NewzIntel.com

Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Climate change sets and breaks heat records across Canada this summer

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system uses climate models to compare today’s climate with a pre-industrial one

    October 25, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

    Over the summer, Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists analyzed the devastating heat waves that impacted Canadians. They found that human-caused climate change made almost all of Canada’s worst heat waves hotter and more likely.

    Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system uses climate models to compare today’s climate with a pre-industrial one. This helps Canadians understand how human emissions and activities are affecting our lives and weather today, as the changes unfold.

    From June to September 2024, Environment and Climate Change Canada climate scientists analyzed 37 of the hottest heat waves in 17 regions across Canada. They determined that of these heat waves, human-caused climate change made:

    • Five of them more likely to occur (at least one to two times more likely)
    • Twenty-eight of them much more likely to occur (at least two to 10 times more likely)
    • Four of them far more likely to occur (at least 10 times more likely)

    Learn more: Understanding the results

    As the global climate continues to warm because of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, Canada is warming at roughly double the global average rate. Spring and summer are becoming hotter, and this means earlier snowmelt, dangerous heat waves, and conditions that are ripe for wildfires.

    Starting this winter, Environment and Climate Change Canada will be able to use its Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system to analyze the connection between human-caused climate change and the odds of extreme cold temperature events. Work is also underway to develop the system to analyze extreme precipitation. This capability is expected to come online in 2025.

    The direct and indirect costs of extreme weather are substantial. They can range from loss of productivity to loss of life. Better understanding the causes and effects of extreme weather—such as heat waves, extreme cold, and extreme precipitation—can help us better plan for, respond to, and rebuild from weather emergencies. Recent Canadian studies show that:

    • These “once in 100 years” climate-related weather events are becoming more frequent, severe, and costly. 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 all rank in the top 10 years based on insurance claims, surpassed only by the 2016 Fort McMurray fires, the 2013 flooding in Calgary and Toronto, and the 1998 Quebec ice storm (source).
    • From 1983 to 2008, insurers spent on average $400 million per year on catastrophic claims in Canada. Since 2009, the yearly average has risen to almost $2 billion (source).
    • 2023 was the second warmest year on record in Canada since 1948 (when nationwide estimates began) (source).
    • From 1948 to 2023, the annual average temperature in Canada increased by 2.0 °C (source).

    The public is encouraged to regularly monitor weather forecasts, take all weather alerts seriously, and get prepared for weather-related events by developing an emergency plan and being ready to adjust their travel plans. Canadians can download the WeatherCAN app to receive weather alert notifications directly on their mobile devices. Alerts help Canadians prepare to face severe weather events, save lives, and reduce the impacts on property and livelihoods.

    Media Relations
    Environment and Climate Change Canada
    819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
    media@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Autumn Leaves – Call for Volunteers

    Source: NASA

    3 min read

    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is calling on volunteers of all ages to help students and citizen scientists document seasonal change through leaf color and land cover. The data collection event will support students across North America, Latin America, Central America, and Europe, who are working together to document the seasonal changes taking place from September through December – see Figure. The observations will also provide vital data for GLOBE students creating student research projects for the GLOBE 2025 International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS). The project is part of GLOBE’s Intensive Observation Period (IOP), which collects data during a focused period to assess how climate change is unfolding in different regions of the world.

    Figure. Locations Green-Down observations being entered into the GLOBE database.
    Figure credit: GLOBE

    Green down is the seasonal change when leaves change from green to brown and then fall to the ground. During green-down data collection, volunteers take regular, daily photos of trees to document the transition in color. Regular observations of land cover and tree height capture the broader changes happening around the tree.

    By gathering this data, you can provide important information about when a single tree changes ahead of or behind the others in your region. When this data is paired with satellite observations, researchers gain a much stronger picture of how seasonal and climate variations impact the life cycles of plants and animals.

    The GLOBE European Phenology Campaign has created materials to assist educators in these efforts. This includes a series of YouTube videos that volunteers can use to select a tree for the phenology project, estimate tree height, and assess land cover. In addition, volunteers can refer to the green-down protocol for guidance at the beginning of the survey. Educators can learn more about the importance of the green-down study by registering as a GLOBE Educator at the GLOBE “Create an Account” website.

    GLOBE students have been collecting seasonal variability in plant and animal data for decades. This work will augment global databases to help students, educators, and scientists around the world study climate change.

    These observations are taking place around the world. This IOP is being conducted in conjunction with the GLOBE North America Phenology Campaign and the European Phenology Campaign, which focus on monitoring and reporting of cycles in plants and animals to help validate the timing of changes in growing season and habitat. The work is also being conducted in conjunction with the Trees Within LAC Campaign, which is collecting information about tree species and their dynamics over time. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Completes International Physical Protection Advisory Service Mission in the Republic of the Congo

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts completed today the first International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission to the Republic of the Congo. The mission, conducted at the request of the Government of the Republic of the Congo, took place from 14 to 25 October 2024.  

    Hosted by the Nuclear Regulatory Cell of the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Promotion of Indigenous People of the Congo, the five-person mission team reviewed the security of radioactive material, associated facilities and activities in the country. The scope of the mission also included a review of the legislative and regulatory framework for the security of radioactive material.

    The Congo uses nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes in various sectors, including industry, health, mining, education and environment.

    The IPPAS team peer reviewed the country’s implementation of the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), which the Congo acceded to in 2021 and ratified its amendment in 2023, and of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.

    The IPPAS team, led by Frédéric Mariotte from France, included experts from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Jordan, as well as one IAEA staff member. The team held discussions with the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Promotion of Indigenous People, the Ministry of Interior, Decentralization and Local Development, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovations, and the Ministry of Health and People.

    The team observed that the nuclear security regime in the Congo is in the early phase of establishment. The team provided recommendations and suggestions to support the Congo in developing, enhancing and sustaining nuclear security.

    Heather Looney, Head of the Nuclear Security of Materials and Facilities Section of the IAEA ‘s Division of Nuclear Security, said that the IPPAS mission to the Congo comes amid the national authorities’ efforts to develop and implement all necessary elements required to fulfill their responsibilities in the area of nuclear security. “We trust that the findings of the IPPAS mission will inform the country’s plans to enhance the national nuclear security regime.”

    “The Republic of Congo has welcomed the IPPAS Mission and believes that the recommendations made will help the country improve and enhance its nuclear security regime,” said M. Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo, President of the Nuclear Regulatory Cell. “We thank the IAEA for its continuous assistance to the Republic of Congo.”

    Background

    The mission was the 105th IPPAS mission conducted by the IAEA since the programme began in 1995.

    IPPAS missions are intended to assist States in strengthening their national nuclear security regime. The missions provide peer advice on implementing international instruments, along with IAEA guidance on the protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities.

    During missions, a team of international experts observes a nation’s system of physical protection, compares it with international good practices and makes recommendations for improvement. IPPAS missions are conducted both on a nationwide and facility-specific basis.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Zoo Earns Botanical Garden Accreditation

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Zoo Earns Botanical Garden Accreditation

    North Carolina Zoo Earns Botanical Garden Accreditation
    jejohnson6

    The North Carolina Zoo is now officially accredited as a Botanical Garden, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s memorable 50-year history. The North Carolina Zoo is one of only a handful of zoos nationwide to earn this distinction.

    “Our dual status as both a Zoo and Botanical Garden reflects our long-standing commitment to conservation, education, and the preservation of diverse species, including plant life,” says Zoo Director and CEO Patricia Simmons. “This honor is well-deserved and highlights our Zoo’s essential role as a center for environmental education and responsible stewardship.”
     
    According to Simmons, becoming a Botanical Garden has been a longtime goal and is a “cherry on top” of the Zoo’s golden anniversary year.
     
    Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), a membership organization representing botanic gardens in more than 100 countries, grants the zoo accreditation. According to BGCI, the North Carolina Zoo “conforms to the highest international standards” in plant conservation and care.
     
    “This accomplishment would not be possible without the dedication, expertise, and tireless work of our Zoo’s talented Horticulture team,” says Zoo representative Sara Pack. “Their passion for cultivating and showcasing the natural beauty of our landscapes has enriched the Zoo experience for staff and guests for many years. We are grateful to see their outstanding work professionally recognized and affirmed through this accreditation.”
     
    To learn more about the Zoo’s plant collections, visit www.nczoo.org/experiences/gardens.

    About the North Carolina Zoo  
    At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals in the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.
    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Oct 25, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NH Delegation Joins EPA in Announcing Nearly $35 Million for Water Infrastructure in New Hampshire

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Today the New Hampshire delegation joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in announcing $35 million for New Hampshire  in new funding under the bipartisan infrastructure law to upgrade water infrastructure and keep communities safe.

    “Our drinking water and waste water systems in New Hampshire require investment and modernization to serve the needs of Granite Staters. That is why I fought to pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to deliver these federal resources to New Hampshire,” said U.S. Representative Chris Pappas. “I’ll keep fighting to ensure this law benefits Granite Staters by delivering clean drinking water, protecting our environment, and helping our communities and economy grow for the future.”

    “The health and vitality of Granite State communities depend on clean water,” said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “As a lead negotiator of the water provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I’m thrilled to see this funding headed to New Hampshire to strengthen our wastewater infrastructure, address forever chemicals and keep our lakes and rivers clean.”

    “Every Granite Stater deserves safe, clean drinking water, and this new $34 million in funding for New Hampshire through the bipartisan infrastructure law will help make that possible for more families,” said U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan. “I helped negotiate and pass into law this historic infrastructure package to help deliver results for our communities, and I am pleased to see these continued investments flowing to New Hampshire to upgrade our water systems and protect public health.”

    “Safe, clean water is essential to the health and well-being of our communities, our economy, and our way of life,” said U.S. Representative Annie Kuster. “With these resources made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, New Hampshire will be able to make critical improvements to our state’s water infrastructure, protect our freshwater ecosystems, and ensure more families and businesses have access to clean drinking water.”

    “Water keeps us healthy, sustains vibrant communities and dynamic ecosystems, and supports economic opportunity. When our water infrastructure fails, it threatens people’s health, peace of mind, and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic investment in water, EPA is working with states and local partners to upgrade infrastructure and address local challenges—from lead in drinking water, to PFAS, to water main breaks, to sewer overflows and climate resilience. Together, we are creating good-paying jobs while ensuring that all people can rely on clean and safe water.”

    “Clean, reliable water is at the heart of every thriving community. Yet too many communities—especially those overburdened by pollution or left behind by past investments—face challenges accessing the resources they need to upgrade water infrastructure,” said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we are delivering transformative funding to support local solutions to water issues, from fixing aging infrastructure to addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. These investments don’t just protect public health and reduce pollution in waterways; they also create good-paying jobs and help communities become more resilient for the future.”

    These bipartisan infrastructure law funds will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and DWSRF), a long-standing federal-state water investment partnership. This multibillion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs that address key challenges in financing water infrastructure. Today’s announcement includes allotments for bipartisan infrastructure law Clean Water General Supplemental funds for New Hampshire ($24,867,000), Emerging Contaminant funds ($2,146,000), and $7,640,000 under the Drinking Water Emerging Contaminant Fund. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Statement: 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

    Growing Together with Innovation, Mobility and Sustainability

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chaired the seventh round of India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (7th IGC) on 25 October 2024 in New Delhi. The Delegation included Ministers of Defence, External Affairs, Commerce & Industries, Labour & Employment, Science & Technology (MoS) and Skill Development (MoS) from the Indian side and Ministers of Economic Affairs & Climate Action, Foreign Affairs, Labour & Social Affairs and Education & Research from the German side along with Parliamentary State Secretaries for Finance; Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection; and Economic Cooperation and Development from the German side, as well as senior officials from both sides.

