors: human influences such as CO2 and aerosol
emissions; heating from the sun; volcanic activity; and the El Niño southern
oscillation. The analysis shows that the relative stability in global temperatures
in the last seven years is due primarily to a decline in incoming sunlight associated
with the 11-year solar cycle, and a weak El Niño, which therefore masked
the real warming effects caused by CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The research
was carried out by Judith Lean, of the US Naval Research Laboratory, and David
Rind, of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies and will be published in
Geophysical Research Letters.
Adaptation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will produce a manual for
policymakers and organizations working in disaster relief to help build short-term
strategies for managing extreme weather event effects and bolstering resilience,
as well as to promote adaptation to global warming.
The UN International Strategy on Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) urged the G8 Summit
to apply their “considerable influence, resources and political will”
to advance five major action points on disaster risk reduction: helping disaster-prone
countries institutionalize disaster risk reduction; promoting effective measures
to reduce the number of people living with chronic food insecurity; ensuring
the research needed at all levels to develop, disseminate and apply climate
forecast information, early warning systems, and ecosystem essentials; enabling
expeditiously a global structural and functional assessment of all schools and
hospitals; and making unequivocal financial commitments to disaster risk reduction.
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
At the G8 Summit held in L’Aquila, Italy, the U.S. joined Europe in seeking
to keep average temperatures from rising more than 2ºC (3.8º F) above
their pre-industrial levels. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the IPCC, noted that
the agreement doesn’t consider the IPCC’s recommendation that in
order to achieve the 2ºC goal, emissions should peak by 2015. Nevertheless,
the accord is a positive sign toward a post-Kyoto treaty to be negotiated in
December.
In the meantime, the G2 –– U.S. and China –– signed
an agreement that engages the two countries in more cooperation on climate change,
energy, and the environment. Although not setting firm goals or targets, it
reiterated support for a ten-year cooperation and sets the stage for a new climate
change policy dialogue.
Sources:
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/
Emerging El Nino set to drive up carbon emissions http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE56604320090707
“L’Aquila” Joint Statement on Global Food Security L’Aquila
Food Security Initiative (AFSI) http://www.ifad.org/events/g8/statement.pdf
Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges faced by the UK (volume 1
and 2) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmenvfru/213/213i.pdf
The future is here: new report on climate change in the Pacific highlights need
for action now http://www.oxfam.org.au/media/article.php?id=599
35m people to be climate refugees by 2050 http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/07/26/news0965.htm
NASA satellites reveal extent of Arctic sea ice loss http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/08/arctic-ice-ocean
Revealed: the secret evidence of global warming Bush tried to hide http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/26/climate-change-obama-administration
World will warm faster than predicted in next five years, study warns http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/27/world-warming-faster-study
UNISDR Press Release “G8 Summit ‘promises much’ on Disaster
Risk Reduction” http://www.unisdr.org/eng/media-room/press-release/2009/pr-2009-11-G8-MOB-Press%20Release.pdf
G8 leaders ‘ignored’ UN’s scientific findings on climate change,
says official http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=31524&Cr=climate+change&Cr1
U.S. and China sign memorandum on climate change http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE56R4W320090728
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
UK Solicits Participation in Nanotech Policy Formulation
The UK government, "is developing a strategy for nanotechnologies to build
on existing actions, recommendations and strategies, and ensure that everyone
in the UK can benefit from the societal and economic opportunities that these
technologies may offer whilst addressing the challenges that they might present."
In aid of this, the Dept. for Business, Innovation & Skills has opened a
Web site to solicit input from, "everyone from researchers, businesses,
regulators and policy makers to third sector organisations and the general public,"
and is, "seeking … views on current and future opportunities and
challenges, the effectiveness of existing policies and what changes or new initiatives
might be needed in the future."
Source:
Nanotechnologies: influence and inform the UK strategy http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/nano/
EPA Official Says Carbon Nanotubes Will Continue to Be Regulated Case-by-Case
According to the Bureau of National Affairs' Daily Environment Report, cited
in Meridian's Nanotechnology and Development News, EPA, "will continue
to regulate carbon nanotubes on a case-by-case basis, as the distinct characteristics
of each kind of carbon nanotube could mean each has different implications for
human health and the environment."
Source:
EPA Official Says Carbon Nanotubes Will Continue to Be Regulated Case-by-Case
http://www.merid.org/NDN/more.php?id=2021
Study Shows Ill Effects of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes
A new study at BASF SE produced evidence that inhaled multiwall carbon nanotubes
can produce inflammation and other ill effects in rats at a "dose …
200 times lower than an inhalation exposure level generically deemed to pose
high concern through the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)," according to a scientist commenting on
the results, as reported by the Bureau of National Affairs, and cited in Meridian's
Nanotechnology and Development News.
Source:
Inhalation Toxicity of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Rats Exposed for 3 Months
http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/kfp146
Study Shows Toxicity Implications of Nanoparticle Size
Researchers at the Institute of Nanotechnology, National Chiao Tung University,
Hsinchu, Taiwan, conducted a study on the effect of the size of gold nanoparticles
on their toxicity in a mouse model. The work showed that injection of particles
of 3, 5, 50, and 100 nm size had no harmful effects, but those ranging from
8 to 37 nm induced severe sickness in mice.
Source:
Assessment of the In Vivo Toxicity of Gold Nanoparticles http://springerlink.com/content/t67n820852546433/?p=5ec561e448b34bf1b2bc9d08c3c42fe2&pi=13
New Wiki on Safe Nanotech in the Workplace
According to Meridian, “The Rice University-based International Council
on Nanotechnology (ICON), Texas, introduced the GoodNanoGuide, an online, community-driven
wiki for information about the safe handling of nanomaterials. … It is
designed to be a practical tool for people who handle nanomaterials as well
as an online repository of safety protocols.” The guide is available at
the site below.
Sources:
Meridian Nanotechnology and Development News, 6/2/2009 - http://www.merid.org/nanodev/
Guide: http://www.goodnanoguide.org/tiki-index.php?page=HomePage
Study to Explore Effects of Nanomaterials on Aquatic Environments
Prof. Gregg Goss of the University of Alberta will co-lead Canadian researchers
in a three-year study of the toxicity of nanomaterials in aquatic environments.
Source:
Researcher looking for nano environmental footprint http://www.physorg.com/news166284882.html
New Nanoparticle Study Device Available
Izon Ltd. of Christchurch, New Zealand, advertises a relatively inexpensive
new device for the detection and measurement of nanoparticle. The qNano is a
proprietary scanning ion occlusion spectroscopy (SIOS) platform for fluid-borne
nanoparticle analysis. According to an announcement, it provides, “dynamically
adjustable nanopores, enabling tunable, resistive pulse sensing over a wide
particle size range.”
Source:
qNano http://www.izon.com/products-services/qnano
New Technique for Non-toxic Nanosilver
Andrea Travan and colleagues at the Dept. of Life Sciences, Univ. of Trieste,
have reported a new method for rendering silver nanoparticle non-toxic to mammalian
cells. (See Item 7.8.2, Wide Use of Nano-Silver Raises Health and Environmental
Issues, in the June 2009 issue of this report.) The method involves immobilizing
the particles in a hydrogel, so that they, “can exert their antimicrobial
activity by contact with the bacterial membrane, but cannot [be] absorbed and
internalized by eukaryotic cells,” according to an item in Nanowerk.
Source:
How to make nanosilver non-cytotoxic with sugar http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=11406.php
New Efforts Underway to Improve Nanotech EHS Information
A new EU FP7 project will create a database on the health, safety and environmental
impact of nanoparticles. The project, "Nano Health-Environment Commented
Database (NHECD)," is coordinated by Professor Oded Maimon from Tel Aviv
University, Israel. Also, Khara Deanne Grieger and colleagues of the research
group Nanotechnology & Risk at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
are working on identifying the gaps in knowledge of the environmental, health
and safety impacts of nanomaterials. A systematic analysis of 31 reports and
articles found that serious knowledge gaps exist in all areas of basic nanotech
EHS knowledge, viz., the lack of reference materials and standardization; environmental
fate and behavior; human and environmental toxicity; test methods to assess,
particularly, the effects; and commercial or industrial-related aspects (e.g.
life cycle assessments).
Source:
EU study tackles nanotoxicology dilemma http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_07_03_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=12033
Nanotechnology: the things we don't know http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=11497.php
The known unknowns of nanomaterials: Describing and characterizing uncertainty
within environmental, health and safety risks http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all?content=10.1080/17435390902944069
Review and Map of Use of Nanomaterials for Environmental Cleanup
According to the announcement, “A new review article … co-authored
by Dr. Todd Kuiken, a research associate for the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
(PEN), focuses on the use of nanomaterials for environmental cleanup. It provides
an overview of current practices; research findings; societal issues; potential
environment, health, and safety implications; and possible future directions
for nanoremediation.” The Wilson Center/Pew Trust’s PEN also released
a map that “shows which nanomaterials have been used where and includes
detailed information on the contaminants treated and the nature of the treatment.”
Sources:
Contaminated Site Remediation: Are Nanomaterials the Answer? First Map of Global
Nanoremediation Sites Available Online http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/8267/
Nanotechnology and In situ Remediation: A Review of the Benefits and Potential
Risks http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2009/0900793/abstract.html
Nanoremediation Map http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/remediation_map/
"Nanotechnology Applications for Clean Water"
Elsevier advertises, "Nanotechnology Applications for Clean Water highlights
both the challenges and the opportunities for nanotechnology to positively influence
… [the] nanotechnology area of environmental protection. Here you will
find detailed information on breakthroughs, cutting edge technologies, current
research, and future trends that may affect acceptance of widespread applications.
The first four parts of the book cover specific topics including using nanotechnology
for clean drinking water in both large scale water treatment plants and in point-of-use
systems [as well as] existing technologies and future potential for groundwater
remediation, pollution prevention, and sensors. … The final part discusses
the inherent societal implications that may affect acceptance of widespread
applications." The book was not read/reviewed for this report.
Sources:
Nanotechnology Applications for Clean Water http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/715798/description
Book Review of Nanotechnology Applications for Clean Water http://www.nanolabweb.com/index.cfm/action/main.default.viewArticle/articleID/294/CFID/3843948/CFTOKEN/94277499/index.html
NGO Coalitions Raise Doubts about Nanotech and the Environment
According to an article in Nanowerk News, cited in Meridian Nanotechnology and
Development News, "Two international coalitions of non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) are challenging industry claims about the potential environmental benefits
provided by nanotechnology products. The groups, the European Environmental
Bureau and the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) Nanotechnology
Working Group, state that emerging evidence is showing that the claims put forth
by industry regarding nanotechnology do not provide the whole picture, and that
environmental risks and costs are being trivialized or ignored."
Source:
Nanotechnology and the environment: A mismatch between claims and reality http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=11736.php
Reports Suggested for Review
Environmental Security Listed First in UNDP’s 2009 Arab Human
Development Report
The “Arab Human Development Report 2009” by UNDP underlines that
the region’s security faces growing challenges from environmental stresses.
It argues that human security will be adequately addressed only if all the seven
interdependent threats identified are dealt with simultaneously and equally.
Out of seven dimensions of threat, “People and their insecure environment”
is listed first, as “The Arab region faces growing challenges to the security
of its population from environmental stresses. [...] challenges will result
from population and demographic pressures, the overexploitation of land, water
shortages, desertification, pollution, and climate change.” Amat Al Alim
Alsoswa, Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States and UN Assistant
Secretary-General pointed out, “The human security of people in the Arab
region depends, first and foremost, on the health of the environment that sustains
all of us.”
Sources:
Arab Human Development Report 2009 http://www.arab-hdr.org/contents/index.aspx?rid=5
Arguing for "Human Security". Arab Human Development Report –
2009 http://www.saudi-us-relations.org/articles/2009/ioi/090721-human-security.html
CDC launches the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network website launched by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aims to bridge the gaps
in investigating how environmental contaminants affect human health. Currently,
information is centered on air and water quality, but more data will be added
concerning hazardous waste sites (both federal- and state-designated sites),
pesticide exposure, and climate change.
