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07 - Natural Heritage
2008
- Jan
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- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
2007
- Jan
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- Apr
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| October 2008 |
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22 October
- UNESCO
publishes first world map of underground transboundary aquifers
UNESCO is publishing the first-ever world map of shared aquifers
to coincide with the submission to the General Assembly of the
United Nations on 27 October of a draft Convention on Transboundary
Aquifers. Almost 96% of the planet’s freshwater resources
are to be found in underground aquifers, most of which straddle
national boundaries.
16 October
- A
geotropical paradise (Pages 20-23)
Langkawi is the first geopark in Malaysia and the first of its
kind in the Tropics. Among its outstanding features, a jagged
landscape of karst islands sculpted over millions of years and
the most complete Palaeozoic16 sedimentary rock sequence in the
region, a veritable archive of the evolution of Malaysia’s
climate and biota over the past 500 million years. Thanks to its
breathtaking scenery, tropical climate and rich geological past
– not to mention vast stretches of sandy beach – Langkawi
is a budding tourist destination. A year ago, it became the first
geopark in Southeast Asia to join UNESCO ’s Global Network
of National Geoparks.
- Kanawinka
(Australia) joins global geopark network (Page 13)
Kanawinka Geopark in Australia became the 57th member of UNESCO’s
Global Network of National Geoparks on 22 June, at the start of
the 3rd International Geoparks Conference in Osnabrueck (Germany).
Kanawinka is also the first Australian geopark to join the global
network.
- Scientists
confirm oceans acidifying at unprecedented speed
The acidification of the world’s oceans, caused by the absorption
of huge volumes of carbon dioxide, is accelerating at an unprecedented
rate, threatening marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of tens
of millions of people, concluded scientists attending the Second
International Symposium on the Ocean in a High CO2 World held
in Monaco from 6-9 October.
14 October
13 October
- What
development in Madagascar? transfer and detour, Biodiversity and
natural resources, local Conservation-investment-practices
The Great Island has been object, for two decades, of a series
of development measures that attempt to face the challenge to
fight against poverty and at the same time protect the biodiversity.
Through the multiple reforms and projects carried out with a large
number of stakeholders, the Madagascan land unfolds all the wealth
of its samples and specificities. It also leads towards wider
contemporary discussions. This seminar is the occasion to meet
the authors of the dossier of the magazine Rural Studies What
development in Madagascar? (EHESS Edition). The authors of this
work, from different disciplines, join the discussion from their
in situ experience. The contradictory character of these contributions
is an example of contemporary issues, in the scene of development
as well as in the theoretical and disciplinary location.
- Biodiversity
in Costa Rica: the preservation of the environment in Monteverde
The mission of the Tropical Scientific Center (CCT) is the acquisition
and application of the knowledge that concerns the lasting relation
of the human being with the biological and physical resources
of the tropic. This philosophy is taken to the practice through
scientific research, direct actions at the local level, management
of protected areas, education and consulting services. Its autonomy
allows it to achieve its goals with no political, social, ideological
or religious prejudice. Enrique Ramirez Guier, Director of the
CCT, presents the actions of the CCT and the Monteverde reserve,
for the preservation of the environment in Costa Rica and on the
issue of global warming.
- Mediterranean
commercial sponges: over 5000 years of natural history and cultural
heritage
Roberto Pronzato, Renata Manconi. Published Online: Jun 9
2008 12:00AM
This paper deals with the history of the exploitation of a natural
resource made up of various types of Mediterranean horny sponges.
It also provides an update on trends in the trade of these sponges.
The distribution and taxonomic status of Mediterranean species
of commercial interest belonging to the genera Spongia and Hippospongia
are reported upon and partly emended by (i) the selection of neotypes
for Spongia mollissima, Hippospongia communis, and Spongia agaricina
from the Indo-Pacific Ocean versus the Mediterranean Spongia lamella,
and (ii) the discussion regarding the problematic status of Spongia
zimocca...
- IUCN’s
New President Announced
Members of IUCN are celebrating the announcement of their
new president, Ashok Khosla from India. He was running against
Purificació Canals and Carlos Manuel Rodríguez in
the presidential run-off at the world’s oldest and largest
environmental network, held at its World Conservation Congress
in Barcelona. Ashok Khosla will take over the position from outgoing
President Valli Moosa, who took up the post four years ago at
IUCN’s previous World Conservation Congress in Bangkok,
Thailand.
- IUCN
Red List reveals world’s mammals in crisis
The most comprehensive assessment of the world’s mammals
has confirmed an extinction crisis, with almost one in four at
risk of disappearing forever, according to The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species™, revealed at the IUCN World Conservation
Congress in Barcelona. The new study to assess the world’s
mammals shows at least 1,141 of the 5,487 mammals on Earth are
known to be threatened with extinction. At least 76 mammals have
become extinct since 1500. But the results also show conservation
can bring species back from the brink of extinction, with five
percent of currently threatened mammals showing signs of recovery
in the wild.
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| ------------------------ Newsletter Nº 33 |
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| September 2008 |
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30 September
- Short
Term Volunteering with Global Vision International (GVI)
GVI offer a variety of short term volunteering projects that allow
individuals with little time to spare the opportunity to assist
critical conservation and community development programs round
the world. You will find our range of short term teaching English,
wildlife and community projects have been carefully developed
to ensure projects still receive long term support through GVI’s
existing field structure. Thus you can volunteer from as little
as one week and upwards knowing that your hard work will continue
well after you have gone home.
26 September
- South-Eastern
Europe sails to Barcelona
Sailing to Barcelona is an action-oriented initiative linking
the worlds of sailing and conservation and preceding the World
Conservation Congress (Barcelona, 5-14 October). Within this initiative,
the scholar ship Jadran is already reaching Italian waters, promoting
the Dinaric Arc Initiative and raising awareness for marine and
coastal protection in South-Eastern Europe and globally. Jadran’s
participation was initiated as a joint effort of UNESCO and IUCN
and was generously supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment
of Montenegro and the Ministry of Defense of Montenegro.
IUCN. News
- The
cooperation of Higher education institutions and the Industry:
a win-win strategy for the conservation of the marine environment
Nowadays, thanks to the vast technological advances in submarine
surveying, we have ventured towards the oceanic frontiers as never
before. In 1872, when the HMS Challenger starts its hydrographic
and scientific research trip that took it to circumnavigate the
globe, the discussion was on the existence of life in deep oceanic
bottoms. The absence of light, the low temperatures and the enormous
pressures, gave for granted the absence of any living organism,
as known at that time. Nowadays, we know in detail complete communities
of organisms that live at more than 3000 m. deep that depend entirely
on the chemical processes associated to the thermal sources and
methane emanations and other compounds of the bottom of the ocean…
IESALC Informa, Newsletter. No. 171
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| Publications |
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Teachers'
Guide for Education for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean
This book is mainly geared to teacher-trainers and teachers at all
levels of education in the region. Through this publication the Regional
Bureau for Education in Latin America and the Caribbean seeks to promote
the inclusion of education for sustainable development in teachers’
practices. The experiences of the Caribbean described in this document
are intended to be replicated in the various classrooms, schools and
communities of the region. Additionally, UNESCO wishes to encourage
reflection, discussion and the creation of innovative practices in
the region that, along with catalysing the participation of teachers
in the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2205-21014),
contribute to the construction of sustainable societies. |
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