Summer-Fall 2018, vol. XXX No. 2-3 WORLD INFORMATION TRANSFER’S 27th International Conference on Health and Environment Global Partners for Global Solutions United Nations Headquarters, April 27, 2018 Sustainable Energy: Legacy of Chornobyl Sustainable Development Goal 7 Left to Right: Honorable Carolyn Comitta, Ms. Margaryta Rayets, Mrs. Kateryna Pavlova, H.E. Volodymyr Yelchenko, Dr. Christine K. Durbak, Honorable Andrew Weber, Dr. Martha Linet, Dr. Peter Salk, Dr. Bernard Goldstein World Information Transfer, sponsored by the Government of Ukraine, held the 27th an- OPENING REMARKS: nual conference on Health and Environment with a focus on Sustainable Energy and the 2 Dr. Christine K. Durbak Legacy of Chornobyl. Honorable Carolyn Comitta used past legislation to highlight the 3 H.E. Ambassador balance between economic and social responsibility. Dr. Bernard Goldstein stated that Volodymyr Yelchenko healthy humans are vital to setting and achieving the sustainability goals. He emphasized that we sometimes think of sustainability as being an end goal, instead of a process, be- Honorable Carolyn Comitta 4 cause the world is always changing. Ms. Margaryta Rayets discussed how there is a lot of transformative legislation to pass to get the Chornobyl exclusion zone to its potentially KEYNOTE ADDRESS: positive future. Mrs. Kateryna Pavlova added to the discussion on the Chornobyl exclusion 5 Honorable Andrew Weber zone with examples of how the zone can benefit from solar energy development projects. Dr. Martha Linet presented the latest findings on the health effects of radiation exposure to PRESENTATIONS: children, drawing from the key studies, and emphasized the state-of-the-art lifetime per- 8 Dr. Bernard D. Goldstein spective on radiation risks and suggested ways to saolve them such as meditation. Honor- 12 Ms. Margaryta Rayets able Andrew Weber, the Keynote Speaker, talked about his experiences with programs se- curing uranium use worldwide. He said that we have made progress in countering weapons 13 Mrs. Kateryna Pavlova of mass destruction, but we live in a dangerous world where the line between conventional 14 Dr. Martha Linet and nuclear weapons is blurred. Dr. Peter Salk overviewed the biological history of humans 19 Dr. Peter Salk to provide context to the dimensions of our current issues, and suggested ways to solve them such as mediation, support of the SDGs, and capitalization of existing technologies. 23 Mr. Gilad Regev Mr. Gilad Regev presented a revolutionary idea about rewarding companies and people 25 Mr. Apurv Gupta for using renewable and clean energy with a new currency. He says this will only work if trust is built in the currency and everyone is included in the process. Mr. Apurv Gupta “Education brings Choices. concluded that the world needs to focus on the future leaders where there is energy and Choices bring Power.” passion to make the world better. ISSUE available at www.worldinfo.org The World Ecology Report See WIT’s 27th Conference at is printed on recycled paper. www.youtube/user/WITConferences direction, according to Vox. But globally deaths from starvation Dr. Christine K. Durbak have been reduced to one six hundredth of the risk 60 years ago. Conference Chair and This success is a result of establishing a global early famine warn- Founder, World Information ing system and humanitarian efforts around the globe. 2017 also Transfer Inc. saw fewer fatalities from natural disasters, according to the In- ternational Database, infectious diseases continuously decline Excellency, distinguished delegates, colleagues, ladies and gentle- globally, largely due to vaccination efforts. Solar power contin- men and students, we are most pleased to welcome you to our ues to expand as a source of energy with the Swindon geother- 27th annual conference at the United Nations on the topic of Health mal energy andfinally, progress in human rights have grown in and Environment, Global Partners for Global Solutions, which is all regions of the world, though certainly not in every country. co-sponsored by the government of Ukraine, our co-sponsor since 1992 and, supported by the International Council of Women, the Focusing only on progress would produce an overly optimistic view NGO Committee on Sustainable Development New York and just as a focus on problems alone produces an overly pessimistic World Association of NGOs. Today I would like to begin with a perception of the state of our world today. Inspiration to improve quote, “progress isn’t in the eyes of the beholder” which began in the lives of others comes in part from the belief that progress is 1987 following the catastrophe in Chornobyl on April 26 1986. possible. Wars, one could argue, have to be expected and accept- With its mission of bringing scientifically relevant information ed as part of the human condition because anger derives from the to promote a healthy environment for all, we are grateful to the core element in the human psyche and the lack of attention to the government of Ukraine and His Excellency’s board