Sources:
Did polluted water make me sick? Am I living in a cancer cluster? http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/environmental-public-health-tracking-47070603
National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, CDC http://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showHome.action
International Guidance on the Treatment of Individuals
in War May Eventually Guild International Standards on the Treatment of the
Environment in War
Making distinctions between civilians and combatants, as well as making distinctions
between military targets and civilian areas, is becoming increasingly difficult
and may become even more difficult in the future. As a result, the International
Committee of the Red Cross has issued an “Interpretive Guidance”
concerning “the distinction between legitimate military targets and persons
protected against direct attacks.” The Guidance is not intended to replace
existing rules, but clarify criteria in answering key questions. “Who
is considered a civilian for the purposes of the principle of distinction? What
conduct amounts to direct participation in hostilities? What modalities govern
the loss of protection against direct attack?” With the increasing attention
to environmental security, these kinds of questions may eventually be applied
to the environment. Although the guidance applies only to IHL affecting human
factors, considering the reference that triggered the guidelines, “transformation
and modernization of warfare”, as well as previous discussions relative
to including environmental factors under IHL, it is fair to speculate that the
scope and spectrum might be expanded to also cover environmental aspects; e.g.,
when is the use of environment considered a weapon and when should it be off
limits?
Sources:
Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under
International Humanitarian Law (International Committee of the Red Cross, June
2009)
http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/direct-participation-ihl-article-020609/$File/direct-participation-guidance-2009-ICRC.pdf
International Law in Brief, June 26. Resolutions, Declarations, and Other Documents
http://www.asil.org/ilib090626.cfm#r1
Proposal for a UN Environmental Mediation
Program
Former and present Executive Directors of UNEP and NGO leaders met June 28-July
2, 2009 in Glion, Switzerland to make recommendations to improve international
environmental governance. A UN Environmental Mediation Program (UNEMP) was proposed
by U.S. Ambassador John McDonald, Executive Director of the Institute for Multi-Track
Diplomacy. The proposed UNEP unit would provide mediation services as requested
by governments to help resolve environmental issues between nations and within
nations, including training of environmental mediators, establishing national
environmental mediation centers, assisting national research programs, and creating
an international panel of environmental mediators to be on call to help resolve
transboundary disputes. The idea will be considered by UNEP later in 2009. [For
an earlier version of the proposal see: "Environmental Security: United
Nations Doctrine for Managing Environmental Issues in Military Actions; Appendix
C: United Nations Environmental Mediation Program (UNEMP)" at http://www.millennium-project.org/millennium/es-un-app3.html]
Sources:
GEG Forum: Reflecting on the Past, Moving into the Future http://environmentalgovernance.org/event/2009/06/geg-forum
For further information, contact: U.S. Ambassador John McDonald, Executive Director
of the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, email: <Jmcdonald@imtd.org>
Environmental Security: United Nations Doctrine for Managing Environmental Issues
in Military Actions; Appendix C: United Nations Environmental Mediation Program
(UNEMP) http://www.millennium-project.org/millennium/es-un-app3.html
Canada, Mexico, and the USA Met to
Strengthen Regional Environmental Regulations
Environment ministers of Canada, Mexico, and the United States met as the Council
of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and consulted with the
Joint Public Advisory Committee in Denver this month to improve public participation
and partnerships, enhance accountability and transparency, and set clear performance
goals concerning environmental regulations across the continent. The environmental
trilateral 2010–2015 Strategic Plan will consider strategies for reducing
CO2 emissions (including a potential continental cap-and-trade system), climate
change mitigation and adaptation issues, and enhancing protection of ecosystems.
The participants from the public group asked specifically that reducing the
North American ecological footprint also be included. Earlier this month, U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lawrence Cannon met and announced their intention to modernize the 37-year-old
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to reflect the new environmental threats
and technologies to address them.
Sources:
Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Ministerial Statement http://www.cec.org/news/details/index.cfm?varlan=english&ID=2828
Input from Millennium Project staff attending the CEC meeting (for further information
contact <millennium-project@igc.org>)
USA, Canada to Modernize Great Lakes Water Quality Pact http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2009/2009-06-15-01.asp
European Union to Consider Regulations
for Curbing Biowaste
The European Commission is conducting an assessment of the potential need for
and impact of legislation for reducing biowaste and its environmental impacts.
The new regulation should reinforce the EU Landfill Directive, including a large
spectrum of measures, from prevention, handling, and treatment, to product labeling.
However, important aspects will need to be elucidated, from definitions related
to biowaste, to countries infrastructure differences. Biowaste in the EU is
estimated to rise to 139 million tonnes yearly, representing an important source
of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution when deposited in landfills.
The Commission should present the impact assessment of different policy options
by the end of 2009, and the legislative proposal is expected to be adopted in
2010.
Sources:
Council Conclusions. Green Paper on the management of bio-waste in the European
Union http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/108751.pdf
EU biowaste directive moves a step closer http://www.euractiv.com/en/sustainability/eu-biowaste-directive-moves-step-closer/article-183575
EU-US Joint Energy-Efficiency Standards
for Office Equipment
The European Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed
to implement the joint Energy Star Programme by introducing higher energy-efficiency
standards for office equipment such as computers, copiers and printers.
Sources:
EU and US Reinforce Energy Efficiency Standards for Office Equipment http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3417&Itemid=58
EU-US Energy Star Program http://www.eu-energystar.org/en/index.html
Technological Advances with Environmental
Security Implications
Faster and Cheaper Virus Detector Uses Indium Nanowires, Synthetic Antibodies
A more rapid and cheaper type of SARS virus-detector is being developed by a
team from the University of Southern California. The active elements are indium
oxide nanowires carrying bioengineered synthetic antibodies, reportedly resulting
in a system which is lower in cost and produces results in minutes rather than
hours, compared to existing devices.
Source:
Label-Free, Electrical Detection of the SARS Virus N-Protein with Nanowire Biosensors
Utilizing Antibody Mimics as Capture Probes http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn900086c
A quicker, cheaper SARS virus detector benefits from advances in nanodesign
http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=10908.php
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
Environmental Advantages in New Methanol Production Process
Scott Barnett at Northwestern Univ., Evanston IL, and colleagues have demonstrated
a new environmentally friendly technology that uses a solid oxide electrolysis
cell to turn CO2, hydrogen, and water into syngas (H + CO), which can then be
converted into methanol, a competitor to hydrogen for energy storage and production.
A “methanol economy” has the advantage over hydrogen of using the
existing liquid-fuel-oriented storage and distribution infrastructure. The current
syngas production processes are based on fossil fuels, and have negative environmental
impacts.
Source:
Methanol challenges hydrogen to be fuel of the future http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17240-methanol-challenges-hydrogen-to-be-fuel-of-the-future.html
New Fuel Cell Membrane May Solve Dry Surroundings Problem
Researcher Cy Fujimoto of the Sandia National Laboratories is developing a new
type of polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells. The new material aims to
solve the problem of dehydration and consequent diminished functioning of fuel
cells in dry desert environments.
Source:
New type of membrane developed at Sandia may help make hydrogen hybrid cars
a reality http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2009/PEM.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Growing Marine Litter Increasingly Threatens Marine Ecosystems
Plastic debris, along with rubbish and other waste, are littering the marine
environment worldwide, revealed Marine Litter: A Global Challenge, a report
launched on World Oceans Day by UNEP and Ocean Conservancy, analyzing 12 major
regional marine ecosystems around the world. Studies indicate that plastic content
rose considerably in ocean animals from North Sea fulmars, to Northeast Atlantic
plankton. UNEP suggests several strategies to curb marine litter, including
improved waste management, shipping and port regulations on waste discharge,
a modified system of fines for ocean dumping, improved ship dismantling, and
a ban on thin film plastic bags. Out of the 12 regional seas included in the
report––Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, East Asian seas, East
African seas, Mediterranean, Northeast Atlantic, Northwest Pacific, Red Sea
and Gulf of Aden, South Asian seas, South Pacific, and Wider Caribbean––the
East Asian Seas seem to be in the worst situation. [Items on similar issues
in previous environmental security reports: Microplastics Recognized as
Environmental Threat to Oceans in November 2008, and International
Conference and Assessments Find Rising Ocean Pollution in October 2006.]
Sources:
Marine Litter: A Global Challenge http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/marinelitter/publications/docs/Marine_Litter_A_Global_Challenge.pdf
Report Brings to the Surface the Growing Global Problem of Marine Litter http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=589&ArticleID=6214&l=en&t=long
World Database on Marine Protected Areas
The World Database on Marine Protected Areas is a new online system designed
to provide up-to-date information on marine protected areas and marine and coastal
ecosystems. It is a tool that would help decision-makers, conservation organizations,
and communities around the world to enforce marine protected areas conservation
and management. Note: marine protected areas represent less than 1% of earth’s
surface, while terrestrial protected areas are about 12%.[Items on similar issues
in previous environmental security reports: “Roving” Marine
Protected Areas as Climate Change Affects Migration in March 2008.]
Sources:
World Database on Marine Protected Areas: http://www.wdpa-marine.org
UNEP launches new online system to view and study the world's marine protected
areas http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=589&ArticleID=6212&l=en&t=long
New Substances Identified as Harmful to Human Health and the Environment
California has identified 30 new chemicals with detrimental effects to human
health, ranging from gasoline additives, to industrial solvents, chemicals used
to manufacture plastics, adhesives and other materials, and byproducts of water
disinfection using chlorine.
The Kenyan Parliament is considering a ban on Furadan, a highly toxic pesticide
widely available in Kenya, but already banned in the U.S. and Europe.
A study of a weed-killer by scientists at the Institute of Biology of the University
of Caen in France has added evidence to the finding that an “inert”
ingredient in a product may have toxic effects outweighing any attributed to
the principal ingredient(s) in the material. In their research, polyethoxylated
tallowamine (POEA), a surfactant, was shown to be more lethal to certain human
cells than the product’s active ingredient, glyphosate. [Previous items
on similar issues: Stockholm Convention Updated with Nine New Chemicals
in May 2009, New Chemicals Considered for Toxic Lists in January 2009
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
30 'New' Toxic Chemicals to Avoid http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/toxic-chemicals-47061601
Kenya Considers a Ban on Pesticide Used to Kill Lions and Wildlife http://e360.yale.edu/content/digest.msp?id=1910
P Glyphosate Formulations Induce Apoptosis and Necrosis in Human Umbilical,
Embryonic, and Placental Cells http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/tx800218n
Weed killer kills human cells. Study intensifies debate over 'inert' ingredients
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/roundup-weed-killer-is-toxic-to-human-cells.-study-intensifies-debate-over-inert-ingredients
Greenland Moving Towards Independence
In what might be an example of political and sovereignty implications of climate
change, Greenland took another step towards full independence from Denmark.
It was granted self-rule status, recognizing Greenlanders as a distinct people
with Greenlandic as the territory’s official language and with the right
to self-determination, including control over its natural reserves ––
gas, gold and diamonds. The warming climate could open access to the untapped
wealth and pave the road towards economic independence. A referendum held in
November 2008, showed more than 75% support of the residents for taking charge
of the police, justice, and security responsibilities. [Previous related item:
The Debate over Strategic Control of the Arctic is Heating Up in July-August
2008 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Greenland takes step toward independence from Denmark http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greenland/5594140/Greenland-takes-step-toward-independence-from-Denmark.html
Divorce up north? http://www.economist.com/daily/news/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12696845
Greenland Takes a Step Towards Autonomy http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,592880,00.html
Global Influenza Pandemic Declared
The World Health Organization raised the level of influenza A(H1N1) alert to
Phase 6, which indicates that a global pandemic is underway and further spread
of the virus is ‘inevitable.’ According to the latest figures from
the WHO, there have been 263 deaths and nearly 60,000 cases in some 100 countries
and territories. [See also: International Response to Contain Influenza
A(H1N1) Outbreak in April 2009 environmental security report.]
