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UNEP Year Book 2014 UNEP YEAR BOOK 2014 U N E P E M E R Ten years after the first Year Book in this series appeared (http://www.unep.org/yearbook/), a special G I N G e-book anniversary edition – UNEP Year Book 2014 – presents a fresh look at ten issues highlighted over I S Y E A R S the past decade. This UNEP Year Book 2014 takes advantage of the latest technology, providing a U E S I multi-media experience that helps illustrate the environmental challenges we face today and some of the N O innovative solutions that have been created to solve those challenges. Video, animations, data visualization U R GLOBAL ENVI and stunning images from around the world help tell the stories. BOOK EMERGING ISSUES IN OUR GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT R ONMENT www.unep.org 2014 United Nations Environment Programme P.O. Box 30552 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel.: +254 20 762 1234 Fax: +254 20 762 3927 e-mail: [email protected] www.unep.org United Nations Environment Programme 978-92-807-3381-5 DEW/1793/NA © 2014 United Nations Environment Programme ISBN: 978-92-807-3381-5 Job Number: DEW/1793/NA Disclaimers This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or nonprofit services without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is made. UNEP would appreciate receiving acopy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. UNEP No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission inwriting from the United Nations Environment Programme. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of Digital the reproduction, should be addressed to the Director, DCPI, UNEP, P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya. UNEP Year Book 2014 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP concerning the legal status of any country, territory or city or its authorities, or concerning the for iPad and Android delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. For general guidance on matters relating to the use of maps in publications please go to: United Nations Environment Programme http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/english/htmain.htm United Nations Environment Programme Mention of a commercial company or product in this publication does not imply endorsement by the United Nations Environment environment for developmentUNEP YEAR Programme. The use of information from this publication concerning proprietary products for publicity or advertising is not BOOK EMERGIN G ISSUES IN OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT 2014 UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP United Nations Environment Programme Excess Nitrogen in the Environment The Emergence of Infectious Diseases Fish and Shellfish Farming in Marine Ecosystems permitted. Ten years after the first Year Book in this series appeared (http://www.unep.org/yearbook/), a special e-book anniversary edition – UNEP Year Book 2014 – presents a fresh look at ten envrionmental issues highlighted over the past decade. © Maps, photos, and illustrations as specified. Production UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update Illegal Trade in Wildlife Methane from Hydrates Realizing the Potential of Citizen Science Air Pollution: World’s Worst Environmental Health Risk UNEP Division of Early Warning and Assessment United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Environment Programme environment for development soil carbon What is being done to manage soil carbon better? Maintaining and enhancing soil carbon benefits In agriculture, the purpose of many ongoing research and development efforts is to improve land management. For example, conservation agriculture initiatives in developing countries are aimed at increasing soil organic carbon and reducing its losses while improving farmers’ incomes and alleviating poverty. The effectiveness of measures to increase carbon inputs to agricultural soils and reduce carbon losses depends on local conditions, including soil P.O. Box 30552 types and climate. Securing Soil Carbon Benefits The rate of global forest clearance has accelerated due to population growth and demand for food, feed, fibre, fuel – and living space. Over 5 million hectares of forest has been Enhancing soil carbon through conservation agriculture brings socio-economic benefits. cleared annually in recent years. Soil carbon is lost rapidly © Concern Worldwide as a result of forest clearance. Preventing forest loss and degradation (e.g. under the UN-REDD programme) has multiple benefits in addition to protecting and enhancing carbon stocks. These benefits include water regulation and biodiversity conservation. UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Global Forest Nairobi, 00100, Kenya Resources Assessments are produced every five years to Plastic Debris in the Ocean Securing Soil Carbon Benefits Rapid Change in the Arctic provide an update on the state of the world’s forests and Tap on the image for web link Tap on the podcast icon to learn more how they are changing. The recently launched Global Forest about the Carbon Benefits Project YEAR BOOK 2014 UNEP The Global Forest Watch and the Carbon Benefits Project are examples of initiatives that help measure the effectiveness of efforts to preserve soil carbon. © Elke Noellemeyer Tel: (+254) 20 7621234 Fax: (+254) 20 7623927 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.unep.org To view UNEP Year Book UNEP YEAR UNEP Rapid change in the Arctic BOOK 2013 2014 digital magazine The extent of Arctic sea ice was at a record low in September 2012. Rapid change in the Arctic resulting from global warming is threatening ecosystems and providing new development opportunities – including easier EM ER access to oil, gas and minerals. The UNEP Year Book 2013 shows that changes in the Arctic will have GI consequences far beyond this fragile region and require an urgent international response. N G ISS UE YEAR The volume of chemicals in the world continues to grow, with a shift in production from developed to S I developing countries. To meet the goal of producing and using chemicals in ways that minimize significant N impacts on health and the environment by 2020, we need to step up efforts to reduce the use of highly toxic OUR chemicals, promote safer alternatives and build capacity for sound chemicals management. Adequate GL for iPad go to iTunes App Store information for minimizing chemical risks is essential to support these efforts. OBA L The UNEP Year Book series examines emerging environmental issues and policy-relevant developments. It also EN VI presents the latest trends using key environmental indicators. RON BOOK M EN T EMERGIN G ISSUES Minimizing chemical risks IN OUR GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT or for Android go to Google Play 2013 www.unep.org United Nations Environment Programme P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi 00100, Kenya Tel: +254-(0)20-762 1234 Fax: +254-(0)20-762 3927 Email: [email protected] web: www.unep.org United Nations Environment Programme and search for “UNON PSS App”, 978-92-807-3284-9 DEW/1565/NA install and enjoy... UNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI, ISO 14001:2004-CERTIFIEDUNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI, UNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI, ISO 14001:2004-CERTIFIEDUNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI, ISO 14001:2004-CERTIFIED UNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI, UNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI, ISO 14001:2004-CERTIFIED UNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI, ISO 14001:2004-CERTIFIEDUNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, NAIROBI,UNON PUBLISHING SERVICES SECTION, UNON Your feedback is important. Please visit us at unep.org/yearbook/2014App created by UNON to give us your thoughts and suggestions. Publishing Services Section wwwhttp://dcs.unon.org UNEP YEAR BOOK EMERGING ISSUES IN OUR GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT 2014 United Nations Environment Programme Table of Contents Foreword 5 UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update Excess Nitrogen in the Environment 6 Changes in the global nitrogen cycle 7 Increased coastal dead zones and climate change impacts 8 What is being done to reduce excess nitrogen releases? 9 Towards integrated nitrogen management 10 UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update The Emergence of Infectious Diseases 12 Emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases 13 Combatting infectious disease while addressing environmental challenges 14 Taking actions to combat infectious diseases 15 A multi-sectoral approach to ensure healthy life for all 16 Further information about infectious diseases 17 UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update Fish and Shellfish Farming in Marine Ecosystems 18 Implications for the environment of providing food from the ocean 19 Development of marine aquaculture 20 Marine aquaculture with less impact 21 Capitalizing on progress 22 Further information about fish and shellfish farming 23 UNEP Year Book 2014 emerging issues update Illegal Trade in Wildlife 24 The high environmental, social and economic costs 25 Recognition of illegal wildlife trade as a serious crime 26 Are we turning a corner? Small steps towards success 27 Combatting illegal wildlife trade through international collaboration 28 Further information about illegal wildlife
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