    2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed Chancellor Olaf Scholz on his third visit to India as Chancellor. Both leaders sincerely appreciated the renewed momentum in bilateral engagement across government, industry, civil society and academia that has played an instrumental role in advancing and deepening the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany.

    3. Both leaders emphasised the importance of the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), which takes place in New Delhi in parallel to the 7th IGC, in strengthening economic ties and strategic partnerships between Germany, India and the Indo-Pacific region as a whole. The decision to host the 2024 conference in India underscores India’s political weight in the Indo-Pacific and globally.

    4. Under the motto “Growing Together with Innovation, Mobility and Sustainability”, the 7th IGC placed particular emphasis on technology and innovation, labour and talent, migration and mobility, climate action, green and sustainable development as well as economic, defence and strategic cooperation. Both sides agree that the aforementioned domains will be the key drivers of our ever more multi-faceted partnership that spans trade, investment, defence, science, technology, innovation, sustainability, renewable energy, emerging technologies, development cooperation, culture, education, sustainable mobility, sustainable resource management, biodiversity, climate resilience and people-to-people ties.

    5. The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Inter – Governmental Agreement on Cooperation in Scientific Research and Technological Development which institutionalized the framework of Indo-German cooperation in Science & Technology, research and innovation. In this context, the 7th IGC presented an opportunity to renew the close relationship between India and Germany in this regard and to prioritize the advancement of technology and innovation as a key pillar of cooperation.

    6. During the 6th IGC, both governments had announced the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP), which serves as an umbrella for bilateral formats and joint initiatives in this field. Subsequently, both sides signed the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) in December 2022 and launched the “India-Germany Vision to Enhance Cooperation in Innovation and Technology” in February 2023. Recalling the outcomes of the 6th IGC and various agreements concluded by the two sides thereafter, both governments launched the “India-Germany Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap” and introduced the “Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap”, whose aim is to promote the market ramp-up of Green Hydrogen.Growing Together for Peace, Security and Stability

    7. The two leaders noted the Pact for the Future and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding shared values and principles including democracy, freedom, international peace and security and a rules-based international order in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both governments also underscored their commitment to strengthen and reform the multilateral system including expansion of both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities, address current and future challenges and to support and preserve peace and stability across the world. The two leaders called for text-based negotiations at the IGN within a fixed timeframe.

    8. India and Germany agreed that the difficulties of the UN Security Council to effectively address regional and global crises offer a compelling reminder of the urgent need for reform. As members of the “Group of Four (G4)”, India and Germany reiterated their call for a Security Council that is efficient, effective, transparent and reflective of 21st century realities.

    9. The leaders expressed their deepest concern over the war raging in Ukraine including its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. They reiterated the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with international law, consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also noted the negative impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security, especially for developing and least developed countries. In the context of this war, they shared the view that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. They underscored the importance of upholding international law, and in line with the UN Charter, reiterated that all states must refrain from the threat of or use of force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.

    10. The leaders expressed their shared interest in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East. They unequivocally condemned the Hamas’ terror attacks on October 7, 2023 and expressed concern over the large-scale loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They called for the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and an immediate ceasefire as well as the urgent improvement of access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza. The leaders underscored the need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spilling over in the region. In this regard, they called on all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint. Both sides also emphasized the urgent need to protect the lives of civilians and facilitate safe, timely and sustained humanitarian relief to civilians, and in this regard urged all parties to comply with international law. The leaders were also deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Lebanon, called for an urgent cessation of hostilities and agreed that a solution to the conflict in Gaza and in Lebanon can only be reached by diplomatic means. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 outlines the path towards a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent State of Palestine, living within secure and mutually recognized borders, side by side in dignity and peace with Israel, taking into account Israel’s legitimate security concerns.

    11. The leaders underscored that as the world’s two largest democracies, India and the EU have a common interest in ensuring security, prosperity and sustainable development in a multi – polar world. They emphasized the importance of deepening the India-EU Strategic Partnership which would not only benefit both sides but also have a far-reaching positive impact globally. The leaders also expressed their strong support to the India-EU Trade and Technology Council that would serve as an innovative platform towards closer engagement in the critical areas of trade, trusted technologies and security. They agreed to coordinate efforts, both bilaterally and at the EU level, to take forward key connectivity initiatives including India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor in which India, Germany and EU are members as well as the EU Initiative Global Gateway.

    12. Both leaders underscored the crucial importance of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, Investment Protection Agreement and an Agreement on Geographical Indications between the European Union and India, while calling for an early conclusion of the negotiations.

    13. Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including the use of terrorist proxies and cross-border terrorism. Both sides agreed that terrorism remains a serious threat to international peace and stability. They further called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including groups proscribed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions Committee. Both sides also called upon all countries to continue to work towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure as well as to disrupt terrorist networks and financing in accordance with international law.

    14. Both leaders noted with concern the emerging threats from the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes such as unmanned aircraft systems, use of virtual assets by terrorists and terrorist entities and the misuse of information and communication technologies for radicalization. In this regard they welcomed the adoption of Delhi Declaration on Countering the use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorism Purposes adopted during the conduct of UNCTC meetings in India in 2022.

    15. Recognizing a shared commitment to combat terrorism and strengthen the framework for global cooperation in this regard, both leaders emphasized the importance of upholding international standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism by all countries, including in FATF. Both sides called for bringing the perpetrators of terrorist acts to justice. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to hold regular consultations of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism to strengthen channels for real time sharing of intelligence and coordination of counter-terrorism efforts. Both sides also committed to continued exchange of information about sanctions and designations against terror groups and individuals, countering radicalism, and terrorists’ use of the internet and cross-border movement of terrorists.

    16. With a view to ensuring closer collaboration to prevent, suppress, investigate and prosecute criminals, including crime related to terrorism, India and Germany concluded the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters (MLAT). Both leaders agreed that the India-Germany MLAT is an important milestone in strengthening security cooperation between the two countries that will enable sharing of information and evidence, mutual capacity building and sharing of best practices between the two countries.

    17. As strategic partners with a shared interest in deepening security cooperation, both sides concluded the Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information thereby creating a legal framework for cooperation and collaboration between Indian and German entities and providing guidance on how classified information should be handled, protected and transmitted.

    18. With a view to better appreciating foreign policy perspectives in key regions across the world, both governments decided to establish an India-Germany Dialogue on West Asia and North Africa (WANA) between the respective Foreign Ministries, which would be in addition to long-standing dialogue mechanisms on Africa and East Asia. Both governments also expressed satisfaction with regular consultations on key thematic issues of mutual concern including policy planning, cyber-security, cyber issues and United Nations.

    19. Recognizing the need for a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives, including amongst think tanks and foreign and security policy experts, both governments underscored the usefulness of India-Germany Track 1.5 dialogue between Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and MEA from the Indian side and German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) and the German Federal Foreign Office. The next meeting of this dialogue format is planned for November 2024. Both governments also appreciated the launch of a Track 1.5 Dialogue on East Asia and agreed that these exchanges help both sides better align and coordinate their outreach. With a view to sustaining this momentum, both sides agreed to convene the next edition of the Track 1.5 Dialogue Mechanisms at the earliest opportunity.

    20. Both sides are committed to promoting a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific built on international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes, and underpinned by effective regional institutions. Both sides reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality. The Government of India welcomed Germany’s leadership in the capacity-building pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and its commitment of up to 20 Million EUR via a competitive call for ideas under its International Climate Initiative in 2022 to strengthen the resilience of Pacific Island States against climate-related loss and damage.

    21. Germany congratulated India on its successful G20 Presidency which brought the development agenda to centre stage in G20. Both Leaders acknowledged that from initiating a platform on Compact with Africa (CwA) during the German G20 Presidency to inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s Presidency, the G20 has come a long way to ensure that the voice of the Global South is amplified. India and Germany expressed their support to the priorities set by the Brazilian G20 Presidency, especially Global Governance Reforms.Strengthening Defence and Strategic Cooperation

    22. Recognizing the shared goal of intensifying defence ties between the two countries, the Government of India welcomed the efforts of the German Federal Government to facilitate faster export clearances, including through favourable regulatory decisions such as the General Authorisation/General Licences (AGG) regime. Both sides committed to supporting strategic exports to India and encouraged co-development, co-production and joint research between the respective defence industries. Both governments appreciated the defence roundtable held in New Delhi on 24 October, to strengthen the defense industrial partnership between India and Germany.

    23. In addition to regular visits and increasing interactions between the armed forces, both sides look forward to the next High Defence Committee (HDC) meeting to be held in India next year with a view to developing defence cooperation as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany. India and Germany also agreed to finalize cooperation in peacekeeping related training between the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK), New Delhi and its counterpart in Germany, the Bundeswehr United Nations Training Centre in Hammelburg (GAFUNTC) and looked forward to the Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting in Berlin in 2025.

    24. Both sides stressed the importance of the Indo-Pacific for prosperity and security as well as for addressing global challenges. Germany will enhance its engagement with the region in line with the Federal Government’s policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific. Both sides also highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and of unimpeded maritime routes in accordance with International Law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, in all maritime domains including in the Indo-Pacific. In this context, both governments declared their joint intent to conclude a Memorandum of Arrangement regarding mutual logistics support and exchange between the armed forces of India and Germany to further intensify defence and security ties and to establish a basis for provision of mutual logistics support including in the Indo-Pacific theatre. With a view to deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Germany will permanently deploy a Liaison Officer in the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram to monitor the marine traffic in IOR, further augmenting close cooperation in this region.

    25. Both sides welcomed Germany’s growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region in the field of security and defence cooperation and appreciated the successful cooperation of the Indian and German air forces during exercise TARANG SHAKTI in August 2024 as well as the port call in Goa and joint naval exercises between the German Naval Frigate “Baden-Württemberg” along with the Combat Support Ship “Frankfurt Am Main” and the Indian Navy. Germany also welcomed the port call of Indian naval ship INS TABAR to Hamburg in July 2024.

    26. Both governments agreed to intensify bilateral exchanges on security and defence issues also through enhancing research, co-development and co-production activities bilaterally, under EU mechanisms and with other partners. In this regard, both sides will support enhanced industry level cooperation in the defence sector with a specific focus on technology collaboration, manufacturing/co-production and co-development of defence platforms and equipment. Germany also welcomes India’s application for observer status in the Eurodrone Programme of OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation).Partnering for Critical and Emerging Technologies, Science and Innovation

    27. Both leaders expressed their appreciation on the successful 50 years of long standing collaboration in science and technology between the two countries and reaffirmed their support to expand it further through launching the ‘India-Germany Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap’ which will serve as a guideline to the public and private sectors and research institutions of the two countries to take forward our cooperation in the areas of renewable energy, start-ups, semiconductors, AI and quantum technologies, climate risk and sustainable resource management, climate change adaptation as well as agroecology Both leaders further identified space and space technologies as an important and promising area for future prosperity, development, and possible cooperation.

    28. The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the growing exchanges between the two countries in the field of research & education and growing number of Indian students studying in Germany. Both leaders also acknowledged the flagship role of the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC) in promoting bilateral industry-academia strategic research and development partnerships. Both leaders welcomed the recent initiatives of IGSTC and signing of Joint Declaration of Intent to support 2+2 projects in the field of advanced materials. Understanding the importance of IGSTC, both leaders expressed their desire to expand and forge new partnerships anchored in shared values and driven by innovation led technology development and manufacturing.