Sources:
Global Influenza Pandemic Declared http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2009/2009-06-11-02.asp
US passes million swine flu cases http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8122262.stm
Health Threats from Open Waste Pits in Conflict Zones Trigger Regulation
Over 400 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans complain of health problems after being
exposed in conflict areas to burning toxic waste in open pits. A bill introduced
to Congress, ‘Military Personnel War Zone Toxic Exposure Prevention Act,’
requires health assessment of those who were exposed, as well as further prohibition
of use of open pits to burn toxic waste. Meantime, several lawsuits have been
filed against KBR Inc., a former subsidiary of Halliburton, for liability over
soldiers’ toxic exposure.
Source:
Vets protest open-pit fires in war zones http://thehill.com/business--lobby/vets-protest-open-pit-fires-in-war-zones-2009-06-11.html
Health Hazards from “Environment-friendly” Reusable Bags
A new study warns of possible health hazards from reusable plastic bags, revealing
high levels of mold, bacteria, and yeast in samples. [Previous related items:
New Material Makes Biodegradable Plastic Bags in January 2009, India to Enact
Regulation Curbing Plastic Bags Use in January 2009, and Restrictions on Plastic
Bags Expanding in January 2008.]
Sources:
“A Microbiological Study of Plastic Reusable Bags and `First or single-use’
Plastic Bags” http://www.cpia.ca/files/files/A_Microbiological_Study_of_Reuseable_Plastic_Grocery_Bags.pdf
Study Labels Reusable Bags as Possible Health Risk http://earth911.com/blog/2009/06/01/study-labels-reusable-bags-as-possible-health-risk/
Climate Change
Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters
A new IPCC report, summarizing over 1,400 studies that were presented at the
climate conference of March 2009 in Copenhagen, warns that changes in ocean
temperatures and sea levels, extreme climate conditions, and the retreat of
the Arctic sea ice are happening more rapidly than experts predicted two years
ago, and concludes that “The world faces a growing risk of abrupt and
irreversible climatic shifts.”
World Disasters Report 2009 states that the 326 natural disasters that occurred
worldwide in 2008 had a 235,736 death toll and the developing world suffered
76% of the disasters and 99% of the deaths. The Human Impact Report: Climate
Change––The Anatomy of a Silent Crisis report claims that climate
change affects 325 million people a year, at a total economic cost of $125 billion,
and predicts that, by 2030, more than 660 million people would be affected,
with potentially 500,000 deaths, and an economic loss rising to $340 billion
The Korea Meteorological Administration 10-years analysis shows that the Korean
Peninsula is closer to a subtropical climate, due to climate change. For the
1999–2008 period, the average temperature was 0.6°C (1°F) higher
than the 30-year average of the 1971–2000 period, while precipitation
increased by an average 9.1%.
Sources:
Climate Change Picks Pace New IPCC Report Warns http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=589&ArticleID=6225&l=en&t=long
Press Conference by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
to Launch ‘World Disasters Report 2009’ http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2009/090616_ICRC.doc.htm
Deadly heat http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2009/05/30/climate_change_crisis/#
Climate change study counts high human toll http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4f408284-4c79-11de-a6c5-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
Korea moving toward a subtropical climate http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/06/15/200906150007.asp
Food and Water Security
FAO announced that the number of world hungry is projected to reach a historic
high of 1,020 million people in 2009. The most recent increase is not the consequence
of poor global harvests but is caused by the world economic crisis which resulted
in lower incomes and increased unemployment undermining access to food. The
majority of those most affected live in areas with already high environmental
and conflict vulnerability. The final version of State of Food Insecurity in
the World will be released in October.
By mid-century, climate change may have outrun the ability of Africa's farmers
to adapt to rising temperatures, threatening the continent’s precarious
food security. Growing seasons throughout nearly all of Africa in 2050 will
likely be hotter than any year in historical experience, and even the hardiest
varieties of the continent’s three main crops – maize, millet and
sorghum – would probably not tolerate the conditions. The six most affected
nations will probably be Senegal, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Sierra
Leone. However, the situation might get worse, as the study, published in the
Global Environmental Change journal, is based on IPCC’s mid-range projection,
which is considered an underestimate.
The OECD and FAO released an advance summary of the Agricultural Outlook 2009-2018
that addresses, among other issues, the interdependence between food and energy
markets and the possible impacts of expanding demand for biofuels on agricultural
commodity prices. It highlights that oil prices above US$90 per barrel would
imply significantly higher food prices.
During the past 50 years, freshwater flow dropped up to 14% for some of the
major rivers feeding the Pacific and Indian Oceans, mainly due to changing precipitation
patterns linked to climate change, according to research by the National Center
for Atmospheric Research.
The Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions; Climate change and the risk of violent
conflict in the Middle East report [see above item ‘7.2 Threats and Strategies
for Addressing Climate Change in the Middle-East’] specifically warns
about potential increasing armed conflict in the Middle East over control of
water resources. The report refers to expert opinions that even under the present
condition of moderate global warming, by 2100, the Euphrates (which runs through
Turkey, Syria and Iraq) might shrink by 30%, the Jordan River by 80%, while
the Dead Sea is shrinking by 1 meter per year due to overuse of its tributaries,
and climate change. The study notes that Israel’s National Communication
warned that water supply may fall by 60% of 2000 levels by the end of the century.
Sources:
FAO press release http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/20568/icode/
Warming may outstrip Africa's ability to feed itself: study http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5imolPwNU5DuvGHV01-85nlm4XH5g
AFRICA: What will we eat in the future? http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=84892
Shifts in African crop climates by 2050, and the implications for crop improvement
and genetic resources conservation (subscription required) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VFV-4WFGRNC-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=2b4d92336f74bb5b44d3d4270ce85654
FAO Press Release: http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/20770/icode/
Advance Summary: http://www.agri-outlook.org/dataoecd/5/27/43037451.pdf
Never the same river twice. Freshwater flows change as global climate shifts.
http://pubs.acs.org/action/showStoryContent?doi=10.1021/on.2009.05.26.380568
Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions; Climate change and the risk of violent
conflict in the Middle East http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2009/rising_temps_middle_east.pdf
160 Syrian villages deserted 'due to climate change' http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jXbS8a3ggiMm4ekludBbmWQMb-HQ
Migration
More than 200 million people could be displaced due to climate change by 2050,
underlines the report In Search of Shelter: Mapping the Effects of Climate Change
on Human Migration and Displacement by a consortium of several international
organizations. The report presents several maps of climate change impacts and
population distribution patterns, and suggests that a better understanding of
the dynamics of climate-related migration and displacement is needed in order
to incorporate human mobility into international and national adaptation plans.
Meantime, Christian Aid estimates that climate-induced displacement could be
closer to one billion by 2050. Nevertheless, the debate over a framework to
deal with this increasing segment of the population continues. Developed countries
tend to oppose the term ‘refugee,’ that might imply application
of the 1951 UN convention on refugees, and favor other terms, like ‘environmentally
induced migration.’
The Global Governance Project launched the Policy Forum on Climate Refugees,
a Web-based clearinghouse with up-to-date information on climate-related migration.
The Forum proposes the term ‘climate refugees’, defined as: “people
who have to leave their habitats, immediately or in the near future, because
of sudden or gradual alterations in their natural environment related to at
least one of three impacts of climate change: sea-level rise, extreme weather
events, and drought and water scarcity. The Forum’s website is: http://www.glogov.org/?pageid=80.
“We’ve never before had to deal with disappearing states. Who’s
going to take responsibility for people who are losing their country?”
asks Dr Charles Erhart, of CARE International, referring to disappearing island-states.
Sources:
New report: Climate Change is detectable driver of migration http://www.care-international.org/New-report-Climate-Change-is-detectable-driver-of-migration
Climate change could displace 25 million by 2010 http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200906101451.htm
Climate change causing 'environmental migrants' http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0611/1224248612413.html
Making the Case for Climate as a Migration Driver http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/business/energy-environment/15iht-green15.html
Climate change causing 'environmental migrants' http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0611/1224248612413.html
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
While it’s still too early to say whether the 2009 melt will exceed the
record 2007 melt, since the annual low-point is reached in September, the trend
line for 2009 shows a lower sea ice coverage, according to the latest data from
the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
Uganda’s National Environmental Management Authority said that at the
present rate, Mount Speke ice cap, the main water source to the neighboring
communities, might be melted away by 2023, threatening the livelihoods of the
people of Bundibugyo, who rely on agriculture to survive. It will also impact
the Nile basin and Lake George and Lake Albert.
Sources:
Arctic Sea Ice Extent Trending Below Record 2007 Melt http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/arctic-sea-ice-47061201
Lifestyle melts away with Uganda peak snow cap http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5juO8oIXAPsiP4pVfkU4nHsI0TNGg
Rising Sea Levels
Computer models show that sea levels could rise faster along the U.S. East Coast
than in other densely populated parts of the world, due to changes of pressure
from ice caps melting, and ocean current modifications. In addition to sea level
rises and erosion, the region from New York to North Carolina is falling about
six inches per century.
The Maldives decided to adopt a “safe islands” program that includes
25% of its 196 low-lying islands and is considering abandoning the rest, according
to one of the authors of a new study on the impacts of global warming.
Sources:
East Coast May Feel Rise in Sea Levels the Most http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/05/AR2009060501342.html
Climate change causing 'environmental migrants'
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0611/1224248612413.html
Health
Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century, warns
Professor Anthony Costello, co-author of the article “Managing the health
effects of climate change” published in The Lancet. The article outlines
the global health implications of a range of climate change projections from
the optimistic average global temperature rise of 2°C to the catastrophic
6°C, considering a wide range of pathways through which climate change could
impact human health. Professor Costello proposes three action points emerging
from this report: add health experts to the mitigation debate; address the massive
inequality in health systems around the world; and develop win–win situations
so that mitigation and adaptation to climate change strategies also improve
human health and well-being.
Sources:
Running a Temperature http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/24/running_a_temperature_0
Managing the Health effects of Climate Change http://www.thelancet.com/climate-change
Climate change: The biggest global-health threat of the 21st century http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0905/09051501/
Climate ‘biggest health threat’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8049061.stm
Adaptation
The second session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, held
June 16-19, 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland, concluded with a call to halve disaster-related
deaths by 2015. Other specific targets identified include: by 2010, the establishment
of clear national and international financial commitments to disaster risk reduction
(DRR), for example to allocate a minimum of 10% of all humanitarian and reconstruction
funding, at least 1% of development funding, and at least 30% of climate change
adaptation funding to DRR; and by 2015, all major cities in disaster-prone areas
to include and enforce DRR measures.
The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility
recommended that all mitigation projects and also, as appropriate, GEF strategies
should incorporate climate adaptation measures and promote mitigation-adaptation
synergies. It also advised that the GEF should consider the whole landscape
approach regarding natural resource and chemicals life cycle management, and
that it critically apply risk assessment to its proposed actions in order to
maximize resilience to climate change while investing in mitigation.
The Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) launched by The International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is an adaptation project focusing on
disaster preparedness rather than post-emergency relief operations. About 80%
of the region’s 32 million people depend on agriculture and fishing. It
is a joint program among seven southern African countries: Angola, Botswana,
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, combining risk reduction
efforts with food security, health, HIV prevention, and capacity building activities.
Gordon Brown says that developed nations should create a $100 billion per year
fund to help developing nations cope with the effects of global warming. This
is less than the 1% of developed countries’ GDP that the G77 group has
suggested. Brown’s suggestion still needs to be endorsed by the EU-bloc
before it could be put forward at the Copenhagen negotiations.
