infoterra
Vol. 1
No. 1
SXJI
NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS
CARIBBEAN
CURRENTS
October J.991
REGIONAL MEETING REVIEW
Regional News Notes.	INFOTERRA Programme Activity Centre (PAC) hosted a threeday
conference on June 12-14,1991 for the English-speaking INFOTERRA
Welcome to the first edition of Caribbean ]\jational Focal Points (NFPs) of the Caribbean region at; the USA
Currents - the quarterly newsletter for National Focal Point in Washington, DC. INFOTERRA representatives
the English-speaking Caribbean from the countries ofBahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica,
INFOTcRRA National Focal Points. USA, and the Programme Activity Centre participated in the meeting.
This newsletter will serve as a vehicle to	Also attending the conference were Arsenio Rodriguez and Victor
promote the exchange of information	Sanchez, both of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin American and the
not only about NFP/RSC activities, but	Caribbean (ROLAC). A1 Pesachowitz, Director,-EPA Office-of
also to allow for the free exchange of	information Resources Management gave the welcoming remarks,
environmental information, share	i>. vVoyen Lee, Director, INFOTERRA PAC, gave the introductory
methods for responding to INFOTERRA ^ ^ ^	address.^
country, new or unique information Regional Conference Participants success already achieved
sources, or updates on NFP activities. *	inthenetwork. Common
concerns in locating and using information, utilizing 'computer
Please submit items for inclusion to technologies, and improving communications among the Caribbean
INFOTERRA/USA by November 15, NFPs were voiced	'
1991.
— •.r
Suggestions for achieving the shared goal of strengthening the network
in the Caribbean region included the production of regional promotional
materials and a quarterly newsletter, exploring computer
In This ISSUe	^d information management training opportunities,
and the implementation of a regional electronic mail
system.
Conference Summary		Pages 1-2
A Summary of Major events	Recommendations were produced dealing with a wide
Opening Events	Page 2	range of issues related to NFP management, promotion
Welcoming remarks	of NFP services, and regional cooperation mechanisms.
NFPs agreed that the key to success is in the sharing of
National		....Pages 3-4 information arid expertise within the region and beyond.
Drawing on existing strengths will allow NFPs to
NFP Phone List	..Page 6	overcome the challenges of limited resources and
effectively serve the information needs of requestors.
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OPENING CEREMONIES
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Al Pesachowitz, Director of the EPA Office of Information Resources Mangement,
which supervises the work of the INFOTERRA USA National Focal Point, stressed the importance of sharing
and organizing existing environmental data to facilitate improved decision-making.
Dr. Woyen Lee, INFOTERRA/PAC Director, addressed the meeting with an overview of recent developments
in the INFOTERRA network. INFOTERRA queries in 1990 reached a new high of 18,450. The INFOTERRA
Thesaurus has been completely revised in preparation of the 1991 update of the International Directory of
Sources. Additional countries have joined the INFOTERRA network and the number of sources registered is
now 6,500.
The network has been further expanded through the increased focus on a regional approach and by
companion-ship arrangements. Regional environmental and information considerations can be dealt with most
effectively at the regional level, ensuring the fastest and most efficient response to information requests. Several
NFPs in developed countries have paired up with a lesser-developed country to provide support for
strengthening rsgional information sources. Improved communications, information exchange, and training
opportunities will enable even greater effectiveness of the INFOTERRA network in the near future.
Mr. Arsenio Rodriguez, Regional Deputy Director of the UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the
Caribbean (ROLAC), and Mr. Victor Sanchez, ROLAC consultant, gave insight concerning opportunities to
enhance communications throughout the region with the use of INFOLAC, the regional electronic mail system
developed by ROLAC. Developed as part of the Action Plan for the Environment in Latin America and the
Caribbean, INFOLAC serves to "promote environmental co-operation through regional dialogue."
INFOTERRA'S NEW LOOK !!!
infoterra
national focal point
The idea that information is the
potential 'shield' in the preservation of
our world is transmitted in the new
INFOTERRA logo. This logo is
designed to be used on all official
Infoterra documents, letterhead and
bulletins.
This new logo mil reflect the worldxvide
need for comprehensive and
substantive information to insure our
environmental future.
INFOLAC serves as a tool to facilitate the identification, planning,
financing, co-ordination, and assessment of environmental projects
throughout the region. Communication concerning environmental
issues outlined in the Action Plan, as well as the freer exchange of
information, will be made possible through the use of INFOLAC.
The Regional Service
gprr |	Center is exploring
access to this exciting
pig^..	communication tool
fw, %'	and will keep NFPs
r	. ¦./- informed on its
;	f 1111811 availability.