    29. Both Leaders acknowledged the launching of the first ever basic research consortia model between the two countries namely, International Research Training Group (IRTG), jointly by Department of Science and Technology (DST) & German Research Foundation (DFG) with the involvement of first group of researchers from IISER Thiruvananthapuram and Würzburg University on Photoluminescence in Supramolecular Matrices. Underpinning science and innovation landscape, they expressed their desire to initiate an Indo-German Innovation and Incubation Exchange Programme to leverage collective expertise and capacity for fostering scientific innovation and incubation ecosystems of academic & research institutions.

    30. Both Leaders also expressed their appreciation and satisfaction over the high level of engagement as exemplified by India’s participation in mega-science facilities at Facility for Anti-Proton and Ion Research (FAIR) and Deutsche Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY) in Germany. They extended their commitment including financials to ensure timely execution of the FAIR facility. The two leaders also acknowledge the continuation of the cooperation at the synchrotron radiation facility PETRA-III and the free-electron laser facility FLASH at DESY.

    31. Both governments welcomed the steadily increasing partnerships in Higher Education which facilitate dual and joint degrees and intensify collaborative research and academic and institutional exchanges between Universities and Institutions of Higher Education. In particular, both sides expressed their appreciation and full support for the first ever Indo-German joint Masters degree programme in “Water Security & Global Change”, a joint initiative of TU Dresden, RWTH-Aachen and IIT-Madras (IITM) funded by DAAD as well as a new initiative of TU Dresden and IITM to conclude an agreement establishing a “transCampus” to deepen bilateral cooperation in teaching, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Both governments also welcomed the signing of the MoU between IIT Kharagpur and the DAAD, which will enable joint funding for Indo-German university cooperation projects. Both sides expressed their strong support for the dedicated call of the “German Indian Academic Network for Tomorrow” (GIANT) under SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) highlighting cooperation between Indian and German universities.

    32. With a view to further strengthening digital and technology partnerships between India and Germany, both governments agreed to share experience and expertise in digital public infrastructure (DPI), e.g. to explore ways in which Germany can leverage India’s expertise in DPI and the strengths of the Indian IT industry to drive innovation and digital transformation in both countries. As an important forum for exchanges on digital topics such as internet governance, tech regulations, digital transformation of economy, and emerging digital technologies, both sides welcomed the finalization of the Work Plan for 2023-24 formulated by the Indo-German Digital Dialogue (IGDD).

    33. Both sides will endeavour to leverage AI to advance the SDG, recognizing the need for an innovation-friendly, balanced, inclusive, human-centric and risk-based approach to the governance of AI. Digital solutions such as image detection and AI are playing an important role in revolutionising agriculture by assisting farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity, climate resilience, carbon sinks and sustainability. Both countries are running national programmes to facilitate the growth of digital agriculture and have agreed to intensify their Cooperation in Digital Agriculture, AI and IoT to foster ongoing cooperation, innovation and exchanges for modernising agriculture.

    34. Both governments underlined the strategic importance of collaboration in the field of critical and emerging technologies, innovation and skill development. Reaffirming the priorities for bilateral cooperation, as laid down in the Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap, both governments agreed to focus on collaboration in innovation, skill development and critical and emerging technologies. Forging closer linkages between the industry and academia of the two countries in key technology areas would be prioritized, in recognition of a shared commitment to ensuring an open, inclusive and secure technology architecture, built on mutual trust and respect, and reflecting shared values and democratic principles. Based on that, the two countries would achieve outcome oriented and mutually beneficial technology collaboration in identified sectors.

    35. In furthering cooperation in the field of research in disaster mitigation, tsunami warnings, coastal hazards, early warning systems, disaster risk reduction and oceanography, polar sciences, biology and biogeochemistry, geophysics and geology, both Governments welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam – Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum, and between National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and AlfredWegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI).

    36. Both Governments also welcomed the bilateral agreement in the biological, physical and mathematical sciences between National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), both centres of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India and Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (MPG), Germany. This agreement will facilitate the exchange of scientists, including students and research staff, between the various Max Planck Institutes with ICTS and NCBS.

    37. Both Leaders noted with appreciation the collaboration between M/s New Space India Ltd and M/s GAF AG for upgrading the international ground station at Neustrelitz, Germany for the reception and processing of data from OceanSat – 3 and RISAT – 1A satellites. Partnership for a Green and Sustainable Future

    38. Both sides acknowledged the need for green, sustainable, climate resilient and inclusive development to achieve net zero emissions. Both governments aim to substantially enhance bilateral, trilateral and multilateral cooperation in climate action and sustainable development. Both sides acknowledged the progress achieved thus far under the Indo-German Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP). This partnership, guided by shared commitments, seeks to accelerate the implementation of the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. In this context, both sides stressed the need to work jointly for an ambitious outcome of the upcoming UNFCCC COP29, in particular on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Both sides will respond positively to the outcomes of COP28, including the first Global Stocktake, in light of national circumstances.

    39. Both sides appreciated the stocktaking of progress during the Ministerial meeting on the GSDP objectives. To contribute to the implementation of the GSDP, both sides are committed to regular dialogue within the existing working groups and other bilateral formats and initiatives. The next meeting of the Ministerial Mechanism shall take place at the latest within the framework of the next India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations, to conduct a stocktaking of the progress on GSDP objectives to achieve the Paris Agreement goals and SDGs. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to closely cooperate on combatting climate change and therefore expressed their intention to hold a meeting of the Indo-German Climate Working Group in the near future.

    40. Under the umbrella of the GSDP, both sides inter alia:

    a. Launched the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap. The Leaders agreed that the Roadmap will help support India’s ambition for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen while also contributing to a swifter adoption of Green Hydrogen as a sustainable source of energy in both countries

    b. Launched the GSDP Dashboard, a publicly accessible online tool, which showcases the intensive cooperation between Germany and India under the GSDP. It gives an overview of key innovations and the broad range of experience covered by India-Germany cooperation. It facilitates stocktaking of the joint progress towards achieving GSDP objectives, and provides key information to relevant stakeholders on innovative solutions for global challenges.

    c. Signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to renew and further elevate the partnership in accordance with a shared vision to promoting in India sustainable urban mobility for all, recognizing the importance of green and sustainable urbanization for inclusive social and economic development and the strong results of the Green Urban Mobility Partnership since its establishment in 2019.

    d. Highly appreciated the achievements and vision for the future of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and agreed to intensify our cooperation within ISA.

    e. Appreciated the cooperation in the area of halting deforestation and degradation and reversing the trend by restoring forest landscapes in support of the implementation of the Rio Conventions and the SDGs.

    41. The leaders acknowledged that the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF), through its various activities, has played a pivotal role in strengthening the general bilateral economic relations between Germany and India, promoting economic growth, and addressing global climate change challenges.

    42. Both sides underscored the role of the 4th Global RE-INVEST Renewable Energy Investors Meet & Expo, held in September 2024 in Gandhinagar with Germany as a partner country, in bringing together key stakeholders in the renewable energy sector. Both governments recalled the ‘India-Germany Platform for Investments in Renewable Energy Worldwide’ which was launched during RE-INVEST as a key initiative to fast-track renewable energy investments, foster business collaborations and expand global supply chains. The platform will accelerate the expansion of renewable energy in India and worldwide through exchanges on green financing, technology and business opportunities.

    43. Both governments expressed their wish to continue to strengthen the cooperation through the Joint Working Group on Biodiversity and acknowledged that CBD COP 16 marks a crucial moment in the global effort to implement the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

    44. Recalling the deliberations and outcomes of the Joint Working Group on Waste management and Circular Economy which has created opportunities by intensifying exchanges on experiences and technologies between the two countries, both sides agreed to explore the possibility of deepening cooperation within these structures, for instance, focusing future work on inter alia Solar Waste recycling. They appreciated the Indo-German environment cooperation on the effective and efficient implementation of ambitious objectives and policies in order to prevent waste, especially plastics, from entering the marine environment. India and Germany agreed to closely cooperate towards establishing a global legally binding agreement on plastic pollution.

    45. Both leaders acknowledged the progress made under the Triangular Development Cooperation (TDC), which pools mutual strengths and experiences to offer sustainable, viable and inclusive projects in third countries as per their priorities to support the achievement of SDGs and climate targets in Africa, Asia and beyond. Both sides welcomed the encouraging results of the pilot projects in Cameroon, Ghana and Malawi, and the progress made in the ongoing initiatives with Benin and Peru. In view of the successful implementation of the aforementioned initiatives, both governments have agreed to commence upscaling of the pilot projects with Cameroon (agriculture), Malawi (women entrepreneurship) and Ghana (horticulture) in 2024 and beyond. Furthermore, both sides welcomed the start of the three millet related pilot projects: two with Ethiopia and one with Madagascar. Additionally, both sides have launched the institutional mechanism to reach out to the partners, select and implement their joint initiatives on a full scale and to this end, both governments established a Joint Steering Committee and a Joint Implementation Group.

    46. The leaders reaffirmed that Gender Equality is of fundamental importance and investing in the empowerment of women and girls has a multiplier effect in implementing the 2030 Agenda. They reiterated their commitment to encourage women-led development and enhancing womens’ full, equal, effective and meaningful participation as decision-makers for addressing global challenges inclusively while noting Germany’s Feminist Foreign and Development Policies in this regard. Both sides reaffirmed their desire to strengthen Indo-German cooperation on promoting the critical role of women in green and sustainable development.

    47. In addition, both sides welcomed the milestones already achieved with respect to the existing initiatives and new commitments for financial and technical cooperation under the framework of the GSDP, as follows:

    a.New commitments in all core areas of the GSDP of more than 1 billion EUR as agreed during the negotiations on development cooperation between the Government of India and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany in September 2024, adding up to accumulated commitments of around 3.2 billion EUR since beginning of the GSDP in 2022;

    b.Under the Indo-German Renewable Energy Partnership, the cooperation focused on innovative solar energy, green hydrogen, other renewables, grid integration, storage and investments in the renewable energy sector to facilitate an energy transition and to address the need for a reliable, round the clock renewable power supply.

    c.The “Agroecology and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources” cooperation benefits the vulnerable rural population and small-scale farmers in India by fostering income, food security, climate resilience, soil health, biodiversity, forest ecosystems and water security.

    d.Both sides reiterated their intention to continue their successful collaboration on sustainable urban development.

    Building resilience through Trade and Economic collaboration

    48. Both leaders hailed the consistent high performance in terms of bilateral trade between the two countries in the recent years and encouraged stakeholders in India and Germany to further strengthen trade and investment flows. The leaders also noted the strong two-way investments between India and Germany and the positive impacts of such investments in diversifying the global supply chains. In this context, the leaders expressed confidence that the APK 2024, the bi-annual flagship forum of German Business with participation of top-level business executives from Germany, is a crucial platform to showcase the immense opportunities available in India for German businesses.

    49. Both sides underlined the long-standing presence of German businesses in India and Indian businesses in Germany and agreed to work towards deepening economic and trade linkages between the two countries. In this context, both sides welcomed the holding of the meeting of the India-Germany CEO Forum which serves as a high-level platform to engage business and industry leaders from India and Germany. They also underlined the achievements of the Indo-German Fast Track Mechanism to resolve trade and investment related issues, and are ready to continue its operation.