Sources:
UNISDR release: http://www.unisdr.org/
Chair’s summary: http://www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2009/background/documents/GP09-Chair%27s-Summary.pdf
GEF STAP Recommendations: http://www.gefweb.org/uploadedFiles/Documents/Council_Documents__(PDF_DOC)/GEF_35/C.35.13_STAP.pdf
SOUTHERN AFRICA: Climate proofing the Zambezi http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=85013
Zambezi River Basin Initiative http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/pubs/disasters/160400-Zambezi_River_Project_LR3.pdf
Gordon Brown puts $100bn price tag on climate adaptation http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/26/gordon-brown-climate-adaptation-cost
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The second round of preliminary negotiations for a UN climate treaty revealed
that developed countries are unlikely to cut emissions between 25% and 40% from
1990 levels by 2020, Japan, U.S., and Canada being among the ones that are hindering
negotiations, due to tough resistance from industry at home. Hence, a 15% target
seems more realistic. However, the Association of Small Island States is pushing
for a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The African Ministerial
Conference on the Environment adopted the Nairobi Declaration on climate at
a week-long special session, to be put forward at the Copenhagen negotiations.
Some argue that the “G2” of China and America determines the global
post-Kyoto agenda.
Meantime, the U.S. Congress passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act
of 2009, which gives stronger power to the U.S. at the Copenhagen negotiations.
The bill sets a framework for reducing greenhouse gases in the U.S. by 17% below
2005 levels by 2020, and 83% by 2050. The bill sets a CO2 cap-and-trade system––scheduled
to begin in 2012, requires at least 20% renewable electricity production by
2020, and allocates billions of dollars to new energy-efficient and low-carbon
projects.
During the climate change preparation conference in Bonn emissions trading and
emissions credits systems were also discussed. Nevertheless, experts and environmental
groups are increasingly opposing the carbon credits market, as a source of pollution
in developing countries.
Sources:
Heating up or cooling down? http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13832227
Climate pact: What kind of deal can emerge in Copenhagen? http://www.terradaily.com/2007/090614011736.b0erysqv.html
700,000 addresses face being washed off map http://www.smh.com.au/environment/global-warming/700000-addresses-face-being-washed-off-map-20090612-c64c.html
Nations may form global CO2 market without U.N. deal http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE55B67V20090612
The great carbon credit con: Why are we paying the Third World to poison its
environment? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1188937/The-great-carbon-credit-eco-companies-causing-pollution.html
Friends of the Earth slams "fundamentally flawed" offsetting model
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2243304/friends-earth-slams
INTERVIEW-Global warming is a security threat - Kofi Annan http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSLN472597
'Climate change is already here' http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=91436&cat=1
African Ministers Adopt the Nairobi Declaration on Climate http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=589&ArticleID=6199&l=en&t=long
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 http://thehill.com/images/stories/news/2009/june/getdoc.cgi.pdf
House Passes Bill to Address Threat of Climate Change http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/us/politics/27climate.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
European Report on Workplace Exposure to Nanoparticles
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA) has released a 91-page
"Literature Review - Workplace exposure to nanoparticles.", which,
according to an item in Meridian Nanotechnology and Development News, “reviews
the most recent publications on nanoparticles and focuses on the possible adverse
effects of workplace exposure while also presenting the regulatory background
and activities being taken to manage this emerging risk.”
Source:
Literature Review - Workplace exposure to nanoparticles http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/literature_reviews/workplace_exposure_to_nanoparticles
Wide Use of Nano-Silver Raises Health and Environmental Issues
Friends of the Earth and Health Care Without Harm Europe have published a report
describing the public health threat posed by the use of nano-silver particles
as an anti-microbial element in consumer products. Use of this material may
risk the development of bacterial resistance to it, and, as it is released into
the environment, it may interfere with bacterial action in waste treatment processes.
Source:
Nano & Biocidal Silver http://www.foe.org/sites/default/files/Nano-silverReport_US.pdf
Nano-silver: Extreme Germ Killer Presents Growing Threat to Public Health http://www.foe.org/nano-silver-extreme-germ-killer-presents-growing-threat-public-health
New Policy Brief: Appropriate Risk Governance Strategies for Nanotechology
Applications in Food and Cosmetics
The International Risk Governance Council has published a recommendations document,
Appropriate Risk Governance Strategies for Nanotechology Applications in Food
and Cosmetics. This report presents the conclusions arrived at as the result
of an April 2008 “multi-stakeholder expert workshop (with representatives
from regulators, industry, academia and consumer groups) … to discuss
key issues and to develop risk governance policy guidelines for nanotechnology
applications in food and cosmetics.”
Sources:
Appropriate risk governance strategies for nanotechnology applications in food
and cosmetics http://www.irgc.org/Appropriate-risk-governance.html
Appropriate Risk Governance Strategies for Nanotechnology Applications in Food
and Cosmetics http://www.irgc.org/IMG/pdf/IRGC_PBnanofood_WEB.pdf
Study of Scientists’ and Public’s Views of Nanotechnology
A new paper reports on “the heuristics that the leading U.S. nanoscientists
use when they make policy decisions about regulating nanotechnology” and
compares them with the corresponding process in the general public. Included
in their work is data on which nanotech application areas the scientists feel
are most in need of new regulations. The authors highlight that although there
is no conclusive evidence on many environmental and health aspects of nanotechnology,
policy and some legal framework should be established.
Sources:
Of risks and regulations: how leading U.S. nanoscientists form policy stances
about nanotechnology http://www.springerlink.com/content/627323076677745q/fulltext.html
Scientists and Public Differ on Views about Nanotechnology Regulation http://www.news.wisc.edu/releases/15361
Comprehensive Overview of Nanomaterial Properties and Biological Interactions
Researchers at UCLA and the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), together
with colleagues in academia and industry, have published a research review article
that is described as “a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on
the physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials that allow them to undergo
interactions with biological molecules and bioprocesses”. The paper details
several important research advancements and their implications for risk assessment.
Sources:
Research explores interactions between nanomaterials, biological systems http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/exploring-the-world-of-nanomaterial-94257.aspx
Paper: http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v8/n7/full/nmat2442.html
(by subscription only)
ObservatoryNANO Annual Report Published
The EC FP7 ObservatoryNANO project has published its Annual Report, summarizing
developments in the field, including their effects, and concerns for human health
and the environment.
Source:
ObservatoryNANO Annual Report http://www.observatorynano.eu/project/catalogue/9AR/
Reports and Information Suggested
for Review
Convention on Cluster Munitions is Effective
The report Banning Cluster Munitions: Government Policy and Practice assesses
the cluster munitions-related situation in 150 countries, including progress
on the implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions requirements in
the signatory or party states. It documents that many countries already started
to destroy their stockpiles of the weapon before the treaty formally came into
force, and are expected to complete the destruction earlier than the eight-year
deadline stipulated by the convention. Spain is the first country that completed
the destruction of its cluster munitions stockpiles. Other countries that began
the process include: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Netherlands,
Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Sources:
"Banning Cluster Munitions: Government Policy and Practice" Report
Released http://www.icbl.org/index.php/icbl/Library/News-Articles/Work/Banning-Cluster-Munitions
Launch of New Report - Banning Cluster Munitions http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/news/?id=1534
Threats and Strategies for Addressing Climate Change in the Middle-East
Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions; Climate change and the risk of violent
conflict in the Middle East, by the International Institute for Sustainable
Development, is an analysis of the security issues in the Levant region over
the period to 2050, in view of the implications of climate change. Acknowledging
that the legacy of 60 years of conflict undermines adaptation efforts, it identifies
and details six climate change-related potential threats which are likely to
become obstacles to peacebuilding: 1) increasing competition over scarce water
resources; 2) intensifying food insecurity; 3) worsening poverty and social
instability; 4) forced migration; 5) “militarization of strategic natural
resources;” and 6) the danger of inaction on climate change, which might
lead to “growing resentment and distrust of the West (and Israel) by Arab
nations.” The study also suggests four strategies that could turn climate
change into a peacebuilding tool: promote conservation and efficiency; develop
joint adaptation projects, including water management; advance solidarity and
green energy policies; and be actively involved in developing regional and international
adaptation strategies. [Previous related items: Security Risk due to Climate
Change in December 2007, Security Implication of Climate Change to
the EU in March 2008, and Food and Water Security in October 2008
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions; Climate change and the risk of violent
conflict in the Middle East http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2009/rising_temps_middle_east.pdf
Report warns of environment wars http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=294712&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17
160 Syrian villages deserted 'due to climate change' http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jXbS8a3ggiMm4ekludBbmWQMb-HQ
New Report Summarizes Pacific Environmental Threats and Solutions
The Pacific Ocean Synthesis report, from the Center for Ocean Solutions,
presented at the World Ocean Conference in Manado, Indonesia, in May 2009, discusses
environmental threats and potential solutions in seven regions of the Pacific,
It represents the results of a review of more than 3,400 publications from 50
countries in the Pacific basin, and both synthesizes information from research
and points out gaps in the studies.
Sources:
Pacific Ocean Synthesis. Scientific Literature Review of Coastal and Ocean
Threats, Impacts, and Solutions http://www.centerforoceansolutions.org/PacificSynthesis.pdf
Research reveals Pacific Ocean threats and solutions http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/39989
Geo-engineering Promises/Threatens Major Consequences
Discourse over the use of geo-engineering in the strategies for reducing greenhouse
gas emissions increases. While some projects appear to offer major environmental
benefits at a fraction of the cost of currently proposed remedial measures for
climate change, many also raise the specter of potential catastrophic and perhaps
unforeseen consequences. The National Academy of Sciences recently held a workshop
to discuss this topic. Some of the papers are available online and the proceedings
are expected to be posted soon.
Sources:
Re-Engineering the Earth http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200907/climate-engineering
Scientists Debate Shading Earth As Climate Fix http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105483423
Geoengineering Options to Respond to Climate Change: Input to the Workshop and
Suggested Reading http://americasclimatechoices.org/Geoengineering_Input/GeoInputHome.html
The Center for a New American Security Launched National Security Program
The Center for a New American Security launched the National Security Program,
based on its work on the national security and foreign policy implications of
energy and climate change.
Sources:
CNAS on Natural Security http://www.cnas.org/naturalsecurity
Natural Security, A Working Paper, Sharon Burke, CNAS, June 2009 http://www.cnas.org/files/documents/publications/CNAS_Working%20Paper_Natural%20Security_SBurke_June2009_Web_1.pdf
International Standards Needed to Reduce Hi-tech
SIMAD Threats
The development of artificial biology, cognitive science, nanotechnology, electromagnetic
pulses, and other hi-tech advances, combined with the availability of information
via the Internet and low-cost components necessary to produce hi-tech weapons
by individuals or non-state actors, as well as the increase of terrorism and
social unrest (often exacerbated by environmental factors), increase the threat
of SIMAD (single individuals massively destructive). “E-bombs” based
on electromagnetic pulses are capable of destroying the electronics in civilian
aircraft; suitcase-sized electronic warfare devices can disable the power grid
of an entire region; and research on computer-mediated telepathy such as Silent
Talk might one day be used to intercept and distort thoughts. There are no international
standards to help prevent such hi-tech systems’ future use by SIMAD. [See
also New Technologies Need New Regulations Systems in March 2009.]
Sources:
Aircraft could be brought down by DIY 'E-bombs' http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227026.200-aircraft-could-be-brought-down-by-diy-ebombs.html
In the final analysis, electronic warfare will decide the outcome of future
military conflicts
http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20090414/121112527.html
Pentagon Preps Soldier Telepathy Push
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/05/pentagon-preps-soldier-telepathy-push/
New International Agreement on Recycling of
Ships
The International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling
of Ships was adopted at the International Convention held in Hong Kong, May
11-15, 2009. The new Convention covers all phases of a ship’s life and
operation, from design to dismantling in an environmentally and safe manner,
and the establishment of an enforcement mechanism. It also requires all vessels
to maintain records of hazardous materials, for workers to be equipped with
protective gear, and for recycling centers to have disposal procedures for hazardous
materials. The Convention will be open for signature from September 1, 2009
to August 31, 2010 and for accession thereafter; it will enter into force 24
months after ratification by 15 States representing 40% of world merchant shipping
by gross tonnage.