for support- emotional and physical needs of every child born is still prevalent. ing our mission, and to the faculty to enlighten you this morning. “One billion people are added to our planet Our global population in sheer numbers is larger than at any point in approximately every twelve years since 1950” human history. One billion people are added to our planet approxi- mately every twelve years since 1950, which is challenging the Earth’s An evolutionary change would have to occur for war and child carrying capacity to sustain civilization. However, the average global neglect to disappear, yet limiting conflict and mitigating its re- family size has decreased and fertility rates have fallen in most de- sults have been achieved thanks in large measure to the efforts of veloped countries. People on the average are living longer, healthier, the United Nations. The UN itself represents human progress, and safer lives. There are fewer deaths from illness and starvation, symbolized by the ceiling in the ECOSOC chamber. The cham- and fewer extremely poor or illiterate people, and certainly more ber’s architect, Mark Ilyas, intentionally left part of the scene people connected by telephone, the internet, and transportation. unfinished as a reminder that the work of repairing the eco- nomic and social ills of the world will be ongoing. Achieving The tendency to focus only on persistent problems can blind those positive change and perceiving it as progress in any sector oc- who seek to repair the world, observing and supporting progres- curs over time and requires both patience, balance, assessment, sive change such as United Nations Sustainable Development and the willingness to change our perceptions and beliefs. Goals, SDGs. SDG 7, Energy, is on our agenda today. We’ll hear I would like to end with a quote from Charles Darwin, “Ig- about the transformation happening in Chornobyl, the origin of norance more frequently begets confidence than does knowl- why the World Information Transfer began, and how energy, or edge: it is those who know little, and not those who know lack of it, is transforming our world. Even where progress occurs much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will many ignore it. Across the globe 60 percent of people surveyed, in- never be solved by science.” Thank you for your attention. cluding the US, thought that their nation was moving in the wrong World Information Transfer 2 World Ecology Report Summer - Fall 2018 in particular to the nuclear energy industry and its safe- H.E. Mr. Volodymyr guards. In modern history of Ukraine the scale of the ca- Yelchenko tastrophe can be compared only to the Great Famine of Permanent Representative 1933 (Holodomor), Second World War and the ongo- of Ukraine to the ing Russian aggression in Crimea and the East of Ukraine. United Nations For 32 years Ukraine has made every effort to improve the well-being of affected communities and revive the econom- ic potential of the affected areas. This catastrophe disrupted Excellencies, dear Colleagues, distinguished guests, the livelihoods of almost 2 million people in more than 2000 At the outset, let me thank Doctor Christine Durbak of the locations. Strengthening the resilience of affected commu- World International Transfer, Conference Chair and Founder, nities and restoration of their self-reliance is the foundation for being our supporter and partner for so many fruitful years. for their sustainable development and our absolute priority. And I would also like to welcome our distinguished speakers of In this regard, we are thankful for productive collaboration with today. I am pleased that Ukraine has a long lasting tradition of co- the United Nations. Supported by UN agencies, Ukraine has suc- hosting this essential open dialogue at the United Nations, that cessfully implemented a number of international projects aimed give us an opportunity to discuss a number of the most relevant at sustained recovery and development of the affected areas. items of the international, national and regional importance. As Doctor Durbak already mentioned, this year our fo- “United Nations system must ensure cus is in conjunction with the UN 2030 agenda target- comprehensive consideration of security, the ing Sustainable Development Goal 7 - Ensure access to af- social and environmental aspects” fordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The approach of the new United Nation system must Dear colleagues, By all means, the shift from restoration ensure comprehensive consideration of security, social and of the area to its sustainable socio-economic development environmental aspects, particularly in priority areas such as can only take place if radiation safety requirements are ful- ecological safety, comprehensive environmental conservation ly met. Therefore, Ukraine places emphasis on converting and risk reduction management. Only such approach will fa- the Shelter facility into an environmentally safe system and cilitate sustainability and efficiency of the developing world.