    50. In recognition of the importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)/Mittelstand in economic growth and job creation, both sides acknowledged the growth in bilateral investment and the success of the ‘Make in India Mittelstand’ Programme, which supports German Mittelstand enterprises seeking to invest and do business in India. In a similar vein, both governments also recognised the key role played by start-ups in fostering innovation, and commended the German Accelerator (GA) for successfully facilitating start-ups to address the Indian market, and welcomed plans to establish its presence in India. Both sides noted that a corresponding programme to assist Indian start-ups in gaining market access in Germany could further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

    Strengthening Labour Markets, Mobility and People-to-People Ties

    51. As bilateral cooperation on skilled migration expands across multiple fronts, involving collaboration between federal and state governments, as well as private sector stakeholders, both sides committed to full implementation of the provisions of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA). In line with the commitments outlined in the MMPA both sides remain dedicated to promoting fair and legal labor migration. This approach is guided by international standards that ensure migrant workers are treated with dignity and respect, including fair recruitment practices, transparent visa processes, and the protection of workers’ rights. By focusing on these principles, both countries aim to facilitate the mobility of skilled workers in a manner that benefits all parties while safeguarding against exploitation and ensuring compliance with international labor standards.

    52. Building on the MMPA, the two sides concluded a JDI in the field of Employment and Labour, to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchange in areas of mutual interest between the respective ministries. The German side informed that it will support a feasibility study on international reference classification, a G20 commitment undertaken by the Indian G20 presidency in 2023. Both leaders look forward to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of occupational diseases, rehabilitation and vocational training of workers with disabilities between the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), the Directorate General of Employment (DGE) and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV).

    53. Both leaders noted that Indian professionals comprise over 1/4th of all blue card holders in Germany and that Indian students now represent the largest cohort of international students in Germany. Regarding this, they recognized the complementarities that exist between the requirements of skills and talents in Germany and the vast reservoir of young, educated and skilled persons in India, who can be an asset to the German labour market. The Federal Employment Agency will deepen the existing exchange with the National Skill Development Council, India (NSDC) and other similar Government agencies at national and state levels. Both sides welcomed the launch of the new national strategy of the German Federal government to promote skilled migration from India.

    54. Both leaders also expressed satisfaction on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training which would leverage the strengths of India and Germany towards creating a pool of skilled workforce in India and strengthening the participation of women, especially in the areas of green skills. Both sides agreed to include elements of facilitating international mobility of labour.

    55. Both sides remain committed to the goal of expanding the teaching of the German language in India, including in secondary schools, universities and vocational education centers. They encouraged Indian and German States, culture centers and educational institutions to further promote the teaching of each other’s languages in India and Germany, including the training of language teachers. Both sides welcomed the joint efforts of the DAAD and the Goethe Institute to develop a format for the formalized training and further education of German teachers leading to a university certificate recognized in India.

    56. Both sides reaffirmed the contribution of highly skilled professionals for economic growth, noted with satisfaction the results achieved under the programme “Partnering in Business with Germany”, and renewed the JDI on advanced training of corporate executives and junior executives from India.

    57. With the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA), both sides also agreed to address irregular migration. For this purpose, both sides established a cooperation in the field of return since the entry into force of the MMPA. Both sides welcomed the progress achieved so far and underline the importance of further developing and streamlining cooperation through appropriate procedural arrangements.

    58. The leaders welcomed the growing ties between the two sides and their respective nationals. They acknowledged the wide range of Consular issues stemming from these growing ties and the need for dialogue on all matters related to Consular issues. They agreed to work towards early establishment of an appropriate format for a bilateral dialogue on various Consular, Visa and other issues affecting nationals of the other side residing in their respective territories.

    59. Both sides acknowledged the role of their youth as cultural ambassadors and catalysts for innovation and promoting people – people linkages between the two countries. In this context, both leaders stressed on the importance of youth cooperation and noted the proposal for establishing forum for youth exchanges and delegations between both sides. Both sides also agree to facilitate student exchanges on a mutual basis.

    60. Both sides noted with satisfaction the substantial work being done in the field of culture and welcomed efforts towards expanding scope of the Memorandum of Understanding on Museum Cooperation between Indian and German national museums such as the Prussian Heritage Foundation and the National Gallery of Modern Art, India.

    61. In line with the G20 New Delhi Leader’s Declaration (2023), both leaders underscored the intention to cooperate closely with regards to the restitution and protection of cultural goods and the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property at national, regional and state levels to enable its return and restitution to the country and community of origin as relevant, and called for sustained dialogue and action in that endeavour.

    62. Both Governments also appreciated substantial cultural and academic exchanges made possible via initiatives such as the establishment of Indian academic chairs at universities in Germany.

    63. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the deliberations held at the 7th IGC and reaffirmed their commitment to further expand and deepen the Indo-German Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Scholz thanked Prime Minister Modi for his warm hospitality and conveyed that Germany looks forward to hosting the next IGC.

     

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2068257) Visitor Counter : 69

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $400,000 IN FED FUNDING FOR BINGHAMTON’S KLAW INDUSTRIES

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    New EPA $$ Will Help KLAW Develop Tech To Reduce Waste Sent To Landfill With Automated Recycling System To Bolster Operations In The Southern Tier
    Schumer: KLAW Is The Success Story I Had In Mind When Establishing A High-Tech Incubator In Binghamton!
    U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced $400,000 in federal funding for the Binghamton-based KLAW Industries to produce a robotic sorting system to improve recycling facilities in disadvantaged communities. The federal funding comes from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR).
    “KLAW Industries is exactly the kind of innovative company I had in mind when I joined with Binghamton University, New York State and Broome County to establish a high-tech incubator in the City of Binghamton. Today’s announcement of $400,000 in federal funding builds on the success of this innovative, homegrown business,” said Senator Schumer. “From incubator to their growing operation today, KLAW is paving the way to grow the region’s economy and make significant contributions in the material used in the concrete industry.”
    Schumer added, “With these funds, KLAW will be able to advance its glass sorting capabilities by creating a state-of-the-art robotic sorting system to improve both the processes at glass recycling facilities, and the number of facilities they can service. That means more glass material kept out of landfills, more material flowing to their Binghamton facility to help them grow! Once again, the Southern Tier is proving to be a leader, and I am thrilled that these funds are flowing to the Southern Tier.”
    “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the EPA in identifying impactful end uses for our recycled materials. This achievement would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the City of Binghamton and Broome County, who have played a key role in bringing national recognition to the important work happening here,” said Jacob Kumpon, Co-Founder and COO of KLAW Industries. “The EPA SBIR Phase II award will significantly enhance KLAW’s capacity to process recycled materials, marking a critical step in our efforts to divert local waste from landfills. The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator has been instrumental in securing federal support for Binghamton, and we are especially grateful for Senator Schumer’s foresight in making the Koffman a reality”. 
    KLAW Industries is a Binghamton-based company that re-purposes contaminated glass, not suitable for recycling, that would otherwise be sent to a landfill, into a replacement for cement called Pantheon. The inclusion of this patent-pending material into concrete, reduces carbon emissions and the amount of waste sent to landfills. KLAW received an initial Phase I award of $100,000 earlier this year for “proof of concept” for their technology and was invited to apply for Phase II funding of $400,000 to further develop and commercialize the technology. The second phase of federal funding that Schumer announced today will help KLAW expand their operations on Griswold Street to develop technology that will create an autonomous robotic sorting system for recycling facilities. This will help KLAW find contaminated glass to make Pantheon and create more efficient recycling sorting methods in disadvantaged communities in Binghamton and beyond.
    After bringing federal officials to Binghamton to discuss plans with project leaders in 2013, Schumer helped secured $2 million in federal funding for the Koffman Southern Tier incubator in downtown Binghamton, which KLAW Industries is part of. With Schumer’s help, the incubator has grown to support hundreds of jobs and become a magnet for entrepreneurs from around the region, state, and country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ECC to launch Carbon Reduction Action on November 1

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ECC to launch Carbon Reduction Action on November 1
    ECC to launch Carbon Reduction Action on November 1
    ****************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Environmental Campaign Committee:     The Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) will officially launch the Carbon Reduction Action next Friday (November 1) to encourage members of the public to change their habits and reduce their carbon footprint by practising low-carbon living in terms of clothing, food, living and travel, with an aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.      Funded by the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF), the Carbon Reduction Action is organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the ECC, and will be rolled out with support from about 150 strategic and collaboration partners, including public and business organisations, industry groups, non-profit organisations and school sponsoring bodies. Since August of this year, the ECC has been sharing low-carbon living tips related to clothing, food, living and travel through posts and mini-games on the its social media platforms. The upcoming Carbon Reduction Action will further motivate the public to implement what they have learned about carbon reduction in their daily lives. From November 1 until 30, members of the public can enter a lucky draw by sharing their carbon reduction actions regarding clothing, food, living and travel on their personal social media platforms and uploading screenshots to the campaign website with their GREEN$ ID number. Each lucky draw winners will receive two tickets to the “Zero-carbon Concert”, which will be held on January 4, 2025. For more information and terms and conditions of the lucky draw, please visit the campaign website of the Carbon Reduction Action (www.ecc.org.hk/en/publicity/cra.html).      Following the Carbon Neutrality Publicity Campaign launched by the ECC in 2022, the ECC has recently conducted a survey with 1 000 members of the public regarding their understanding of carbon neutrality and their willingness to practise low-carbon living. The survey results showed that over 94 per cent of respondents were aware of carbon neutrality to varying extents, and 96 per cent indicated their willingness to practise low-carbon living in the future. To further encourage the public to turn their intentions into actions, the ECC is launching the Carbon Reduction Action to encourage the public to practise low-carbon living, reduce carbon emissions, and work together to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 

     
    Ends/Friday, October 25, 2024Issued at HKT 12:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Auctions for Lunar New Year fair stalls in New Territories to start next Friday

