Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Following is the November/December edition of EarthLink, a bi-monthly current awareness newsletter produced by INFOTERRA/USA. EarthLink provides information on international environmental activities, publications and news of interest to EPA staff and other environment professionals.
Sections:
Article: Experts: Global Warming Now Critical, Action Needed
Internet Sites for Global Warming
International Environment News
General
Remediation
Air and Radiation
Climate Change
Water Pollution
Human Exposure
Recycling
Solid Waste Disposal
Cleaner Production
Upcoming
International Conferences
INFOTERRA Information
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ARTICLE: Experts: Global Warming Now Critical, Action Needed
Thursday December 23 11:28 AM ET
By William Maclean
LONDON (Reuters) - Top U.S. and British experts sounded a fresh alert about global warming Thursday, saying man-made climate change was becoming critical and business had to act fast to address it.
"Our climate is now changing rapidly ... The consensus of opinion has been growing," said James Baker, undersecretary of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Peter Ewins, head of the British Meteorological Office.
"Ignoring climate change will surely be the most costly of all possible choices, for us and our children," the pair said in a joint letter to London's Independent newspaper.
The letter's frank tone breaks with the conservative approach normally adopted in public by climate change scientists traditionally reticent about venturing into the political arena.
"We're now coming clean and saying we believe the evidence is almost incontrovertible, that man has an effect and therefore we need to act accordingly," Ewins later told BBC Radio.
"We now need to persuade the business community that to act now is the responsible thing to do."
Extreme weather like floods would happen increasingly frequently as the planet warmed and greenhouse gas emissions had to be curbed to prevent worse catastrophes, the letter said.
Hot Decade
The senior scientists said the 1990s had been the hottest decade for the past 1,000 years in the northern hemisphere, according to indicators including evidence from tree rings.
Humanity now should brace itself for the catastrophic problems global warming could bring.
"Our new data and understanding now point to a critical situation we face," the pair wrote. "To slow future change, we must start acting soon."
"At the same time, because of our past and ongoing activities, we must start to learn to live with the likely consequences -- more extreme weather, rising sea levels, changing precipitation patterns, ecological and agricultural dislocations, and the increased spread of human disease."
The pair forecast that 1999 would prove to be central England's hottest year since 1659, while it would be the second warmest year the United States has seen since 1880.
The U.K. Meteorological Office says the 1998 average global temperature was the highest since records began 140 years ago.
Experts say 1998 was the costliest year ever for insured losses from weather-related catastrophes. And the storms, floods, droughts and fires around the world in 1998 exceeded all the weather-related losses of the 1980s.
In a thinly-veiled attack on skeptics in the U.S. business community, many of them funded by the powerful oil and coal lobbies, the pair said it was wrong to imply that concern about global warming was being exaggerated.
"The critical point is that we continue to see confirmation of the long-term warming trend," they said.
Government had pointed policy in the right direction, Ewins said, but in contrast "industry and in particular some of the bigger invested interests are saying that until there is clear evidence of global warming they don't wish to act because it's not in their interest."
Internet Sites for Global warming Issues
1. U.S. EPA's Global Warming
site
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/
This site deals with the issue of global warming and provides ample information on its different facets, answering such questions as, What is the problem? What do we know? How serious is it? Now? In the future? What's being done? What can I do? There are also links to information such as the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Reports & Slides, Stakeholders, and a Bibliography of publications related to the subject.
2. Environment Canada: Global Climate
Change
http://climatechange.gc.ca 
The Government of Canada Climate Change Site was developed to inform Canadians about climate change and how it affects our environment. The site explains what the Government of Canada is doing about climate change and how individuals, communities, businesses, industries, and every level of government can take action to help protect the environment.
3. Carbon Dioxide Information
Analysis Center (CDIAC)
http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/cdiac/
The Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) provides information to help international researchers, policy makers, and educators evaluate complex environmental issues, including potential climate change, associated with elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other radiatively active trace gases. CDIAC is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Health and Environmental Research.
4. Energy Information
Administration (EIA)
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/frntend.html
This is the greenhouse gases section of the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Worldwide Web Server. This page directs you to EIA's two main sites for greenhouse gases information, and offers links to other greenhouse gas and climate change sites of potential interest.
