United States Environmental Protection Agency Information Resources Management (PM-211A) INTERNATIONAL UPDATE May 1992 220N92024 RECElVfc-U •-2T98? REGION UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS I attended the Conference on Information Systems, the Environment, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 16-20. .The conference was sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources. The objectives of the meeting were to encourage the exchange of computerized information on regional programs that store and distribute information, and to identify specific regional cooperative activities that facilitate decision-making on environmental management. The attendees included delegates from eighteen Latin American and Caribbean nations, representatives from international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, private industry, and Puerto Rican governmental organizations. The agenda consisted of • Presentations by the countries' delegates on the state of environmental information in each country, including, in some cases, their experiences with GIS • Overview of international networks and their utilization in Latin America and the Caribbean • The UNEP's GRID (Global Resource Information Database) and its network • General presentation on GIS components and applications • Workgroup discussions on databanks and networks, and on GIS. INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point - Emma J. McNamara An exhibit of information systems and tools was on display as part of the conference. EPA was represented by INFOTERRA/USA, ISI (Information Systems Inventory), STORET, AIRS, and other databases. Region 2 and Caribbean Field Office staff helped man the EPA display booth. WORKGROUP RECOMMENDATIONS Databanks and Networks: The major problem identified by this workgroup was the underutilization of the various networks and databases that already exist in the region. This lack of use was attributed, in part, to the problems of communication and information exchange between national and regional institutions. The group recognized the need to improve the linkages between the systems, increase and improve user access, and increase the number of users. Some of the recommendations included the compilation of an international directory of environmental databases, the establishment of regional electronic transmission centers to facilitate access to information, and the development of training programs for users of networks and databases. Geographic Information Systems: Some of the problems identified by this group included the limited use of GIS by the environmental sector of government, lack of guidance and standards to assist in the CIS-selection process, lack of trained personnel, and insufficient funding. The group made several recommendations including developing pilot programs that address major regional problems, improving training opportunities, exploring new sources of financing, and strengthening communication and information access on GIS-related topics. If you would like to see the reports provided by the countries' representatives and the final recommendations please call me, Emma McNamara, INFOTERRA/USA Manager, at (202) 260- 1522. GQ _ . _ . .„ 0 ^^ Printed on Recycled Paper ------- LOOKING FOR EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (EC) INFORMATION? A Guide to European Information Sources in the International Collection Following is a brief guide to publications on environmental and political activities available in the International Collection. Current issues of international periodicals can be found in the New Journals Section in the International Collection. Back issues are shelved alphabetically in the Periodical Collection of the Headquarters Library. Some periodicals are located in the Vertical File of the International Collection. Visit the collection in Room 2904 or call the INFOTERRA staff for more information at 260-5917. Environmental Policy and Law International Council of Environmental Law 6 issues per year; back issues shelved in the Periodicals Collection. This quarterly journal combines news and analysis of European and international environmental activities with full text of protocols, agreements, and international environmental statements. FORUM Council of Europe Irregular; shelved in the Vertical File. This full color news magazine covers political, economic, scientific and social issues of interest to the Council of Europe. While the magazine focuses on political issues, the environment is occasionally covered. Environmental Research Newsletter Commission of the European Communities Irregular; shelved in the Vertical File. EC regulatory activity on the environment is arranged by subject and medium: environmental chemicals, water, soil, environmental and human health, and ecosystems. This newsletter also contains information on new publications, EC activities and events, and European environmental research programs. NEW AND NOTEWORTHY Books added to the International Collection that may be of interest to you: Action Plan for the Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean. [English & Spanish versions] Mexico City: UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, 1991. TD171S.C27A38 Environmental Effects of Ozone Depletion. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme, 1991. TD885.5.085 £58 Environmental Protection Policy in Japan. Tokyo: Environment Information Center, 1991. TD170.8.J3 £58 Global Biodiversity Strategy: Guidelines for Action to Save, Study, and Use Earth's Biotic Wealth Sustainably and Equitably. Washington: World Resources Institute and others, 1992. QH75.G51992 Nfemec, Jan. Lights & Shadows: Environment in Czech Republic, Paris: Marketing Dynamics International, 1991. TD171J5.C951S4 Rummel-Bulska, Iwona, ed. Selected Multilateral Treaties in the Field of the Environment. Cambridge, Grotius Publications, 1991. REFK35853.S451991 International Environment Reporter BNA Publications Bi-weekly; shelved in the International Collection. The Reporter is divided into two sections: the weekly newsletter and the reference section. Current events, conference reports, and news articles are included in the newsletter. Full text of EC Directives, conventions, international treaties, and agreements can be found in the reference section. Noturppa Council of Europe Quarterly; shelved in the Vertical file. Naturopa combines information on Council activities and analysis of legal and regulatory activities with background on environmental research. IRPTC Information Source Updated EPA's Office of Information Resources Management, National Correspondent to the United Nations Environment Programme's International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC), recently completed an update of the U.S. portion of the IRPTC Legal File. Over 10,000 records of U.S. chemical legislation were sent to Geneva, Switzerland for inclusion in the register. For more information contact Andrew Battin at (202)260-5109. ------- |