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 25) reminded interested parties to join auctions that will start next Friday (November 1) for stalls at the 2025 Lunar New Year (LNY) fairs in the New Territories.     The nine fairs, with a total of 521 wet goods stalls, 230 dry goods stalls and seven fast food stalls, will be held at Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan, Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square in Tai Po, Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground in Yuen Long, Tin Hau Temple Plaza in Tuen Mun, Man Yee Playground in Sai Kung, Po Hong Park in Tseung Kwan O, Shek Wu Hui Playground in North District, Kwai Chung Sports Ground in Kwai Tsing and Yuen Wo Playground in Sha Tin.     The auctions for stalls of the LNY fairs in Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long and Kwai Tsing will be held at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, on November 1, 5 and 11. The auction sessions are scheduled from 9am to 12.30pm (AM session) and 2pm until completion of the auction (PM session).     The auctions for stalls of the LNY fairs in Tai Po, Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O, North District, and Sha Tin will be held at the above-mentioned venue on November 4, 7, 8 and 12. The auction session is scheduled from 9am or 9.30am until completion of the auction.     The auction for stalls of Tin Hau Temple Plaza LNY fair in Tuen Mun will be held at Tseng Choi Street Community Hall, 27 Tseng Choi Street, Tuen Mun, on November 6. The auction session is scheduled from 9.30am until completion of the auction.     Details of the auctions are as follows:Sha Tsui Road Playground (Tsuen Wan)——————————————–Auction date: November 1 (Friday)Number of stalls: 126AM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 64)PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 65 to 96) and dry goodsOpening prices:Wet goods: $1,770Dry goods (regular size): $8,480Dry goods (large size): $12,720Tin Hau Temple Fung Shui Square (Tai Po)——————————————–Auction date: November 4 (Monday)Number of stalls: 61Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast foodOpening prices:Dry goods: $1,450Wet goods: $2,270Fast food: $5,480Tung Tau Industrial Area Playground (Yuen Long)——————————————–Auction date: November 5 (Tuesday)Number of stalls: 158AM session: Dry goods and wet goods (Stall Nos. 57 to 72)PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 77 to 156) and fast foodOpening prices:Dry goods (regular size): $1,350Dry goods (large size): $2,030Wet goods: $700Fast food: $5,480Tin Hau Temple Plaza (Tuen Mun)——————————————–Auction date: November 6 (Wednesday)Number of stalls: 57Stall types: Wet goods, dry goods and fast foodOpening prices:Wet goods: $1,490Dry goods: $2,140Fast food: $2,740Man Yee Playground (Sai Kung)——————————————–Auction date: November 7 (Thursday)Number of stalls: 20Stall types: Dry goods and wet goodsOpening prices:Dry goods: $450Wet goods: $380Po Hong Park (Tseung Kwan O)——————————————–Auction date: November 7 (Thursday)Number of stalls: 90Stall types: Dry goods, wet goods and fast foodOpening prices:Dry goods (regular size): $1,540Dry goods (large size): $2,310Wet goods: $830Fast food: $4,570Shek Wu Hui Playground (North District)——————————————–Auction date: November 8 (Friday)Number of stalls: 73Stall types: Wet goods and dry goodsOpening prices:Wet goods: $710Dry goods (regular size): $1,540Dry goods (large size): $2,310Kwai Chung Sports Ground (Kwai Tsing)——————————————–Auction date: November 11 (Monday)Number of stalls: 98AM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 1 to 56)PM session: Wet goods (Stall Nos. 57 to 76) and dry goodsOpening prices:Wet goods: $490Dry goods (regular size): $2,250Dry goods (large size): $3,380Yuen Wo Playground (Sha Tin)——————————————–Auction date: November 12 (Tuesday)Number of stalls: 75Stall types: Dry goods and wet goodsOpening prices:Dry goods (regular size): $4,570Dry goods (large size): $6,860Wet goods: $3,580     Bidders for LNY fair stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong.     Anyone can bid for more than one stall. A bidder must pay the bid price and register in person with his or her own name as the licensee of the stall immediately after successfully bidding for a stall. The bidder is also required to sign at once a licence agreement with the FEHD, or he/she will forfeit the rights to operate the stall.     All fair sites will be made available to the licensees three days in advance of the fairs (from January 20 to 22, 2025) for the setting up of stalls. In the event of any unforeseeable incident that will cause reduction of the whole licence period (including the duration for setting up stalls and the business period of the fair), the Government has the right to postpone the commencement date and shorten the duration of the period. The bidding price (licence fee) paid will be refunded to the successful bidder on a pro-rata basis without interest.     Stall licensees must completely remove the stall structure and all paraphernalia, together with all refuse, debris and unsold commodities (whether damaged or otherwise), from the licensed area before 7am on January 29, 2025.     The FEHD reminded licensees that the stalls are solely for the purpose of selling and promoting the sale of the permitted commodities, and no other activities are allowed in the licensed area. If the FEHD considers that any activity conducted by the licensee to publicise, promote, display, show or sell any permitted commodities in the venue is unlawful, contrary to the interest of national security, immoral or incompatible with the object of the LNY fair, the FEHD is entitled to direct the licensee to stop conducting such activities, and the licensee must immediately comply with the direction.     Stall licensees should not destroy, damage or abandon any unsold commodities at or in the vicinity of the stall. They may surrender unsold flowers and plants left behind at the stall to the FEHD at no charge, cost or compensation whatsoever, before 7am on January 29, 2025.     According to the licence agreement, except inside designated stalls, licensees must not keep, store or use any compressed helium cylinder in the licensed area. Whereas licensees of the designated stalls may keep, store or use helium cylinders in the licensed area, the quantity of helium should be such that a licence is not required pursuant to the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation 2012 (Cap. 295E), i.e. equivalent to 150 litres of helium. Sales of floating LED glowing balloons and aquarium fish by stall licensees are prohibited at the LNY fairs.     In addition, as stated in the licence agreement, the height of dry goods stalls must not exceed 3 metres from ground level. The height of wet goods stalls and fast food stalls must not exceed 4.5m from ground level. For wet goods stalls and fast food stalls with a height of more than 3m from ground level, the licensee must, at his own costs, provide the FEHD with the original certificate issued by an authorised person, a registered structural engineer, or a competent person under the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations (Cap. 59I) to certify the structural safety of the structure in the licensed area before the fair is opened to the public. The licensee must also affix a copy of the aforesaid certificate on the structure of the stall.     Successful bidders shall comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.     Details of the 2025 LNY fairs, such as the public notice, the locations and layouts of the fair venues, commodities allowed for sale at the fair stalls, open auction arrangements and related rules, and a sample of the licence agreement, are available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call the FEHD hotline 2868 0000.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Follow-up of UN framework for biodiversity at CBD COP16

    Source: Government of Sweden

    The UN global agreement to halt and reverse the ongoing loss of biodiversity – the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – was adopted in 2022. Implementation efforts are being followed up at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) taking place in Cali, Colombia on 21 October–1 November 2024.

    Taking place in conjunction with COP16 are Conferences to the Parties of two protocols: the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP11) and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (COP-MOP5).

    Sweden is part of the EU negotiating delegation at COP16. The top priority for Sweden is issues that are particularly important for the implementation of the Framework – the Conference’s adoption of an updated monitoring framework and a transparent review process for follow-up of the global targets, including reporting.  

    Decisions are also expected to be taken at the Conference on the following priority issues for Sweden:

    • a long-term strategy for resource mobilisation from all sources;
    • intensifying cooperation between climate and biodiversity, since climate change and the threat to biodiversity must be addressed collectively; 
    • the design of the mechanism for digital sequence information (DSI), 
    • a new work programme and stronger engagement in the Convention’s work for indigenous people and local communities; and 
    • action plan on biodiversity and health.

    In addition, negotiations on marine issues will be held to further the work on ecologically or biologically significant marine areas, which is also a priority issue for Sweden. Earlier this year, the Government presented the Bill ‘A living sea – increased protection, reduced eutrophication and sustainable fishing’, in which its proposals include reaching the target of protecting 30 per cent of marine areas – one of the key objectives in the Kunming-Montreal Framework – by 2030.

    Several representatives of Business Sweden and the business sector are in Cali. Business engagement is key to halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity, which Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari highlighted as she delivered the opening address at a Confederation of Swedish Enterprise seminar in September 2024. 

    Ms Pourmokhtari is leading the Swedish negotiating delegation, which consists of more than 20 people from the Government Offices, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Sami Parliament, Stockholm Resilience Centre and the Riksdag.

    Sida Director-General Jakob Granit and the Embassy of Sweden in Colombia are also taking part. This year, Sweden and Colombia are celebrating 150 years of bilateral relations. They enjoy close cooperation on a number of issues, none more so than the green transition.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: BRICS Congress. The Role of Education in Solving Global Economic Problems

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On October 20 and 21, the BRICS Scientific and Educational Congress on Ecology and Climate Change was held at the Sirius Federal Territory. It brought together more than 500 representatives of science, education, the business community and governments of BRICS member countries, including India, Brazil, Iran and Ethiopia.

    The event was attended by the Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering of SPbPU Marina Petrochenko, Professor of the Higher School of Hydrotechnical and Power Engineering (HSHPE) Natalia Politaeva and Associate Professor of the HSHPE Alexander Chusov.

    Over the course of two days, business representatives and scientists discussed the following issues:

    The role of education in addressing global climate change issues; Water management in the context of climate change; New technologies for clean energy; Talent economy: New professions and skills in the context of “green” energy; Permafrost and climate change; Water purification technologies.

    In the expert session “New technologies for environmentally safe waste management and their role in the closed-loop economy” Natalia Politaeva presented a report “Innovative waste processing technologies”. In the poster session, the Civil Engineering Institute presented a team report “Utilization of organic waste with the production of biomethane”.

    On the second day of the event, with the assistance of SPbPU partner, the investment and technology company EFIR (RUSNANO Ecology and Nature Management cluster), representatives of the ISI held talks with Sirius University and the Russian-Singapore Business Council on the development of cooperation in the field of scientific and educational activities.

    The congress participants went on excursions to the Sirius educational center and the laboratory complex of the local university, where the latest infrastructure for training and supporting scientific research of talented young people is presented.

    At the congress, Polytech presented its unique technologies and developments in the field of waste management, which are of interest to businesses and the federal environmental operator that organizes and controls the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, neutralization and placement of waste of the first and second hazard classes. It was also important for us to exchange opinions with our foreign colleagues from Brazil, India and other countries. Everyone has common problems. It is obvious that we need to combine efforts and use the resource base, as well as the potential of foreign partners to solve the main problems of the environmental agenda, – commented on the results of the work, Director of the Civil Engineering Institute Marina Petrochenko.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from Ostrów Wielkopolski District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland suspended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 25) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Ostrów Wielkopolski District of the Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

         A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 620 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland in the first six months of this year.

         “The CFS has contacted the Polish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng, College Lecturer at Worcester College, and Postdoctoral Researcher at School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford

    Moo Deng lives with her mother and siblings in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand. I Viewfinder/Shutterstock

    The playful and pudgy mammal that went viral from its Thai zoo enclosure has a sad story to tell about her fellows hippos.

    Moo Deng is the two-month-old pygmy hippo who flicks her ears in joy and likes splashing in water. She lives the life of a superstar at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, where huge crowds have massed – but the chances of spotting her relatives in the wild are slim.

    Pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis) are endangered and estimated to number fewer than 2,500. Their decline has been drastic: a long-term survey in a national park in Ivory Coast found 12,000 pygmy hippos in 1982; 5,000 in 1997 and 2,000 in 2011. Today, these hippos are scarce across their native west Africa.

    Perhaps it’s not surprising that pygmy hippos feel most comfortable deep in the forest. Early European explorers to Liberia wrote in their diaries that this hippo chooses to forage at night and conceal itself in the water or in dense vegetation during the day.

    So secretive is this species that 19th-century explorers observed:

    if someone walks across one of their paths or tunnels (used to navigate through thick vegetation), they will abandon that route for a while.

    Sensitive souls

    Widespread deforestation and constant disturbance have made it difficult for pygmy hippos to survive, requiring as they do a combination of dense forests and swamps which already restricted them to a small area. West African forests have lost over 80% of their original area, which confines wild pygmy hippos to small spots in Gola National Forest (Sierra Leone) and Sapo National Park (Liberia).

    The world once had several pygmy hippo species. Only one remains, in West Africa.
    IUCN, CC BY-SA

    With their forests rapidly disappearing, there simply isn’t enough space for pygmy hippos to find food, thrive and reproduce. A survey in the Gola rainforest and its surroundings revealed that many were hiding on former cropland outside the protected area. Re – Yes the survey includes area outside protected forests area

    Cocoa production is probably the biggest cause of forest loss, then gold mining and unsustainable logging. These activities now encroach on forest reserves and other supposedly protected areas.

    Previous forest conservation efforts have failed. Conservationists argue for a system to financially reward farmers and authorise local forestry communities to safeguard the forests and sustainably manage what remains, as opposed to a top-down model of state management and enforcement.

    A world treasure

    West Africa’s forest loss is particularly heartbreaking as research shows that a remaining patch may be the most productive on Earth, surpassing even the Amazon rainforest.

    Particularly productive forests harness more of the sun’s energy and turn it into lots of palatable herbs and juicy fruits – more food to support animals like pygmy hippos, and so foster rich biodiversity.

