| | Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Welcome to the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science (OES) website.
In OES, we work on a broad and challenging range of international environmental issues-everything from combating climate change, air and water pollution, and infectious diseases, to the conservation of forests, oceans and marine life, to space exploration.
On any given day, members of the Bureau may be responding to the threats of pandemic disease and bioterrorism; fighting illegal trade in endangered species, timber and ozone-depleting chemicals; reinforcing strategic alliances though scientific cooperation; establishing partnerships to lessen greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency; helping countries gain access to clean drinking water; and protecting oceans and the creatures who live in them.
We seek to protect wildlife and its diversity on land and in the oceans. We encourage the spread of new technologies that promise to benefit the environment and promote economic growth at home and abroad. Our goal is to use America's diplomatic power to help foreign citizens improve their lives and transform their futures - to protect the Earth's natural resources for everyone today so that generations to come will enjoy them tomorrow.
I hope that this web site is interesting and helpful to you in gaining a better understanding of the work OES is doing on behalf of every American citizen.
Claudia A. McMurray
Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
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Memorandum of Understanding Between the APP and NASEO
September 9, 2008
Ambassador Reno L. Harnish, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and William (Dub) Taylor, Chairman of NASEO's Board of Directors sign a Memorandum of Understanding at the National Association of State Energy Officials for the purpose of collaborating in activities related to clean energy technology development. Full Text | Photos
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Mapping the Arctic Seafloor
August 11, 2008
The U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Task Force, chaired by the Department of State, plans two Arctic cruises by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy this summer, one of which will be conducted in collaboration with the Government of Canada. The cruises are part of an interagency effort to collect scientific data about the continental shelf and oceanic basins in the Arctic. Full Text
Read the Arctic Chronicles, the official Blog for the expedition.
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Increase in Lowland Gorillas a Positive Trend
August 8, 2008
The world’s population of critically endangered western lowland gorillas in the Congo Basin of Africa received a huge boost when a recently released census from the Wildlife Conservation Society showed a significant increase in the numbers of these great apes alive and well in the Republic of Congo. Full Text
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Virungas Ministerial Conference
Rwanda
July 15, 2008
Assistant Secretary McMurray: "We discovered that the gorillas’ deaths were a symptom of the instability in the park caused by the presence of militia groups, rather than a result of the ongoing poaching activities that unfortunately still occur in some places." Full Text | Declaration | Photo Essay | Ranger Dedication Ceremony
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Confronting Climate Change
July 9, 2008
President Bush: "In order to address climate change, all major economies must be at the table. And that's what took place today. The G8 expressed our desire to have a -- a significant reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. We made it clear and the other nations agreed that they must also participate in an ambitious goal, with interim goals and interim plans to enable the world to successfully address climate change. And we made progress, significant progress, toward a comprehensive approach." Full Text | G8 Declaration on Environment and Climate Change | July 8 Press Gaggle | Fact Sheet: the Major Economies Leaders Meeting
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Beijing Launch of Harrison Ford PSAs
Beijing, China
July 1, 2008
Assistant Secretary McMurray: "Organized crime has discovered that the illegal wildlife trade is very profitable. In some cases, it rivals the economic gains made from trafficking in drugs and weapons. As Newsweek magazine put it in a recent issue, endangered animals are the new “blood diamonds.” There is evidence that smugglers of contraband tend to use the same routes and methods, regardless of the items smuggled." Full Text | Photo Essay
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Harrison Ford PSA Launch: Stopping Illegal Wildlife Trafficking
June 5, 2008
The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with non-profit organization WildAid, has produced three television public service announcements (PSAs) to combat wildlife trafficking featuring renowned actor Harrison Ford. More than 30 U.S. embassies in all regions of the world are showcasing the PSAs in a global launch that began on June 5, World Environment Day. The PSAs also will be broadcast on television and cable stations around the world. More | View PSA Videos| Media Note | Photo Essay
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Director of Office of Oceans Affairs Hayes Speaks to Arctic Parliamentarians on Aspects of U.S. Arctic Policy (Aug.13) remarks
Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Dobriansky spoke at Business Roundtable: Opportunities in the Caribbean Renewable Energy Sector (July 24) Full Text
G8 Leaders Statement on Global Food Security (July 8) White House Release
WIREC and U.S. Foreign Policy on Energy and Climate Security Post-Bali
Principal Deputy Assistant Harnish (July 14): "Energy security, sustainability, and our dependence on fossil fuels with its effects on the environment are the major issues of our time. This is a global problem, and it requires a global solution for which we need a global partnership." Full Text | WIREC Report Highlights of Three-Day Conference | Learn more about WIREC 2008
U.S.-Jordan Hold Joint Commission on Science and Technology Meeting In Amman, July 9-10, 2008 release
Under Secretary Dobriansky (July 17): "The APP is a great initiative, representing exactly the kind of creativity and pragmatism we need in the fight against climate change. In the relatively brief period since it was conceived, the APP has established a track record of meeting, and exceeding, the expectations we had in 2005." Full Text | www.app.gov
Deputy Assistant Secretary Reifsnyder gave remarks at the 28th Meeting of the Open Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in Bangkok, Thailand. July 7-8, 2008 | Destruction of Ozone Depleting Substances | Replenishment of the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund for the 2009-2011 Triennium | Critical Use Nominations |
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