12-Mar-2018: New Zealand joins CleanSeas campaign
New Zealand has joined the United Nations-led CleanSeas campaign to rid our oceans of plastic. More than 40 other countries have already signed up.
Turtles and other wildlife are being killed by litter in our oceans. Also the issue of microplastic in our oceans and its effect on the food chain is a concern for all species and is a potential risk to human health.
Scientists estimate that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today. If nothing changes then plastic in oceans will weigh more than all the fish that live in them by 2050.
The Government of New Zealand was taking steps to prevent litter entering oceans by hitting it at its source on land. Measures included:
- Banning products containing plastic microbeads – this will come into effect in June.
- Developing options to get rid of single use plastic bags.
- Supporting data gathering on marine debris along our coastlines and oceans.
- Funding initiatives through the Waste Minimization Fund (WMF) including Keep New Zealand Beautiful, Sustainable Coastlines and the Packaging Forum.
- Reviewing implementation of the Waste Minimization Act to use its powers better and promote waste minimization.
We need to move to a circular economy where we make, use and return products and materials instead of the current model where we take resources, use them, then dispose of them. That is the focus of the latest round of the Waste Minimization Fund.
GCOS regularly assesses the status of global climate observations and produces guidance for its improvement. GCOS works towards a world where climate observations are accurate and sustained, and access to climate data is free and open.
GCOS expert panels maintain definitions of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs). They identify gaps by comparing the existing climate observation system with these ECVs. ECVs are the observations required to systematically observe Earth`s changing climate. The expert panels regularly develop plans on how to sustain, coordinate and improve physical, chemical and biological observations.
The observations supported by GCOS contribute to solving challenges in climate research and also underpin climate services and adaptation measures.
GCOS was established in 1992 to ensure that the observations and information needed to address climate-related issues are obtained and made available to all potential users. It is co-sponsored by the
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),
- United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), and
- International Council for Science (ISC).
The GCOS programme stimulates, encourages, coordinates and facilitates the taking of needed observations by national or international organizations to support their own requirements as well as common goals. It provides an operational framework for integrating and enhancing the observational systems of participating countries and organizations into a comprehensive system focused on the requirements for climate issues. The GCOS programme does not directly make observations nor generate data products.
6-Feb-2018: CM lays foundation stone of Rhododendron park in Tawang
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu laid the foundation stone of a Rhododendron Park in Tawang district. The chief minister requested the Army and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to sensitise their personnel in carrying out Rhododendron conservation effort as the high altitude border areas are beyond the reach of forest officials.
Khandu expressed hope that the park would not only add to the scenic enhancement of the city, but would also offer an opportunity for conservation of Rhododendron species, which are under serious threat due to various ongoing road and land acquisition projects by the Army and BRO.
The park would be built in a total area of 1.15 hectares and would be partly funded under border area development programme (BADP).
More than 30 species of rhododendrons would be planted and conserved in the park where terrace cutting would also be done to raise the beauty and scenic component.
The park would also have modern nursery, information center on rhododendron, resting sheds, vehicle parking facility, public toilet facility, signage and lightings and iron security gate.
The chief minister also carried out plantation drive of different varieties of Rhododendrons.