Sources:
New international convention adopted to ensure safe and environmentally sound
ship recycling http://www.imo.org/About/mainframe.asp?topic_id=1773&doc_id=11368
Agreement on Ship Recycling Wins Wide Support http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/business/energy-environment/15ship.html
Technological Advances with Environmental Security
Implications
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Energy-saving Communications for Underwater Environmental Sensing Networks
A low-cost, low-power modem subsystem for short-range, low data-rate underwater
networking is being developed by a team of computer scientists from the University
of California at San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering. The technology
is based on reconfigurable hardware, and will enable the construction of low-cost,
more efficient, underwater sensor networks that can capture and transmit environmental
data back to land in real time.
Source:
Toward cheap underwater sensor nets http://www.physorg.com/news162640918.html
Nano-engineered Gold Surface Mercury Vapor Sensor
Professor Suresh Bhargava and a research team from the Industrial Chemistry
Group at RMIT Univ., Melbourne, Australia, have developed a greatly improved
sensor for mercury vapor, using a nano-engineered gold surface as the mercury-attracting
element, producing a device which is less susceptible to interference from organic
compounds, ammonia, and water vapor. The modified surface is 180% more sensitive
than a non-engineered one.
Source:
Measuring mercury with nanotechnology http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=xwzx3dxlgxzi
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
Lithium-sulphur Battery Problem Solved by Nanotechnology
Researchers led by Prof. Linda Nazar at the Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario, have
developed a cathode nanostructure for a lithium-sulphur battery that can store
and deliver more than three times the power of conventional lithium ion batteries,
according to Nanowerk News.
Source:
Lithium battery technology breakthrough could triple their power http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=10689.php
New Palladium-Platinum Catalyst Structure Increases Fuel Cell Efficiency
Prof. Younan Xia has led a group of scientists at Washington University and
the Brookhaven National Laboratory in the development of a fuel cell catalyst
nanostructure comprising a palladium core supporting dendritic platinum branches.
This material and arrangement is two and a half to five times more effective
than existing techniques.
Source:
Going platinum: New catalyst could boost cleaner fuel use http://www.physorg.com/news161529265.html
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Stockholm Convention Updated with Nine New Chemicals
The 4th Conference of the Parties (COP4) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs) held May 4-8, 2009, in Geneva, adopted 33 decisions
including: listing nine new chemicals for elimination (in addition to the 12
already listed); implementation plans; and improved evaluation mechanisms. No
agreement was reached on non-compliance mechanisms, with further discussion
to be continued at COP5. Of the nine new chemicals listed under the Convention,
some are banned with no exemptions for production or use: alphaHCH, beta hexachlorocyclohexane,
HBB, chlordecone, and pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), while others have some specific
exemptions: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), tetrabromodiphenyl ether and
pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-pentaBDE), hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl
ether (C-octaBDE), and Lindane. Exceptional use of DDT was approved in the fight
against malaria until effective alternatives are found. [See also New Compounds
Considered under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions in October 2008.]
Sources:
UN-backed conference promotes elimination of poisonous chemicals http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30686
Summary of the Fourth Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutant http://www.iisd.ca/vol15/enb15174e.html
Resources Trigger Overlapping Claims for Maritime Areas
May 13 was the deadline for the 128 states that became parties to the UN Convention
on the Law of the Sea prior to May 1999 to submit to the Commission on the Limits
of the Continental Shelf claims for extending their rights beyond the present
lines. States that acceded to UNCLOS after May 1999 have 10 years from the date
the Convention entered into force for them to make a submission or provide preliminary
information to the CLCS. This leaves the Arctic region open to debate, since
Canada and Denmark have until November 2013 and November 2014 respectively,
while the U.S. has yet to ratify the LOS.
Some of the overlapping claims for extended shelf include: the South China Sea,
where China is asserting sovereignty over a series of islands also claimed by
neighboring countries; in the South Atlantic, with overlapping claims from the
UK and Argentina; and a series of cases where the claims are linked to previous
unresolved international conflicts and boundary disputes.
Meantime, the energy-rich seabed of the Caspian Sea is the object of negotiations
among Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran, while also being
a crucial element for EU’s alternative energy supplies from Central Asia.
[See also New Developments Concerning the Arctic in April 2009, Disputes
over Polar Regions Expands in October 2007, and other related items in
previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
70 states meet continental shelf deadline http://www.dur.ac.uk/ibru/news/boundary_news/?itemno=7954
Squaring off for a seabed scrap http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13611528
Russia warns of war within a decade over Arctic oil and gas riches
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6283130.ece
China asserts sea border claims http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8047206.stm
Britain and Argentina dispute rights to seabed around the Falkland Islands http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/24/falklands-britain-argentina-dispute-seabed
Research Labs Safety Questioned
The World Health Organization is investigating allegations that the influenza
H1N1 (swine flu) virus might have arisen and been released into the environment
as an accidental happening at a biological research laboratory or vaccine production
facility. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is skeptical.
Meantime, a Canadian researcher was caught at the border trying to smuggle 22
vials with genetic material linked to the Ebola virus from Winnipeg's National
Microbiology Laboratory into the U.S. [See also Dangers Increase from “Amateur”
Genetic Engineering; the Biological Weapons Convention to be Updated in
December 2008 and other items in previous environmental security reports on
this theme.]
Source:
Swine Flu May Be Human Error; WHO Investigates Claim (Update1) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=afrdATVXPEAk&refer=worldwide
Canadian accused of smuggling Ebola http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2009/05/14/9453961-sun.html
Maldives to Become World’s First Carbon Neutral Country in 10
Years
The Maldives, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has become
the seventh country of the UNEP-led Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), announcing
that in 10 years it wants to become the world’s first carbon neutral country
by fully switching to renewable sources of energy.
Source:
Maldives joins UN emissions scheme in drive to be first carbon neutral country
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30697&Cr=climate&Cr1=change
Steps for an International Regime for Space Debris and Space Traffic
Control System
There is general agreement that some international regime should be developed
to address the increasing problem of space debris, and space safety in general.
After the 5th European Conference on Space Debris held in April at ESA’s
Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, a Congress of technical and legal
experts was held in Montreal, focusing specifically on the legal aspects and
guidelines for debris mitigation. The possibilities mentioned were a mechanism
similar to the Missile Technology Control Regime, or the Limited Test Ban Treaty,
along with an eventual international space traffic control system. The recommendations
will be further discussed at the next workshop to be held at the University
of Cologne in May 2010. Several nations such as Russia, France, Germany and
Japan have some form of space surveillance capability, the best being the US
Space Surveillance Network (SSN), which is capable of tracking objects larger
than 5 cm (approx. 2 inches) orbiting in Low Earth Orbit. The DOD’s Commercial
and Foreign Entities pilot program, which makes collision avoidance information
available to commercial space users, would become an operational program later
this year. [See also International Satellite Collision Triggers Regulations
Review in February 2009 and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
In a related event, an asteroid missed the Earth by 48,000 miles––80%
closer to the earth than the moon––and no one knew it was coming.
If it had hit the earth, possibly 800 square miles would have been wiped out.
“NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory reported that on March 2, asteroid
2009 DD45 came within about 48,000 miles of Earth. In astronomical terms, that’s
way too close for comfort. And yet during President Barack Obama’s most
recent press conference, no reporter asked him about this just-missed catastrophe.
The fact is, the world hardly noticed” and “Asteroid 2009 DD45 was
estimated to be between 69 and 154 feet in diameter. An asteroid that size exploded
over Siberia in 1908 and flattened more than 800 square miles of forest, killing
everything in its path. No one had a clue that 2009 DD45 was out there or that
it was basically on a years-in-the-making possible collision course with our
planet. The need for the governments of the world to come together to formulate
a plan?”
Sources:
Key findings from the 5th European Conference on Space Debris http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Space_Debris/SEMYN9LTYRF_0.html
An Urgent Call To Action On Space Debris http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/An_Urgent_Call_To_Action_On_Space_Debris_999.html
Making The Space Environment Safer For Civil And Commercial Users http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Making_The_Space_Environment_Safer_For_Civil_And_Commercial_Users_999.html
Asteroid 2009 DD45 Misses Earth http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1527316/asteroid_2009_dd45_misses_earth.html
Advancements on Non-proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament
The 3rd conference of the preparatory committee for the May 2010 review of the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty concluded successfully, agreeing on a president
and agenda. Meanwhile, the international Conference on Disarmament agreed on
a working plan that includes negotiation of a fissile material cutoff treaty;
a ban on space-based weapons––proposed by Russia and China; and
a comprehensive nuclear disarmament proposed by India and Pakistan.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is considering proposals for establishing
an international center for production and distribution of civilian nuclear
power plant fuel. The main proposals are from Russia, which offered to establish
an international fuel enrichment station in Siberia, a German proposal that
calls for an IAEA enrichment site on “internationalized soil;” and
from Kazakhstan, that offered hosting a nuclear fuel bank. [See also Nuclear
Security in October 2008 and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Agenda set for UN-backed 2010 review of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30816&Cr=npt&Cr1
Obama to Support Compromise at U.N. Disarmament Talks http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20090527_4184.php
Big names and bucks back nuclear 'bank' http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/19/AR2009051902267.html
Climate Change
Scientific Evidences and Natural Disasters
Weather pattern changes observed now in Australia were not expected to manifest
until 2020, says Professor Ian Lowe, one of the country’s most prominent
climate change scientists, who made such estimates 20 years ago.
The Assessment Report on Climate Change and its Consequences in Russian Federation,
by the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring,
notes that over the past century, the average surface air temperature in Russia
has risen by nearly 1.3ºC, almost twice as much as the global mean. The
assessment also details potential changes in permafrost by 2020 and 2050 due
to climate change. Permafrost covers 60% of the land in Russia.
Sources:
Copenhagen the Focus as Australia Shows Effects of Climate Change http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/17301/
Russia makes major shift in climate policy http://www.nature.com/news/2009/090526/full/news.2009.506.html?s=news_rss
Assessment Report on Climate Change and Its Consequences in Russian Federation
http://climate2008.igce.ru/v2008/pdf/resume_ob_eng.pdf
Food and Water Security
The 17th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development held May, 4-15,
2009, focused on the interdependence and the role of agriculture and climate
change. The meeting’s final agreement calls for some urgent policies such
as: developing and implementing comprehensive strategies for dealing with climate
change, drought, desertification and natural disaster; sustainable management
of water and land resources; sustainable agriculture; and providing secure access
to food and social safety nets. The CSD’s decisions will be forwarded
for consideration by the July 2009 meeting of the Economic and Social Council.
For addressing their food and water security, several food-importing countries
including China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have started buying
or leasing land in poor countries in Africa, Latin America, Central Asia, and
Southeast Asia, for producing food. The International Food Policy Research Institute,
that conducted the study at the request of the UN, estimates that 2.5 million
hectares (about 20% of all EU farmland) in poor countries have been subject
to transactions or talks involving foreigners since 2004, in deals estimated
to worth $20 billion-$30 billion, which is at least 10 times as much as an emergency
package for agriculture recently announced by the World Bank and 15 times more
than the American administration’s new fund for food security. Some of
the countries involved are Sudan––the recipient of the largest food-aid
operation in the world, and Pakistan, which is promising Gulf investors a security
force of 100,000 to protect the assets. Left unchecked, this trend could further
exacerbate the turmoil in the food market and potentially lead to conflicts
over land and food.
