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A human-focused approach to measuring ocean health
Science for Environment Policy, Issue 307. EEA, 2012A new index for measuring the health of oceans considers the benefits of the sea to humans, as well as the status of natural components, such as biodiversity. According to the researchers who developed the index, it provides a powerful tool for allocating resources and improving policy in the management of marine ecosystems.[article]
in Science for Environment Policy > Issue 307 (22 November 2012) . - 1 p.A new index for measuring the health of oceans considers the benefits of the sea to humans, as well as the status of natural components, such as biodiversity. According to the researchers who developed the index, it provides a powerful tool for allocating resources and improving policy in the management of marine ecosystems.
Language(s): English
Format: DigitalTags: Oceans ; Marine environment ; Biodiversity
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Geoengineering in relation to the convention on biological diversity: technical and regulatory matters
CBD, 2012Geoengineering in relation to the convention on biological diversity: technical and regulatory matters
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Available online: http://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-ts-66-en.pdf
United Nations Environment Programme ; Convention on Biological Diversity
Published by: CBD ; 2012Notes: Part I. Impacts of Climate-Related Geoengineering on Biological Diversity; Part II. The Regulatory Framework for Climate-Related Geoengineering Relevant to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Climate ; Climate geoengineering ; Climate policies ; Environment and landscape ; Biodiversity ; Impact studies
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Our Planet, Our Health, Our Future - Human health and the Rio Conventions : biological diversity, climate change and desertification
WHO, 2012The report, Our Planet, Our Health, Our Future
Human health and the Rio Conventions: biological diversity, climate change and desertification, reviews the scientific evidence for the linkages between health and biodiversity, climate change and desertification, the representation of health in the corresponding Rio Conventions, and the opportunities for more integrated and effective policy.Our Planet, Our Health, Our Future - Human health and the Rio Conventions: biological diversity, climate change and desertification
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Available online: http://www.who.int/globalchange/publications/reports/health_rioconventions.pdf
World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland) ; United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification ; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Published by: WHO ; 2012The report, Our Planet, Our Health, Our Future
Human health and the Rio Conventions: biological diversity, climate change and desertification, reviews the scientific evidence for the linkages between health and biodiversity, climate change and desertification, the representation of health in the corresponding Rio Conventions, and the opportunities for more integrated and effective policy.Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Human health ; Climate change ; Desertification ; Biodiversity ; Social aspects
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Europe Overseas Roundtable on Biodiversity and Climate Change : report of the second meeting
IUCN, 2012
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Available online: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/report_eu_overseas_roundtable_meeting_nr2_2012 [...]
International Union for Conservation of Nature (Gland, Switzerland)
Published by: IUCN ; 2012Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Climate ; Climate change ; Biodiversity ; Region VI - Europe
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Antarctica needs global and local responses to protect ecosystems
Science for Environment Policy, Issue 249. EEA, 2011A new study has investigated the impacts of human activity on Antarctic marine ecosystems. Alongside local effects of fishing, pollution and invasive alien species, global climate change is causing sea temperature rises and ocean acidification. Action is therefore needed at all levels to address these impacts.[article]
in Science for Environment Policy > Issue 249 (20 July 2011) . - 1 p.A new study has investigated the impacts of human activity on Antarctic marine ecosystems. Alongside local effects of fishing, pollution and invasive alien species, global climate change is causing sea temperature rises and ocean acidification. Action is therefore needed at all levels to address these impacts.