5. Global Change
Data Center: (GCDC)
http://www-tsdis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gcdc/gcdc.html
The Global Change Data Center (GCDC)is part of the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center's Earth Sciences Directorate, Greenbelt, MD, USA. The mission of the Global Change Data Center is to develop and operate data systems, generate science products, and provide archival and distribution services for earth science data in support of the U.S. Global Change Program and the NASA Mission to Planet Earth.
6. Framework
Convention on Climate Change: Full Text
http://www.unfccc.de/resource/conv/index.html
Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992). This section contains
the full text of the Climate Change Convention. The site provides Parties,
representatives of observer organizations and others interested in the
UNFCCC process, with a one-stop source of news, data, information and
documents. Information is organized under seven main headings: What's
New, The Secretariat, Programs, Resources, Sessions, Media Room and Site
Information.
International Environment News
General
Ryan, Fran. "Kosovo's Wounded Environment," E Magazine, Volume 10, Number 5: 23-25.
This article addresses addresses the long-term ecological consequences of the two-month-long NATO bombing of Kosovo. Such consequences include the destruction of flora, fauna, and the lower layer of the top soil caused by the tremendous heat generated by the explosion of 1,000 pound bombs. The article also addresses the human health consequences of various chemicals such as vinyl chloride monomer, dioxins, and PCBs which have found their way into the environment from bombed factories. Much of the article, however, focuses on the environmental damage wrought upon the Danube River, considered to be a World Heritage Site by the United Nations due to its myriad of ecosystems and natural areas. Furthermore, more than 20 million people use the Danube as a source of drinking water and irrigation. The article mentions that the UN has established the Task Force on the Environment and Human Settlements in the Balkans. The article warns, however, that an accurate impact statement will not become evident for several years.
"EPA to Fund Study Investigating ISO 14001 Registration Process." International Environmental Systems Update, November 1999 (Vol. 6, No. 11): 1-2.
The National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) will conduct a study funded by the EPA's Office of Wastewater and Policy to examine the ISO 14001 third-party regisration process. The study will look at whether verification by an outside party influences an organization's environmental performance. For more information on the study, contact Richard Minard at tel: 202-347-3190 or Jim Horne at tel: 202-260-5802.
Remediation
Killham, Ken. "Shedding Light on Contaminated Land," NERC News (Autumn 1999): 18-19.
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen are innovating techniques for land and water remediation. They have "cloned bioluminescence genes from naturally luminescent bacteria into the genome of microbes that live in different natural environments such as soil, fresh water, marine or sewage." These bacteria are used as biosensors to detect changes in their environment. Soil complexity challenges standard methods of analysis presenting limitations to the assessment of contamination. Biosensor technology makes it possible to detect contaminants bacterial sensors don't identify.
Air and Radiation
Gardner, M. W. and S. R. Dorling. "Statistical surface ozone models: an improved methodology to account for non-linear behaviour." Atmospheric Environment, Volume 34, Issue 1 (January 2000): 21-34.
Using UK data as a case study, this paper demonstrates that statistical models of hourly surface ozone concentrations require interactions and non-linear relationships between predictor variables in order to accurately capture the ozone behavior. Comparisons between linear regression, regression tree and multilayer perceptron neural network models of hourly surface ozone concentrations quantify these effects. Although multilayer perceptron models are shown to more accurately capture the underlying relationship between both the meteorological and temporal predictor variables and hourly ozone concentrations, the regression tree models are seen to be more readily physically interpretable.
Menichini, E., M.A. Bertolaccini, et al. "A 3-year study of relationships among atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides at an urban site." Science of The Total Environment, Volume 241, Issues 1-3 (29 October 1999): 27-37.
Particle-bound carcinogenic PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, benzofluoranthene isomers, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene), benzo[e]pyrene (selected as a stable reference PAH), CO and nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2 and NOx) were simultaneously measured at a street site in Rome. The aim was to investigate the possibility of using a conventional air quality parameter as a surrogate for carcinogenic PAHs at urban sites. Eighty-seven sample sets, corresponding to 344 sampling days, were statistically treated by standard univariate and bivariate methods. NO and NOx were the parameters most strongly correlated with PAHs (overall mean r=0.92, for both), with the highest linearity and lowest scattering of data in the regression lines, but CO also showed a very good correlation (r=0.86). Temporal variations of all these substances were substantially superimposable throughout the study. Summer results indicate, however, that PAH degradation may affect correlation under conditions of relatively high temperature and sunlight intensity. This preliminary investigation suggests that, at street level where pollution is traffic dominated, NO could be the most valid surrogate to roughly estimate PAH concentrations and trends, or PAH pollution ranking within a monitoring network.
