United States Environmental Protection Agency Administration And Resources Management (PM-221A) April 1992 &EPA CARIBBEAN CURRENTS REGIONAL NEWS NOTES: Welcome to the third edition of Caribbean Currents - the quarterly newsletter for the English and French- speaking CaribbeanlNFOTERRA National Focal Points. We would like to thank all the contributors to this edition for their assistance. Environmental interest in the Wider Caribbean has accelerated recently, prompted in part by the June United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Issues and events highlighted in this edition of the Caribbean Currents include regional environmental meetings, new information sources and publications, and promotion of INFOTERRA NFP services. The next issue will be published on August 1,1992. All NFPs are encouraged to use the Caribbean Currents as a forum to let others know about your resources and share your successes with the network. Please send your submissions to the Regional Service Centre by July 15,1992. In This Issue INFOTERRA PROMOTION AND OUTREACH Making Your Services Indispensable Promotion and outreach axt the key to the operation of a successful National Focal Point (NFP). Information exchange and collection development, considered non-essential services in some institutions, often lack funding and support. Consequently, creative outreach and promotion are crucial to keep NFP information services in the spotlight. NFPs, often based in government ministries, serve both internal and external audiences. The internal audience is composed of decision- makers, infoimation professionals, scientists, and other groups within your organization. All other requestors, from within or outside your country, form the external audience. This article is the first installment of a two-part series. In this issue we will focus on identifying your internal audience and how to become an integral part of your organization by supporting its mission and information needs. Part Two, which will appear in the August issue of Caribbean Currents, will highlight wavs to promote INFOTERRA services outside your organization. Who is your Internal Audience? NFPs are established in a variety of locales. While most are located in environmental agencies or ministries, some are located in university libraries, research centers or other offices. Decision-makers and managers who influence NFP operations and funding are the primary internal audience, along with colleagues involved in international relations. Maintaining close communications with these decision-makers is central to internal promotion and outreach. Making Your Services Indispensable Pages 1 -2 NFP Promotion and Outreach World Environment Day Page 3 Looking Towards UNCED Free Publications Environmental Education Resources Identifying the Internal Audience: • Who's Who in your Organization One essential tool for the NFP is a listing of environmental decision-makers. Much like the NFP staff registers sources for the Directory of Sources, they can NFP Phone List Page 8 (continued on page 2) 1 Printed on Recycv<3 Paper ------- (continued from page 1) compile the list of policy-makers within the organization for fiiture reference using internal telephone books, professional directories, organizational charts and other available tools. This listing can be kept in a format that facilitates updating, whether in a rolodex or card file, or in electronic form. It should also include other potential users, such as scientists or information managers, often supporters of INFOTERRA services. • Staying Current It is important to keep up with changes in personnel at the organization. As new players emerge they should be contacted and briefed on INFOTERRA services. Internal memos, press releases, newspaper articles, and other sources can help you identify new staff. Establishing Closer Contacts Frequent communication from the NFP to its internal audience is one of the simplest promotion tools. Regular reports on activities, innovations, responses to queries, and projects sent to immediate supervisors and other key personnel keeps them informed of NFP functions and emphasizes its value to the organization. Routing monthly reports, newsletters, the Caribbean Currents. and NFP publications are also valuable outreach activities. Once identified, your internal user group should be made aware of how useful INFOTERRA can be in satisfying information needs. Basic promotion and outreach techniques can be applied to get your message to the^-selected group. A generic "Orientation Presentation" can be developed and used at briefings. This presentation should be updated to reflect current and relevant topics. Other outreach activities include displays of INFOTERRA materials at strategic areas such as library oi" documentation centres, public areas, bulletin boards .and offices. More specific ways to reach your audience are • Briefings of high-level administrators on specialized information topics • Customized presentations on INFOTERRA services to specialized groups. Serving the Special Information Needs of Decision-Makers Most often the information needs of policy-makers are quite different from those of other members of the organization. They require up-to-date concise information on current events and issues. Through the INFOTERRA network, you have access to information on: • Recent environmental activities and initiatives • Environmental legislation and regulation • Major environmental meetings and conferences • Specialized environmental expertise through the Special Sectoral Sources. Top officials in the organization do not have the time to initiate requests for information on a regular basis. The NFP can