As glaciers in the Andes are melting away, tensions are rising between those
living upstream and downstream, small farmers and agribusinesses, and even among
states. As per the World Bank’s estimates, most of the Andes’ glaciers
will disappear within 20 years, threatening the water supplies of nearly 80
million people, and jeopardizing energy security in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru,
which depend on hydropower for about half their electricity.
Sources:
Advance unedited adopted text of CSD Decisions: http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/resources/res_pdfs/csd-17/Final_text.pdf
CSD website: http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/csd/csd_csd17.shtml
“Land Grabbing” by Foreign Investors in Developing Countries: Risks
and Opportunities http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/bp/bp013.asp
Buying farmland abroad – Outsourcing's third wave http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13692889
China looks abroad to grow its own food http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/1942254/China-looks-abroad-to-grow-its-own-food.html
Large-Scale Foreign Land Acquisitions Could Harm Local People, Says UN-Backed
Report http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30920
Huge Bolivian glacier disappears http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8046540.stm
Glaciers go, leaving drought, conflict and tension in Andes http://wwwp.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2009/05/glaciers-go-leaving-drought-conflict-and-tension
Bolivia's Chacaltaya glacier is gone http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1030126.html
Migration
Rising sea levels and extreme heat due to climate change, coupled with environmental
degradation, would force Australia’s indigenous people to move off their
traditional lands, resulting in “cultural genocide” according to
the Human Rights Commission’s annual Native Title Report.
The Chinese government estimates that 150 million people will have to be resettled,
mainly due to desertification, water shortages exacerbated by over-irrigation
and climate change, and population increase. The Minqin regional population
rose from 860,000 to 2.3 million over the last 60 years.
Sources:
Native Title Report 2008 http://www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/nt_report/ntreport08/index.html
'We have taken every measure we can think of to stop the desert moving closer
and submerging our crops and villages' http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/18/china-ecorefugees-farming
Climate change 'cultural genocide' for Aborigines http://www.spacedaily.com/2006/090504095259.4zbkjyfc.html
Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice
Bolivia's 18,000-year-old Chacaltaya glacier completely melted away this year.
Bolivian scientists surveying the glacier since the 1990s predicted that it
would survive until 2015. As per the World Bank’s estimates, most of the
Andes’ glaciers will disappear within 20 years.
Temperatures in the Tibetan plateau rose by 0.32ºC every 10 years since
1961––much higher than the average national rise of 0.05º-0.08ºC,
thus accelerating glaciers’ melting, reports the China Meteorological
Bureau.
Sources:
Bolivia's Chacaltaya glacier is gone http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1030126.html
Huge Bolivian glacier disappears http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8046540.stm
'Climate threat' to Tibet region http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8035774.stm
Rising Sea Levels
New melting estimates and their consequences show that melting of one of the
world’s largest ice sheets could alter the Earth’s field of gravity
and even its rotation, and disproportionately raise more sea levels on the west
and east coasts of North America.
Sources:
Melting ice could cause gravity shift http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/melting-ice-could-cause-gravity-shift-1685201.html
Another study warns of threat of rising sea levels in the Northeast http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-sci-rising-seas,1,4691387.story
Health
At the 62nd World Health Assembly, held May 18-22, 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland,
member States unanimously agreed to the resolution and work plan for scaling
up the WHO’s technical assistance to countries for assessing and addressing
the implications of climate change for health and health systems. The work plan
is organized around four objectives: advocacy and awareness raising; engagement
in partnerships with other UN organizations and sectors to ensure that health
issues are included in adaptation and mitigation policies; supporting the generation
of scientific evidence; and strengthening health systems to cope with the threats
posed by climate change.
The UNFCCC Secretariat posted the submission by WHO, which will be examined
in the 6th session of the Ad Hoc Groups on Long-Term Cooperative Action in Bonn,
Germany, to be held June 1-12, 2009. The paper, “Protecting the health
of vulnerable people from the humanitarian consequences of climate change and
climate related disasters” is based on the recognition that climate change
mitigation and adaptation are important for protecting the health of vulnerable
populations and aims to document the range of risks that climate change poses
to human health associated with humanitarian emergencies.
WHO also launched a report, “Protecting Health from Climate Change: Global
research priorities,” during the meeting of Commonwealth Health Ministers
held in Geneva, Switzerland. The report, based on a global e-consultation and
meeting of over 70 leading experts, proposes a series of recommendations on
the most important directions for future work in five research areas: assessing
risks, identifying the most effective interventions, guiding health-promoting
mitigation and adaptation decisions in other sectors, improving decision-support,
and estimating the costs of protecting health from climate change.
Sources:
World Health Assembly closes with resolutions on public health http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2009/world_health_assembly_20090522/en/index.html
Protecting the health of vulnerable people from the humanitarian consequences
of climate change and climate related disasters http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/smsn/igo/047.pdf
Protecting Health from Climate Change: Global research priorities http://www.who.int/phe/news/madrid_report_661_final_lowres.pdf
Computer Modeling
MIT Integrated Global Systems Model, a comprehensive computer simulation including
global economic activity and climate processes, involving 400 runs with slight
variations of parameters, revealed––compared to 2000, a median probability
of surface warming of 5.2ºC (9.4ºF) by 2100, with a 90% probability
of 3.5º-7.4ºC (6.3º-13.3ºF). A 2003 median projection was
a warming of 2.4ºC (4.3ºF). However, the estimates might be understatements,
as they don’t include positive feedbacks from phenomena like methane release
as consequence of arctic permafrost melting. The model was run and illustrated
for situations with and without “policy change” for curbing greenhouse
gas emissions.
Sources:
Climate change odds much worse than thought http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/roulette-0519.html
Global warming of 7C 'could kill billions this century' http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5357725/Global-warming-of-7C-could-kill-billions-this-century.html
Global warming could be twice as bad as forecast http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE54I6PF20090519
Adaptation
During the 17th session of CSD, UNEP launched a new report, “The Environmental
Food Crisis: The Environment’s Role in Averting Future Food Crises,”
which provides an overview of how environmental stresses such as climate change,
water stress, invasive pests and land degradation may impact food prices and
world food security. The report stresses the need for a Green Revolution in
Africa, noting the challenges of water scarcity, lack of infrastructure and
impacts from climate change, and proposes a seven-point plan to reduce the risk
of hunger and food insecurity in the 21st century. At the launch, UNEP Executive
Director Achim Steiner stated that reversing environmental degradation and investing
in ecological infrastructure such as forests, soils, and water bodies is part
of the Green Economy solution. He also pointed to opportunities to diversify
livelihoods and incomes via the emerging carbon markets, including renewable
energy and income from conserving forest, soil and vegetation cover to sequester
carbon.
Sources:
Environment-Led Green Revolution Key to Future Food Security in Africa http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=585&ArticleID=6170&l=en&t=long
The Environmental Food Crisis: The Environment’s Role in Averting Future
Food Crises: http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/food-crisis/
Anchoring Agriculture within a Copenhagen Agreement A Policy brief for UNFCCC
parties by FAO http://www.fao.org/forestry/foris/data/nrc/policy_brief_sbstabonn.pdf
Post-Kyoto Negotiations
The text for a new treaty on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to be
negotiated at the December meeting in Copenhagen was posted online. The 53-page
negotiating text includes four sections: “A shared vision for long-term
cooperative action; Enhanced action on adaptation; Enhanced action on mitigation;
Chapter IV: Enhanced action on financing, technology and capacity-building.”
The next talks on the negotiating text will be held in Bonn, June 1-12.
Sources:
Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-Term Cooperative Action under the Convention http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/awglca6/eng/08.pdf
Another step towards new climate change pact taken with online UN publication
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30854
"It's the first time [a] real negotiating text will be on the table which
can serve as a basis for governments to start drafting a Copenhagen agreed outcome."
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/awglca6/eng/08.pdf
Nanotechnology Safety Issues
International Approaches to the Regulatory Governance of Nanotechnology
The Regulatory Governance Initiative (RGI) at Carleton University, Ottawa ON,
has published a new report, International Approaches to the Regulatory Governance
of Nanotechnology, that addresses the question: "How have Canada and other
jurisdictions reacted to the recent emergence of nanotechnology-based products
in the marketplace (and what is the current state of affairs)?" According
to the story in Nanowerk News, it contains descriptions of the policy, regulatory,
and stewardship approaches undertaken, and discusses the effectiveness of these
approaches.
Sources:
International Approaches to the Regulatory Governance of Nanotechnology (report)
http://www.carleton.ca/regulation/publications/Nanotechnology_Regulation_Paper_April2009.pdf
International approaches to the regulatory governance of nanotechnology http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=10642.php
New Estimation Technique for Nanoparticles in the Environment
Christine Robichaud, at Duke Univ.’s Pratt School of Engineering, and
colleagues at Duke and UCLA, have developed a new way of estimating how much
of a possibly hazardous material, e.g., titanium dioxide nanoparticles, is being
generated, allowing future studies to assess possible risks. “We combined
science and engineering knowledge with business and economic modeling to come
up with what we think is the maximum amount of titanium dioxide nanoparticles
out there,” Robichaud said. “By taking the amount of bulk titanium
dioxide produced, which is better understood, and applying the rates of new
technologies to convert it to the nanoparticle form found in journal articles
and patent applications, we estimated the maximum ceiling amount.”
Source:
Novel Approach Estimates Nanoparticles In Environment http://news.duke.edu/2009/05/nanotitan.html
Proposal for Establishing an Arab Council on Nanotechnology (ACON)
An expert meeting on ethics of nanotechnologies in the Arab region has called
for creation of an Arab Council on Nanotechnology (ACON). According to the proposer,
Dr. Mukhles Sowwan of Al-Quds University in Jerusalem, “The mission of
ACON should be to raise awareness of the benefits and dangers of molecular nanotechnology,
and assist in the creation and implementation of comprehensive balanced plans
for responsible use of this technology.”
Sources:
Al-Quds Nanotech Research Lab http://www.eng.alquds.edu/nrl/nrl_site.swf
Call to set up a nanotech Arab body http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=291882&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
New South Wales Pushes for Nanotech Risk Protection
The government of New South Wales (Australia) will push for national mandatory
labeling of nanoparticles used in workplaces, and for improved testing facilities
to assess the safety of new nanomaterials. Suggestions for including immediate
labeling of nanoparticles in food, sunscreens and cosmetics, and that nanoparticles
be treated by regulators as new chemicals were not taken.
Source:
NSW pushes for nano risk labels http://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw-pushes-for-nano-risk-labels-20090504-asmk.html?page=1
New report on Oversight of Next Generation Nanotechnology
The Wilson Center’s Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies has issued a
new report that calls for the creation of a new Department of Environmental
and Consumer Protection to oversee product regulation, pollution control and
monitoring, and technology assessment.
Source:
Former EPA Official Calls For New Environmental & Consumer Protection Agency
http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/davies4/
Research Awards on Nanotech and Energy Presented to Nine Projects
E.ON, a leading power and gas company, has presented the E.ON Research Awards
to international universities and research institutes. Nine research proposals
representing outstanding ideas and innovations in applications of nanotechnology
to energy problems were awarded grants. One that attracted particular attention
was for a sunlight-driven photocatalysis hydrogen generating process being developed
by Prof. Gianluca Li Puma,of the Energy Technologies Research Institute at the
Univ. of Nottingham, England.
