Sustainable Use of Our Oceans
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Chesapeake Bay Restoration: Background and Issues for Congress
Chesapeake Bay Restoration: Background and Issues for Congress Updated August 3, 2018 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45278 SUMMARY R45278 Chesapeake Bay Restoration: Background and August 3, 2018 Issues for Congress Eva Lipiec The Chesapeake Bay (the Bay) is the largest estuary in the United States. It is Analyst in Natural recognized as a “Wetlands of International Importance” by the Ramsar Convention, a Resources Policy 1971 treaty about the increasing loss and degradation of wetland habitat for migratory waterbirds. The Chesapeake Bay estuary resides in a more than 64,000-square-mile watershed that extends across parts of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The Bay’s watershed is home to more than 18 million people and thousands of species of plants and animals. A combination of factors has caused the ecosystem functions and natural habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed to deteriorate over time. These factors include centuries of land-use changes, increased sediment loads and nutrient pollution, overfishing and overharvesting, the introduction of invasive species, and the spread of toxic contaminants. In response, the Bay has experienced reductions in economically important fisheries, such as oysters and crabs; the loss of habitat, such as underwater vegetation and sea grass; annual dead zones, as nutrient- driven algal blooms die and decompose; and potential impacts to tourism, recreation, and real estate values. Congress began to address ecosystem degradation in the Chesapeake Bay in 1965, when it authorized the first wide-scale study of water resources of the Bay. Since then, federal restoration activities, conducted by multiple agencies, have focused on reducing pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay, restoring habitat, managing fisheries, protecting sub-watersheds within the larger Bay watershed, and fostering public access and stewardship of the Bay. -
Speculative Geology
15 Speculative Geology DALE E. SNOW We are not at peace with nature now. Whether it is the record-setting rain on the east coast or the raging wildfires in the west, distant news of melting permafrost or bleaching coral reefs, or the unexpected eruption of Mount Kilauea a few miles from here, things seem increasingly, and increasingly violently, out of control. I would like to suggest that there are resources in Schelling’s Naturphilosophie we can use in the twenty-first century to help us think differently about both the power of nature and our own relationship to it. Although Schelling saw himself, and was seen by many, as antagonistic toward the mechanical science of his own time, it would be a mistake—and a missed opportunity—to see his view as a mere Romantic reaction. It is a speculative rethinking of the idea of nature itself that finds a place for even those phenomena which seem most distant and alien. Schelling described his philosophy of nature as “speculative physics” both to distinguish it from what he calls the dogmatic or mechanistic model of nature, and to announce a new approach to natural science, concerned with the original causes of motion in nature (SW III: 275). Since every “natural phenomenon … stands in connection with the last conditions of nature” (SW III: 279), speculative physics can bring us to an understanding of nature as a system. Geology presents an illuminating case of this approach, as can be seen from Schelling’s characteristically enthusiastic introduction to a paper published by Henrik Steffens in Schelling’sJournal of Speculative Physics (Zeitschrift für speculative Physik) on the oxidization and deoxidization of the earth.1 After praising Steffens’ work on a new and better founded science of geology, Schelling reflects darkly on the too long dominant mechanical approach to geology. -
Slow-Onset Processes and Resulting Loss and Damage
Publication Series ADDRESSING LOSS AND DAMAGE FROM SLOW-ONSET PROCESSES Slow-onset Processes and Resulting Loss and Damage – An introduction Table of contents L 4 22 ist of a bbre Summary of Loss and damage via tio key facts and due to slow-onset ns definitions processes AR4 IPCC Fourth Assessment Report 6 22 What is loss and damage? Introduction AR5 IPCC Fifth Assessment Report COP Conference of the Parties to the 23 United Nations Framework Convention on 9 What losses and damages IMPRINT Climate Change can result from slow-onset Slow-onset ENDA Environment Development Action Energy, processes? Authors Environment and Development Programme processes and their Laura Schäfer, Pia Jorks, Emmanuel Seck, Energy key characteristics 26 Oumou Koulibaly, Aliou Diouf ESL Extreme Sea Level What losses and damages Contributors GDP Gross Domestic Product 9 can result from sea level rise? Idy Niang, Bounama Dieye, Omar Sow, Vera GMSL Global mean sea level What is a slow-onset process? Künzel, Rixa Schwarz, Erin Roberts, Roxana 31 Baldrich, Nathalie Koffi Nguessan GMSLR Global mean sea level rise 10 IOM International Organization on Migration What are key characteristics Loss and damage Editing Adam Goulston – Scize Group LLC of slow-onset processes? in Senegal due to IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sea level rise Layout and graphics LECZ Low-elevation coastal zone 14 Karin Roth – Wissen in Worten OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs What are other relevant January 2021 terms for the terminology on 35 RCP Representative -