    Before extensive fieldwork beginning in 2016, researchers had underestimated the value of west African forests, particularly their capacity to store carbon and thereby offset global warming. This oversight was partly the result of these forests being hidden by clouds, which makes satellite observation difficult, and their relative neglect by western researchers compared with other ecosystems elsewhere.

    It’s not just Moo Deng’s wider family that is at risk. West African forests are home to more than 900 bird species and nearly 400 mammals – more than a quarter of all mammal species in Africa. Their future is highly threatened by extensive deforestation.

    Underestimating the value of west African forests has kept them off the priority list for global forest restoration. It’s sadly not surprising that deforestation continues. In 2022 alone Ghana lost 44,500 acres of forest (twice the size of Manchester), close to a 70% increase from 2021.

    Each tropical forest contributes irreplaceable biodiversity. From the elusive mammals of west Africa to the vibrant birds of south-east Asia, these ecosystems are equally important. Comprehensive plans are needed to restore them which involve empowering local communities to manage their long-term health.

    A global initiative to designate 30% of Earth’s land and ocean as protected by 2030 (known as 30×30) should not conserve a vast area in one or two places, ignoring Earth’s other biodiversity hotspots. The lesson of Moo Deng’s disappearing home should be to value ecosystems equally – and plan their preservation with equal care.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng receives funding from the US Department of Energy.

    Sulemana Bawa does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it? – https://theconversation.com/moo-deng-the-celebrated-hippos-real-home-has-disappeared-will-the-world-restore-it-241815

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ARU’s world-leading loris expert to receive award

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Published: 25 October 2024 at 10:11

    Professor Anna Nekaris is to be honoured by the Primate Society of Great Britain

    Dr Anna Nekaris, Professor in Ecology, Conservation and Environment at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), is to receive a prestigious honour later this year from the Primate Society of Great Britain. 

    Professor Nekaris, one of the world’s leading experts in lorises, will be awarded the Osman Hill Memorial Lecture Medal by the Primate Society of Great Britain at their winter meeting in Bristol on 12-13 December.

    The medal is awarded annually to a distinguished primatologist who has shown excellence in research and has made a substantial, original, and lasting contribution to the discipline.

    Professor Nekaris started her work on nocturnal primates in 1992 and in 2011 she established the Little Fireface Project – a conservation project based in Java, Indonesia, that supports loris conservation worldwide.

    She is Vice Chair of the recently formed IUCN Special Section for African and Asian Prosimians, Co-editor-in-chief of Folia Primatologica, and Section Editor of Nature’s Discover Conservation. Earlier this year, Professor Nekaris was made Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to conservation.

    Professor Nekaris has published more than 300 scientific papers and 10 edited volumes, and her studies cover all species of slow, pygmy and slender lorises, including five she named or elevated from subspecies, and one genus that she named. 

    Her research includes behavioural ecology in zoos, rescue centres and in the wild, including a novel study on slow loris venom, museum studies, genetics, acoustics, taxonomy, conservation education, and community conservation, especially with agroforestry farmers. 

    Much of her conservation work has focused on lorises in the pet trade. Through her advocacy, lorises became protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and Professor Nekaris has worked with the Japanese government to change laws regarding microchipping of CITES I protected species. She hopes her research will convince people that lorises do not make good pets. 

    Professor Nekaris said:

    “All species of loris are threatened with extinction and some are amongst the rarest primates on the planet. They are wild animals and my mission is to ensure that as many as possible remain in their natural habitats so we can learn more about these most unique primates.”

    On news of her award from the Primate Society of Great Britain, she added:

    “Being recognised by my fellow primatologists is a tremendous honour, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be following in the footsteps of some of the wonderful scientists who have previously been awarded the Osman Hill Memorial Lecture Medal. 

    “This award is also extra special to me because it is named after a scientist, William Charles Osman Hill, who made some of the first, significant contributions to our knowledge of lorises.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESS RELEASE – VISIT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL, H.E ANTONIO GUTERRES, 21-23 AUGUST 2024

    Source: Government of Western Samoa

    Share this:

    Samoa hosted the United Nations Secretary-General, His Excellency Antonio Guterres on his official visit from 21st to 23rd August 2024. The UN Secretary-General’s visit to Samoa and the Pacific region not only brings global attention to the severe impact of the climate change on Pacific communities but shows commitment to our Blue Pacific region to witness the vulnerabilities of the lived realities as small island states. The visit also highlights Samoa’s leadership at the regional and international level as demonstrated in Samoa’s role as Chair of the AOSIS during meetings at the regional and international fora.

    The UN Secretary-General’s visit marks a significant milestone, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the last visit by a UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon in 2014 when Samoa hosted the Third International Conference of the Small Islands Developing States.

    The visit included a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister where discussions were held on pertinent matters highlighting the priorities and challenges of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) placing prominence on Climate Change with stark implications for SIDS and sustainable development. The bilateral was followed by a welcome ava ceremony and a field visit to witness climate impacted communities and the resilience of our communities with adaptation measures implemented.

    At the end of the field visit the UN Secretary General attended the handover ceremony of the new wing of the One-Un House at Tuanaimato which will enable the location of all the UN agencies into the Multi-country office to enable collaboration and delivery as One UN on the national development needs of Samoa and the whole cluster including Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Hon Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster on behalf of the Government of Samoa, presented remarks during the Hand-over ceremony and unveiled the plaque together with UN Secretary General.

    The Prime Minister, Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa hosted a dinner at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in honour of the visit of the UN Secretary General and his delegation.

    H.E Antonio Guterres was accompanied by a delegation of eleven (11) officials including Mr. E. Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet and Ms. Rabab Fatima, Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, officials and security officers

    The UN Secretary General departs Samoa on Friday 23 August 2024 for Tonga to attend the 53rd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting.

    END.

    SOURCE – MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

    Photos by Government of Samoa (Leaosa Faaifo Faaifo)

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai presides over second meeting of National Climate Change Committee

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai presides over second meeting of National Climate Change Committee
    2024-10-24

    On the afternoon of October 24, President Lai Ching-te presided over the second meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. In his opening statement, the president said that the whole world is now facing the challenges of extreme weather and carbon reduction. Noting that Taiwan plays a critical role in global technology supply chains, the president stated that we must step up climate action to enhance the international competitiveness of our industries and quicken our pace to bring us in line with global progress on carbon reduction. He added that we are willing to cooperate with countries around the world, including China, to address the challenges of climate change together. 
    President Lai emphasized that the government’s strategic direction is clear: we will promote our second energy transition to ensure a stable and resilient energy supply. Going forward, he said, the government will gradually promote energy conservation policies and encourage all sectors to promote deep energy saving through such methods as investment incentives, investment tax credits, and government subsidies to help industries save energy. He added that energy service company (ESCO) mechanisms will also be promoted through cooperation with insurance enterprises and life insurance companies to improve enterprise equipment and production processes. The president expressed his confidence that as long as everyone works together to implement innovative and transformative change, we can create opportunities for sustainable growth for generations to come.
    A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows:
    Today is the second meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. First, I want to welcome the committee members who were on leave for the first meeting but are with us today: Paul Peng (彭双浪), Sophia Cheng (程淑芬), and Lin Tze-luen (林子倫).     
    I want to thank everyone here with us today, as well as our fellow citizens and friends for their enthusiastic participation online. This shows that everyone considers global climate change issues as matters of great importance.
    Not long ago, we saw Typhoon Krathon become the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in Kaohsiung in the month of October, with recorded gusts at level 17 or higher on the Beaufort scale. Responding to climate change is a major test for national resilience and sustainable development.
    Internationally, the whole world is facing increasingly severe climate change challenges. The Paris Agreement of 2015 requires each country to update its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) every five years. In 2021, COP26 increased the frequency of such updates to once every two years to accelerate progress in global carbon reduction. In addition, the next round of NDC updates for countries around the world is scheduled for the beginning of next year. 
    Therefore, we must come together and create a strong, resilient Taiwan that can respond to challenges and align with international trends. At the same time, we are willing to continue strengthening cooperation with countries around the world, including China, to address the challenges of climate change together. 
    At the beginning of this month, we launched a carbon fee system, with fees starting to be collected next year. This is a solid step. Furthermore, our strategic direction is clear: we will promote our second energy transition to ensure a stable and resilient energy supply. In addition to developing more forms of green energy to open up new energy sources, we must also promote deep energy saving and advanced energy storage technology applications to spur the transformation and development of next-generation industries; enhance Taiwan’s adaptive mechanisms to respond to climate change; and seek green growth opportunities for sustainability, as we steadily move toward our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.   
    At today’s meeting, the Ministry of Environment will first deliver reports on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting and on the promotion of the public sector chief sustainability officer alliance. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will then deliver a report on the progress in deep energy saving promotion.
    I want to thank deputy convener and Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) for conducting numerous interministerial policy discussions in the Net Zero Emissions Transition Taskforce, under the Executive Yuan’s National Council for Sustainable Development, in the time since we convened our first meeting in August this year.  
    In a few minutes, executive secretary and Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) will explain our initial concept for an energy information platform and the current review status of our new carbon reduction goals, two issues of great concern to our committee members. The reports will help committee members and the public to better understand the government’s policies.  
    As Taiwan plays a critical role in global technology supply chains, we must step up climate action to enhance the international competitiveness of our industries and quicken our pace to bring us in line with NDCs internationally. We also need to review our goals for 2030, be more ambitious to break through obstacles, and reset new, more proactive carbon-reduction goals for 2032 and 2035.
    At the same time, the best source of energy is the energy we conserve. Our economic development requires that industries and foreign investors continue to invest in Taiwan, which requires a stable power supply. Conserving energy is more efficient than developing new energy sources and is one of the most important cost-effective methods. It is also an immediately effective strategy for reducing carbon emissions. The more energy we save, the more we can reduce carbon emissions.
    One of the conclusions reached during last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) was that by 2030, the average annual improvement rate of energy efficiency must be increased from two percent to four percent. Increasing energy efficiency is already an international consensus and trend in efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. 
    Going forward, the government will gradually promote energy conservation policies and encourage all sectors to promote deep energy saving. From high-emission enterprises to hospitals and schools, and even homes and individuals, everyone needs to participate. The government cannot promote deep energy saving alone. Like a baseball team, for the team to be really good, everyone must play their role.  
    ESCOs, like analysts and trainers on baseball teams, can provide enterprises with the most cost-effective, tailor-made energy-saving plans to ensure that every dollar invested achieves the best possible energy savings. 
    Moving forward, in promoting deep energy saving, we need ESCOs to be involved to strengthen our “lineup.” The government will cooperate with industry to propose methods including investment incentives, investment tax credits, and government subsidies to help industries save energy. The government will also cooperate with insurance enterprises and life insurance companies to promote ESCO mechanisms, and will provide funding assistance to upgrade equipment and improve production processes, with the savings on electricity costs returned to investors. Insurance premiums will be used for national development, forming a virtuous circular economy. 
    The whole world is now facing the challenges of extreme weather and carbon reduction. But I am confident that as long as everyone works together to implement innovative and transformative change, we can create opportunities for sustainable growth for generations to come.
    Through this meeting, we will not only rely on the expertise of our advisors and committee members for diverse discussions and collective brainstorming. We will also reference innovative and pragmatic strategies for green growth adopted by countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan. Through joint actions of the public sector in conjunction with the various sectors of society, we can more efficiently accelerate Taiwan’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
    In a few minutes, I will invite everyone to actively share your expertise and experience. Thank you.
    Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on the promotion of the public sector chief sustainability officer alliance from Minister Peng and a report on the progress in deep energy saving promotion from Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lien Ching-chang (連錦漳). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – Confirmation hearings – Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

    Source: European Parliament

    The confirmation hearings of Commissioners-designate will take place from 4 to 12 November 2024.

