ENVIRONEWS INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL BOTANISTS Newsletter
LUCKNOW (INDIA) VOL 12 No 4 OCTOBER, 2006
IN THIS ISSUE Earth Environment is Changing Fast Scientific consensus is a rare thing. But the experts agree almost unanimously on one thing - Letters ...... 02 humankind is changing the Earth's natural environment, and quickly. As an expanding global population spreads ever further around the globe, habitats are being destroyed to make room for mushrooming towns and cities, all the while consuming more and more oil News Flash ...... 03 and other fossil fuels. In many ways humans have never had it so good: average global life expectancy has shot up by almost 20 years in the past half-century, most countries are getting richer by the day and medical science has beaten scores of previously fatal or Social Justice and Habitat debilitating conditions. Restoration A Commentary on And yet there are increasing fears that this human-dominated phase of the Earth's long the Science and history is not sustainable. Species are becoming extinct at a speed around 100 times faster Practice of Ecological than would happen naturally. Almost half the world's original forests - the habitat which Restoration by Anton G. supports around two-thirds of the wildlife has disappeared in the past three decades. Other ) UN data shows arable land being eaten by deserts around 30 times faster than ever before Endress (U.S.A...... 04 seen and the disappearance of almost a third of all coral reefs, while air pollution is thought to kill 50,000 annually in the United States alone. Lichens and Air Pollution by Most seriously of all, the climate appears to be changing. The billion of tons of carbon James P. Bennett (U.S.A). . 06 dioxide pumped into the earth's atmosphere annually, along with other so-called greenhouse gases, is causing the Earth to heat up, virtually all environmental scientists agree. The findings of a major climate change international conference published this year Intellectual Property Rights by reiterated warnings that average global temperatures are expected to rise between 1.4 and Mohd. Usama and Amit Pal 5.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. Such a change would have a wide range of (India) ...... 07 impacts on the natural world and human society. Environment campaigners want urgent action. The way in which the main trends are panning out at the moment means that we really should be very alarmed as a global community. We still have time to do something News and Views ...... 9 about these things, but time is now extremely short. The international response has been mixed. The 1997 Kyoto protocol committed Conferences ...... 12 industrialized nations to cut their combined greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2008-12, but was undermined after the United States, the biggest global polluter, Books ...... 12 declined to ratify the deal. Washington opposes Kyoto's methods rather than its aims. But whatever the consensus on diagnosis, there is little agreement on action, something the UNEP warns must change. To tackle global warming, it warns, “only a fundamental change in lifestyle and economy, with a significant moderation in the consumption of resources, can bring any hope of a solution. Source: (Internet)
+ Informative news, views and popular articles/write-ups on current environmental researches/issues are invited for publication in ENVIRONEWS. + Environews is published quarterly on the first of January/April/July/October; and is supplied free to all members of ISEB. + Environews is also supplied in exchange for scientific literature published by reputed organisations. + All correspondence should be addressed to : The Secretary, International Society of Environmental Botanists, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow - 226 001 (India). + E-mail : [email protected] • Website : http://isebindia.com
ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 1 LETTERS
fter seven busy and exciting years I am leaving Kew in have recently joined as Head of the Institute of Environment & ASeptember to take up a new role at The University of IDevelopment Studies, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi. Kindly Chicago. My successor will be Professor Stephen Hopper, note the change in my address for incorporation in your records: currently Foundation Professor of Conservation Biology at The Dr. Amit Pal University of Western Australia and former Director of Kings Park Head (Course Coordinator), Institute of Environment & Development and Botanic Garden, Perth. Studies, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi-284128, U.P. Steve is taking over at a crucial time. The Millennium Ecosystem Email:[email protected] Assessment has focused international attention on the links am very happy to know about the activities of the ISEB. Last between environmental degradation and human well-being. The year, I was in UK through Commonwealth fellowship for challenge now is to evaluate potential responses and follow I postdoctoral study with Prof. JNB Bell at Imperial College, through on them. This will require determination and London. He showed me photographs of ICPEP-3 Conference, and commitment at the highest levels, as well as increased public it was very nice to know about your current activities. He shared understanding, stronger advocacy and further research. with me his pleasant memories of his several visits to NBRI to Plants are fundamental to a sustainable future. We are applying attend ICPEP Conferences organized by your Society. our scientific expertise and resources to some of the key priorities. Especially important are building science and conservation I have been awarded the National Best University Teacher Award capacity in the developing world, renewed efforts to engage the (NBUTA) by Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan in public's attention, conservation action on the ground, and March 2005. protecting plant species in the face of climate change. Dr.A. Wahid Department of Botany, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan Over the past year we have made considerable progress: the E-mail:[email protected]> Millennium Seed Bank project has had its most successful year to e¹d like to introduce you to the Orion Grassroots Network date, visitor to Kew and Wakehurst Place have reached record (OGN) it¹s a service of the Orion Society, based in Great levels, and our work is making a real difference from Borneo to W Barrington, Massachusetts, U.S.A. and is made up of over 960 Madagascar and from southern England to southern Africa. The organizations like yours located throughout North America and scale of impact of Kew's work with partners all over the world we recently learned about your organization (ISEB). Your work continues to increase. looks great, and we think you¹d make a wonderful addition to But there is more to do. I know that Steve Hopper, an excellent the OGN. scientist and passionate conservationist, will take Kew forward with even greater vigour in the coming years and Kew's Network members are diverse in their work and constituencies, contribution will become even more significant. To achieve this yet common values run through them all, such as illustrating ways we are dependent on the support of many individuals and to live more lightly on the Earth, building local knowledge of organizations, particularly the UK government, and I would like history and land, practicing real democracy, and helping to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped. communities link all of these ideals together. Membership in the Network gives access to a blend of inspirational and practical If you would like to know more, or think we can be of assistance support services promoting the full spectrum of grassroots work in some way, then please do contact me. that is advancing a more sustainable human community. Professor Sir Peter Crane FRS Director The Orion Grassroots Network connects the full diversity of non- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, profits engaged in the social and environmental movements of Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, U.K. North America and beyond. The 950-plus member organizations 'm writing a paper for my Environmental Conservation class at are recognized in their communities as leaders in the fields of Ithe University of Wisconsin. (US) I've chosen to write about conservation, restoration, education, democracy, justice, health, Keibul Lamjao National Park. and economics. I came across the list of abstracts from ICPEP-3. In it I read the If you are interested in receiving information about this program, abstract to the paper "Water Quality in a Floating National Park" please contact us. You can call Orion toll-free at (888) 909-6568, by Daisy Angom and Asha Gupta of the University of Manipur. I visit our website at http://www.oriononline.org/ogn, or e-mail us believe it would be helpful in writing my paper. at [email protected]. I'd really like to use this paper as a resource, but I don't know how We hope you¹ll consider joining the OGN, and we look forward to get it. Any help would be appreciated. to hearing from you soon. Curtis McCutchin Erik Hoffner & Peter Viola University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. The OGN Team, 187 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230, U.S.A. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
2 ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 want to become a Life member of International Society of in Indian currency? Will you accept cash payment? IEnvironmental Botanists, Lucknow. I want to get information Sara Malik about your payment package. As mentioned in your website, Life 74-Askri Colony-1, Sialkot Cantt members from SAARC countries have to pay Rs. 2,500 (payable Sialkot-51310, Pakistan once only). Can I pay in Pakistani Rupees or is it necessary to pay E-mail: [email protected]
WELCOME NEW LIFE MEMBER Dr. Javed Ahmad, Reader in Botany at Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard Dr. Javed worked as an Assistant Professor in Toyama Medical and University), New Delhi has joined International Society of Pharmaceutical University, Japan where he developed a database Environmental Botanists (ISEB) as a Life member. He has extensive on preserved crude drugs in the museum of Materia Medica at the teaching and research experience in medicobotany, embryology Institute of Natural Medicine. He also participated in the 8th and ecology. He participated in the First World Conference on International Symposium on Traditional Medicine, which was held Oriental Medicine & Yoga held at Bangkok, Thailand in 1988 and at Toyama University, Japan in 2001. He has visited a large number received a Silver medal on the research paper presented by him. He of herbaria, botanical gardens/institutes in India, Pakistan, was also awarded by the Association of Alternative Medicine, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Kolkata in 1988. He participated in the International Symposium on Dr. Javed steered several research projects sponsored by various Liver Diseases held at Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan departments and has published over 50 research papers in reputed (1993). journals.
