Copyright © 2009, United Nations Environment Programme The Year Book Collection ISBN: 978-92-807-2987-0 UNEP/GC.25/INF/2 Year Book 2009 DEW/1121/NA In 2008 the UNEP Year Book’s Feature Focus examines how market and financial mechanisms can advance the transition to a low-carbon and environmentally-sound economy. The section emphasizes the need for sound policy response to support these mechanisms. The Emerging Challenge section explains some of the complexities presented by methane release from a warming Arctic and the regional feedbacks that enhance Disclaimers uncertainties about the risks these processes present.. 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Contents Preface ii Disasters and Conflicts Introduction iv Introduction 31 Disasters, Conflicts, and Environment—2008 32 Ecosystem Management Human Flaws and Disaster Prevention 35 Introduction 1 Great Expectations 38 Changing Ecosystems 2 Conclusion 39 Ecosystems and Human Wellbeing 4 Map of Significant Environmental Events 2008 40 New Management Paradigms 6 References 42 Conclusion 9 References 10 Resource Efficiency Introduction 43 Harmful Substances and Hazardous Waste Doing More, Wasting Less 44 Introduction 11 From Cradle to Grave 48 Dangerous Substances in Food and Drink 12 Water: Urgent Need for Better Systems 49 A History of Mercury Contamination 14 Constructive Progress 50 The Face of Nanotechnology 16 Conclusion 51 Challenges to a Nuclear Power Revival 18 References 52 Conclusion 19 References 20 Environmental Governance Introduction 53 Climate Change Achieving the Millennium Development Goals 54 Introduction 21 Calendar of Selected Events for 2008 56 Detection, Observation, Attribution 22 Re-Tooling 58 Sinks, Sources, and Feedbacks 25 Conclusion 61 Impacts and Vulnerabilities 27 References 63 Tipping Points 28 Conclusion 29 Acronyms and Abbreviations 63 References 30 Acknowledgements 64 iii Preface The UNEP Year Book 2009, focusing on Reservoirs in the Mediterranean and the the six areas of our new Medium-Term American Midwest could soon run dry: the Strategy, comes against a back drop of Greenland ice sheet may already be losing food, fuel and financial upheavals that over 100 cubic kilometres a year with underline the choices facing humanity in ramifications for sea level rise. the 21st century. The Arctic is also a vast store of These centre around whether a brighter methane. More than 250 plumes are now and more sustainable future can be found bubbling up northwest of Svalbard—the in the old economic models of the 20th prospect of dangerous ‘tipping’ points in century or in a fresh, Green Economy the Earth’s climate are becoming ever more approach—one that rewards greater possible. resource efficiency, vastly improved The Year Book also highlights more natural asset management and decent intelligent, creative approaches. Take employment across the developed and biomimicry. The cooling system of the developing world. Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe The answer can be found in the findings was inspired by towers built by termites. It of the Year Book 2009. saves 90 per cent of the energy compared Ecosystems, vast natural ‘utilities’ whose with a comparable building. goods and services are worth trillions of Rights-based catch shares for fishers— dollars annually, are also changing—entire practiced in fishing grounds in countries like Achim Steiner forest ecosystems have disappeared from Canada and Chile to Mexico and the United United Nations Under-Secretary-General and 25 countries and have declined by 90 per States, there is evidence they can reduce Executive Director, cent in a further 29. and even reverse the risk of ecosystem United Nations Environment Programme The biomass of large, commercially- collapse. targeted marine fish species have Hundreds of billions of dollars are being declined by 90 per cent since the 1960s. lined up to stimulate economies. It is an The amount of cropland available per opportunity to overcome the current woes person may, by mid century, be less than but also an opportunity to begin shaping 0.1 hectares, requiring an increase in markets—shaping them towards favouring agricultural production unattainable via not only the planet but also the livelihoods conventional methods. and well-being of six, soon rising to nine Climate change is another poignant billion people. In short it is the chance to example. The failure to fully ‘internalize’ the really kick-start the Green Economy. costs of rising greenhouse gas emissions is triggering impacts unimaginable only a few years ago. ii UNEP YEAR BOOK 2009 Introduction The UNEP Year Book 2009 presents work gases in the atmosphere and new findings calls for an intensified sense of urgency in progress on scientific understanding on the rates and distribution patterns for responsible governance in the face of of global environmental change, as well of melting ice and rising sea levels. approaching critical thresholds and tipping as foresight about possible issues on the Potential consequences are considered points. A calendar of selected events in horizon. The aim is to raise awareness of for specific Earth systems such as ocean 2008 is also included in this chapter. the interlinkages among environmental circulation, tropical monsoons, and familiar