anticipate those needs, respond to them, and foster its image as a member of the team. As an example, INFOTERRA/USA has developed the Senior Information Service (SIS). The SIS focuses on a topic of interest, such as environmental legislation or climate change, and provides selected decision-makers with regular updates on current events, recent research and relevant publications. Getting in the "Information Loop" Within Your Organization To better execute your information functions you need to identify current policies, new trends, and information sources within your organization. To fully complete the "Loop" and to promote INFOTERRA services, participate in staff meetings, write articles for in-house publications, and be a player in organization-sponsored activities. (Next Issue: Part II. Promoting Your Services Outside the Organization and Locating External Sources of Information) 2 ------- WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY "CARE AND SHARE" World Environment Day activities will focus on Rio De Janeiro, Brazil^ the site of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). People around the world will celebrate the beauty and fragility of our planet on June 5th and 6th. •"1 ' ' To enable countries to plan for their own celebration, the United Nations Environment Programme will produce a special information kit that will contain a news release, the UNEP Executive Directors' State of the Environment Report 1972-1992. a poster, stickers, and other information. Groups and individuals who would like more information about World Environment Day activities . should contact the UNEP Information and Public Affairs Branch at the following address: United Nations Environment Programme Information and Public Affairs Branch P.O. Box 30552 Nairobi, KENYA Telephone: (254 2)230800 Fax: (254 2)226831 Telex: 22068 UNEP KE New Book Review: Saving Our Planet: Challenges and Hopes The State of the Environment 1972-1992 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) This UNEP report, produced in preparation for the June 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), presents a brief analytical overview of changes in the state of the world environment since the Stockholm Conference in 1972. By identifying, analyzing and interpreting different changes in the environment over two decades, policy- makers have a better understanding of the environmental crisis to be considered at UNCED. The five-part report encompasses both environmental and developmental issues. The first part evaluates the current state of the environment. Global concerns such as biological diversity, deforestation, and hazardous wastes are addressed. In addition to statistical data, there is background information on each environmental challenge and reasons why action is needed. Data covering world use, world consumption and atmospheric concentrations of halocarbons, along with schedules for phasing out CFCs and halons under the Montreal Protocol are featured. The impact of development on the environment is examined in part two of the report Proper disposal of wastes from industry is a major concern. Another is how the effectiveness of pesticides has been reduced through ? repeated applications which have built-up resistance among target pests. Parts three and four address human well-being and perceptions of the environmental crisis. The effects of keeping large military forces in active duty worldwide include wasted natural resources and funds diverted away from human needs in the developing world. The final part outlines the major challenges facing the world community and presents a number of priorities for action. Two of those challenges are lack of comprehensive environmental data from developing countries and lack of equipment to sufficiently monitor the world environment The report highlights the positive steps taken by the developed world towards improved environmental management and stresses the need for developing nations to do the same. It is hoped that UNCED will facilitate this transfer of environmental expertise. 3 ------- Free Environmental Education Publications from UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has collaborated with UNEP since 1975 topromote environmental education and awareness. The Information Exchange on Science and Technology Education, a joint effort, promotes information exchange and networking among teachers, scientists and policy-makers. „ UNESCO publishes numerous documents on environmental education and related scientific and technological issues. Many of these publications are available in English and other languages. Publications available free of charae include: UNESCO.foqises on eight major environmental problem areas: ~ climate change and atmospheric pollution ; ~ management of freshwater resources ~ cdastal'aieas and oceans ~ land destruction ~ 1q§s of biological diversity ~ hazardous wastes ~ toxic chemicals ~ human health conditions Strategies for the Training of Teachers in Environmental Education. (#333.35). 