NEWS FLASH
USING TO COMMUNICATE CLIMATE Entries from Asia and the Pacific should Fellowship 2003. CHANGE be sent to: Dr. Vinod is the son of a well-known Indian 16TH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S **UNEP Regional Office for Asia and scientist, Dr. D.S. Bhakuni, a former Scientist PAINTING COMPETITION ON THE in Director's Grade at CDRI and a recipient of the Pacific United Nations Bldg., ENVIRONMENT Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Prize (1975). Dr. Rajdamnern Avenue10th Floor, NEP in cooperation with the D.S. Bhakuni is a Life Member of International B-Block, Bangkok 10200, THAILAND Society of Environmental Botanists. UJapan-based Foundation for Tel: (66-2) 2881870 E-mail: [email protected] Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), Fax: (66-2) 2803829 WELL KNOWN ENVIRONMENTALIST IS NEW Bayer and the Nikon Corporation Email: [email protected] TREASURY SECRETARY OF U.S.A. invites children from around the world Satwant Kaur Henry Paulson, Chairman of the Board of to express their thoughts on climate Directors of The Nature Conservancy, the Regional Information Officer change through the medium of art. world's largest conservation organization United Nations Environment Children who will be between the ages has been appointed new Treasury Secretary Programme UNEP Regional Office for of U.S.A. As Chairman of the investment firm of 6 and 14 years on World Environment Asia and the Pacific 'Goldman Sachs' he ramped up its Day 2007 (5 June) from all regions of the United Nations Bldg., Rajdamnern investments in energy efficiency and world are invited to submit their Avenue, 10th Floor, B-Block renewable energy, including solar, wind and paintings on the theme to their Regional biofuels. In 2004, under Paulson's watch Bangkok 10200, THAILAND UNEP Office by 31 December 2006. Goldman Sachs donated 680,000 acres of Tel: (662) 288-2127 wilderness in Southern Chile to the Wildlife Winners for the regional competitions Fax: (662) 280-3829 Conservation Society. Paulson has also will be announced in April 2007. E-mail: [email protected] worked with environmental groups Winners for the global competition will Web: www.roap.unep.org including the World Resources Institute and be announced on World Environment LUCKNOW SCIENTIST BAGS PRESTIGIOUS the Natural Resources Defense Council. Day, 5 June 2007. AWARD Paulson believes that environmental health The regional first prize winners and the Dr. Vinod Bhakuni, a young scientist of and financial well-being are inextricably global winner will each receive a cash Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) has linked. According to him the environment prize and a trip for them and a been selected this year (2006) for the India's and economy have been wrongly prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) considered as incompatible and they are the accompanying adult to the 2007 official Prize in the field of Biological Sciences. He is opposite sides of the same coin. World Environment Day celebrations in working on proteins that can be used in Tromsø, Norway. Other prizes include PROF. R. S. TRIPATHI'S VISIT TO USA invention of new drugs for better treatment of AND THE U.K. diplomas, plaques, T-shirts, stationery tuberculosis and pneumonia. Dr. Vinod is Prof. R.S. Tripathi, FNA, the INSA Senior and drawing sets. also the recipient of the National Bio- Scientist, at NBRI, Lucknow and a life sciences Award 2001 and Raman Research
ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 3 member of International Society of animal and even non-living objects. M.S. and several environmental problems Environmental Botanists was invited by the stipulates provisions for the protection of including shortage of vital natural resources World Association for Vedic Studies plants, animals, small creatures and and their deteriorating quality. This has given (WAVES) Inc. USA to participate in the Sixth physical environment, and for the rise to a situation of conflict and disharmony International Conference on "Vedic Ideas for conservation of natural resources. among the community of nations and has Global Harmony and Peace in the adversely affected the stability of In M.S. there are references to several plants Modern Context" held at the University of ecosystems. In this context, the codes related with the attributes, which may be exploited Houston, Houston, Texas, USA during 8-10 to environmental conservation as for different purposes. M.S. also mentions July, 2006. He presented a thought- enunciated in Manu-Smriti assume the names of many plants that are capable of provoking research paper entitled, enormous practical and ethical significance. conserving soil. It also presents eco-friendly "Evidences galore in Manu-Smriti for Manu considers environmental conservation methods for land-use pattern, landscape environmental conservation, a key element as the Dharma worth holding.” planning and maintenance of water for ecosystem stability and global harmony". reservoirs. M.S. prescribes many codes for Prof. Tripathi also Co-chaired the session on Quoting profusely from the Manu-Smriti, conserving plants, animals as well as non- "Yoga, Ayurveda and Science" at the said Prof. Tripathi emphasized that Manu has put living components of ecosystem. According conference. Before the commencement of forward a real holistic approach for to Manu, those who violate these codes are the WAVES conference he visited the conserving environment and natural certainly liable to severe punishment. The NASA Space Center at Houston and the resources, and aesthetic and spiritual values degree of utility of different components of artificially created Tropical Rain Forest in formed the core of nature protection in the environment, regardless of whether they Galveston, Texas. Manu-Smriti. are living or non-living, has been considered After attending the WAVES conference at The gist of his presentation is as follows: the basis for determining the severity of the Houston, Prof. Tripathi left for the U.K. "The social codes relating to environmental punishment to the offender(M.S. VIII: 227). where he visited the Royal Botanic Garden at protection and biodiversity conservation In his concluding remarks Professor Tripathi Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, contained in M.S. have their seeds in Vedas. observed that "during the course of the University of Leicester Botanic garden, According to M.S., man must observe the progress of civilization, man has lost the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, righteousness in his conduct. A righteous desired connectivity with the other creatures Savill Garden and Department of Plant conduct encompasses the kind behaviour and physical factors of the environment, and Biology of Imperial College at Silwood Park. towards every creature, be it a plant, or an this has caused ecosystem degradation SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HABITAT RESTORATION A COMMENTARY ON THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION Anton G. Endress Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, U.S.A. Throughout the world, there is an an ecological system back to some or all expanding human population has expanding interest in restoring of its original or former state. Elsewhere, extensively transformed the landscape. terrestrial and freshwater environments. the goal of restoration is less directed The resulting consequences have been S o m e a r e m o t i v a t e d b y t h e towards a particular historic assemblage significant: loss of biodiversity, climate disappearance of wild places and the of organisms than it is directed towards change, biotic species additions and species that inhabit them; others are establishment of a self-regulating system losses, atmospheric eutrophication, and motivated by the loss of