Language(s): English
Format: Digital (Free)Tags: Environment and landscape ; Environmental Protection ; Biodiversity ; Antarctica
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Biodiversidade, obrigado aos povos autóctones
Esporo, N° 151. CTA, 2011“A luta contra a fome não será conseguida sem eles”, afirmou o Director-Geral da FAO, na apresentação da política desta organização para o reforço da cooperação e do diálogo com as populações indígenas e tribais em todo o mundo. Esta nova política visa garantir a integração, em todas as acções da FAO, dos interesses e património de conhecimento destes povos, que constituem cerca de 5 por cento da população mundial, mas também 15 por cento dos pobres do planeta.Permalink![]()
Conhecimento indígena, repartição dos benefícios
Esporo, N° 151. CTA, 2011Após quase duas décadas de debates, os Governos mundiais chegaram a acordo e foi celebrado um tratado das Nações Unidas para uma gestão mais equitativa do património mundial em recursos genéticos. Este novo pacto estabelece um Regime Internacional de Acesso e Repartição dos Benefícios de Recursos Genéticos, definindo as regras básicas fundamentais que regem a cooperação entre as nações no âmbito da obtenção de recursos genéticos. Estão abrangidos recursos tão diversos quanto os animais, as plantas e os fungos.Permalink![]()
Biodiversity, indigenous people
Spore: the magazine for agricultural and rural development in ACP countries, N° 151. CTA, 2011“The fight against hunger will not be achieved without them”, said FAO’s Director-General, presenting the organisation’s policy to strengthen cooperation and dialogue with indigenous and tribal people worldwide. The new policy seeks to take account of the interests of indigenous people in all FAO activities, and make good use of the wealth of knowledge they have to offer. Indigenous people make up 5% of the world’s population, but they account for 15% of the world’s poor.Permalink![]()
Indigenous knowledge, sharing benefits
Spore: the magazine for agricultural and rural development in ACP countries, N° 151. CTA, 2011After nearly 2 decades of debate, governments from around the world have agreed to a UN treaty on managing the planet’s wealth of genetic resources more fairly. The new pact sets up an International Regime on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources, laying down the basic ground rules on how nations cooperate in obtaining genetic resources. It includes resources as varied as animals, plants and fungi.Permalink![]()
Biodiversité , merci aux peuples autochtones !
Spore: le magazine du développement agricole et rural des pays ACP, N°151. CTA, 2011“La lutte contre la faim n’aboutira pas sans eux”, a affirmé le directeur général de la FAO lors de la présentation de la politique de l’organisation pour le renfort de la coopération et du dialogue avec les peuples autochtones et tribaux dans le monde. Cette nouvelle politique vise à garantir, dans toute action de la FAO, l’intégration des intérêts et du patrimoine de connaissances de ces peuples qui constituent près de 5 % de la population mondiale et 15 % des pauvres de la planète.Permalink![]()
Savoirs autochtones, partager les bénéfices
Spore: le magazine du développement agricole et rural des pays ACP, N°151. CTA, 2011Au bout de près de deux décennies de discussion, les gouvernements du monde entier ont élaboré un traité sur une gestion plus équitable des richesses en ressources génétiques de la planète. Ce nouveau pacte de l’ONU met en œuvre un Régime international sur l’accès et le partage des avantages tirés de la biodiversité, jetant les règles de base en matière de coopération entre pays pour l’obtention de ces ressources (animaux, plantes et champignons).Permalink![]()
- 2010 - NATURAL CAPITAL: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
is an issue of Our planet. UNEP, 2011Permalink![]()
La biodiversité au XXIe siècle
Sciences au sud, 57. Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), 2011Un groupe d’experts internationaux soutenus par
le programme Diversitas1 vient de livrer ses prévisions
pour la biodiversité au cours du XXIe siècle.
L’un des chercheurs de l’IRD, Thierry Oderboff, qui a
contribué à l’exercice, revient sur ses enjeux et ses
limites.Permalink![]()
The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in central Africa
One of the main reasons cited for inadequate representation of biodiversity in the development processes is a lack of readily available information on inland water taxa. In response to this need for basic for information on species, the IUCN Species Programme conducted a regional assessment of the status and distribution of 2,261 taxa of freshwater fishes, molluscs, odonates, crabs and selected families of aquatic plants from throughout central Africa. This study is based on the collation and analysis of existing information, and the knowledge of regional experts.Permalink![]()
Wildlife in a Changing Climate
FAO, 2011The world already faces a biodiversity extinction crisis, and it is likely to be made worse by climate change. This paper examines the likely ecosystem and landscape changes that will occur in forests, mountains, wetlands, coastal areas, savannahs, grasslands and steppes. Impacts include changes in physical conditions, weather patterns and ecosystem functioning. As a consequence, terrestrial, freshwater and marine wildlife will be severely affected unless we manage to cope with climate changes through decisive planning and action. The main focus is on tropical terrestrial wildlife and its habi ...Permalink![]()
Indigenous Peoples, Marginalized Populations and Climate Change : vulnerability, Adaptation and Traditional Knowledge
, 2011The aim of the workshops was to identify, compile and analyze relevant indigenous and local observations, knowledge and practices related to understanding climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation. The workshops will provide a key opportunity to ensure that experience, sources of information and knowledge (scientific, indigenous and local), along with data and literature (scientific and grey), focusing on vulnerable and marginalized regions of the world are made available to the authors of the IPCC 5th Assessment Report and the global community.Permalink![]()
Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2011 - Chapter II Environment