TOlfrmL	While supporting the
mm - "	INFOTERRA network,
&			 • >• """w.'" S Jjvgi'lg , J ri j •	. , .
_	> - |;1 Mr. Rodriguez pointed
I H&t 111111 out perceived
weaknesses of the
Linda Spencer and Woyen Lee	system. The location
of the NFP reflects
the value placed on information and information services. For this
reason, the NFP should be placed at the seat of environmental
authority, preferably in the Environmental Minister's office. By
failing to connect with the policy-makers, NFP's growth and outreach
capabilities are inhibited. INFOTERRA's increased focus on regional
cooperation and management will redress many of these problems
and improve global communication among NFPs.
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INFOTERRA NATIONAL EXPERIENCES
BAHAMAS
INFOTERRA/BAHAMAS is laying the groundwork for
future development in The Bahamas. Glenn Archer and his
staff are developing a National Data Bank containing not only
information on environmental issues of relevance to The
Bahamas, butalsoadirectory of environmental organizations
and upcomingeventsand activities. The Data Bank will serve
as a valuable tool to NFPs throughout the region. The recent
acquisition of computer and telecommunicationsequiprRent
will make INFOTERRA/BAHAMAS a strong link in the
INFOTERRA network.
The National Focal Point in The Bahamas is located in the
Ministry of Health's Department of Environmental Health
Services. This Department, established in 1972, is the leading
regulatory agency in matters relating to the environment. For
this reason, the NFP is an excellent source of information on
environmental health issues, environmental regulations,
resource management, policy development, and
environmental impact assessments.
this equipment, the NFP hopes to develop a comprehensive
collection on the state of the environment in Barbados
and the wider Caribbean. All NFPs will welcome this
essential collection.
BELIZE
The Belize NFP, managed by Jaime Villanueva, isexpanding
its information services and staff to better serve the
environmental information needs of its clients. Jaime,
along with research assistant Earl Young, operate the NFP
from the Department of Fisheries: in Belize City. The NFP
is in the process of collecting a nd organizing enviroi ur.eJ ital
information, particularly on the topic of coastal zone
management, a subjoct of great interest throughout the
Caribbean.
BARBADOS
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The Barbados NFP, located in the Environmental
Unit at the Ministry of Labor, Consumer Affairs
and the Environment, is in the process of developing a
documentation center, building staff, and establishing
a telecommunications center to facilitate information
exchange locally and internationally. Bemice Ennis,
Environmental Education Officer, has joined the
INFOTERRA network as NFP manager. Her experience
in environmental education and outreach will make the
NFP an important resource in these areas.
The primary focus of NFP activities surrounds the
production of the UN CED climate change and biodiversity
statements. The principle functions of the staff, beyond
responding to INFOTERRA requests, includes advising
the Ministry on such issues as environmental impact
assessment, environmental management and
environmental legislation. In addition, implementation
of the National Conservation Strategy and the
Environmental Education Program are top priorities.
Staff at the NFP are attempting to improve access to
information sources by exploring the use of
telecommunications, computers, telephone, and fax. Using
NATIONAL FOCAL POtMT
Environmental problems of concern in Belize include
degradation of the coastal reef, deforestation,
and destruction of the mangrove swarnps.
The unique ecosystem of the coastal reef is
endangered by marine pollution, over-
fishing. and the increasing human demand
caused by tourists. The INFOTERRA
network, along with the UNEP Regional
Seas Programn ie, can provide assistance i n
understanding these pressir g problems and
developing sustainable solutions.
Resea cherf and decision-makers ha. i mad? good use of
INFOTERRA information servicer through the Be ize NFP.
Promotion cf INFOTERRA services is carried out using
poster displays, radio, leaflets, and television to ensure that
those people most in need of information know where they
can get it. Computer equipment will be used to establish
a Geographic Information System (GIS) and enable the
Caribbean region to utilize the information derived from
this vital environmental tool.
GUYANA
An active partner in the INFOTERRA network for over 10
years, Guyana NFP continues to provide a vital service to
information requestors. Managed by Mavis Taylor, the
Guyana NFP has identified 35 new sources for the
INFOTERRA Directory of Sources, promoted the network
locally, and produced a national version of the Directory.
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Personal contacts and follow-up interviews continue to be
the keys to adding new sources to the Directory.
The Guyana NFP has developed some innovative
approaches to promoting NFP services such as distribution
of a national Directory of Sources, displays at conferences
and seminars, and radio advertisements. Ms. Taylor
arranged for showings of the INFOTERRA video on
television and in theatres to ensure that a wider audience is
made a ware of INFOTERRA services. Housed at the Institute
of Applied Science, the NFP serves government officials,
representatives of the textile industry, and individuals.