recreational that functions ecologically within its altered biogeochemistry. For example, opportunities; and still others are particular landscape context. Achieving the Midwestern USA comprises a region concerned about the declining quality such goals requires both the in which agricultural, urban, and of life and wonder what the legacy to understanding of ecological and suburban development has placed future generations will be. Whatever the evolutionary processes ranging from the increasing demands on the region's motivation, the role of restoration molecular to landscape levels of land. In terms of the proportion of land ecology in revitalizing transformed and organization and the integration of that remains in a natural or semi-natural often degraded landscapes by ecology, economics, sociology, state, this region is one of the most increasing their natural character, psychology, and public policy among degraded landscapes in North America. restoring ecological integrity, and several disciplines. In Illinois for example, much has conserving biodiversity is so powerful Landscape Modification Drives the changed since 1820 when Euro- and fundamental that it has been American immigrants began to settle in st Need for Ecological Restoration identified as the career for the 21 Environmental problems today are its forests, grasslands, and savannas. century and the future of conservation unprecedented in nature and Habitat losses were rapid: annual rates biology. Definitions vary, but an magnitude. As a result of agriculture, of forest clearing in the late 1800s essential aspect of restoration ecology in industry, recreation, international approached 2% (equivalent to the United States is the goal of bringing commerce, and urbanization, the ever- contemporary tropical deforestation E-mail: [email protected] 4 ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 rates) and prairie conversion to cropland and applications. Generally, the scientists, and members of the general occurred at the annual rate of 3.3% practice of ecological restoration is public also have important roles in between 1830-1860. The remaining based on individual experiences of ecological restoration. pre-settlement forest, prairie, and practitioners that are usually gained at Environmental decision-making about wetlands are ca. 0.1%, <0.01%, and the local level. However, the theoretical restoration has shifted away from 5% respectively of the pre-settlement foundation of ecology is often drawn accepting just the claims of experts and ecosystems. Most of its landscape was from research conducted in pristine now accommodates a greater diversity converted to agriculture; Illinois ranks habitats or places largely free of severe of contentions. The expert-based 49th nationally for its portion of pre- anthropogenic impact; specific theory- processes of the past often grew from settlement habitat remaining, and often driven predictions in the local context l e g a l s t a t u t e s d e v e l o p e d b y leads the USA in annual maize and soy are often lacking. The Midwestern municipalities and agencies that production. Habitat fragmentation has landscape is dominated by agriculture, outlined decision-making processes. also been significant: <17% of the but is also punctuated by numerous Stakeholders, particularly those lacking remnant prairie is in parcels >4 ha; only communities with large human political clout or scientific expertise, ca. 11% of remnant forest sites are >40 populations. Therefore, efforts to were excluded from decision forums, ha; 14 prairie bird species have declined develop theory for restoring habitat and and at best, were treated as 'the public at an average of 38%; and edge species preserving biodiversity must also interest' by planning processes. While are flourishing. Invasions of non- account for the complexity and land management decisions previously indigenous species are increasing in variation within an urban-exurban were conducted based on science and severity and scope. In the past century, framework. expert opinion, the shift frames one in seven native fish species in Lake Restoration ecologists are currently decisions as informed by science and Michigan was either extirpated or developing and refining an array of expert opinion, but essentially driven by suffered severe population crashes and research- and experience-based a more inclusive representation of exotic species have assumed the roles of techniques and technologies suitable stakeholder values. As a result, major predators and major forage for the challenges presented. Whether a establishing restoration goals, species. Nearly 32% of the vascular particular restoration project is determining priorities, and making plant species in Illinois today are non- ultimately judged to be successful decisions become a social process in native, up from 10% in 1878 and 16% depends on the achievement of pre- w h i c h s c i e n t i f i c e x p e r t i s e i s in 1950. Members of the Poaceae and established goals, of which some may democratized. Because restoration Asteraceae contribute ca. 25% of the be ecological in nature, while others practice is typically conducted within a non-native taxa. not. Considering restorationists are a context of land use change, the forces Which restorations? Where? What diverse community of scientists and influencing the goals of any given goals? Who decides? practitioners who live with a variety of restoration frequently become tied to From such extensive landscape sometimes inconsistent goals, it is not community-based decision processes. transformation and degradation, surprising that any given target for The empowerment of communities via however, is the phoenix of ecological restoration could be supported by a mix socially just processes should thus restoration borne. Complex restoration of science and values, and tenaciously become an increasingly important efforts are underway or have been argued by its proponents. feature of restoration. envisioned in urban, rural, terrestrial, So how are restoration decisions Issues related to empowerment often and aquatic systems. Although involving today's fragmented and surface during implementation of a restoration is often accomplished (or urbanized landscapes made? Most, if project, but they don't surface as often attempted) at a small spatial scale, some not all, of the alternative choices seem or often enough at the planning stage of the largest restorations in the USA are to require more than scientific when project goals are being defined. now underway or planned in Illinois knowledge: Which site to restore? This may result from a lack of and surrounding states (e.g., Midewin Which habitat to preserve or species to stakeholder awareness, interest, or National Tallgrass Prairie, Lost Mound, c o n s e r v e ? W h i c h r e s t o r a t i o n access. Or it might stem from the tension Kankakee Sands, and Badger Arsenal). approaches are most likely to succeed? between scientists wondering whether The intention is to enhance natural Will societal benefits exceed the costs? citizens have the capacity to be structure and function to restore The power to affect human policy meaningfully involved with decision- ecological health. regarding the use of biotic resources and making about complex issues and the maintenance of biological diversity citizens who no longer accept Ecosystem restoration has roots in depends on research and explicit public uncritically the judgments of scientists ecology, landscape architecture, d i s c o u r s e a b o u t m a n a g e m e n t in matters of social welfare and public c o n s e r v a t i o n , r e c l a m a t i o n , alternatives and their actual costs. In interest. Yet such tension is moot given environmental mitigation - and a consequence, social scientists, political decisions whether defining restoration corresponding diversity of approaches
ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 5 goals or prioritizing actions inevitably task with beneficial consequences. disciplinary, cultural, and social require, and citizens often demand, However, nearby residents, many boundaries. While retaining its participation and active involvement. viewing themselves as environ- fundamental anchor in science, The scientists do not have the authority mentalists, perceived the removal of ecological restoration must engage an to place boundaries around the scope of non-native trees and brush as being a explicit social process in which diverse, dialogue relevant to goal setting. destruction of nature, as lacking respect and even conflicting, values beyond the for historical uses, and disrupting the science are articulated. Social justice Many of the values underlying the area's sense of place. Other emerges from a mutual sharing of process of goal setting may have a strong stakeholders, such as birders or hunters, knowledge amongst stakeholders emotional component attached to them. viewed the removals as a shift in wildlife (experts and non-experts included) Unfortunately, these are frequently habitat, and one that precluded survival within a forum where the discourse is ignored when restoration advocates of their favourite species. Citizen groups larger than the science. When make decisions about the criteria to felt ignored and struggled to voice their community stakeholders have been which a site will be restored. Ecological concerns to a seemingly closed decision engaged in the process and perceive it to restoration projects can become volatile process. be fair, the restoration goals defined and when public values are assumed, not priorities set are most likely to be assessed, or ignored. An example from Summary supported community-wide. With such an Illinois restoration project is The challenge of ecological restoration support, the community becomes illustrative. The removal of non-native is thus complex and profoundly invested in the restoration project and a trees associated with a prairie important, requiring the integration of successful outcome is more likely. restoration was viewed as a necessary knowledge and methods across LICHENS AND AIR POLLUTION James P. Bennett Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, U. S. Geological Survey and University of Wisconsin-Madison, U.S.A.
Lichens are small, non-vascular plants metals, which eventually reach toxic washed, ground to a fine powder, and consisting of a fungus and an alga concentrations. analyzed chemically for elements of growing together in one tissue. The most Lichens are therefore excellent interest. Typically, both nutritional and commonly known lichens are those that bioindicators and biomonitors. As anthropogenic elements are included to are found on the bark of trees, or the bioindicators, the presence/absence of evaluate the health of the lichens as well reindeer lichens growing on the ground, sensitive species is used to look for as for enabling a geographic study of but many other species grow on rocks, distribution patterns that reflect deposition. fences, roofs, tombstones, and other pollutant deposition. Voids in Hundreds of studies on air pollution man-made objects. distributions may indicate whether have been done using lichens and have Even though some lichens are extremely lichens have died out due to heavy been published during the last one tough and grow in very inhospitable metals and/or sulfur oxide pollution. hundred years. Most of these studies habitats, they are also notoriously These observations are determined by have been carried out in Europe and sensitive to air pollutants, primarily conducting taxonomic inventories or North America where lichenology was sulfur dioxide and heavy metals. Lichen surveys, which include sampling many given adequate attention for a long time. deserts, a phenomenon where lichens species in many localities in the study Air pollution, however, occurs world- disappear from cities, were described area. wide, and may be greater now in other over a hundred years ago and Lichens that do not die out, but are still countries as Europe and North America determined to be caused by sulfur present and are known to accumulate have passed air quality legislation and pollution. Lichens are especially trace elements are used to indicate brought air pollution under control. sensitive to air pollutants because they patterns of deposition. Common species Fortunately, in the past few decades, have no outer impermeable layer of that are found in most localities are used studies on lichens have also begun in tissue to exclude gases and particles that to facilitate collecting enough samples other countries where air pollution is impair their metabolism. Consequently, geographically. Many lichens are bad. accumulation of pollutants is greater collected in bulk in a locality to avoid For example, using Recent Literature on than it is in the foliage of vascular plants, collecting an anomalous sample that Lichens on the Internet, I discovered five which have impermeable cuticles. might falsely suggest that a hot spot is papers on air pollution and lichens from Lichens accumulate unusually large present. The samples are typically China, dating back to 1980. These amounts of deposits, including heavy cleaned of extraneous material, not studies have been done in Hong Kong, E-mail: [email protected]
6 ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 Nanjing, and Hangzhou. In India, six years. Most of these studies have been air quality? From our experiences in the studies have been done in Lucknow, focused on lichen inventories. Most of United States the answer is a qualified Faizabad and Kolkata starting about these have been conducted in United yes. Our country has many specially 1995. Africa is represented by two States National Parks, and have been designated areas, including parks and studies from Morocco and Tanzania just used to compile a database on lichens in wilderness areas, where good air quality a few years ago. South America is well the parks which is now on the World is maintained by providing a high represented by 11 studies from Wide Web (www.ies.wisc.edu/nplichen). degree of protection to these areas. In Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Voids in lichen distribution have been these areas sensitive resources must be Venezuela dating from the mid-1980s. I detected in some parks as a result of this inventoried and monitored for impacts. even have one unpublished study from work. Lichens have been included in these a national park in central Peru. It is good Second, these studies have increased inventories, and many studies have to see these studies appearing from the our knowledge of species sensitivities to been done in national forests and parks other major continents of the world. air pollution. The presence/absence of for this reason. This has helped the land There are probably more studies than species in areas with low or high levels managers understand the resources these that are not yet in the lichen of air pollutants and the element burden better, and to be better informed in literature database. of species allows us to better understand making air quality decisions whenever Why are the studies on lichens engaging the sensitivity of lichen to air pollution. necessary. the attention of researchers? There are The more we know about which species The studies on lichens with particular two good reasons: (i) to increase our are where in the landscape, in cities, reference to impact of air pollutants on knowledge of lichens, and (ii) to do parks and industrial areas the better we them are valuable to society and a well- something that may help improve air will know which species may die out in established scientific endeavor. This quality. First, these studies add to our the future. This is critical to work should be supported wherever knowledge of lichen distribution. I have understanding air pollution impacts and possible. Academia, government, conducted or have been involved in for regulating the pollution levels. industry, and the public are all involved dozens of such studies over the past 25 Finally, do these studies help improve and affected by this. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Mohd. Usama and Amit Pal Institute of Environment & Development Studies, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, U.P., India One of the most important issues, due to restriction enzymes to create with the Trade Related Intellectual the emergence of modern biotechno- recombinant D.N.A. Property obligations. logy, is the legal characterization and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) can be Before a patent can be issued, following treatment of trade related biotechno- described as follows: specific conditions must be met: logical processes and products, Patents: Granting of special exclusive ! The invention must be new, (novelty) popularly described as intellectual rights (for trading new articles) has been and should have utility. property, and the rights associated with a practice to encourage innovations, ! It must be inventive. this are known as Intellectual Property e.g. monopoly rights (only to inventors) ! It must be disclosed (discloses) in a Rights (IPR), or rights given to people were granted in some countries of way, which enables a person of over the creations of their minds. Europe, as an incentive to develop new normal skill to reproduce it. Types of Intellectual Property Rights articles that would benefit the Society. ! The scope of protection to be granted 1. Intellectual property is intangible and Under the US Laws, a patent means must be in proportion to the includes “Patents”, “Trade Secrets”, selling an invention for a period of 17 invention. “Copyrights'' “Trade marks” and years. In India, there is “Indian patent act ! It must relate to a technology, where “Plant Breeders' Rights”. of 1970” that allows to process patents, patents are permitted (Patentable). 2. The rights to protect this property but no product patents for food, Trade Secrets: Trade secrets often prohibit others from making, chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals. include private proprietary information copying, using or selling the The duration of patent in India is 5 years or physical material that allows a proprietary subject matter. from the date of grant of patent or 7 years definite advantage to the owner. This 3. Under biotechnology, one of the from the date of filing the application, can be illustrated by the popular most important examples of whichever is less. On December 26, example of coca-cola brand syrup intellectual property is the processes 2 0 0 4 t h e I n d i a n g o v e r n m e n t formula. Trade secrets in the area of and products, which result from the promulgated the patents (amendment) biotechnology may include material development of genetic engineering Ordinance 2004 as also the patents like Hybridization conditions, Cell techniques through the use of (Amendment) Rules, 2005 to comply lines, Corporate merchandising plans, Email:[email protected]
ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 7 Customer lists etc. would raise a crop from harvested seeds was essentially passed with the objective of conservation of biological Unlike patents, trade secrets have an that will give reduced yield. Thus hybrid unlimited duration. Disclosure of a varieties may help in protecting diversity and the equitable sharing of trade secret and its unauthorized use intellectual property. A protected benefits from the use of biological variety should be - resources. can be punished by the court of law and ! t h e o w n e r m a y b e a l l o w e d New (previously not exploited World-class talent: There is no commercially). provision for patenting of plants in compensation. However, if trade secret ! becomes public knowledge by Distinct (clearly distinguishable from Indian patents act of 1970, but other independent discovery or other means it all other varieties) countries like U.S. do have provision. is no longer protectable. ! Uniform (all plants of the variety Ironically, India hold patents on plants should be uniform.) Copy rights: It involves only the in foreign patent offices. Through the ! Stable (variety can be reproduced and expressed material (printed, painted, CSIR (Council of Scientific and multiplied without losing its tape recorded, video recorded or Industrial Research) the Indian characteristics and uniformity). expressed in any other form). In government has a plant patent biotechnology, the copyright may cover In India, new crop varieties are bred at (PP12426) on a novel mint plant 'Kosi' the D.N.A. sequence data, which may State Agriculture Universities and at characterized by its high menthol be published. Computer databases and State Departments of Agriculture. Seeds content. CSIR also holds another U.S. photomicrograph of D.N.A. instruction of new crop varieties flew freely to patent for inventing a “novel damask manual may also become copyright farmers and to private companies and rose progeny” (PP13203), ama 1, plant material. no royalty was payable. This really gene patent held by D.B.T. encouraged farmers, in the past, to grow Trademarks: A trade mark is the word or International Developments in Plant new varieties leading to green symbol adopted and used by a Protection: Intentionally, there is no revolution. Imposition of PBR in India manufacturer or merchant to identify his one forum to effectively deal with the will lead to following problems goods and distinguish them from those grant of patents on unlawfully acquired 1. The cost of seeds will increase. manufactured or sold by others. biological resources or traditional 2. There will be delay in the spread of knowledge. Farmer groups, indigenous Plant Breeders' and Farmers' Right: new varieties to the farmers. communities and community-based Plant varieties are generally protected in 3. The benefit of new varieties will be organizations have not only to lobby several countries (not in India) through restricted to a small segment of their government to reserve the IPR plant breeders' rights (PBR) or plant farmers. trend but also campaign against patents variety rights. Plant Variety Production at the international level. (PVP) laws granting Plant breeders' right Farmers' rights: It is a concept patents of a lesser degree to developed and adapted in FAO (Food The only way to protect biological whomsoever claims to have discovered and Agriculture Organization) as a resources and their traditional or developed a “new plant variety gives resolution and endorsed by all member knowledge (TK) is to create IPRs on exclusive monopoly control over that countries. them. At the world intellectual property variety”. It recognizes the fact that farmers and organization (WIPO), within the intergovernmental committee on Under the existing convention due to rural communities have greatly c o n t r i b u t e d t o t h e c r e a t i o n , genetic resources, discussions are 'International Union for the Protection ongoing on traditional knowledge and of New Varieties' (UPOV), the breeders' conservation, exchange of knowledge for the utilization of genetic diversity. folklore on designing a suitable IPR rights prohibit the farmer from reuse system to protect TK (traditional Therefore, it is the obligation of world (plant back) of farm-saved seeds of a knowledge). community to help these farmers to variety from his own harvest for planting Biodiversity related issues : Biodiversity carry out this task and help them in another crop. Furthermore, the