United Nations, 2011Table of contents - Chapter II Environment
- Air pollution and climate change
- Water availability and use
- Energy supply and use
- Biodiversity, protected areas and forests
- Natural disastersPermalink![]()
The least developed countries - Reducing vulnerability to climate change, climate variability and extremes, land degradation and loss of biodiversity : environmental and developmental challenges and opportunities
UNFCCC, 2011The UNFCCC coordinated United Nations system preparations for the Fourth United Nations Conference on LDCs on the theme on addressing vulnerability and protecting the environment in LDCs. The preparations looked at environmental and developmental challenges and opportunities for the LDCs in reducing vulnerability due to climate change, climate variability and extremes, land degradation and loss of biodiversity. A pre-conference event on “Reducing vulnerability due to Climate Change, Climate Variability and Extremes, Land Degradation and Biodiversity Loss: Environmental and Developmental Challe ...Permalink![]()
Knowledge base for Forward-Looking Information and Services Catalogue of scenario studies
EEA, 2011The report brings together a review of available scenarios studies relevant to environmental assessment and decision-making at the European (or sub-European) scale (263 studies), and facts sheets of selected 44 studies using common description categories, which enables the user to review existing scenario studies that may be of relevance to their particular interest and benefit from them. It is also a contribution to the evolving knowledge base for Forward-Looking Information and Services (FLIS).Permalink![]()
The Future of Food and Farming : challenges and choices for global sustainability
The Foresight project Global Food and Farming Futures final report and executive summary provide an overview of the evidence and discuss the challenges and choices for policy makers and others whose interests relate to all aspects of the global food system.Permalink![]()
UNDP Environment & Energy Group. UNDP's Work on Biodiversity Management
UNDP, 2011This brochure outlines the UNDP's work on biodiversity management through two Signature Programmes: 1) Unleashing the economic potential of Protected Area systems and 2) Mainstreaming biodiversity management objectives into economic sector activities. It further highlights examples of UNDP's contributions towards the organization’s broader work on environment and sustainable development.PermalinkPermalinkPermalink![]()
Le sorgho: quand agriculture rime avec biodiversité
Sciences au sud, 56. Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), 2010Permalink![]()
South Africa Showcase
UNDP, 2010The 14 development projects profiled in this book illustrate South Africa's commitment to a wide range of environmental and development issues.Permalink![]()
The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in northern Africa
This assessment is the first overview of the conservation status of 877 northern African freshwater species belonging to five taxonomic groups—fish, molluscs, dragonflies and damselflies, freshwater crabs and aquatic plants—in accordance with the IUCN regional Red List guidelines. Species at risk of regional extinction are mapped and conservation measures are proposed to reduce the probability of future declines.Permalink![]()
Agriculture biodiversity and food security: two sides of a coin
Biodiversity underpins the agriculture productivity. Agricultural biodiversity includes all components of biodiversity – at genetic, species and ecosystem levels – that are relevant to food and agriculture and that support the ecosystems in which agriculture occurs. Therefore, its maintenance is essential for the production of food and other agricultural goods and the benefits these provide to humanity, including food security, nutrition and livelihoods. Recent worldwide food crisis has raised the issue of food security to an urgent basis. Many are arguing that worldwide economic meltdown migh ...Permalink![]()
Agriculture biodiversity and food security : two sides of a coin
Biodiversity underpins the agriculture productivity. Agricultural biodiversity includes all components of biodiversity – at genetic, species and ecosystem levels – that are relevant to food and agriculture and that support the ecosystems in which agriculture occurs. Therefore, its maintenance is essential for the production of food and other agricultural goods and the benefits these provide to humanity, including food security, nutrition and livelihoods. Recent worldwide food crisis has raised the issue of food security to an urgent basis. Many are arguing that worldwide economic meltdown migh ...Permalink![]()
Arctic Biodiversity Trends 2010
GRID Arendal, 2010A component of the comprehensive Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) of the Arctic Council, this report provides a snapshot of the trends being observed in Arctic biodiversity today. Twenty-two indicators examine the current state of the environment. Issues include sea birds, fisheries, climate change, polar bears and traditional knowledge.Permalink![]()
Assessing the role of economic instruments in a policy mix for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services provision : a review of some methodological challenges
In the context of the EU 2010 goal of halting biodiversity loss, researchers have been called upon to evaluate the role of economic instruments for cost-effective decision-making, as well as non-market methods to assess their benefits. This paper reviews a number of methodological challenges of evaluating and designing economic instruments aimed at biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services provision in an existing policy mix. The study draws on experiences from Brazil and Costa Rica.Permalink![]()
Uganda’s environment and natural resources : enhancing parliament’s oversight
GRID Arendal, 2010Uganda’s natural resource base is one of the richest and most diverse in Africa, resulting in the country’s economy relying heavily on goods and services so provided. The purpose of this handbook is to provide a ready source of environmental information and trends for legislators, to foster effective appreciation and representation of environmental issues in parliament.