    The ITRE Committee is responsible for organising, either alone or jointly with other committees, the confirmation hearings of:

    – Teresa RIBERA, Clean, Just and Competitive Transition

    – Henna VIRKKUNEN, Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

    – Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ, Prosperity and Industrial Strategy

    – Dan JØRGENSEN, Energy and Housing

    – Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, Startups, Research and Innovation

    – Wopke HOEKSTRA, Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth

    – Andrius KUBILIUS, Defence and Space

    ITRE is also invited to the confirmation hearings of:

    – Jessika ROSWALL, Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

    – Olivér VÁRHELYI, Health and Animal Welfare

    For more information on the confirmation hearings.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why night owls struggle more when the clocks go back

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Darren Rhodes, Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology and Environmental Temporal Cognition Lab Director, Keele University, Keele University

    When the clocks go back, things are even worse for night people. Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

    When the clocks go back and we gain an extra hour, it might seem like a welcome bonus. But not for everyone. Night owls, those who naturally prefer staying up late and waking up late, often find this time of year particularly difficult.

    The explanation lies in the the science of our internal clocks.

    Chronotypes are our natural preference for waking and sleeping at certain times, whether you’re an early bird who springs out of bed with the dawn or a night owl who comes alive in the evening.

    This variation is partly genetic, and it also influences our body’s natural rhythms, like hormone release and body temperature fluctuations. During the day, the hormone cortisol increases to help us feel alert and energised, while another hormone, melatonin, which induces sleepiness, is produced more in the evening. Similarly, our body temperature fluctuates, generally reaching its peak in the late afternoon and dropping during the night to facilitate sleep.

    When the clocks go back, night owls often face a double burden. Their biological rhythm is already shifted later compared to others, and the sudden change in daylight makes it harder to align with the social clock that dictates work and school schedules.

    For night owls, the sudden shift means losing evening daylight when they might
    naturally be more alert and active. This change can exacerbate feelings of social jet lag, a state where their internal body clock is out of sync with societal demands. Research shows that social jet lag is associated with increased stress, lower mood, and even health effects such as poorer cardiovascular health.

    If that wasn’t enough, those with an evening chronotype tend to have a harder time adapting to abrupt changes in sleep patterns. Their melatonin (the hormone that signals it’s time for sleep) is released later in the evening. When daylight saving ends, this delay can lead to even greater misalignment between their internal clock and the environment.

    Research from people living in polar regions, where there is very little daylight for several months of the year, reveals how sensitive our sense of time is to light exposure. A 2020 study on crew at the Belgrano II Argentine Antarctic station measured their estimation of time in the seconds to minutes range at five different points in the year. It found that people’s time perception in winter, due to the lack of daylight and the social isolation and confinement that came with living at the station.

    The difference between morning and night people is in our biology.
    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Research in polar regions is providing insights into how different chronotypes adapt to extreme daylight conditions. For example, some studies have shown that people with morning chronotypes tend to adapt better to the prolonged daylight of polar summers, maintaining more stable sleep patterns and mental health. Those with evening chronotypes often struggle with the long periods of darkness in polar winters, leading to greater sleep disruptions and mood disturbances.

    These insights not only have the potential to improve the quality of life for people in such settings but could also be instrumental in future space exploration, where adapting to unique time cues will be essential.

    Dark moods and light deprivation

    This struggle isn’t just about feeling tired. It affects productivity, mental health and life satisfaction. Studies suggest that people with later chronotypes are more vulnerable to seasonal affective symptoms when the days get shorter. This may be because night owls are more likely to be deprived of the morning light that helps regulate circadian rhythms.

    Morning light is particularly important for regulating circadian rhythms because it contains a higher amount of blue light, which is the most effective wavelength for stimulating the body’s production of cortisol and suppressing melatonin. Exposure to natural morning light helps reset the internal clock too.

    Night owls often face practical challenges that early birds may not fully appreciate. The misalignment between their natural sleep patterns and the demands of traditional work or school schedules can lead to chronic sleep deprivation. This struggle to adapt to an early schedule can harm cognitive performance, decision making and productivity. Studies have found that night owls are more likely to experience difficulties with metabolic health (processing food like fat and sugar), which may be linked to irregular sleep-wake patterns.

    Owls of the night may also find it harder to reap the benefits of morning activities that can help improve mood and wellbeing. Activities like outdoor exercise in natural light are particularly effective in regulating circadian rhythms. That’s why night owls who miss morning light might not get the same benefits from evening activities. This lack of alignment with societal norms can lead to feelings of isolation or being misunderstood. By recognising and validating these differences, we can begin to create environments that support the needs of different chronotypes.

    The challenges that night owls face when the clocks go back highlight how our
    society’s rigid schedules don’t always accommodate the diversity of human biology.
    Recognising these differences can be a first step toward supporting people
    whose internal clocks don’t align with the norm – whether through flexible work hours, light therapy or simply greater awareness of chronotype differences.

    Darren Rhodes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why night owls struggle more when the clocks go back – https://theconversation.com/why-night-owls-struggle-more-when-the-clocks-go-back-241728

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Inaugural ESG Forum Wraps Up in Abidjan with Stakeholders Uniting around Vision for an Africa ESG Hub

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    (From left) Olumide Lala, Executive Director, Climate Transition Limited with Natenin Coulibaly, General Manager Corporate Services, MTN; Armande Laetitia Ohouo-Lath, Director of Sustainable Development, SIFCA; Rachael Antwi, Group Sustainability and Environmental Risk, ECOBANK and Azeez Alayande, ESG Manager, ENGIE Nigeria during a session on Challenges and Opportunities in ESG Reporting in Africa at the Africa ESG Forum

    Two days of intensive discussions on building a sustainable finance ecosystem for Africa ended in Abidjan on Tuesday with stakeholders from government and the private sector expressing strong support for an Africa-focused Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Data Hub.

    The inaugural Africa ESG Forum, held at the Sofitel Hotel in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, was organised by the African Development Bank, the Multilateral Cooperation Centre for Development Finance, and Making Finance Work for Africa. It featured discussions on ESG reporting challenges and investor expectations, and concluded with the inaugural meeting of the ESG working group.

    Representatives of various participating institutions shared their ESG implementation experiences. Moubarak Moukaila of the West African Development Bank highlighted the Bank’s progress in sustainable project development. “We created, at the beginning of this year, a unit that supports project development. We have developed, within six months, three projects with GEM and two projects with Green Climate Fund.”

    Ahlem Kefi, Impact & Sustainability Officer at AfricInvest, outlined the firm’s comprehensive approach to sustainability assessments. “We start looking at the ESG risks and the ESG data from the first screening phase,” she said. “We don’t call this ESG due diligence, we call it impact and sustainability due diligence.”

    Mostafa Hawas of the Egyptian Stock Exchange offered practical insights into implementing ESG reporting requirements. He outlined how they began with “a very, very simple survey” distributed to listed companies, and emphasized the importance of gradual implementation to build awareness, before introducing more detailed requirements.

    Kuhle Sojola, ESG Engagement Specialist at Sanlam Investments, addressed the critical issue of greenwashing – the misleading use of advertising and marketing to falsely portray an organization’s products, goals, or policies as being environmentally friendly – in corporate reporting. “We use engagement as a tool to mitigate or reduce the risk of greenwashing,” she said, adding that, when a company’s reported metrics differ significantly from those of their peer group, “that is usually an indication that there could be a level of greenwashing there.”

    Participants at the Forum envisioned the proposed African ESG Hub as a unifying vehicle for sustainability issues in Africa, enhancing awareness among local entities and international investors. In preparation for its establishment, they acknowledged that with 80 percent of African companies being SMEs, engaging the sector would be critical in advancing ESG reporting and sustainable finance across the continent. In addition, they outlined plans for the proposed Hub, including ensuring that it provides a credible platform for training and technical assistance, and for sharing best practices and case studies.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mexico

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ms Susannah Goshko CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States

    Ms Susannah Goshko

    Ms Susannah Goshko CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States. Ms Goshko will take up her appointment during November 2024.

    Curriculum vitae       

    Full name: Susannah Clare Goshko

    2021 to present Ottawa, British High Commissioner
    2019 to 2021 FCDO, Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State
    2018 to 2019 FCO, Deputy Director, National Security Directorate
    2017 to 2018 DEXEU, Deputy Director for Withdrawal Issues
    2013 to 2017 Washington, First Secretary (Political) later Political Counsellor
    2010 to 2013 Nairobi, First Secretary (Economic) and Permanent Representative to United Nations Environment Programme
    2006 to 2010 FCO, Counter Terrorism Department
    2004 to 2006 Washington, Private Secretary to the Ambassador
    2001 to 2004 Havana, Second Secretary (Political and Press)
    2000 to 2001 FCO, Africa Department (Equatorial)
    2000 Joined FCO

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mexico: Susannah Goshko

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Ms Susannah Goshko CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States.

    Ms Susannah Goshko

    Ms Susannah Goshko CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Mexican States. Ms Goshko will take up her appointment during November 2024.

    Curriculum vitae       

    Full name: Susannah Clare Goshko

    2021 to present Ottawa, British High Commissioner
    2019 to 2021 FCDO, Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State
    2018 to 2019 FCO, Deputy Director, National Security Directorate
    2017 to 2018 DEXEU, Deputy Director for Withdrawal Issues
    2013 to 2017 Washington, First Secretary (Political) later Political Counsellor
    2010 to 2013 Nairobi, First Secretary (Economic) and Permanent Representative to United Nations Environment Programme
    2006 to 2010 FCO, Counter Terrorism Department
    2004 to 2006 Washington, Private Secretary to the Ambassador
    2001 to 2004 Havana, Second Secretary (Political and Press)
    2000 to 2001 FCO, Africa Department (Equatorial)
    2000 Joined FCO

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: SUBASE holds Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting establishing a Micro-grid on the base

    Source: United States Navy

    Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont; U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (2nd-CT); Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and the Environment Meredith Berger; and, Commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Rear Admiral Carl Lahti, participated in the event near the base’s Power Plant on the SUBASE waterfront.