Sources:
Research Awards on Nanotech and Energy http://www.eon.com/en/unternehmen/21278.jsp
Accolade for solar-hydrogen project http://www.physorg.com/news161870957.html
Reports and Information Suggested for Review
Improved Governance Needed for Reducing Risks of Environmental Disaster
2009 Global assessment report on disaster risk reduction: risk and poverty
in a changing climate is the first biennial global assessment of disaster
risk reduction coordinated by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR). The study is a comprehensive analysis of disasters and their effects,
with concrete suggestions. It notes that between 1990 and 2007, global disaster
risk increased by 13% as mortality, and 35% as economic loss, with low- and
middle-income countries bearing far greater burden because of weak economic
and governance systems. For example, Japan and the Philippines have roughly
equivalent population exposure to tropical cyclones, but 17 times more people
would die in the Philippines than Japan. The study identifies three primary
‘risk drivers’: unplanned urban development, vulnerable livelihoods,
and ecosystem decline, each exacerbated by climate change, and proposes a 20-point
action plan based on major shifts in development thinking by including preparedness
in all strategies at international, national, and community levels.
The study The View From the Frontline, to be released in June, conducted
by the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction,
focus on communities’ role in reducing disaster effects and calls for
systemic changes in policy by governments. For example, the study says, education
in local communities is needed to overcome a tendency to accept high disaster
tolls as a matter of fate, instead of, for example, a result of lax building
codes or lack of warning systems.
The Climate Gap, a study by a team from the University of California,
Berkeley, documents how poor people are disproportionately affected by climate
change in the U.S., and warns that a widening “climate gap” could
exacerbate current and future social disparities. Therefore, the report highlights
the importance of including environmental justice in climate change policies.
Sources:
2009 Global assessment report on disaster risk reduction: risk and poverty in
a changing climate http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/report/index.php?id=9413
Global assessment report launched: Landmark report on poverty risk in a changing
climate
http://www.preventionweb.net/english/professional/news/v.php?id=9425&pid:50
Secretary-General's remarks at ceremony launching The Global Assessment Report
on Disaster Risk Reduction http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3858
The Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction
http://www.globalnetwork-dr.org/gndr/members.html
Studies Tie Disaster Risk to Urban Growth http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/world/17WebDisaster.html?ref=global-home
Report Reveals Climate Gap among Minorities, Poor in U.S. http://college.usc.edu/geography/ESPE/documents/ReleaseClimateGap_FINAL.pdf
New Arctic Maps Detail Geological Features
The most comprehensive geological atlas of the Arctic has been published. It
maps detailed information on continental plates, rock types, and highlights
the potential reserves of oil, gas, and other mineral resources. It estimates
that the area within the Arctic Circle might contain around 30% of the world’s
undiscovered gas resources and 13% of oil reserves. The research, published
in Science magazine, is the result of data compiled over several years
by an international team of northern countries researchers. Meanwhile, Durham
University updated its map of the Arctic highlighting the disputed territories.
These publications should aid in environmental surveillance, resource exploration,
and negotiation of Arctic sovereignty disputes. [See also The Debate over
Strategic Control of the Arctic is Heating Up in July-August 2008 and other
related items in previous environmental security reports.]
Sources:
New map of Arctic could point to Canadian gas, minerals http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/05/07/tech-geological-map-arctic-marc-st-onge.html
(See “External Links – Mirage Map Database”)
Arctic's black gold mapped http://www.nature.com/news/2009/090528/full/news.2009.527.html
Maritime jurisdiction and boundaries in the Arctic region http://www.dur.ac.uk/ibru/resources/arctic/
International Response to Contain Influenza A(H1N1)
Outbreak
The World Health Organization raised the level of influenza A(H1N1) alert to
five on a one to six scale, meaning that it considers a pandemic highly probable.
All countries are asked to activate their pandemic plans and be prepared to
deal with emergency situations. The flu––a combination of swine,
bird, and human viruses––started in Mexico and rapidly spread around
the world, with cases confirmed in 11 countries, as of the end of April. WHO
flu expert Dr Keiji Fukuda said, "Containment is not a feasible operation."
In response to the outbreak, WHO has applied the International Health Regulations
2005 that entered into force in 2007 for all member states. Some experts consider
that the influenza A(H1N1) will test IHR 2005’s efficiency and countries’
compliance, as well as provide an opportunity for increased preparedness for
eventual future acts of bioterrorism and expedite research for a vaccine that
would protect against a larger spectrum of viruses. The Saint Louis University
Center for Vaccine Development announced that the development of a universal
flu vaccine is getting closer to reality. [See also Global Pandemic Containment
Efforts in October 2006 environmental security report.]
Sources:
WHO influenza A(H1N1) information http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
Disease and Terror http://www.newsweek.com/id/195422
US military 'monitoring' flu outbreak http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.8282347267271b64646e51f83dc4437f.501&show_article=1
Universal Flu Vaccine in Development http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-27-094.asp
UN to Conduct Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment
in Gaza
UNEP’s Post Conflict and Disaster Management Branch will deploy a team
of up to eight experts to the Gaza Strip to assess the environmental impact
of the December 2008–January 2009 invasion by Israel. The focus will be
infrastructure and contamination risks assessment, wastewater and hazardous
wastes management, state of coastal and marine environment examination, and
institutional and economic evaluation. The ten-day mission is scheduled for
mid-May, with results expected by early June, followed by a report and recommendations
in July. [See also Environmental Legacy of Hezbollah-Israeli War in
January 2007 environmental security report.]
Source:
Assessment and Rehabilitation of Damaged Infrastructure Key Focus of UN Environment
Chief's Mission to Gaza Strip
http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=579&ArticleID=6132&l=en&t=long
Central Asian Water Security Tensions Continue
The Central Asian water summit held on April 28 at Almaty, Kazakhstan, gathered
the Presidents of all five Central Asian states (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) to discuss activities of the International Fund
for Saving the Aral Sea. When the contentious cross-border water sharing issues
came up, tensions arose between upstream Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, who want
to build power stations to address energy shortages in their countries, and
downstream Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, which need large quantities
of water for their economic activities. No agreement was reached and the final
statement mentions only the issues related to the decline of the Aral Sea. Since
the Soviet Union’s cross-border water distribution system fell apart,
the lack of a regional transboundary water management agreement became the most
serious Central Asian security concern. Therefore, the international community
should intensify such efforts as those started at the Fifth Ministerial Conference,
“Environment for Europe”, held in Kiev in 2003 to develop a Central
Asian Initiative on environment, water and security. [See also Unless Water
Management Improves, Conflicts over Water Are Inevitable in August 2006,
A Project to Address the Aral Sea Disaster in February 2005, Network
of Environment Centres in Central Asia in February 2004, and First
EU-Central Asia Security Forum Included Environmental Security in September
2008 environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Central Asian Leaders Fail To Overcome Differences At Water Summit http://www.rferl.org/content/Central_Asian_Leaders_Fail_To_Overcome_Differences_At_Water_Summit/1617787.html
Central Asia Water Talks Break Down http://www.moscowtimes.ru/article/1009/42/376690.htm
Central Asia fails in water talks http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8021900.stm
Regulations Might be Needed for New Greenhouse
Gases
New findings show that some compounds developed to replace banned chemicals
are powerful greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. The hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs) that replaced the ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) can be up
to 10,000 times more powerful in climate-warming than CO2. And, with their use
growing at 8.8% per year, they might represent up to a third of all greenhouse
gas emissions by 2030–2040. The Obama administration is considering proposing
HFCs phase-out by an amendment to the Montreal Protocol or by creating a new
international agreement. Similarly, sulfuryl fluoride, a fumigant introduced
to replace methyl bromide, is a heat-trapping gas 4,800 times stronger than
CO2. Delegates at the Bonn climate change meeting targeted more than a dozen
new synthetic compounds for inclusion in the post-Kyoto treaty as potent greenhouse
gases. The list includes nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) ––used for LCD
televisions, computer circuits, and thin-film solar cells––estimated
to be an about 17,000 times more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, and developed
to replace perfluorocarbons (PFCs) covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
Sources:
New Greenhouse Gas Identified http://www.terradaily.com/reports/New_Greenhouse_Gas_Identified_999.html
New greenhouse gas identified. Early detection may permit 'nipping it in the
bud' http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/prinn-greenhouse-tt0311.html
US wants to move on climate change http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/2009_04_29_US_wants_to_move_on_climate_change
New greenhouse gases targeted by UN talks http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_greenhouse_gases_targeted_by_UN_talks_999.html
Rocket Launches Might Need Regulation
to Safeguard Ozone Layer
Scientists warn that rapid growth of space activity requiring more rocket launches
might lead to dangerously high levels of ozone-destroying emissions and therefore
recommend adopting international regulations for rocket launches. One option
would be to include the space industry in the Montreal Protocol that bans use
of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosol cans, refrigerants and air conditioners.
“If left unregulated, rocket launches by the year 2050 could result in
more ozone destruction than was ever realized by CFCs,” said a team member,
Professor Darin Toohey of the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department at
the University of Colorado, Boulder. [See also Call for Expanding Montreal
Protocol on Ozone-Depleting Substances in September 2007 environmental
security report.]
Source:
Scientists: Regulate Rocket Launches to Safeguard Ozone Layer
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-01-091.asp
Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications
Chemical Weapons-Resistant Chameleon Fabric to be Developed
Scientists at the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico are working on
research that could lead to developing synthetic materials that would react
to surrounding conditions––change color and temperature, and even
“seal” upon contact with a hazardous chemical agent. Now that the
theory is understood, they hope to get material results (mainly using nanotechnology)
in five to ten years. “The long-term goal and payoff has a number of different
applications, both in civilian applications as well as military ones,”
said principal investigator George Bachand.
Sources:
US company envisions chameleon camouflage http://www.smalltimes.com/news/display_news_story.cfm?NewsID=176913
Sandia research points way toward chameleon-like camouflage http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2009/nano_camo.html
Waste Gasification Still a Controversial Technique
A recent article in New Scientist reviewed the current state of waste gasification
and also noted objections being raised to that technology. According to the
article, “Pilot gasification plants are being set up at various sites
in the US, Canada, France, the UK and Portugal, most of them using the plasma
technique. Japan already has two commercial plasma plants, but these are focused
primarily on simply disposing of household waste rather than generating energy
from it.” Plans for a large plant in Florida have been scaled down, and
earlier plasma plants in Germany and Australia were shut down after failing
to meet emissions standards. [See also Mobile Unit Turns Waste into Energy
in February 2009 environmental security report.]
Source:
Could your trashcan solve the energy crisis? http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227051.500-could-your-trashcan-solve-the-energy-crisis.html?page=1
New Detection and Cleanup Techniques
Water Filter Effective Against Parasites
A new sand filter reportedly has the ability to clean water 30 to 50 times faster
than similar existing devices, with the added advantage that it is effective
in removing oocysts of the Cryptosporidium protozoan parasite from the flow.
The filter, being developed by Prof. James Amburgey of the Department of Civil
and Environmental Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte,
uses a chemical pretreatment scheme based on ferric chloride and a pH buffer
that is added to the water; a single formulation of the chemicals in the scheme
seems to be effective regardless of water quality.
Source:
Simple Filter Delivers Clean, Safe Drinking Water, Potentially To Millions http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090309211938.htm
Fast Multi-hazard Water Analyzer
A new automatic Biohazard Water Analyzer directly measures individual species
of pathogenic bacteria, protozoa and viruses in the same test, and provides
reports in two to three hours time. The technology is RNA-based, developed by
Early Warning, Inc. of Troy NY and is licensed from NASA’s Ames Research
Center.
Sources:
Early Warning, Inc. http://www.earlywarninginc.com/
Biohazard Water Analyzer Employs a Revolutionary Nanotechnology-Based Biosensor
http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=10982
Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies
First Flexible Supercapacitor Built
Prof. George Grüner’s group at UCLA has developed the world’s
first flexible supercapacitor by spraying carbon nanotubes onto plastic films
that serve as both the device’s electrodes and charge collectors. Their
current designs are relatively inefficient, but the scientists believe that
valuable insights are being obtained into the issues of manufacturing and material
selection engineering.