convention was held in May 1992 at utilizing the genetic diversity available protected plant variety may be freely Nairobi to formulate a treaty that was with them. used as a plant genetic resource for the designed to be signed at U.N. purpose of breeding other varieties. India's PVP Legislation: The protection Conference on Environment and When patent or plant breeders' rights of plant variety and Farmers' Rights Act, Development (UNCED) later held in are not available for true breeding crop 2001- even though it supposedly Brazil in June 1992. In this treaty, an varieties, plant breeders, particularly attempts to balance breeders' rights and agreement was sought by the developed private plant breeders of countries like farmers interests, essentially establishes countries to allow, as a matter of right, Germany, may feel tempted to focus IPR on plant varieties. Another domestic access of every country on the their efforts on developing hybrid legislation regulates people's germplasm or biodiversity available varieties, because hybrids do not breed interaction with plant genetic resources anywhere in the world. Since tropical true and give higher yields, no one in the biological diversity act of 2002. It developing countries are far richer than
8 ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 temperate developed countries, such a third world countries. Farmers and Oncomouse- Genetically engineered treaty would have benefited only the indigenous people are outraged that mouse, carrier of human cancer gene developed countries. In view of this, the plants they have developed are being was protected by U.S. patent in 1988. developing countries particularly India “hijacked” by multinational companies Microorganisms such as E .coli in which had rejected such a treaty because it by having their patents by doing slight human genes have been incorporated meant to globalize the natural resources modifications in genetic resources of for production of human insulin, human and not the benefits derived from developing countries. growth hormone, human tissue biotechnological inventions. The By providing documented evidence plasminogen activator (t-PA), etc. have developed countries wanted to privatize from ancient Indian texts that medicinal been recognized for patents in U.S.A. biotechnology through patent and other use of turmeric was well known in India Microbial cells, engineered to produce IPR. The developing countries wanted for centuries, turmeric patent was antigens and antibodies also qualified their share in biotechnology. They are stopped from going in the hands of for patents. Transgenic plants like gene rich and are willing to share their multinational private companies. India herbicide resistant cotton, insect rich biodiversity, but they want has also won its battle against grant of resistant tobacco, virus resistant potato technology transfer to be cheaper. At Neem patent for its pesticidal use from and boll worm resistant cotton have also earth summit, Johannesburg (2002) W.R.Grace Company after a long battle been patented. there was agreement to share the Government Initiatives : The govern- benefits of using biodiversity with tribal Can life forms be patented : The US court in 1980 allowed to patent a life ment has taken steps after signing TRIPs people who had traditional wisdom and agreement on IPR related issues in knowledge. form of a bacterium Pseudomonas developed by an Indian scientist Dr. general and product patent in particular. Biopiracy: Simply means smuggling of Chakraborty. The modified life form According to reports, Rs 120 crore diverse forms of flora and fauna. World contained at least two stable energy modernization plans of the patent wide opposition to biological piracy is generating plasmids, each of the said offices across the country are nearing rapidly building up as more and more plasmid providing a separate hydrogen completion. The patent offices are in groups and people are becoming aware degradation pathway.” The subject of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai. that big corporations are reaping the above claim was an organism, made The patent information service, Nagpur massive profits from using the more effective in treating oil spills by has been developed as an intellectual knowledge and biological resources of manipulating a natural Pseudomonas. property training institute (IPTI).
NEWS AND VIEWS
GLOBAL WARMING AND CARBON considered the most pressing alter one third of plant and animal DIOXIDE EMISSIONS environmental problem we face today. habitats by the end of this century, and There is overwhelming consensus that Carbon emissions exceed the capacity cause the eventual extinction of certain carbon dioxide and other 'green house' of the earth's natural systems to 'fix' plant and animal species. gases emitted as a result of man's activity carbon dioxide. Since scientists began Based on calculations of carbon are raising global temperatures, and the recording average annual Earth emissions balanced with the earth's resulting devastation from ice cap temperatures in 1996, the 14 warmest ability to absorb at the most 9 billion melting and weather pattern changes is years on record have all occurred since tons of carbon dioxide per year, thirteen expected to be phenomenal. 1980, and the temperature in 1998 was planet earths would be needed to bear 6 not only the warmest on record, but also billion people (the world's total Already 50% more CO2 is in the atmosphere due to the emissions of the represented the largest increase in one population) living an American lifestyle 'modern age'. Now it is not enough to year ever. If we fail to curb our CO2 In South Africa, almost all electricity is emissions, it is estimated that by 2050 the simply stabilise CO2 emissions to stop generated from coal-fired power o the greenhouse effect, but rather Earth's temperature will rise 2-6 F, the stations. For each kilowatt-hour (or unit) emissions need to be reduced by 60 to oceans will rise 2-3 feet (submerging of electricity that is used, almost one kg 80%. Generating electricity burns huge several major coastal cities and populated of coal is burnt in a power station amounts of coal, which releases carbon areas), and extreme climatic aberrations somewhere, which releases about a kg like storms, flooding and severe dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. of CO2 into the atmosphere. On an Petrol use and production also releases hurricanes will become common place. average, South Africa releases 10 tons of much CO2. Global warming is generally Global warming could fundamentally CO2 into the atmosphere per person per
ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 9 year - which is substantially higher than for the companies because of the high CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICTIONS FOR the world average of 4 tons per person cost of producing feed pellets and ASIA per year. South Africans thus have a exporting them to Europe Asia, home to more than half the world's significant role in contributing to global Source: ES&T Online News 6.3 billion people, could be badly warming. SURPRISING RELEASE OF METALS affected by climate change, many FROM CO STORAGE FUELLING THE FUTURE WITH CITRUS 2 experts warn, as the predicted rising sea WASTE levels, melting glaciers, droughts, Injecting CO2 deep within the earth To establish ethanol as an alternative to remains one of the more promising of floods, and food and water shortages petroleum fuel, researchers are seeking getting rid of the greenhouse gas. So far, take their toll. new sources that are cheap, abundant, rocks, composed of porous sandstone Here is an overview of how climate and sustainable. In Florida, which is one filled with salty water many hundreds of change might affect Asia: meters below the surface, are the