United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Resources
Management
(PM-211A)
vvEPA
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATE
May 1991
220N91005
f/!AY .] S 1991
UNCED PROFILE:
WORKING GROUP III
Mary Stevanus
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, will chart the course
of environmental activities on a global scale.
The second in a series of preparatory meetings was recently
completed in Geneva, thus accelerating events towards the final
Summit in Brazil. One of the most important events of the
PrepCommll was the meeting of Working Group III (WG 3), one
of three groups formed to consider issues on the UNCED agenda.
WG 3 will consider the legal and institutional issues to be dealt
with at UNCED such as international environmental conventions,
the role of governments and international organizations, and the
future role and form of United Nations Environment Programme.
The practical solutions we devise, the concrete
measures we propose will be of little effect if not
accompanied by a deep and profound stirring of the
human spirit
- Maurice Strong
UNCED Secretariat
Specifically, WG 3 has been mandated to:
«• Review existing international agreements.
«•• Formulate the "Earth Charter" - a statement
of the rights and responsibilities of governments.
•*• Develop methods to strengthen
cooperation between UNEP and other
international organizations.
«• Review the role of the UN system and its
environmental components.
•» Determine the future role and shape of UNEP.
PrepComm III will convene in Geneva on August 12 - September
4,1991 to continue discussion on these issues. For more information
on UNCED developments, please contact Mary Stevanus at
FTS 245-3638.
VICTIMS OF NATURE:
ENVIRONMENTAL REFUGEES
INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point
Keith Chanon
Currently, it is estimated that over 10
million environmental refugees exist
throughout the world. They can be found
in all parts of the world due to the
devastating effects of land degradation,
deforestation, toxic chemicals, drought,
unsustainable development, poor
agricultural practices, and environmental
accidents. Three types of environmental
refugees have emerged including the
temporarily displaced, the permanently
displaced, and those moving in search of
a better resource base.
Environmental catastrophes have
occurred in both the developing and
industrialized countries. In Ecuador,
Bolivia, and Peru, people have been
forced to leave their villages due to
flooding caused by the loss of topsoil.
The over-exploitation and depletion of
forests in the Andes have reduced their
capacity to absorb heavy rainfall. As a
result, flooding has caused sxlsrvsive
damage to occupied areas and has
destroyed several villages.
(continued on page 2)
Need information fast to finish that report or
respond to any inquiry? Then call the
INFOTERRA staff. We
have access to a wide range
of information systems
and services for your use.
For additional information
call FTS 382-5917.
Printed on Recycled Paper
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(continued from page 1)
In the Soviet Union, agricultural policies have led to
the evaporation of the Aral Sea. Consequently, the
sea's reduced surface area and volume have generated
a high level of salinization throughout the region.
This phenomena has destroyed the fishing industry,
and has forced people to relocate to other areas in
order to escape health hazards and to find new
employment opportunities.
Accordingto the WorldWatch Institute, "Environmental
refugees have become the single largest class of
displaced persons in the world." For this reason, it is
important for decision makers to implement
sustainable environmental policies.
The following sources are available in the International
Collection in the Headquarters Library:
El-Hinnawi, Essam. Environmental Refugees.
(Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme,
1985). HV 640.H54 1985.
Jacobson, Jodi L. "Abandoning Homelands,"
State of the World. (New York: W.W. Norton &
Company, 1989). HC 59.571989.
New Acquisitions:
Check This Out!
The Environmentalist, an international quarterly
published by Science and Technology Letters of
Middlesex, U.K., has been added to the International
Collection. This journal attempts to bridge the
information gap among environmental professionals,
educators, and policy makers. It consists of editorials,
in-depth articles, conference reports, book reviews,
and conference announcements.
Most of the articles are case studies on a particular
geographic area ("Bacteriological quality of spring water
in Bahrain"; "Moving toward economic-cum-
environmental sustainability in Asian developing
countries"), though a few deal with broad global issues
("Economic growth, national income and the blocked
choices for the environment"; "Ecology of the mind and
educational research: chemistry, the universal language of
nature"). The contributing authors represent private
industry, research institutes, and government agencies.
The highly readable format includes maps, graphs, tables
and photographs.
International Agreement
on
Antarctica Proposed
John Butsch
A 50-year prohibition on mineral resources activities
in Antarctica, including exploration and mining,
was approved in late April by signatory nations of
the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. Delegates from thirty-
nine countries met in Madrid, Spain, from April 22-
30 to discuss the future of mining rights in Antarctica.
The agreement would prohibit any mineral-related
activity in the Antarctic, with the exception of scientific
activities. Theminingmoratoriumcouldbeliftedafter
50 years if all of the consultative nations agree.
Environmental impact assessment procedures for
activities on the continent would also be established.
The agreement
represents a
compromise
between nations
led by the United
States, which
wanted to ensure
the possibility of
future mining, and other nations, led by France and
Australia, which wanted a permanent ban on mineral
development in Antarctica.
The United States had considered a maximum ban of
40 years going into the meeting. However, policy
statements by a few key players changed the direction
of the talks.
In the days prior to the Madrid meeting, Germany
declared its support for a permanent ban. Early in the
talks, Japan announced that it favored a mineral ban
with a review mechanism, stating it was unclear when
thetechnologywouldbeavailabletocarry out Antarctic
miningunderstrictterms for environmental protection.
The proposal will be sent back to the signatory nations
for national approval before it is formally signed as a
Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty. The delegates will
meet again in Madrid from June 17-23,1991.
Formore information on the Antarctic Agreement call
John Butsch at FTS 382-5917.
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