Jones, Tim and Roy Richards, "Particles in the Air," NERC News (Autumn 1999): 6-7.
A new project in Wales aims to find out what particles are in the air and how they effect human health. Scientists are collecting particles from four different sectors of the Wales environment: inustrial, densely populated urban, open-cast mining and rural. They intend to characterize particles and their effects based upon their size and chemical composition using various analytical methods.
Chang, Ming Chih, Constantinos Sioutas, Seongheon Kim, Henry Gong,Jr., and William S. Linn. "Reduction of nitrate losses from filter and impactor samplers by means of concentration enrichment." Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 34, Iss. 1 (Jan. 2000): 85-98.
Sampling errors (artifacts) have greatly affected the precision of the quantitative analysis of volatile species, such as particulate ammonium nitrate. This work presents the effect of the enrichment in concentration of particulate nitrate in reducing volatilization losses in impactors and Teflon filter samplers. During the performance characterization of an ambient fine particle concentrator developed by Sioutas et al. (1995a, Environmental Health Perspectives 103, 172-177, 1995b, Inhalation Toxicology, 7, 633-644, 1977, Journal of Aerosol Science 28, 1057-1071) losses of ambient ammonium nitrate from denuded and undenuded Teflon filter samplers as well as the microorifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) were evaluated in Los Angeles, CA, an area where ammonium nitrate constitutes a major component of ambient fine particulate matter. The field study data were compared to those predicted theoretically for a given set of gas and particulate nitrate concentrations, temperature and relative humidity. Both theoretical and experimental results indicated that the ratio of nitrate gas-to-particle concentration affects significantly the volatilization loss, with higher volatilization losses occurring at higher gas-to-particle concentration values. The concentration enrichment of particulate-phase nitrate resulted in reducing evaporation losses from the MOUDI from 20-50% to less than 10%. Losses of nitrate from denuded Teflon filters were reduced from 60-95% to less than 30%, and for undenuded Teflon filters from 30-80% to less than 5%. Our study concluded that nitrate losses from impactor, denuded and undenuded Teflon filter samplers could be virtually eliminated by placing the sampler downstream of a particle concentrator with a small cutpoint (i.e., 0.1Um).
Lebret, Erik, David Briggs, Hans van Reeuwijk, Paul Fischer, Kirsty Smallbone, Hendrik Harssema, Bohumir Kriz, Pawel Gorynski and Paul Elliott. "Small area variations in ambient NO2 concentrations in four European areas." Atmospheric Environment, Volume 34, Issue 2 (January 2000): 177-185.
Spatial variations in urban air pollution are of considerable significance both because of the growing evidence for associations between exposure and human health and because of the increasing requirement for action to control and reduce levels of air pollution. This study examines sources and patterns of variation in NO2, as a marker for traffic-related pollution, in four predominantly urban study areas: Amsterdam (Netherlands), Huddersfield (UK), Poznan (Poland) and Prague (Czech Republic). Data on pollution levels were collected using passive samplers, deployed in duplicate for 2 week periods on four occasions over one year. Mixed-effect modeling was used to explore the magnitude of between-survey, between-site and between-sampler and interaction effects, and to provide a measure of mean annual concentration at each sample site. Measured concentrations varied significantly between different surveys, with a tendency to be higher in winter months. Strong correlations were seen, however, between monitored concentrations in successive surveys, suggesting that the geographic pattern of variation in all areas was essentially stable over time. Between-sampler variation was seen to be small (CV generally 5-8%), indicating that the samplers provided consistent measures of NO2 concentrations. There were also strongly significant between-site and site-survey interaction effects. Between-site variation accounted for between 61% (Poznan) and 84% (Prague) of total observed variation; expressed as a coefficient of variation, between-site variation was least in Amsterdam, the smallest and most uniform study area (22%), and greatest in Prague (42%). The modeled mean annual NO2 concentration, derived from the mixed-effect model, gave a good prediction of mean annual concentration measured using passive samplers on a continuous basis, at 8-10 reference sites in each study area (r2>0.85). Based on the modeled results, it appears that WHO and national air quality standards for NO2 will be routinely exceeded at a number of sites in each study area. Given the apparent stability of the pollution surface in each area, these 'hotspots' are also likely to be persistent over time, implying the potential for relatively high risks of chronic exposure in local populations. Overall the results indicate the capability to characterize spatial variation in traffic-related pollution in urban areas using a small number of intensive surveys, with low-cost sampling devices.