main of the world's largest producers of citrus The western Pacific already experiences storage-site candidates. But preliminary products, researchers are looking for more typhoons than any other part of the geochemical data from the first U.S. ways to use the ~3 million t of wet pulp world. Scientists fear Asia will be hit by project to inject CO into such a and peel waste produced every year by 2 more frequent and severe storms. While formation, indicate that because CO citrus-processing companies. The waste 2 nations like Japan, Korea and Taiwan could yield 50 million gal of ethanol fuel makes the deep ground water more can afford better protection, others annually. acidic, metals in the sandstone get around the Bay of Bengal such as They have demonstrated the concept released. Bangladesh probably will not, and their with a 100-gal ethanol-production The scientists observed rapid flat, dense settlements already make system. They are currently conducting dissolution of calcite and mobilization them badly susceptible to cyclones. full-scale tests at a 10,000-gal pilot of large amounts of iron and other India and Bangladesh will have to draw facility at the start of the citrus season metals as a result of major drop of pH up permanent relocation plans for this November. from 6.4 to 3. These data are not a snag millions of people as sea levels rise. The ethanol produced at the new facility for CO 2 storage in continental Around 15 percent of Bangladesh could replace methyl-tert-butyl ether sedimentary basins. However, the data would be under water if the sea level (MTBE) as a gasoline additive in central do strongly suggest that CO2 injection rose by a metre in the next century. or southern Florida. Some states have wells should use acid-resistant cements Japan's major coastal cities, and island banned MTBE because of groundwater and that abandoned wells should be nations are also threatened. Vietnam, pollution problems. Since 1992, MTBE avoided or monitored carefully. Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and has been used as a gasoline additive in These former oil and gas wells were China, could suffer sharp cuts in their the U.S. to boost oxygen levels; this never engineered to last for a long time. gross domestic product because of helps the gasoline burn more Another reason to avoid old wells is that rising sea levels, according to a World completely and reduces tailpipe most are shallow, and deeper ones are Bank estimate generally considered better for CO emissions. Converting citrus waste to 2 Glaciers around the world have been sequestration. ethanol also yields the valuable co- retreating since the 1850s, as the product limonene, an organic solvent. The release of metals represents a new climate has warmed. Around 67 percent Ethanol is made from citrus waste in four element of risk, because it shows the of Asia's Himalayan glaciers in Nepal, steps: pretreatment, enzyme hydrolysis, potential for reactive chemistry that could west China and north India, are now fermentation, and distillation. be of concern. But these new results are melting more rapidly because of global Hydrolysis converts the cellulose, not likely to present a substantial warming, according to a WWF report. which comprises ~1015% of the dry complication to underground storage. Their melting poses a major threat to the citrus waste, into glucose, a sugar that This is because metal-bearing oxides and Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and yeasts can ferment into ethanol. hydroxides usually make up <1% of parts of China, the Intergovernmental Developments by companies have saline aquifers and such aquifers have Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says. brought down the cost of the enzymes kept saline brines isolated over 100- Water scarcity will worsen because that govern this process, making the million-year geological time scales. seven of Asia's main rivers, including cellulose-to-glucose conversion Scientists already have enough the Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra and the economically feasible. information to be confident in the ability Mekong, begin in the Himalayas. Summer glacial melt- water is crucial to Currently, citrus processing companies of some rock formations to hold CO2 for a dry the pulp and peel waste to make long time. But clear guidelines are hundreds of millions of people cattle feed and convert the liquid into needed to tell a good place from a bad downstream, who rely on it for irrigation molasses, which they sell to the place. and hydroelectric power. Asia already beverage industry. This is not profitable Source: American Chemical Society has 60 percent of the world's population
10 ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 but only 36 percent of the globe's cover all affect the amount of radiation energy needs which will leave heavily freshwater, the UN World Food reaching the ground. Fair skinned toxic trails for hundreds of generations Programme has said. people suffer from sunburn much more to come. Northern China, already threatened by readily than dark-skinned people. DEFORESTATION Source: Reuters (Washington) the advance of Mongolia's Gobi About half of the world's original forest POLLUTANTS AND TOXIC CHEMICALS desert, faces the further loss of arable cover has been destroyed by man, and land to desertification. Warmer Tens of thousands of toxic chemicals we continue to wipe out the rain forests winters and less rainfall make topsoil are continuously being released into at a rate of about 2 acres per second. more susceptible to being blown away Earth's ecosystems, many of which Nearly half the forests that once covered by strong winds. Over a quarter of cannot be effectively absorbed nor do the earth are gone. In just 15 years, China's huge landmass is classified as they break down easily. between 1980 and 1995, more than 400 desert, and up to 400 million people million acres of forest were lost - an area are threatened by fast-advancing We mine cadmium because it is useful larger than all of Mexico. deserts. for things like batteries, then we dump them, and nature has no way of Climate-related risks to Asia's rich Tropical rain forests provide between absorbing them. They become poisons 25% and 40% of all pharmaceutical array of species are climbing. As many in the system. In laboratories and as 1,250 of India's 15,000 higher plant products. Three thousand plants have factories we're manufacturing over 70 ant-icancer properties; of these, 70% species are threatened, and similar 000 man-made substances, most of trends are evident in China, Malaysia, inhabit the rainforests. The rainforest which cannot be broken down in contains such a plethora of life that Myanmar, and Thailand. Many of nature. No one knows the long-term humans have been unable to classify Asia's mammals and birds are likely to effect they'll have on the planet. It was and name all of it. Many species are be wiped out because of the combined originally thought CFCs were safe, and becoming extinct without their effects of climate change and habitat it won awards for being clean. No one existence ever being recorded. fragmentation. dreamed that once it got into the Clean Energy Nepal (Source: PlanetArk) stratosphere it would start eating the It is estimated that if current wood SUN KILLS 60,000 A YEAR, WHO SAYS protective ozone layer. consumption trends continue, all natural woodland in the former As many as 60,000 people a year die Heavy metals are leaking from the 'homeland' areas of South Africa will be from too much sun, mostly from skin stored accumulated metals, and they denuded by the year 2020. cancer according to a World Health will continue to accumulate in nature Organization report. About 90 per cent even if we cease completely to mine CYCLING GOOD FOR HEALTH AND of such cancers are