152 p. This is a discussion guide for UNESCO training seminars on environmental education. Prototype Environmental Education Curriculum for the Middle School. (#333.49) 161 p. Environmental Education. Training of Teacher Educators, Curriculum Developers, Educational Planners, and Administrators. (#333.21) 327 p. International Directory of Institutions Active in the Field of Environmental Education. (#333.30) 526 p. For a complete publications list or to order any of the free documents, please contact UNESCO at the following address: UNESCO ED/STE 7 Place de Fontenoy Paris 75700 FRANCE Phone: 33-1-4-5681000 Fax: 33-1-4-5671690 Telex: 270-602 Cable: UNESCO PARIS Environmental Education Packages OUTREACH OUTREACH, a coalition of local, national and international organizations, strives to disseminate information and practical educational materials on environmental and health issues. The OUTREACH Newsletter, educational packets and leam-by-doing exercises provide easy to read and do scientific experiments for students of all ages. Information packets are produced on such topics as water & health, appropriate technology, our changing atmosphere, rainforests, and the marine environment. In the information packet on solar energy, educators find detailed instructions on performing basic scientific &periments on solar energy, designs for easily constructed classroom projects, background articles on renewable energy and "Learn-By-Doing Leaflets" - brochures designed to teach very young children basic earth sciences through simple experimentation. OUTREACH packets are available free of charge and may be copied and distributed freely. Several packets are available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic. To find out more about OUTREACH, or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Dr. James Connor at the following address: Dr. James Connor OUTREACH Director Teacher and Learning Center 200 East Building New York University New York City, New York 10003 4 ------- Regional Resources: Belize Center for Environmental Studies The Belize Center for Environmental Studies, founded in April 1988, serves as an information clearinghouse on environmental issues as well as a coordinating body for environmental activities in Belize. It is open to the public and there is no charge for the use of its materials. One of the major goals of the Center is to strengthen the capability of domestic institutions to conduct environmental impact assessments in-country. To that effect, the Center works closely with government agencies and international bodies to initiate training programs and develop guidelines for these assessments:^ Past projects include: • Survey of the critical habitat of Belize • Plans for a five-year U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) natural resource management project • Research on pesticides and pesticide use • Conducting an environmental assessment of the Vaca area • Developing a management plan for the Monkey River Special Habitat Area. The Center will be participating in numerous,: projects including: • World wildiands mapping project under contract to the Western Canadian Wilderness Committee • Design and implementation of training programs on forestry for park managers and' wardens jointly with the University College of Belize • Research for an environmental profile of Belize • Design of a marine resources project. The Technical Library The Center's Technical Library is the largest natural resource library in Belize. Its collection contains information on all aspects of the environment, including resource development, conservation, natural arid cultural resources, land use and tenure, ecosystems, environmental health, and archaeology. For more information about the Center and Technical Library, please contact: Jaime Villanueva, INFGTERRA/Belize Mrs. Lou Nicolati, Center Manager Fisheries Department Belize Center for Environmental Studies A Princess Margaret Drive or 55 Eve Street P.O. Box 148 P.O. Box 666 Belize City* Belize Belize City, Belize Telephone: 02-44552 Fax: 02-32983 Telephone: 02-45545 Fax: 02-31997 5 ------- THE BAHAMAS BIODIVERSITY STUDY The Bahamas government has conducted a comprehensive biodiversity survey involving the public and private 'sectors of the Bahamas, The knowledge gained was used in the development of sustainable development policies and programmes for the country. The study is part of the United Nations Environment Programme's worldwide effort to evaluate the rate of loss of biological diversity in selected countries. Infoimation derived from the study will support the negotiation of a legal framewoik for the sustainable utilization of the world's biological diversity. Ttie Bahamas was chosen to be studied as it is representative of small island states. Biological diversity in the Bahama^ is containeid primarily in its marine environment and coastal areas. For mo^e infppiation aboyt the; study and its results, please contact Glenn Archer at INFOTERRA/Bahamas. -- Glenn Archer Environmental Education Documents: The US. Environmental Protection Agency has published a number of documents to promote environmental education in elementary and secondary schools. Some of these documents can be used by educators to teach general environmental awareness or to initiate specific programs such as recycling. Copies of the following documents are available upon request from INFOTERRA/USA. If you would like more information on environmental education, or would like to share your experience in environmental education with others, please contact INFOTERRA/USA. We'd love to know more. Teacher's Guides? Acid Rain; A Student's First Sourcebook. Educators Earth Day Sourcebook; Grades 7-12. Educators Earth Day Sourcebook; Grades K - 6. EPA Journal: Environmental Education. Let's Recycle! Lesson Plans for Grades K-6 and 7-12. Let's Reduce and Recycle: Curriculum for Solid Waste Awareness. School Recycling Programs: A Handbook for Educators. Books of Interest to Children: Adventures of the Garbage Gremlin, [comic book] Storyboard for Film: Charlie Brown Clears the Air. There Lived a Wicked Dragon. Water Wonders. Introducing "Aquabot" and the Clinker Guard. 