Climate Change
Pio C.A., M.S. Feliciano, A.T. Vermeulen and E.C. Sousa. "Seasonal variability of ozone dry deposition under southern European climate conditions, in Portugal." Atmospheric Environment, Volume 34, Issue 2 (January 2000): 195-205.
Ozone dry deposition measurements were carried out during approximately one year over a flat grass field in Portugal. The results show prominent diurnal and seasonal patterns in deposition flux, dry deposition velocity and surface resistance, especially for the daytime period. Dry deposition velocities vary diurnally from a minimum of 0.1cms-1, during the night to a maximum of 0.2-0.5cms-1 during the day. The observed canopy resistance (Rc) varies from values higher than 500sm-1, at night, to a minimum of 200sm-1, around noon. Seasonal variation is characterized by daytime Rc values much larger in summer than in winter and spring, while nighttime values do not show any evident seasonal pattern. This behavior can be ascribed to the stomatal intake, which represents the most important controlling factor on ozone dry deposition. The Wesely parameterization scheme of surface resistance predicts Rc diurnal cycles reasonably well. However, the observed canopy resistance seasonal cycle is completely different from Wesely predictions, since season parameters in Wesely's parameterization were defined for a vegetation growing cycle different from that prevailing in the study's conditions.
Elvingson, Per. "U.S. Gains from Reducing More than Required." Acid News, No. 3, October 1999: 9.
A study conducted by the Tellus Institute for the World Wildlife Fund
indicates that the US could reduce greenhouse gas emissions twice as quickly
as called for in the Kyoto protocol, save money and create new jobs by
2010. The US, according to the study, would need to promote non-polluting
and efficient technologies by creating incentives which would naturally
lead to less pollution generally. This report, entitled America's Global
Warming Solutions, is available on the internet at: http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/
.
Printed copies can be ordered from:
WWF-US
1250 Twenty-fourth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037 USA
E-mail: climate.campaign@wwfus.org
Collins, W.J., D.S. Stevenson, C.E. Johnson and R.G. Derwent. "The European regional ozone distribution and its links with the global scale for the years 1992 and 2015." Atmospheric Environment, Volume 34, Issue 2 (January 2000): 255-267.
Because of global-scale increases in trace gas emissions, ozone concentrations in the northern hemisphere may increase over the next decade, driving up ozone concentrations within Europe. Over this same period, policy actions are anticipated which will reduce the internal European regional-scale ozone production capacity. The overall success of these regional policies will be determined by the resultant of these global- and regional-scale influences. A global three-dimensional Lagrangian chemistry model STOCHEM has been used to look at the relative magnitudes of these two influences on the European regional ozone distribution under some illustrative emission scenarios up to the year 2015. Substantial reductions in European NOx emissions should bring a significant improvement in ozone air quality, but they may not be enough to keep future peak ozone levels below internationally accepted environmental criteria without action on the global scale to control emissions of tropospheric ozone precursors: methane, carbon monoxide, NOx and VOCs.
Water Pollution
E. M. García, C. Cabrera, J. Sánchez, M. L. Lorenzo and M. C. López, "Chromium Levels in Potable Water, Fruit Juices and Soft Drinks: Influence on Dietary Intake," Science of the Total Environment, Volume 241, Issues 1-3, 143-150.
Potable water, fruit juices and soft drinks are some of the most widespread beverages in the habitual diet, and they can contribute to chromium dietary intake. The investigators determined the concentration of chromium in 90 different samples of beverages widely consumed in Spain. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to analyze samples processed with a HNO3-V2O5 acid digestion pretreatment. In water samples Cr was directly determined. The investigators verified the sensitivity, accuracy and precision of the method and ruled out matrix interferences. In analyzed samples, chromium values ranged from not detectable to 11.80 g/l in potable water, from not detectable to 17.60 g/l in fruit juices and from 3.60 to 60.50 g/l in soft drinks. The chromium levels they encountered are low and the contribution of non-alcoholic beverages to dietary intake of this element, have been estimated to be 0.41 g/day in the common Spanish diet.
