United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Resources
Management
(PM-211A)
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATE
September 1991
220N91009
1NFOTERRA Southern African Regional Network
-John Butsch
The INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point (NFP) organized and sponsored a conference in Gaborone,
Botswana from July 8-11 designed to coordinate a Southern African Regional Network within the INFOTERRA
structure. The meeting was held at the University of Botswana.
The meeting was attended by delegates from the INFOTERRA NFPs of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania,
Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Other organizations represented include the INFOTERRA Programme Activity Centre
(PAC), INFOTERRA/USA, INFOTERRA/! re land, the Southern African Development Coordination Conference
(SADCC), and the U.S. Peace Corps.
The purpose of the meeting was to examine the ways and means of establishing a Southern African Regional
Network of environmental information in the English-speaking SADCC countries. This regionalization process is
a result of recommendations from the 1989 INFOTERRA Moscow meeting.
Country reports from the various NFPs illustrated the
need for improved communication and information
technology throughout the region.
The Botswana NFP was designated as the Regional Service
Centre for the Southern African region. The decision was made to
provide equipment necessary to each NFP to ensure the collection and
dissemination of environmental information and enable regional exchanges.
The next regional meeting will be a two-week train ing workshop to be held
in Lesotho in March 1992, which will emphasize information management,
computertraining, INFOTERRAoperations, and environmental information.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTRE
Located in Bonn, Germany, the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) serves as
one of the largest repositories of environmental legislation in the world. ELC
collects legislation and regulations worldwide and makes these laws accessible
to policy-makers, researchers, and environmentalists.
The ELC maintains the Environmental Law Information System (ELIS) - a data
bank of existinglegal instruments andabibliographyon international environmental
law. ELIS is updated on a continual basis to ensure currency. The Environmental
Law Centre combines knowledge, expertise, and information to assist policy-
makers in drafting effective environmental legislation. Although a fee-based
sytem, the ELC does provide service to governments of developing countries free
of charge.
Requests for information can be directed to ELC:
IUCN Environment Law Centre
Adenaueralle 214
5300 Bonn-1, Germany
INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point
Telephone: 49/228-2692-231
FAX: 49/228-2692-250
r,
n
PLEASE COME BROWSE
Starting in September the following
international environmental journals will
be displayed in the International Collection
of the EPA Headquarters Library. We
encourage everyone to stop by and browse
through your favorite journal. Following
is a selected list of displayed International
titles:
Buzzworm
Ecologist
Environment International
Environmental Policy and Law
Harvard Environmental Law Review
IUCN Bulletin
International Environment Reporter
Japan Environment Monitor
Multinational Environmental
Reporter
New Scientist
WorldWatch
World Press Review
A> Printed on Recycled Paper
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NEW JOURNAL REVIEW:
Buzzworm: The Environmental
Journal.
-Kelly Dugan
Buzzworm: The Environmental Journal Is now available
In the Headquarters Library. This new publication covers
a wide range of environmental issues ranging from local
to global, from domestic to international, and from
human health to animal welfare.
In addition to monthly feature articles and fiction,
Buzzworm also has standard features. "Notes, News, and
Reviews" presents a variety of short articles on current
topics, "Green Products Review" keeps readers informed
about environmentally friendly products, and
"Connections" offers a look at volunteer and employment
opportunities in environmental jobs around the world.
The July/August issue includes the annual publication
"Songdog", a magazine-within-a-magazine showcasing
this year's winner of the Edward Abbey Award for
EcoFiction, Barbara Kingsolver, and her story "Animal
Dreams".
Did You Know?,.,
Telephone numbers throughout the
EPA have changed. You can now
reach the INFOTERRA staff at the
following FTS numbers:
Linda Spencer: 260-1522
JohnButsch: 260-5917
Mary Stevanus: 260-2628
Lili Vivanco: 260-5927
Gary Prevost: 260-5638
Chris Holben: 260-5638
INFOTERRA FAX: 260-3923
The July/August issue also focuses on important international topics with two of its features, "Bye-
Bye, Bio-Bio" and "Trekking With the Tiger." The first discusses the devastating effects of damming
projects on Chile's Rio Bio-Bio to be funded by the World Bank. The second is a photographic and
journalistic trek through China's Tiger Leaping Gorge, home to the Yangtze river. Once only accessible
by foot, the gorge may soon contain the beginnings of a road which would forever change the Tiger.
For more information about Buzzworm and other international journals, visit the Periodical Display
area of the International Collection in Room 2904.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEW AND NOTEWORTHY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Recent articles of interest
Chapin, Mac. "Losing the Way of the Great Father." [Traditional conservation by Kuna Indians in Panama] J&w
Scientist. August 10,1991. Vol. 131, No. 1781. pp. 40-44.
"EPA Unveils Draft Proposal to Clean Up Mexican Border." Multinational Environmental Outlook. August 6,1991.
Vol. 17, No. 16. p. 125.
MacKenzie, Debora. "Strong Words to Save the Planet." [UNCED Secretariat Maurice Strong] New Scientist. August
10, 1991. Vol. 131, No. 1781. pp. 17-18.
McDonell, Gavan. "Toxic Waste Management in Australia: Why Did Policy Reform Fail?" Environment July/August
1991. Vol. 33, No. 6. pp. 10-13,33-39.
"Reilly Urges Congress to Ratify Basel Convention Waste Export Bill." Multinational Environmental Outlook.
August 6,1991. Vol. 17, No. 16. p. 125.
EPA Headauarters Librarv
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