Source:
Printed supercapacitor could feed power-hungry gadgets
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16939-printed-supercapacitor-could-feed-powerhungry-gadgets.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
Hydrogen Production by Catalytic Light-induced Splitting of Water
Prof. David Milstein and colleagues in the Organic Chemistry Department of Israel’s
Weizmann Institute have carried out the first steps in the development of a
new technique for catalytic production of hydrogen. The method depends on a
series of thermal- and light-driven processes, aided by a recoverable ruthenium
metal complex catalyst.
Source:
A Unique Approach for Splitting Water. Weizmann Institute Scientists Develop
a Unique Approach for Splitting Water into Hydrogen and Oxygen
http://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/site/en/weizman.asp?pi=371&doc_id=5517
Diatoms Help Build Better Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Researchers at Oregon State University and Portland State University have created
a new way to make “dye-sensitized” solar cells, according to an
announcement by chemical engineering Prof. Greg Rorrer at OSU. It turns out
that diatom skeletons have an ideal nanostructure to serve as the basis for
the semiconductors for a dye-sensitized solar cell. The skeletons may have come
from diatoms raised in an environment containing titanium rather than silicon,
so that they actually consist of titanium dioxide, or they may be normal skeletons
that have been “frosted” with the titanium material. In either case,
the physical “shape” of the diatom film is such that a solar cell
made with these semiconductors is more efficient at converting incident light
into energy.
Source:
Ancient diatoms lead to new technology for solar energy http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-04/osu-adl040809.php
Genetically Engineered Viruses Produce Advanced Battery Electrodes
Profs. Angela Belcher, Gerbrand Ceder, and Michael Strano of MIT have developed
the first devices that use a potentially fast and inexpensive technology in
which battery anodes and cathodes are “grown” by a genetically engineered
bacteriophage that accumulates conductive materials on a polymer separator.
The researchers are now working on up- and down-sizing the components, and improving
their rechargeability life.
Source:
Virus battery could 'power cars' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7977585.stm
Updates on Previously Identified Issues
Airline Group Supports Including Aviation in Global Emissions Trading
Scheme
An aviation group expressed support for a global emissions-trading scheme and
hopes that their proposal will be included in the new post-Kyoto pact to fight
climate change. The 43-point proposal covers all carbon pollution from the international
aviation sector, suggesting a framework for allowances and the creation of a
UN body for administering the system, and recommending that nations agree to
a global cap on aviation emissions. The six-member group includes four of the
world’s top airlines (Air France/KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific,
Virgin Atlantic), airport operator BAA, and the international NGO, The Climate
Group. [See also Provisional Agreement for Including Aviation in the Emission
Trading Scheme from 2012 in June 2008 environmental security report.]
Source:
Airline group backs global emissions trading scheme http://uk.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUKSP41096120090406
U.S. and Canada to Control Air Emissions from Ships
The U.S. and Canada have proposed that the International Maritime Organization
create a North American Emission Control Area around their coastlines, extending
out 200 nautical miles in the jurisdictions of the United States and Canada.
In order to comply with the new standards, ships should use fuel with a maximum
of 1,000 parts per million sulfur beginning in 2015, and new ships should use
advanced emission control technologies beginning in 2016. The proposal is part
of a comprehensive EPA program to address harmful emissions from ships under
the National Clean Diesel Campaign and the Clean Ports Program, in an effort
to protect the population from harmful emissions. The IMO is expected to begin
reviewing the proposal in July, with expected approval in 2010. [See also Tougher
Global Limits Imposed on Air Pollution from Large Ships in October 2008
environmental security report.]
Sources:
US and Canada Request IMO Create Emissions Control Area Around Coastlines http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/03/us-and-canada-request-imo-create-emissions-control-area-around-coastlines.html
U.S., Canada Seek to Control Air Emissions from Ships http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2009/2009-03-30-02.asp
European Climate and Energy Package Formally Adopted
The European 20/20/20 energy and climate package was formally adopted, setting
legally binding targets requiring that by 2020 greenhouse gas emissions be cut
to 20% below 1990 levels, the share of renewable energy increase to 20%, and
energy efficiency improve by 20%. The package consists of six legislative acts
and will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal,
expected in May 2009. [See also EU Renewable Energy Policy becomes Legally
Binding in December 2008 and other related items in previous environmental
security reports.]
Sources:
Commission welcomes adoption of climate and energy package http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/628&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Norway Proposal to Ban Gasoline-only New Cars by 2015
Norway Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen wants to put forward a proposal to
ban from 2015 the sale in Norway of new cars that run solely on fossil fuels.
The proposal’s intent is to force carmakers to shift to greener models,
to help cut greenhouse gas emissions. [See also European Commission Proposed
Binding Legislation for Vehicle Emissions Cuts in December 2007 and All-Electric
cars coming from Norway and China with More than Hundred Mile Ranges in
April 2008 environmental security reports.]
Source:
Ban Gasoline Cars from 2015: Norway Finance Minister http://planetark.org/wen/52660
Canada Increases Chemicals Control
Ontario has joined Quebec in enacting restrictions on the use of pesticides
and is going further by prohibiting the sale and cosmetic use of more than 80
ingredients and 250 products. Other provinces are considering similar measures.
Ontario also proposed the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009, aiming to reduce the use
of toxic and hazardous substances in manufacturing and industrial operations.
If enacted, the directive will bring Ontario manufacturing into compliance with
the EU REACH regulations. [See also Canada Extends Toxic Substances Lists
in March 2009 and New Chemicals Considered for Toxic Lists in January
2009 environmental security reports.]
Sources:
Ontario to enact toughest pesticide ban in Canada http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/621989
Ontario Proposes Industry Detox Legislation http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2009/2009-04-08-02.asp
Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA2MTQ5&statusId=MTU5MTk4&language=en
New Developments Concerning the Arctic
The declaration adopted by the Arctic Council ministerial meeting held in Tromsø,
Norway, April 28-29, represents a comprehensive instrument for international
cooperation and policies in the region. Some of the most significant issues
are: negotiation of an international instrument for cooperation on search and
rescue services; a demand for the IMO to develop new guidelines for ships operating
in Arctic waters and mandatory regulations on safety and environmental protection
in the region; development of standards and guidelines for economic activities
and oil and gas exploration in the Arctic; creation of a task force on short-lived
non-CO2 drivers of climate change such as black carbon, methane and tropospheric
precursors in Arctic climate change; ecosystems-based ocean management; and
addressing effects of climate change on indigenous people and ecosystems. Russia
said that it opposes the presence of any military-political blocs in the Arctic
and invited support for its new initiative “The Electronic Memory of the
Arctic,” an open access on-line information resource. The request of the
EU, China, Italy, and South Korea for permanent observers’ status was
put on hold for now. The next ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council will
be in 2011, although, given the increasing importance of the Arctic, meetings
at political level will be held yearly. Denmark will take over the chairmanship
of the Arctic Council.
Canada announced the location of the two satellite reception ground stations
for the Polar Epsilon project designed to enhance its Arctic surveillance and
security capabilities and capacity to exploit space-based data for defense,
maritime security and environmental monitoring.
Norway became the first Arctic nation to accept limits to its northern seabed
with the new defined continental shelf at 550 kms (342 miles) from the Pole,
which is claimed by both Russia and Denmark. [See also Arctic Security and
Sovereignty Debate Continues in January 2009, Arctic Needs New International
Regulations in September 2008 and other items on the Arctic debate in previous
environmental security reports.]
Sources:
The Tromsø Declaration ratified http://arctic-council.org/article/2009/4/the_tromso_declaration_ratified
Russia does not view Arctic as area of potential conflicts – Lavrov http://www.interfax.com/3/490967/news.aspx
Government of Canada Announces Location of Satellite Reception Ground Stations
for Polar Epsilon http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Department-Of-National-Defence-967526.html
Oslo sets limit on Arctic seabed, short of North Pole http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE53E3X420090415
Fiber Check Dams with Chemicals Control Polluting Construction Runoff
Research by Dr. Rich McLaughlin, associate professor of soil science at NC State
Univ., and colleagues has shown that fiber check dams constructed from a mix
of straw wattles and coir logs, with added granulated, anionic polyacrylamide
(PAM), are enormously more effective in protecting watercourses from the muddy
runoff around road and other construction projects than the currently used "sediment
traps" and rock check dams in ditches. Turbidity of road runoff improved
by a factor of more than 100.
Sources:
Improving construction site runoff quality with fiber check dams and polyacrylamide
http://www.jswconline.org/content/64/2/144.abstract
Study finds better way to protect streams from construction runoff http://www.physorg.com/print159190208.html
Possibly Tainted Imported Drywall Raises Health Fears
A number of complaints from around the US have alerted authorities to possible
health and other problems allegedly caused by imported Chinese drywall. It appears
that a large but unknown quantity of this product may contain, or have been
contaminated with, chemicals that over time emit noxious fumes.
military facilities and projects (past, ongoing and planned), if necessary.
Source:
AP IMPACT: Chinese drywall poses potential risks http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_12122912
Climate Change
Scientific Evidences and Natural Disasters
A poll conducted by Reuters with experts, who were among authors of the 2007
IPCC report, attending the Bonn Climate Change meeting revealed high agreement
that it is “unlikely” (less than 1/3 chance) the world would manage
to limit warming to 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels. Out of
11 scientists participating in the survey, 6 said world average annual temperatures
would set a new record by 2015, and 4 said it would happen by 2020. As for sea
level rise by 2100, projections varied from 30-40 cm (11.8–15.7 inches)
to up to 140 cm (55.1 inches), and 10 of those polled projected that Arctic
late summer sea ice could vanish before 2050, with two saying it would happen
by 2020. A similar poll conducted by the Guardian with participation of 261
experts showed that 46% of those who answered the question on temperature rise
estimated that it would reach 3–4°C (5.4–7.2°F) by the end
of the century.
The Right to Survive report by Oxfam International reveals that the number of
people affected by the 6,500 climate-related disasters recorded since 1980 has
doubled in 30 years and estimates that by 2015 it might further increase by
54%, to an average of more than 375 million people per year. The emergency organizations
might be overwhelmed by the rising number of people in poor countries affected
by climate hazards, while worldwide emergency aid spending would need to be
doubled to at least $25bn a year to help cope with the situation.
Food and Water Security
The First G8 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, held in Cison di Valmarino,
Italy, April 18–20, under the theme “The World Food Emergency,”
was attended by Ministers of Agriculture of the G8 countries and Brazil, China,
India, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina, Australia and Egypt, and the heads of
UN agencies. The Declaration adopted includes proposals to place agriculture
and food security at the core of the international agenda and sustainably increase
renewable energy production from biomass without compromising food security.
The Declaration will be forwarded to the G8 Heads of State summit to be held
in Italy in July 2009.
Delegates attending the 65th Session of the UN Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) held in Bangkok, Thailand, April 23-29, discussed
the financial crisis and its convergence with other threats to development and
the need to work toward a stable and supportive financial system for development.
The meeting was convened under the theme of “Sustainable Agriculture and
Food Security in Asia and the Pacific” with the special body on least
developed and land locked developing countries addressing the food-fuel-financial
crisis and climate change, and associated threats to development.
Rivers in some of the world’s most populated regions are losing water
due largely to climate change, reveals research led by scientists from the National
Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colo., to be published May
15 in the American Meteorological Society's Journal of Climate. Among the 925
big rivers, rivers with decreased flow outnumbered those with increased flow
by 2.5 to 1 and freshwater discharges into the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
dropped by 6% and 3% respectively over the past 50 years (from 1948 to 2004).
Added to the effects from damming, irrigation, and other water use, these changes
could become a threat to future supplies of food and water, warn the researchers.
The "Asia's Next Challenge: Securing the Region's Water Future" report
produced by the Asia Society, warns that Asia may see more conflicts over scarce
water resources in the coming years due to the combination of climate change,
urbanization, and population growth. Most vulnerable are the relations between
India and Pakistan, and those related to the Mekong River, which is shared by
China and its southern neighbors, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The ten recommendations put forward in the report include greater regional coope