Queralt, I., "Application of different techniques to assess sediment quality and point source pollution in low-level contaminated estuarine recent sediments (Lisboa coast, Portugal)," Science of The Total Environment, Vol. 241 (29 October 1999): 39-51.
Several X-ray techniques have been used in order to consider the chemical and mineralogical characterization of recent superficial clay silty sediments collected from the coastal shelf of the Atlantic Ocean, near Lisboa. Multi-element analyses have been carried out by means of total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and radioisotope induced X-ray fluorescence (RIXRF). Mineralogical composition was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. Particle size distribution was determined by means of a laser scattering technique. Statistical data treatment (correlation matrix, regression and factorial analysis) was used to identify elemental affinities and relationships among chemistry, mineralogy, texture and geographical distribution. The elements Ni, Cu, As and Pb show a marked relationship with clay minerals whose content is also correlated with the decreasing grain-size. Ti, Mn, Zr and V are grouped and may be related to the iron oxide content. Carbonates, Ca, Sr and quartz are correlated with the coarser grain-size fraction.
Comber, Sean, and Michael Gardner. "An assessment of trends in European environmental data for mercury and chlorinated organic compounds in water and biota," Science of the Total Environment, Volume 241, Issue 2 (29 October 1999): 193-201.
European monitoring data for mercury and chlorinated organic compounds in fresh and saline water, biota and sediment have been examined for trends over the last 25 years. Information comprising over 15,000 records were collected from reports produced by European environmental agencies and regulatory agencies. Data sets larger than 5 consecutive years were summarized to derive annual averages before trend analysis. Little information was available to support claims for the quality of monitoring information or its validity for this (or other) applications. Despite the variability of monitoring data, it was possible to identify statistically significant downward trends for mercury and many organochlorine compounds in both water and biota samples.
Human Exposure
Lekouch, N., A. Sedki, S. Bouhouch, A. Nejmeddine, A. Pineau and J. C. Pihan. "Trace elements in children's hair, as related exposure in wastewater spreading field of Marrakesh (Morocco)." Science of the Total Environment, Volume 241, Issue 3 (29 October 1999): 323-328.
Lead and cadmium concentration was determined in the hair of 327 school children living in a wastewater spreading field of Marrakesh (Morocco). The influence of age, sex, food habits and family occupation on the children's hair Pb and Cd concentration was also evaluated. Girls had more metal in their hair than boys (16.5 5.4 g/g and 12.5 3.5 g/g, respectively). However, for Cd the boys had more metal (2.9- 0.6 and 2.2- 0.4, respectively) but the difference was not statistically significant and metal levels decreased with age. Family occupation, direct contact with wastewater, customs and food habits were the most significant factors influencing the metal content of children's hair. The average Pb and Cd content were higher in the exposed children (14.8 4.5 g/g and 2.5 0.5 g/g, respectively) than in the non-exposed children (4.6 2.2 g/g and 0.6 0.2, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant. This study shows that in this area all the population (especially children) was extremely exposed to the danger caused by potentially toxic metals.
Römmelt, H., A. Pfaller, G. Fruhmann and D. Nowak, "Benzene exposures caused by traffic in Munich public transportation systems between 1993 and 1997," The Science of the Total Environment, Volume 241, Issues 1-3, 197-203.
Volatile aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes, the BTX-aromatics) were measured between 1993 and 1997 in buses and trams in Munich center and along main roads during regular rides. The sampling time was between 07.00 and 00.00 h. A total of 631 probes were sampled and centrally analyzed. In the mean of 5 years we found 15.0 g benzene/m3, 50% above the limit of the 23. BImSchV and 107.5 g BTX aromates/m3 along the strongly traffic loaded main streets. Splitting up these mean emissions into single years we observed a trend toward a decline of mean immission of all volatile aromatics (benzene from 23.8 g/m3 to 7.4 g/m3) and the sum of BTX aromatics (from 147.5 g/m3 to 59.4 g/m3). The measured hydrocarbon concentrations in Munich center were consistent with the long range theoretical calculations concerning the decrease of traffic-caused benzene immissions in cities. If the current trends continue, we can expect benzene concentrations to be below 5 g/m3 by the year 2001 and below 2.5 g/m3 by the year 2008. At these levels, the carcinogenic risk from benzene is probably less significant than the risks to public health from other car exhaust components.