The book covers several sectors and areas of interests, including agriculture, climate change, energy, fisheries, forests, land oil and gas, pollution, tourism, water wetlands and wildlife/biodiversity.Permalink![]()
Impact of climatic change on alpine ecosystems: inference and prediction: in Journal of Alpine Research, 98-4
Alpine ecosystems will be greatly impacted by climatic change, but other factors, such as land use and invasive species, are likely to play an important role too. Climate can influence ecosystems at several levels. We describe some of them, stressing methodological approaches and available data. Climate can modify species phenology, such as flowering date of plants and hatching date in insects. It can also change directly population demography (survival, reproduction, dispersal), and therefore species distribution. Finally it can effect interactions among species –snow cover for example can af ...Permalink![]()
Impact des changements climatiques sur les écosystèmes alpins: comment les mettre en évidence et les prévoir ?: in Revue de Géographie Alpine, 98-4
Les écosystèmes alpins vont être grandement influencés par les changements climatiques à venir, mais d’autres facteurs, tels que l’utilisation des terres ou les espèces invasives, pourront aussi jouer un rôle important. Le climat peut influencer les écosystèmes à différents niveaux, et nous en décrivons certains, en mettant l’accent sur les méthodes utilisées et les données disponibles. Le climat peut d’abord modifier la phénologie des espèces, comme la date de floraison des plantes ou la date d’éclosion des insectes. Il peut ensuite affecter directement la démographie des espèces (survie, rep ...Permalink![]()
The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in the Eastern Himalaya
IUCN, 2010Biodiversity within inland water ecosystems in the Eastern Himalaya region is both highly diverse and of great regional importance to livelihoods and economies. However, development activities are not always compatible with the conservation of this diversity, and the ecosystem requirements of biodiversity are frequently not considered in the development planning process. One of the main reasons cited for inadequate representation of biodiversity is a lack of readily available information on the status and distribution of inland water taxa. In response to this need for information, the IUCN Spe ...Permalink![]()
Trends in sustainable development: Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
United Nations, 2010Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique and special challenges. This report highlights key developments and recent trends for SIDS in a number of developmental areas.
The paper notes that the population in most SIDS will continue to age, due to decreasing fertility rates and longer life expectancy. In addition, urbanisation is widespread and increasing among the SIDS. However, SIDS contribute little to the problem of climate change, but greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise.
On the other hand, SIDS economies have suffered long term consequences from natural disasters ...Permalink![]()
UNDP’s Work in Environment and Sustainable Development : Accelerating Progress Towards the Millennium Developm ent Goals
UNDP, 2010This report report presents an overview of the UNDP's work on environment and energy and how such efforts are helping to accelerate achievement of the MDGs. It aims to demonstrate the importance of environment and energy across multiple MDGs; share experiences as contribution to the MDG Review Summit; and to highlight some of the ways in which the UNDP is equipped to offer support.Permalink![]()
One planet, Many people. Africa Water Atlas
UNEP, 2010This Atlas is a visual account of Africa's endowment and use of water resources, revealed through 224 maps and 104 satellite images as well as some 500 graphics and hundreds of compelling photos. However the Atlas is more than a collection of static maps and images accompanied by informative facts and figures: its visual elements vividly illustrate a succinct narrative describing and analyzing Africa's water issues and exemplifying them through the judicious use of case studies. It gathers information about water in Africa and its role in the economy and development, health, food security, tra ...Permalink![]()
One planet, Many people. Latin America and the Caribbean Atlas of our Changing Environment
UNEP, 2010Latin America and the Caribbean is the richest region of the planet in terms of its biological diversity that ranges from marmosets, jaguars and parrots to orchids, palms and
cacao trees.
This diversity is sustained by the abundance of its ecosystems such as tropical forests and wealth
in natural resources and reflected too in the mosaic of cultures and people that live there. The
environment of Latin America and the Caribbean also reflects the interaction between human
activities and natural processes, both past and present.