caused by them. ENVIRONMENT ultraviolet light from the Sun. One litre of oil can contaminate 800 Cycling is environment-friendly, Radiation from the Sun also causes 000 litres of water and each year we specially on shorter trips. A person who sunburn, skin aging, eye cataracts, dump 3 177 million litres of oil into the weighs 70 kg and bikes one hour four pterygium a fleshy growth on the world's rivers and oceans. times a week he burns about 2000 Kcal surface of the eye, cold sores and other In 1987 the Mpumalanga area of South that is about four chocolate bars. Studies ills. Africa, where most of the coal-burning have shown that those who don't get Ultraviolet light is needed to activate electricity power stations and metal much exercise otherwise, can improve production of Vitamin D in the body, working industries are located, was their fitness by as much as 20% by which prevents rickets, osteomalacia responsible for 1.84 million tons of bicycling 5 kilometers a day. It also helps and osteoporosis. The report advises sulphuric acid and 0.84 million tons of to check weight gain and reduces the risk that people seek shade, use sunscreen nitric acid emissions, potentially of heart disease, circulatory problems and with an SPF of at least 15, and stay out resulting in destructive acid-rain. osteoporosis. It also reduces blood of tanning salons. The application of Much radioactive waste from nuclear pressure and strengthens legs. sunscreens should not be used to power stations remains dangerously Bicycles run on essentially renewable prolong sun exposure but rather to toxic for thousands of years. fuels (the food that we eat). Using a protect the skin when exposure is Internationally there are no approved bicycle instead of a car on short trips unavoidable. long-term storage sites for this waste, does the environment a lot of good. Snow, sand and sea foam reflect and the same applies to South Africa - People who travel 5 km to work by bike ultraviolet light and thinning ozone which generates such waste at the instead of driving a car cut their CO2 filters out less and less of it. Ultraviolet Koeberg nuclear power station. It is emissions by 0.7 tons a year. radiation can neither be seen nor felt. amazing that people today take Source: Swedish Society for Nature Time of the day, latitude and cloud decisions to meet their short term Conservation, Stockholm
ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006 11 URBAN TRANSPORT 2007 CONFERENCES Thirteenth International Conference on Urban INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF The 35th NAAEE Annual Conference Transport and the Environment in the 21st Century ENVIRONMENTAL BOTANISTS October 10-14, 2006, St. Paul, MN. U.S.A. 3 - 5 September 2007, Coimbra, Portugal (National Botanical Research Institute Website: www.naaee.org/conference Contact: [email protected] Lucknow - 226 001, India) http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2007/urban2007 Environmental Partnerships for a Sustainable /1.html President : Future - Ferrum College Environmental Symposium Dr. Rakesh Tuli November 8-10, 2006; Ferrum, VA, U.S.A. BOOKS Vice Presidents: Contact: [email protected] Dr. S.C. Sharma Website: www.Ferrum.edu/ES06 Air Pollution, Global Change & Forests in the New Millenium Prof. C.K. Varshney (Devlopments in Environmental Science, Vol. 3) International Conference on Environment: Survival Prof. H.N. Verma Edited by D. F. Karnosky, K. E. Percy, A. H. Chappelka, and Sustainability C. Simpson & J. Pikkarainen Secretary: 19-24 February 2007, Nicosia-Northern Cyprus Published by Elsevier Dr. K.J. Ahmad Near East University Nicosia Northern Cyprus ISBN : 0-08-044317-6 MERSIN 10 - Turkey Price : £ 93.50 Joint Secretaries : Contact: [email protected]; Phylogeny and Evolution of Angiosperms Dr. Mrs. Kamla Kulshreshtha Dr. Mrs. Seshu Lavania [email protected] By D.E. Soltis, P.S. Soltis, P.K. Endress www.neuconference.org and M.V. Chase 2005 Treasurer : 9th International in situ and on-site Bioremediation Sunderland, M.A. Sinauer Dr. Prakash Chandra Symposium Greenhouse Warming and Nuclear Hazards By Peter Fong Executive Editor : 7-10 May 2007, Baltimore, Maryland Published by Imperial College Press, U.K. 2005 Dr. H.M. Behl Contact: [email protected] ISBN981-256-422-5 Members of the Executive : Website: www.battelle.org/biosymp Price: US $ 48 / £ 28 Prof. Mrs. Madhoolika Agrawal 15th International Conference on Environmental Health Effects of Transport-related Air Pollution Dr. Ms. Shashi Dhawan Bioindicators Edited by M. Krzyzanowski, B. Kuna Dibbert Dr. Mrs. Anjum Farooqui June 7-9, 2007 - City University of Hong Kong - Kowloon, and J. Schneider 2005 Prof. Muhammad Iqbal Published by WHO Regional Office for Europe Hong Kong Prof. Shashi Kant ISBN:92-890-1373-7 Website: www.InformaLearning.com/EBI. Prof. N.K. Mehrotra The 10th International Symposium on Soil and Air Pollution XIII Dr. L.M.S. Palni Plant Analysis Edited by C.A. Brebbia, Prof. S.H. Raza Wessex Institute of Technology, UK 2005 Dr. R.D. Tripathi June 11-15, 2007; Budapest, Hungary, ISBN: 1-85312-014-4 http://www.spcouncil.com/symposium.htm Price: £245.00 / US$392.00 / Euro367.50 Prof. C.L. Verma Prof. Mohd. Yunus 13th International Interdisciplinary Conference on Air Pollution XIV the Environment Edited by C.A. Brebbia, Advisors : Portland, Maine, USA Wessex Institute of Technology, UK 2006 Prof. J.N.B. Bell June 30 - July 3, 2007 ISBN: 1-84564-165-5 Prof. Richard F.E. Crang Contact: Dr. Kimberly Reiter, Conference Chair Price: £260.00 / US$470.00 / Euro390.00 Prof. S.V. Krupa [email protected], Tourism and Global Environmental Change Prof. Sir Ghillean T. Prance http://www.ieaonline.org/conference.htm Published by Routledges Dr. P.V. Sane th ISBN: 041536132 X Dr. B.P. Singh 4 World Environmental Education Congress Price: US $ 39.95 (WEEC 2007). Awareness Programme Committee: Global Environment Outlook 2006 2-6 July 2007, Durban, South Africa Ms. Kanti Srivastava (Convener) Published by United Nations [email protected]; [email protected]; Environment Programme 2006 Printed and Published by [email protected] Earthprint Ltd., Hertfordshire, U.K. Dr. K.J. Ahmad http://www.weec2007.com Price: US $ 20.00 for International Society of Environmental th 10 International Conference on Studies, Repairs CHALLENGED EARTH An Overview of Humanity's Botanists, National Botanical Research and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture, Stewardship of Earth Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226 incorporating the Maritime Heritage Seminar By Stephen F. Lincoln 001, India (SREMAH 2007) Published by Imperial College Press, U.K. 2006 ISBN1-86094-526-0 Executive Editor : 4-7 July 2007, Prague, Czech Republic Price: US $ 59 / £ 34 Dr. H.M. Behl Wessex Institute of Tecnology U.K. Editors: Contact: [email protected] The Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World's Greatest Challenge Dr. R.D. Tripathi www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2007/streamah07 By Kirstin Dow & Thomas E. Dowing Dr. Mrs. Kamla Kulshreshtha th African Soil Science Society 4 International Berkeley University of California Press 2006 Dr. Amit Pal Conference ISBN: 0-520-25023-0 Mr. Deepak Wahal Price: US $ 19.95 7-13 January 2007, Accra, Ghana National Botanical Research Institute Contact: [email protected]; Environmental UV Radiation: Impact on Ecosystems and Lucknow, India. Health and Predictive Models [email protected] Tel. 2205831-35 Extn. 223 III International Conference on Enzymes in the Edited by Francesco Ghetti, Giovanni Chercucci & James F. Bornmann Fax : 2205836 Environment: Activity, Ecology and Applications Springer, New York 2006 E-mail : [email protected] 15-19 July 2007, Viterbo, Italy Price: US $ 79.95 Website : http://isebindia.com Website: http://www.3ic-enzymes.com/index.asp
12 ENVIRONEWS, OCT. 2006