Recycling
L. Reijnders, "A Normative Strategy for Sustainable Resource Choice and Recycling," Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 28, Issues 1-2, 121-133.
A normative strategy is proposed for resource choice and recycling to meet the criterion of sustainability, defined as near constancy of natural resources. In this strategy resource choice should be fitted to the fate of products and product wastes, with geochemically scarce virtually non-renewable resources being reserved for uses that allow for nearly 100% recycling and negligible loss of irretrievable material and material deterioration. Sustainable recycling is argued to be strongly dependent on product design that slows loss of quality by products and materials. Recycling processes should aim at quality conservation by cascading. Non-product and recycling outputs should match with required inputs into the economy. Finally technologies should be employed that prevent the build-up of contaminants in products. Examples are given of the ways in which elements of this normative strategy may be implemented. Internalization of currently external costs will strongly favor the proposed strategy.
Solid Waste Disposal
Mengiseny E. Kasseva and Stephen E. Mbuligwe, "Ramifications of Solid Waste Disposal Site Relocation in Urban Areas of Developing Countries: A Case Study in Tanzania," Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 28, Issues 1-2, Pages 147-161.
Sanitary landfilling is considered to be the most appropriate means of final disposal of solid wastes. Currently in Tanzania, the cheapest method of developing a landfill is by making use of natural depressions or former borrow pits and mine pits. This paper examines the impacts associated with the relocation of a waste disposal site from a crude disposal site at Vingunguti to a new landfill site at New MECCO quarry in Kunduchi area, both in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The paper focuses on the fate of scavenging and solid waste recycling which are currently taking place at Vingunguti site and mining as well as food vending activities at the proposed new landfill site. Scavenging and waste recycling were found to be important sources of income for some individuals in the city. Various items collected for recycling were found to be an important source of raw materials for some industries in Dar es Salaam. A total of 94% of all the miners were entirely dependent on stone mining and crushing as a sole means of income generation, and 68% of the miners had practiced this activity for between 1 and 9 years. Finally the paper recommends that, selection of a waste disposal site should favor abandoned mines or borrow pits rather than operational ones. It also recommends that waste recycling and scavenging be accommodated in other stages of the waste stream since they can not be practiced at a sanitary landfill.
"MSW in the USA: Recycling and Generation Both at Record Levels." Warmer Bulletin, November 1999 (No. 69): 8-10.
This article discusses a study done by Franklin Associates about waste and recycling. It looks at the different types of waste generated and the amount of recycling done, and predictions for the future. The US EPA publication Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1998 Edition is available at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/pubs/98charac.pdf
Cleaner Production
Huq, Aminul, et. al., "The Asian Development Bank's Role in Promoting Cleaner Production in the People's Republic of China." Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 19, No. 5 (11 September 1999): 541-552.
The People's Republic of China (PRC) has the fastest growing economy in the world and is the third largest producer and consumer of energy. At the same time, the PRC's industrial sector contributes heavily to air and water pollution. Because of the linkages between the production and use of energy and environmental degradation, the PRC, with the active support of bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is adopting measures that link economic growth to improvements in the environment. This article describes the ADB's current efforts to promote CP in PRC and analyzes the effectiveness of those efforts.
"A methodology for the life cycle and sustainability analysis of manufacturing processes." Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 7, Issue 6, Pages 409-487 (December 1999): 435-445.
Life cycle assessment is emerging as a powerful tool in the evaluation of the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. This paper describes a general methodology for the life cycle analysis of manufacturing processes taking into account the flexibility and decision-making potential of knowledge base systems. Emphasis is placed on on-site waste minimisation and associated sustainability characteristics in relation to environmental impact assessment and process improvement. The ensuing software model is applied with some success to an initial study of pulp and paper manufacture.
Kao Cushing, Katherine, et. al., "Evaluating the implementation of cleaner production audit demonstration projects." Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Vol. 19, No. 5 (11 September 1999): 569-586.