These sometimes drama ...Permalink![]()
The European environment – state and outlook 2010 : SOER 2010
EEA, 2010SOER 2010 provides a set of assessments of the current state of Europe's environment, its likely future state, what is being done and what could be done to improve it, how global megatrends might affect future trends… and more.Permalink![]()
One planet, Many people. Uganda
UNEP, 2009The Uganda Atlas of Our Changing Environment, prepared by the National Environmental Management Authority of Uganda, provides extensive scientific evidence of Uganda's changing environment. Modelled after Africa: Atlas of our Changing Environment previously published by UNEP, the Uganda Atlas seeks to safeguard the country's environment and inspire decision makers to action.Permalink![]()
One planet, Many people. Africa
UNEP, 2008Increasing concern as to how human activities impact Africa’s environment has led to documentation and quantification of the changes taking place. Through a combination of ground photographs, current and historical satellite images, and narrative based on extensive scientific evidence, this publication illustrates how humans have altered their surroundings and continue to make observable and measurable changes to Africa and its environment. A large-format, hard cover atlas of environmental change in each of Africa’s 53 countries, with reports on their progress toward the United Nation’s Millen ...Permalink![]()
Climate Change and Biodiversity in the European Union Overseas Entities
This background paper, produced by IUCN in collaboration with ONERC, offers for the first time a comparative analysis of the 28 overseas entities of the European Union. The European Union overseas entities are particularly vulnerable to climate change effects. Mostly tropical islands, they are generally small in size with limited resources;they are often isolated and largely exposed to cyclones and sea level rise.Permalink![]()
Agua para la vida : aportes a la construcción de mejores prácticas en el manejo sustentable del agua y la biodiversidad
UICN, 2008A partir del análisis de diversas experiencias locales en el manejo de agua y biodiversidad, este manual busca mostrar una propuesta integral para ampliar las capacidades de quienes se relacionan con la gestión de los recursos hídricos, en los distintos niveles.Permalink![]()
Pacific Islands regional marine species programme 2008-2012
SPREP, 2007The Marine Species Programme of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) outlines a regional strategy for the cooperative conservation and management of dugongs, marine turtles, whales and dolphins. The strategy, which will be implemented through Action Plans during 2008–2012, will enable Pacific Islanders to take a primary role in achieving the following vision:
A healthy Pacific Ocean that sustains populations of whales, dolphins,
dugongs and marine turtles, and meets the aspirations of Pacific Island
peoples and protects their natura ...Permalink![]()
One planet, Many people. Africa Lakes
UNEP, 2006The dramatic and, in some cases damaging environmental changes sweeping Africa’s lakes are brought into sharp focus in a new atlas. Produced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Atlas of African Lakes compares and contrasts spectacular satellite images of the past few decades with contemporary ones.Permalink![]()
Synergy between ecosystem change and biodiversity studies in the Western Pacific and Asia : establishing case studies for carbon management and biodiversity conservation
APN, 2005The Kyoto Protocol incorporates the vital role of forests and wetlands in its mechanisms to reduce green house gases, favouring fast growing plantations. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of forest and wetlands that harbour biological diversity. These two international frameworks need to be synergized to jointly achieve carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Guidelines need to be developed without sacrificing these mutually exclusive requirements. This project aimed at increasing the awareness and at disseminating the syne ...Permalink![]()
One planet, Many people. One Planet Many People
UNEP, 2005One Planet, Many People is intended for environmental policy makers, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academics, teachers and citizens. This colorful and approachable atlas contains photographs, satellite images, maps and narratives that provide insights into the many ways people around the world have changed, and continue to change, the environment.Permalink![]()
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CAgM Report, 91. Interactions between climate and biological diversity
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ; Korsakova S.; Gringoryan V.; et al. - Test Publisher, 2003 (WMO/TD-No. 1166)Permalink![]()
Les changements climatiques et la biodiversité : Document technique V du GIEC
Le présent document examine la diversité biologique au sein des écosystèmes à gestion intensive (agriculture, foresterie et aquaculture) et à gestion non intensive2 (terres à pâturages, forêts indigènes, écosystèmes d’eau douce et océans, etc.). Il reconnaît
également la valeur intrinsèque de la biodiversité, indépendamment des besoins et des intérêts humains.Permalink![]()
Cambio climático y biodiversidad : Documento técnico V del IPCC
Este documento trata la biodiversidad actual en ecosistemas manejados de forma intensiva (agricultura, silvicultura de plantación y acuicultura) y en los no intensivos2 (por ejemplo, en tierras de pastoreo, bosques nativos, ecosistemas de agua dulce y océanos). También reconoce el valor intrínseco de la biodiversidad, al margen de las necesidades e intereses humanos.Permalink