The Economics of Dead Zones: Causes, Impacts, Policy Challenges, and a Model of the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone S
58 The Economics of Dead Zones: Causes, Impacts, Policy Challenges, and a Model of the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone S. S. Rabotyagov*, C. L. Klingy, P. W. Gassmanz, N. N. Rabalais§ ô and R. E. Turner Downloaded from Introduction The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 increased public awareness and http://reep.oxfordjournals.org/ concern about long-term damage to ecosystems, and casual readers of the news headlines may have concluded that the spill and its aftermath represented the most significant and enduring environmental threat to the region. However, the region faces other equally challenging threats including the large seasonal hypoxic, or “dead,” zone that occurs annually off the coast of Louisiana and Texas. Even more concerning is the fact that such dead zones have been appearing worldwide at proliferating rates (Conley et al. 2011; Diaz and Rosenberg 2008). Nutrient over- enrichment is the main cause of these dead zones, and nutrient-fed hypoxia is now widely at Iowa State University on January 27, 2014 considered an important threat to the health of aquatic ecosystems (Doney 2010). The rather alarming term dead zone is surprisingly appropriate: hypoxic regions exhibit oxygen levels that are too low to support many aquatic organisms including commercially desirable species. While some dead zones are naturally occurring, their number, size, and *School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; e-mail: [email protected] yCenter for Agricultural and Rural Development, -
SKA-Athena Synergy White Paper
SKA-Athena Synergy White Paper SKA-Athena Synergy Team July 2018. Edited by: Francisco J. Carrera and Silvia Martínez-Núñez on behalf of the Athena Community Office. Revisions provided by: Judith Croston, Andrew C. Fabian, Robert Laing, Didier Barret, Robert Braun, Kirpal Nandra Authorship Authors Rossella Cassano (INAF-Istituto di Radioastronomia, Italy). • Rob Fender (University of Oxford, United Kingdom). • Chiara Ferrari (Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, France). • Andrea Merloni (Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Germany). • Contributors Takuya Akahori (Kagoshima University, Japan). • Hiroki Akamatsu (SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, The Netherlands). • Yago Ascasibar (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain). • David Ballantyne (Georgia Institute of Technology, United States). • Gianfranco Brunetti (INAF-Istituto di Radioastronomia, Italy) and Maxim Markevitch (NASA-Goddard • Space Flight Center, United States). Judith Croston (The Open University, United Kingdom). • Imma Donnarumma (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Italy) and E. M. Rossi (Leiden Observatory, The • Netherlands). Robert Ferdman (University of East Anglia, United Kingdom) on behalf of the SKA Pulsar Science • Working Group. Luigina Feretti (INAF-Istituto di Radioastronomia, Italy) and Federica Govoni (INAF Osservatorio • Astronomico,Italy). Jan Forbrich (University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom). • Giancarlo Ghirlanda (INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera and University Milano Bicocca, Italy). • Adriano Ingallinera (INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania, Italy). • Andrei Mesinger (Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy). • Vanessa Moss and Elaine Sadler (Sydney Institute for Astronomy/CAASTRO and University of Sydney, • Australia). Fabrizio Nicastro (Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma,Italy), Edvige Corbelli (INAF-Osservatorio As- • trofisico di Arcetri, Italy) and Luigi Piro (INAF, Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali, Italy). Paolo Padovani (European Southern Observatory, Germany). • Francesca Panessa (INAF/Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali, Italy). -
Living Blue Planet Report
REPORT ITN 2015 Living Blue Planet Report Species, habitats and human well-being WWF WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Zoological Society of London Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational organization. Its mission is to achieve and promote the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. ZSL runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo; carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology; and is actively involved in field conservation worldwide. The ZSL manages the Living Planet Index® in a collaborative partnership with WWF. WWF International Avenue du Mont-Blanc 1196 Gland, Switzerland www.panda.org Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent’s Park,London NW1 4RY, UK www.zsl.org/indicators www.livingplanetindex.org Design by: millerdesign.co.uk Cover photograph: © naturepl.com / David Fleetham / WWF Living Planet Report WWF’s Living Planet Report, released every two years, is a leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity upon it. The Living Planet Report 2014 detailed alarming declines in biodiversity, showing species populations falling by half between 1970 and 2010. -