Cleaner production audit demonstration projects were carried out in two Chinese case factories as part of a project co-sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and China's State Environmental Protection Administration. Audit results at both factories were characterized by implementation of predominantly low- or no-cost options, notable reductions in water pollution, and incomplete financial benefit analyses. Two reasons explain the financial benefit analyses' apparent weakness. First, factory audit teams were inexperienced in the techniques and procedures used to determine the economic benefits of cleaner production options. Second, motivations project personnel had for participating in the demonstration projects were not centered on attaining the monetary benefits of implementing cleaner production.
Upcoming International Conferences
1.Urban Wet Weather Pollution Control: Looking Into Public, Private,
and Industrial Issues
Rochester, New York, USA
May 7 - 10, 2000
URL: http://www.wef.org/index.jhtml
The Water Environment Federation's Collection System Committee is sponsoring a conference that will examine critical issues related to urban wet weather pollution, for large and small communities and industries. It will provide a forum for discussing all topics related to reducing any wet weather sources of pollution: combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, urban storm water runoff, and issues facing operators of industrial collection systems. Technical sessions will be developed from both submitted and solicited papers. Contact: Water Environment Federation, Technical Programs - Urban Wet Weather '00, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia, USA 22314-1994, Phone: 703-684-2400, extension 7401.
2. 14th Annual Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference
Boston Marriott Copley Place
Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A.
February 27-March 1, 2000
URL: http://www.wef.org/pdffiles/resbio2000.pdf
The management of residuals and biosolids is one of the most challenging tasks in the wastewater field. For many years the goal has been to achieve greater public acceptance of biosolids recycling. Now, as we enter the new Millennium, we hold this specialty conference with the theme of "Accomplishments to Date: Opportunities for the Future" which will provide a progress report on our Biosolids 2000 initiative. This four-day event will provide updates on progress by the National Biosolids Partnership, regulatory reports, privatization trends and public acceptance strategies. The latest advances in innovative technology will be presented through case studies, with separate sessions on thickening and dewatering, stabilization, thermal processing and land application. Rounding out the fifteen technical sessions will be topics on management of non-biosolids residuals, research, odor control, animal manure management, and a special international session on biosolids management and research in Great Britain. Join us in Boston this February at the elegant Boston Marriott Copley Place, located in the heart of historic Back Bay, within walking distance to over 200 fine shops, restaurants and attractions. Attendees can expect to enjoy the most complete meeting facility on the East Coast.
3. Year 2000 Conference on Environmental Innovation
New York, NY (Plaza Hotel)
8-9 March 2000
URL: http://www.conference-board.org/
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is joining us as we explore how leading organizations are drawing on innovation in technology and management to deliverexceptional environmental and business value to all key stakeholders. Contact: The Conference Board, tel: 1-212-759-0900, Fax: 1-212-980-7014.
4. Second World Water Forum
The Hague, Netherlands
17-22 March 2000
URL: http://www.worldwaterforum.org
The event will mark the conclusion to a long series of sessions during which thousands of concerned citizens addressed the water crisis that threatens us all. In The Hague a Vision will be unveiled projecting a scenario of how the world could look twenty-five years from now - if we take action today. A world with enough clean water for everyone. To implement this vision a plan of action will be announced, the Framework for Action. The key elements of the Vision address basic issues such as the right to water and sanitation; the challenging concept of more crops and jobs per drop; the essential water services provided by natural ecosystems; the risk of floods and droughts; the need for international cooperation and governance to better address water issues. Contact: Dutch MFA, tel: 31-70-348-5402, Fax: 31-70-348-6792, Email: hans.vanzijst@dml.minbuza.nl
5. GLOBE 2000: Conference and Trade Fair on Developing the Business
of the Environment
Vancouver,Canada
22-24 March 2000
URL: http://www.globe.ca
GLOBE 2000 is the world's premier International Conference and Trade Fair on developing the business of the environment. It is comprised of a unique blend of activities and events designed to showcase new technologies in the environment sector, provide a forum to highlight corporate environmental achievements, forge new partnerships, and encourage trade, investment and overall business development within a new and changing competitive arena. Contact: GLOBE 2000, tel: 1-604-775-7300, FAX: 1-604-666-8123, e-mail: info@globe.apfnet.org.
6. Pacific Islands Climate Change Conference
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
3-7 April 2000
URL: http://www.sprep.org.ws
THEME: Improving the Understanding of and Responding to Climate Change and Sea-level Rise. Contact: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), fax: 685-202-31, e-mail: kaluwin@sprep.org.ws
