United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Resources
Management
(PM-211A)
November 1991
220N91011
INTERNATIONAL
UPDATE
Wider Caribbean Initiative
Establishment of an Environmental Information Consortium
U.S. EPA's Office of International Activities (OIA) is developing a Wider Caribbean Initiative which
will address the need for basic change in the approach to development in the region and integrate the needs
for free trade, environmental quality and sustainable development. A new partnership among governments.
non-governments, industry and academia will be forged to accomplish this. To realize this goal, OIA
envisions the formation of a consortium, initially in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which will
concentrate on reducing land-based sources of pollution through the practices of pollution prevention and
sustainable development. This localized consortium will serve to address the problems of Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands, and to facilitate training and technology cooperation throughout the Caribbean.
As one of the initial steps, the Office of Information Resources Management (OIRM) has conducted a
survey of the existing environmental information management practices and services in Puerto Rico. Based
on the initial findings in the assessment, OIRM has developed a strategic plan for information resource
management in the Wider Caribbean which includes the establishment of an environmental information center
in Puerto Rico. The Center will serve to facilitate the effective exchange and use of environmental
information to serve the public, private industry, academia and governmental agencies in Puerto Rico. The
Center is envisioned as a clearinghouse for information, training, and technology cooperation.
EPA Administrator William K. Reilly will announce the opening date for the Center at a March
meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The meeting will also serve as an opportunity for receiving commitments
for participation in the consortium and Center from local organizations and other national governments. For
more information on the Wider Caribbean Initiative please contact Ed Johnson (OIA) at FTS 260-4878 or
Andrew Battin, (OIRM/IMSD) at FTS 260-5109.
— Andrew Battin
Recent Journal Articles of Interest
Bennett, Graham. "The History of the
Dutch National Environmental Policy
Plan." Environment. Vol. 33, No. 7.
September 1991. pp. 6-9, 31-33.
Colchester, Marcus. "Guatemala: The
Clamour for Land and the Fate of the
Forests." The Ecologist. Vol. 21, No.
4. July/August 1991. pp. 177-183.
Kemf, Elizabeth. "Casualties of
Vietnam's Recovery." New Scientist.
Vol. 131, No. 1786. September 14,
1991. pp. 40-43.
Loske, Reinhard. "Ecological Taxes,
Energy Policy and Greenhouse Gas
Reductions." The Ecologist. Vol. 21,
No. 4. July/August 1991. pp. 173-176.
McCully, Patrick. "How WRI is
AttemptingtoShifttheBlameforGlobal
Warming." The Ecologist. Vol. 21,
No. 4. July/August 1991. pp. 157-166.
Morrison, Pat, et al. 'Tourism and the
Environment: A Case Study from
Turkey." The Environmentalist. Vol.
11, No. 2. Summer 1991. pp. 113-129.
Selcraig, Bruce. "Costa Rica's Lethal
Harvest" rpes&'cidemisusel International
Wildlife. Vol. 21, No. 6. November
1991. pp. 20-24.
Stetson, Marnie. "People Who Live in
Glass Houses." [North vs. South over
carbon emissions] Worldwatch. Vol.
4, No. 5. September/October 1991. pp.
22-29.
INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point
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New Journal Review:
The Ecoloaist
The Ecologist is the most recent
addition to journal holdings in the
International Collection located in the
EPA Headquarters Library.
Published bi-monthly by Ecosystems
Ltd. of England, The Ecologist
provides a thought-provoking
examination of critical environmental
issues. The international editorial
staff.jdrawn from academia and non-
governmental organizations, produces
this environmentally comprehensive
journal from differing perspectives.
The main section of The
Ecologist contains feature articles
written by contributing authors from
around the world. Many articles focus
on global solutions to environmental
problems. Environmental policies
from nations around the world are
also investigated in the feature articles
section. The editorial leading each
issue spotlights current controversial
environmental topics. Book reviews
and letters are also common features
to each issue.
The September/October issue
includes discussion of two important
international issues. "The Military,
the Nation State and the Environment"
examines how military-industrial
complexes are a major source of
global pollution, use tremendous
amounts of energy, and consume
unnecessary quantities of natural
resources. "The Flawed 'Sustainable'
Promise of Genetic Engineering"
explores the issue of genetic
engineering and its application in
agriculture. Environmental scientists
claim genetic engineering would
eliminate ecologically sound methods
of farming .
The Ecologist is an excellent
addition to the International
Collection. Articles from contributing
authors are very informative and well
referenced. This journal is not just
news, it makes you think. For more
information, please contact the
INFOTERRA staff at FTS 260-5917.
- Gary Prevost
New and Noteworthy
New Acquisitions in the International Collection
Barrett, Brendan F. Environmental Policy and Impact
Assessment in Japan. London: Routledge, 1990.
HC465. E5B371990
Bennett, Graham, ed. Air Pollution Control in the
European Community: Implementation of the EC
Directives in the Twelve Member States. London:
Graham & Trotman, 1991. KJE6249 .1471991
Brackley, Peter, ed. World Guide to Environmental
Issues and Organizations. London: Longman
Publishers, 1990. REFTD170.W67
De La Pedraja Tomban, Renbe. Energy Politics in
Columbia. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1988.
HD9502 .C72D431989
Deere, Carmen D., In the Shadows of the Sun:
Caribbean Development Alternatives and U.S. Policy.
Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1990. HC151.151990
Kiss, Alexandra. International Environmental Law.
New York: Transnational Publishers, 1991. K3585.4
.K574 1991
Laws and Standards on Pollution Control in Thailand.
Office of the National Environment Board, 1989.
TD1875 T5L39
Wionczek, Miguel S. ed. Energy Policies in Mexico:
Problems and Prospects for the Future. Boulder, CO:
Westview Press, 1988. HD9502 M62E571988
Schlickman, J. Andrew, et al. International
Environmental Law and Regulation. Salem, NH:
Butterworth, 1991. K3585.4 J573 1991
Stoker, Teresa N. International Environmental Issues:
African Case Studies. Monticello, IL: Vance
Bibliographies, 1987. Z7164A2 P72P2128
Turnbull, Mildred. Soviet Environmental Policies and
Practicies: The Most Critical Investment. Brookfield,
VT: Dartmouth Press, 1991. HC 340.E5 T871990.
UNEP, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Climate Change: the IPCC Response Strategies.
Washington, DC: Island Press, 1991. QH981.8 .C5C516
1991
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through the EPA Information Services Contract.
EPA Headauarters Library
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