Ocean Acidification in Washington State
University of Washington • Washington Sea Grant Ocean Acidification in Washington State What is Ocean Acidification? OA in Washington State cean Acidification (or ‘OA’) is a long-term decrease ur region is experiencing ocean acidification sooner Oin seawater pH that is primarily caused by the Oand more severely than expected, due to a combina- ocean’s uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) from the atmo- tion of human and natural causes. In the spring and sum- sphere. CO2 generated by humans’ use of fossil fuels and mer, acidification along our coast is compounded by up- deforestation has been accumulating in the atmosphere welling, which mixes deep, naturally low-pH seawater into since the industrial revolution. About one quarter of this the already acidified surface layer. In Puget Sound, nutri- CO2 is absorbed by the oceans, pH describes the acidity of a liquid ents generated by human activities (mostly where it reacts with water to form nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage, carbonic acid. As a result, the aver- fertilizers and manure) fuel processes that age pH of seawater at the ocean add even more CO2 to this ‘doubly-acidified’ surface has already dropped by ~0.1 seawater. The combination can be deadly units, a 30% increase in acidity. If to vulnerable organisms. pH levels as low atmospheric CO2 levels continue as 7.4 have been recorded in Hood Canal, to climb at the present rate, ocean an important shellfish-growing region. acidity will double by the end of this State and federal agencies, scientists, tribes, century. shellfish growers and NGOs are working together to address OA in our region. -
Ocean Acidification Due to Increasing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Ocean acidification due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide Policy document 12/05 June 2005 ISBN 0 85403 617 2 This report can be found at www.royalsoc.ac.uk ISBN 0 85403 617 2 © The Royal Society 2005 Requests to reproduce all or part of this document should be submitted to: Science Policy Section The Royal Society 6-9 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5AG email [email protected] Copy edited and typeset by The Clyvedon Press Ltd, Cardiff, UK ii | June 2005 | The Royal Society Ocean acidification due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide Ocean acidification due to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide Contents Page Summary vi 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background to the report 1 1.2 The oceans and carbon dioxide: acidification 1 1.3 Acidification and the surface oceans 2 1.4 Ocean life and acidification 2 1.5 Interaction with the Earth systems 2 1.6 Adaptation to and mitigation of ocean acidification 2 1.7 Artificial deep ocean storage of carbon dioxide 3 1.8 Conduct of the study 3 2 Effects of atmospheric CO2 enhancement on ocean chemistry 5 2.1 Introduction 5 2.2 The impact of increasing CO2 on the chemistry of ocean waters 5 2.2.1 The oceans and the carbon cycle 5 2.2.2 The oceans and carbon dioxide 6 2.2.3 The oceans as a carbonate buffer 6 2.3 Natural variation in pH of the oceans 6 2.4 Factors affecting CO2 uptake by the oceans 7 2.5 How oceans have responded to changes in atmospheric CO2 in the past 7 2.6 Change in ocean chemistry due to increases in atmospheric CO2 from human activities 9 2.6.1 Change to the oceans -
Marine Dead Zones
Marine Dead Zones: Case Study # 2 Presented By: Blair Dudeck, September 24, 2010 Materials Included in the Reading Package: 1. World Resources institute, Aqriculture and ‘dead zones’”, http://archive.wri.org/jlash/letters.cfm?ContentID=4283 accessed Sept 22, 2010 2. NOLA.com, “Despite promises to fix it, the Gulf's dead zone is growing”, http://blog.nola.com/times‐picayune/2007/06/despite_promises_to_fix_it_the.html, Accessed 10/20/2010 3. National Ocean Service, “What is a Dead zone?”, http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/deadzone.html Accessed 10/15/2010 4. How Stuff Works, “Should we be worried about the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico?”, http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/dead‐ zone1.htm , Accessed 10/15/2010. 5. NOAA, “Hypoxia in the gulf of Mexico”, by Nancy N. Rablais, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, http://www.csc.noaa.gov/products/gulfmex/html/rabalais.htm Accessed 10/16/2010 6. Environmental Chemistry aglobal perspective, “10.2 Two‐Variable Diagrams‐pE/pH Diagrams”, by Gary W.vanLoon, Stephen J. Duffy, 2008, 7. Science News, “Ocean 'Dead Zones' Trigger Sex Changes In Fish, Posing Extinction Threat”, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060402220803.htm, Accessed 10/17/2010 8. DAILY NEWS, “UBC professor wins award for developing phosphorus recycling technology”, http://www.solidwastemag.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000385128, Accessed 10/15/2010 • Ecosystem thresholds with hypoxia, affects on biochemistry”. Daniel J.Conley, Jacob Carstensen. Assessed sept 15/2010 • Answer Guide to -