6 ------- WELCOMING THE NEW INFOTERRA/USA MANAGER Emma J. McNamara is the new Manager of the INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point Emma lived in Bogota, Colombia for the past three years, where she did contract work for the US AID (Agency for International Development) Mission on environmental issues and worked closely with Colombian government officials to provide them with environmental information. Prior to that, Emma was the Program Director on the EPA Library Contract. In addition to Colombia, Emma has also worked in Paris, Moscow, and Kinshasa. In her new role, Emma manages the operations of the US National Focal Point, setting goals and directions. Emma is very interested in promoting INFOTERRA functions, increasing its visibility, and making it an integral part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She is also fostering contacts with the external environmental community, including international organizations and environmental attaches assigned to missions located in Washington, D. C. One of Emma's goals is to strengthen the netwbrk of English and French-speaking Caribbean nations which INFOTERRA/USA serves as Regional Service Ceaue. She has attended two recent meetings in Puerto $icO) where she has met with representatives from some of initiated steps toward closer cooperation. In addition, Emma is woiking with Arsenio Rodriguez, UNEP/Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, to support the training woikshop scheduled for later this year in Trinidad. Do not hesitate to cqntact Emma with ideas, concern*; or suggestions you hlaVe towards improvement oCdiir^' network. She will appreciate hearing from you. Wider Caribbean Environment and Development Conference U. S. EPA recently co-hosted a conference on Wider Caribbean Environment and Development in San Juan, Puerto Rico. TTie conference was attended by over 300 representatives from the private, governmental and Non-governmental organization sectors throughout the region. The purpose of the conference was to announce the incorporation of the Caribbean Environment and Development Institute (CEDI) as a non-profit organization intent on fostering environmentally sound, sustainable development in the Caribbean basin. The conference included an Environmental Information Exhibition which displayed a sample of the information resources and technology that EPA and other organizations can bring to the Institute through the proposed Environmental Information Center. The EPA displays included INFOTERRA/USA, International Registry of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTQ, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Library Network. The U. S. Geological Survey, U. S. Forest Service, Pan American Health Organization, and the UNEP/ Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean were also represented at the exhibition. Panel discussions focused on: 1) Education, Training and Public Awareness 2) Technical Assistance, Research, Data, and Information 3) Public-Private Partnerships 4) International Outreach and Sub-Regional Issues. EPA's Office of Information Resources Management (OIRM) gave a presentation on the importance of effective management of information resources for the success of the '" Caribbean Initiative, calling on , participants to provide feedbackWthe utility of the many information tools and resources exhibited! This feedback and subsequent meetings will assist OIRM in its ongoing needs analysis for the development of the Information Center. The Office of International Activities, which has the EPA lead for the Caribbean Initiative, is presently , writing a six-month action plan based on recommendations from the participants. Andrew Battin OIRMIIMSD U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 7 ------- Changes nttha NFPs NEW JAMAICAN MINISTRY Please note: INFOTERRA/Jamaica is now located at the Ministry of Tourism & the Environment This new agency, headed by Minister John Juror, was created in 1991. Please address your inquiries to INFOTERRA/Jamaica at the following address: Ms. Sharon O'Connor INFOTERRA/Jamaica Natural Resources Conservation Division Ministry of Tourism and the ; Environment - 531/2 Mplynes Road, P.O. Box 305 JCingston JAMAICA , Telephone: (809) 923-5155 Caribbean Currents We Need Your Help!!! For the next issue we would like to highlight the different ways NFPs promote their services outside their organizations. We invite all NFPs to share with others how they spread the word about INFOTERRA services and bring in new users. We can all learn from each other new ways of promoting our services. Please submit your ideas and articles to the RSC by July 15,1992. NFP ADDRESSES Please notify the RSC of any changes or corrections Glenn Archer Dep&rtment of Environmental Health Services P.O. Box N-3729 Nassau, THE BAHAMAS Phone: (809)322-4908 Fax: (809) 426-8959 Vernese Innlss Administrative Officer (Environment) Ministry of Labour, Consumer Affairs and the Environment Marine House, Hastings St. Michael, 29 BARBADOS Phone: (809)427-2326 Fax: (809)426-8959 Jaime Villanueva Fisheries Department Princess Margaret Drive P.O. Box 148 Belize City, BELIZE Telephone: 501-2-44552 FAX 501-2-32983 Mavis Taylor Institute of Applied Science and Technology University Campus - P.O. Box 101050 Georgetown, GUYANA Telephone: 53922 or 53829 Fax: 592-2-53042 Marguerite Blemur Ministere de l'Agriculture et des Resources Naturelles et du Developpement Rural P.O. Box 1441 Port-au-Prince, HAITI Telephone: 509-22-1867 FAX: 509-22-3599 Sharon O'Connor Natural Resources Conservation DMson Ministry of Tourism & the Environment 531/2 Mqylnes Road, P.O. Box 305 Kingston, JAMAICA Telephone: (809) 923-5155 FAX (809) 923-5070 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; Emma J. McNamara INFOTERRA/USA 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 8 ------- |