The Guyana NFP is exploring options to develop a strong
documentation center and organize extensive information
resources. The NFP draws heavily on the wealth of expertise
contained in the Directory to respond to over 100 inqueries
per year. Working together with other Caribbean NFPs, the
Guyana NFP continues to provide an invaluable service to
the INFOTERRA network.
Information management and computer training were cited
by Haiti, and other NFPs, as a principle need. Working
together, Caribbean NFPs can share their expertise and
techniques for responding to INFOTERRA requests. While
the Haiti NFP faces many challenges, it will continue to expand
its services to serve the network and the Caribbean region.
JAMAICA
HAITI
As we go to press the Haiti NFP
is not operational due to the
temporarily closure of the
Ministry of Agriculture by the
Haitian government. It is
believed that the NFP will reopen October 1,1991. The RSC
will keep NFP partners informed of new developments.
In the absence of a French-speaking Regional Service Centre in
the Caribbean region and in an effort to ensure regional
continuity, Haiti has been linked with its English-speaking
INFOTERRA neighbors.
Marguerite Blemur, NFP manager, has faced the problems of
limited financial resources, political instability and lack of
environmental information in French at the NFP by utilizing
the resources of the INFOTERRA network worldwide and in
the Caribbean region. French-speaking NFPs have provided
Haiti with vital information to helpresolve their environmental
problems. Conversely, the Haiti NFP is able to return the
service, and provide information to other French-speaking
NFPs upon request.
Major environmental problems being faced by Haiti, as well
as other Caribbean nations, include deforestation, erosion,
waste management, and beach pollution. By providing
policy makers and environmental scientists with vital
information, the Haitian NFP has played a role in the
amelioration of these problems.
Alwaysan active INFOTERRA National Focal Point, Jamaica
continues to provide much needed environmental
information to the country. The National Focal Point
responds to approximately 30 requests each month.
Deforestation is one of the topics that most concerns NFP
clients. According to the Action Plan for the Caribbean
Environmental Programme, Jamaica faces one of the highest
deforestation problems in the world. Jamaican scientists and
policy makers are seeking answers
through the INFOTERRA network.
INFOTERRA can provide Jamaica
with an array of research, experience,
and examples of solutions tried in
other countries. This background of
information will assist officials in
defining Jamaican solutions.
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^FORMATION FOR A
BETTER ENVIRONMENT
Jamaica is optimistic that the newly created regional
INFOTERRA network for the English-speaking Caribbean
will provide assistance with some of the challenges facing
the NFP and has defined training support as a top priority.
Located in the Ministry of Agriculture's Natural Resources
Conservation Division, the Jamaican NFP has access to a
wealth of information related to land use and biological
diversity that will serve as a valuable resource to Caribbean
network partners.
ST. LUCIA
The INFOTERRA National Focal Point of St. Lucia,
located in the Ministry of Health, Labour, Information,
Broadcasting, and the Environment, is addressingitscurrent
manpower limitations by initiating recruiting procedures
for a full-time INFOTERRA/NFP officer. The new officer
would serve under John Husbands, NFP Manager. With
adequate staffing in place, the NFP hopes to become a force
in coordinating an exchange of environmental information
among an extensive array of governmental and non-
governmental environmental organizations within the
country.
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Unfortunately, Mr. Husbands was prevented from
attending the June regional meeting by unforeseen
circumstances. He is committed to regional cooperation.
The NFP has expertise on environmental health and planning
to share with its network partners, looks to partneis for
advice concerning mechanisms that can be devised and
implemented to guide the work of the NFP, and seeks
technical and logistical support from the RSC.
UNITED STATES
The critical urgency of global environmental issues has made
timely, reliable international environmental information the
crucial need of the 1990s. INFOTERRA is the perfect network
to respond to this need. At the USA National Focal Point
(USA NFP), staff are working to let the environmental
community know that INFOTERRA has answers. As a
result, the USA NFP has experienced a tremendous growth
during the last year. Requests have increased from 100 per
month to between300and 400. To keep up wi th the increased
work, five additional staff people have been hired.
The staff has a wealth of environmental resources at its
disposal. Housed at the US. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Headquarters Libraiy, the NFP has access to
over 500 environmental databases, EPA experts, and the
research collections at 28 EPA libraries across the nation.
In its new role as Regional Service Centre for the English-
speaking Caribbean, the USA NFP looks to the regional
NFPs for guidance. The USA NFP is hopeful of crafting
support services that will complement and supplement the
many regional NFP activities. This newsletter is a beginning
of what we hope will be improved dialogue and cooperation
among the Caribbean NFPs. By cooperating to strengthen
environmental information exchange in the region, we work
together to improve the global exchange of critical
environmental data.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
JUNE 5,1992
ONJ.Y ONE EARTH
CARE AND SHARE
The focus of World Environment Day (WED) 1992
reflects the importance of combining action with
ideas.