9. AM Ecocide
Amendments to draft resolution On the crime of Ecocide № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 1 Bündnis 90/ 1 replace On an international recognition of the Tackle environmental destruction: Die Grünen crime of ecocide: 2 Bündnis 90/ 25 replace that global warming must be limited to agreed to holding the increase in the global Die Grünen 1,5°C. average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. Amendments on Draft Resolution on an international recognition of the crime of ecocide European Green Party - 5th Congress, Liverpool, UK, 30 March-2 April 2017 1 № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 3 Vihreät - De 30-36 delete According to environmental scientists Not necessary for making the point, Gröna Johan Rockström (Stockholm Resilience the chapter draws the attention Centre) and Will Steffen (Australian away from the point of the National University), these are two among resolution making it unnecessarily four “planetary boundaries” that have long. 4 Strana 30-36 replace already been exceeded. These “planetary These present two out of nine “planetary The original text presents the zelenych boundaries” involve nine thresholds on boundaries”, or nine thresholds on core concept of "planetary boundaries" (Czech core environmental issues (greenhouse gas environmental issues, beyond which human only as an opinion of Rockstrom Greens) amount in atmosphere, biodiversity, but existence would be threatened. The concept and Steffen and, moreover, it does also ocean acidification, land use for crop, has been introduced by a group of not state any source, that this consumption of freshwater...) beyond international scientists, led by Johan opinion is based on. -
50 Ways to Save the Ocean a Teacher's Guide for Grades 9-12
50 Ways to Save the Ocean Teacher’s Guide Supplemental Lesson Plans A Project of Blue Frontier Campaign Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 How to Use this Guide .................................................................................................................................. 5 1: Go to the Beach ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Coastal Clash .............................................................................................................................................................. 7 Currents: Bad for Divers, Good for Ocean ................................................................................................................. 7 3: Dive Responsibly ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Dive In! ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Designing an Underwater Habitat for Humans ......................................................................................................... 9 8: Take Kids Surfing, or Have Them Take You ............................................................................................. 10 Motion -
Achievement of 15-Year-Olds in England: PISA 2006 National Report.’ (OECD Programme for International Student Assessment)
Achievement of 15-Year- Olds in England: PISA 2015 National Report December 2016 John Jerrim and Nikki Shure. UCL Institute of Education. Contents Acknowledgements 3 Executive summary 4 Chapter 1. Introduction 11 Chapter 2. Achievement in science 23 Chapter 3. Achievement in different aspects of scientific literacy 47 Chapter 4. Achievement in mathematics 64 Chapter 5. Achievement in reading 83 Chapter 6. Variation in PISA scores by pupil characteristics 101 Chapter 7. Differences in achievement between schools 117 Chapter 8. School management and resources 129 Chapter 9. Pupils’ experiences of their time in science classes at school 146 Chapter 11. PISA across the UK 181 Appendix A. Background to the PISA study 207 Appendix B. Sample design and response rates 218 Appendix C. Testing statistical significance in PISA across cycles 224 Appendix D. The conversion of PISA scores into years of schooling 227 Appendix E. PISA 2015 mean scores 228 Appendix F. Long-term trends in PISA scores 231 Appendix G. Mean scores in the science sub-domains 236 Appendix H. List of figures 239 Appendix I. List of tables 243 2 Acknowledgements This report represents a multi-team effort. We are grateful to the teams at Educational Testing Service (ETS), Westat, cApStAn Linguistic Control, Pearson and the German Institute for International Education Research (DIPF) for their support and guidance throughout the project. In England we are grateful to the team at the Department for Education that oversaw the work, in particular Adrian Higginbotham, Emily Knowles, Bethan Knight, Joe Delafield and David Charlton. The team at RM Education (RM) managed the research consortium and the process of collecting and checking the data as well as the production of reports for participating schools; we are grateful to Dawn Pollard, Daryl Brown and Sam Smith for overseeing that.