The slogan Only One Earth, Care and Share means that in
order to improve the state of the environment, caring as
individuals or as nations about making positive changes
to effect environmentally sustainable development is
not enough. We must act together to be successful. In
order to act together we must learn to share the
responsibilities, resources, information, and technologies
that are essential to ameliorate environmental problems.
The main theme for World Environment Day is the 20th
anniversary of UNEP. Celebrations will highlight past
achievements and future challenges. In addition,
activities related to the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) which
coincides with World Environment Day will be of great
importance.
<• if	*2 If I
Information, brochures, and the official WED logo will
be distributed by the UNEiJ Information and Public
Affairs Branch in Nairobi. For additional information
please contact:
Mr. Francisco Vasquez
Information and Public Affairs Branch <1PA)
United Nations Environment Programme
P.O. Box 30552
Nairobi, KENYA
FAX: (254) 2-520302
Telex: 22068 UNEP KE
„.	Phone: (254) 2-333930
Reaching The RSC...
Please note that the telephone and fax numbers of
the RSC have changed to:
Our mailing address is:
Phone: (202) 260-5917
Fax: (202) 260-3923
INFOTERRA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters Libraiy
Room 2904, PM-211A
401 M Street. S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
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A VIEW OF INFOTERRA SUCCESSES OVER FOURTEEN YEARS
The following is an excerpt of a speech given by Dr. Mostafa K. Tolba, Executive Director, United Nations
Environment Program me.Dr. Tolba, emphasizing the important role INFOTERRA has played in providing
environmental inform ation to decision-makers, reseat nhers, and concerned individuals around the world
stated:
A critical area in the quest for knowledge is the availability of information. Reliable information is required as
a basis for all decisions. The United Nations Environment Programme has operated an international
environmental information system for the past fourteen years. From humble beginnings, INFOTERRA has
developed into one of the largest information supply systems on the environment in the world. It now handles
about 18,000 queries a year through its National Focal Points in 138 countries and its Programme Activity
Centre at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi. Most of the information it supplies is in the form of documents —
which themselves are the result of research in the countries and United Nations agencies which participate
in INFOTERRA activities.
Our goal is common: to provide a better world based on a thorough understanding of our potentials, and our
limitations. The need to develop technologies which are environmentally sound, patterns of production which
are not wasteful of non-renewable resources and which recycle and reuse such resources, sources of energy
which are renewable and those wh'ch pollute less, assume their importance. Here is the important role for the
exchange of environmental experience: experience of being miserly with our limited resources, of serving and
reusing, needs to be translated into concrete techniques, and knowledge of these techniques made available
to the world community at large.
NFP ADDRESSES
Please notify the RSC of any changes or corrections
Glenn Archer
Department of Environmental Health Services
P.O. Box N-3729
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS
Phone: (809)322-4908	Fax: (F09) 426-895t
Ms, Bemice Ennis
Administrative Officer (Environment)
Ministry of LaV>ur, Consumer Affairs and
the Environment
Marine House, Hastings
St Michael, 29
BARBADOS
Phone: (809)427-2326	Fax: (809)426-8959
Mr. Jaime Villanueva
Fisheries Department
Princess Margaret Drive
P.O. Box 148
Belize City, BELIZE
Telephone: 501-2-44552	FAX: 501-2-32983
Ms. Mavis Taylor
Institute of Applied Science and Technology
University Campus
P.O. Box 101050
Georgetown, GUYANA
Telephone: 53922 or 53829 Fax: 592-2-53042
Ms. Marguerite Blemur
Ministere de l'Agriculture et des Resources Naturalles
et du DevlopPment Rural
P.O. Box 1441
Port-au Mnce, Haiti W.l.
Telephone: 509-22-1867	FAX: 509-22-3599
Ms. Sharon O'Connor
Natural Resources Conservation Divison
Ministry of Finance, Development and Planning
531/2 Moylnes Road, P.O. Box 305
Kingston, JAMAICA
Telephone: (809) 923-5155 FAX: (809) 923-5070
Mr. John Husbands
Health Planner
Ministry of Health, Labour, Information
Broadcasting, and the Environment
Chausee Road
Castries. ST. LUCIA
Telephone: (809)453-1960 FAX (809)453-1080
Ms. Linda Spencer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters library
Room 2904, PM-211A
401 M Street. S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460, USA
Telephone: (202) 260-5917 FAX: (202) 260-3923
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