    “For the Navy, and all military services, October is Energy Action Month, and SUBASE could not be prouder of our ‘energy actions’ today,” said Captain Kenneth M. Curtin Jr., 53rd Commanding Officer of Naval Submarine Base New London, who served as Master of Ceremonies. “Our micro-grid at SUBASE is the first of its kind in the entire Navy to support such a complex electrical infrastructure. And in the parlance of the fall sports season, it’s a ‘game-changer.’”
    Curtin noted that while the base’s award winning Galley fuels the Sailors at the base, energy fuels everything else, from the high-tech trainers and their associated computer systems at the Naval Submarine School on the base, to the Submarines moored at the base’s waterfront, dependent on shore power when in port.
    The SUBASE Micro-grid enhances the base’s power diversification and transforms its electrical infrastructure into a more intelligent, flexible, and robust system. SUBASE benefits not only from automated data gathering and precise peak demand control, but also from the ability to seamlessly disconnect from the public utility grid during an interruption or loss in power, and efficiently dispatch on-site power generation to mission critical loads.
    The State of Connecticut; the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC); FuelCell Energy Incorporated, headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut; NORESCO, headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts; Groton Utilities; and, a number of area and local contractors and subcontractors have been crucial contributors ensuring SUBASE reached this milestone.
    “We are playing a small role in making this base a little more resilient,” said Lamont. “This is what it’s all about. Whether it is a weather event or a bad actor, the lights will stay on at our Navy base.”
    Assistant Secretary of the Navy Berger thanked the State and partners, who through community and commercial partnerships, brought SUBASE’s energy resiliency to fruition.
    “What we are charged with under Secretary [of the Navy] Del Toro’s leadership is to strengthen our maritime dominance, strengthen our people, and to strengthen our partnerships; and what we do here today does all three,” said Berger.
    The completion of the comprehensive Micro-grid project reflects more than $235M invested in assuring the energy reliability, security, and resiliency of SUBASE.
    Lahti, as the then 50th Commanding Officer of SUBASE, was “the architect moving the initiative from the kernel of an idea, to the growth of the foundational concept, and the development of long range plans and milestones,” said Curtin.
    Pulling them from a folder, Lahti showed the audience the nearly decade old, proof of concept and long range plans. He noted that he had carried those initial documents about the “dream” of a micro-grid at SUBASE to each of his successive commands, and he was proud that the dream had finally become reality.
    “We invest in the base to create the most combat ready Submarines that we can and to train the Submarine Force,” said Lahti, outlining that utilities are part of the foundation that supports combat forces.
    Energy expenses are the single largest cost for Navy installations. Utilities costs are some 38 percent of the Navy’s shore budget. Cost savings created ashore free up dollars that can be used in the Fleet to support operations and improve the tactical performance of forces.
    Energy Reduction and Resiliency Projects under Lahti and his successors at the base, not only resulted in annual operating cost savings of nearly $1.2 million a year, but also laid the foundation for the ultimate micro-grid completion and success.
    CMEEC’s and FuelCell Energy’s Fuel Cell Park, on leased land at the base, provides energy to the public grid in normal operations, but provides SUBASE with the first right to its 7.4MW of on-site power generation during an interruption or loss in power at the base. The State and NORESCO’s efforts established 10.75MW of power generation in the base’s Power Plant thru a Combined Heat & Power system supported by two new generators and high efficiency boilers. All these elements, connected thru NORESCO’s installation of cyber secure controls, fast load shedding, and ‘islanding’ capabilities within the base Power Plant, assure SUBASE’s micro-grid energy resiliency.
    “The First and Finest Submarine Base will not rest on its laurels. We are excited by a grant from the DOD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in the amount of $939K in Installation Resilience funding. These funds should allow for our partners to design updated power, water and gas feeds for SUBASE. So, SUBASE’s energy future looks very bright indeed!” concluded Curtin.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study finds UK adults aren’t connected to nature

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Published: 25 October 2024 at 13:05

    New research led by ARU finds barriers prevent everyone enjoying nature equally

    New research indicates that UK adults experience less of a connection with nature than adults from most other countries, ranking 59th out of 65 national groups surveyed.

    The study, which includes data from 56,968 adults aged between 18 and 99, also found that levels of connection with nature are associated with several socioeconomic and demographic factors across countries.

    Led by Professor Viren Swami of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), the study involved over 250 academics from over 60 countries and is published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

    The UK was ranked 59th out of 65 on the Connectedness to Nature Scale, which asks participants to rate statements, such as “I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me”, “I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world”, and “I often feel part of the web of life”.

    Data for some countries was separated into different languages – for example English and French responses from Canada – providing 65 national groups. Nepal, Iran, and South Africa were the top three nations, while Israel (63rd), Japan (64th), and Spain (65th) were at the bottom of the rankings.

    The UK scored better on the Nature Exposure Scale, which measures people’s contact with nature around their home and work, their recreational visits, and their nature awareness.

    Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Lithuania were the leading three countries, with the top 10 nations on the Nature Exposure Scale all European, with the exception of French-speaking Canadians. The UK was 31st out of 65, and the bottom three nations were Lebanon, South Korea and, finally, Brazil.

    Across all nations, the study found that women reported both higher nature connectedness and greater nature exposure than men, consistent with previous research showing that women overall tend to have greater environmental concern and empathy with nature. Both connectedness to nature and nature exposure scores also increased with age, which is possibly linked to older adults having more time and opportunities to engage with nature.

    Taking results from the two measures together, greater nature exposure and connectedness to nature scores were both linked to socioeconomic factors. Higher scores were significantly associated with greater financial security, living in a rural location, a higher level of education, being in a committed relationship, and being in a racial majority in that particular country. 

    Lead author Viren Swami, Professor of Social Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said:

    “Spending time in a natural environment can provide a number of really important benefits. 

    “My previous research has shown how being in green spaces, ‘blue’ environments, such as by rivers or the coast, and even snowy landscapes can improve different facets of psychological well-being and mental health, and of course there are physical health benefits from spending time outdoors in nature.

    “The evidence that being in nature is good for you is undeniable, but crucially this new study shows that exposure to nature and levels of connectedness to nature are not enjoyed equally by different nations or across different social groups.

    “The significant associations with financial wealth, being better educated, and being part of the racial majority within a particular country reflects known socioeconomic inequities in terms of lack of access to natural environments. Racial minorities may also experience natural environments differently, for example in terms of a sense of belonging, and this can impact on people’s attitude to nature and their desire to access it.

    “Unfortunately, barriers to accessing nature exist in countries across the world and it is important these barriers are broken down to allow people from all backgrounds to access and enjoy the benefits of natural spaces.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New State-of-the-Art System Helps Prepare for Wildfire

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new real-time weather data tool to help inform New Yorkers when there is an increased risk of wildfires. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Mesonet  at the University at Albany researchers are utilizing data from the University at Albany’s statewide weather network to generate daily Fire Danger Ratings to offer more reliable wildfire information and improve public safety.

    “We’re seeing the effects of climate change in real time, with dangerous wildfire seasons across the continent year after year,” Governor Hochul said. “We want to make sure the state has the latest tools and information to prepare for and respond to wildfires to ensure our communities and resources are protected.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Even before wildland fires ignite, accurate data is crucial to deploy resources and advise communities of potential dangers. DEC’s partnership with New York State Mesonet will offer enhanced and reliable wildfire information to help keep communities safe by harnessing the power of the Mesonet to increase the number of stations recording observations in each of the state’s Fire Danger Rating Areas. This data will help inform a new, easier to read map that will benefit New Yorkers when wildfire dangers arise.”

    New York State Mesonet Director June Wang said, “As the climate is getting warmer, the frequency and severity of fire weather is increasing across the U.S. This new collaboration will respond by taking full advantage of NYS Mesonet weather data and expertise, providing a more detailed and accurate fire danger rating scale.”

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Wildfires are a threat to people, animals, nature and communities. This new data tool will help get critical information to the public and firefighters faster and more accurately so that the danger created by these wildfires can be minimized.”

    UAlbany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center Director and Executive Director of the NYS Mesonet Chris Thorncroft said, “Localized weather data has a critical role to play in how we adapt to the most severe impacts of climate change. We are proud to continue working with our public and private partners across the state on projects like this one that improve the resilience of New Yorkers to weather-related extremes.”

    Localized Fire Weather Information

    The New York State Mesonet is the nation’s most advanced and largest early-warning weather detection system. It features 127 standard weather observation stations that cover the entire state, including at least one in every county and borough. Each site measures temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, pressure, precipitation, solar radiation, snow depth, soil information and offers camera images. The data is collected in real-time every five minutes, feeding weather prediction models and decision-support tools for users across New York.

    DEC’s Wildfire Predictive Services issues and updates a fire danger map that divides New York into multiple Fire Danger Rating Areas and then rates each on a wildfire risk scale from low to extreme.

    The enhanced data collection helps identify the local variability of fire danger across the state, allowing community leaders, emergency managers and everyday New Yorkers to adapt their activities to prevent fires and reduce damage. It will be publicly available, offering year-round fire danger ratings and, in conjunction with DEC’s weather forecasts, other fire weather environmental and meteorological variables for all Fire Danger Rating Areas in New York.

    Improving Wildfire Preparedness

    Fire Danger maps are published simultaneously on both the DEC website and the New York State Mesonet Fire Danger Products web page.

    Similar to the current RAWS system, the New York State Mesonet will provide the national Weather Information Management System, which serves as the host for the  National Fire Danger Rating System, with the data necessary to publish regional fire danger rating products.

    The public website available through the New York State Mesonet offers current and historic fire weather information, updated daily. The project is funded by DEC through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant.

    View the New York State Mesonet Fire Danger Products page here.

    The DEC Fire Danger Map will continue to host the fire danger map in addition to specific information about fire danger ratings and the fire danger rating areas.

    Fire Danger is ‘High’ in Entire State

    Recent dry conditions across the state are resulting in a “High” fire danger. A high fire danger means all fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes, including unattended brush and campfires. Fires may become serious and controlling them difficult unless attacked successfully while still small. The remainder of New York State is at a moderate level of fire danger. An updated fire danger map is available on the DEC website. While the statewide burn ban is no longer in effect, brush burning should only be done when absolutely necessary. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.

    Open burning is prohibited in New York, with these exceptions:

    • Campfires or any other outdoor fires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
    • Small cooking fires are allowed.
    • Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed, if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
    • Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
    • Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.

    For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC’s FIREWISE New York webpage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: Implementation of the “road map” will allow Krasnodar Krai to radically change the situation in the field of waste management for the better

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Patrushev made a working trip to Krasnodar Krai

    October 25, 2024

    During a working visit to Krasnodar Krai, Dmitry Patrushev inspected the MSW management complex under construction. With Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev

    October 25, 2024

    During a working visit to Krasnodar Krai, Dmitry Patrushev inspected the waste management complex under construction

    October 25, 2024

    During a working visit to Krasnodar Krai, Dmitry Patrushev inspected the waste management complex under construction

    October 25, 2024

    During a working visit to Krasnodar Krai, Dmitry Patrushev inspected the waste management complex under construction

    October 25, 2024

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting dedicated to the implementation of reforms in the field of solid municipal waste management

    October 25, 2024

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting dedicated to the implementation of the reform in the field of solid municipal waste management. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov, Deputy Minister Dmitry Tetenkin

    October 25, 2024

    Governor of Krasnodar Krai Veniamin Kondratyev

    October 25, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev made a working trip to Krasnodar Krai

    During a working visit to Krasnodar Krai, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting dedicated to the implementation of reforms in the field of solid municipal waste management. The meeting was attended by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov, Governor of Krasnodar Krai Veniamin Kondratyev, heads of Rosprirodnadzor and the Russian Ecological Operator.

    Krasnodar Krai is the most important tourist center of the country, so a significant amount of waste is generated here. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev spoke about the importance of waste recycling.

    “In May 2024, the President set the region and the Russian Ecological Operator the task of providing a sufficient number of facilities for handling solid municipal waste. And in the country as a whole, the head of state set the goal of creating the necessary volume of capacity for processing, recycling and landfill disposal of waste over the next six years. Accordingly, the region needs to significantly increase the pace in this area,” Dmitry Patrushev noted.

    Before the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister got acquainted with the construction of the waste management complex, which will serve the city of Anapa, Slavyansky, Krasnoarmeysky, Temryuksky and Krymsky districts. After commissioning, waste will be sorted here using two lines with a total capacity of 300 thousand tons per year, and a composting section with a capacity of at least 110 thousand tons per year is envisaged.

    In addition, during the flight over Krasnodar Krai, the Deputy Prime Minister inspected the Novorossiysk solid municipal waste landfill. Today, it is overflowing, but continues to accept waste. In accordance with the new “road map”, its reconstruction is planned.

    Concluding the meeting, Dmitry Patrushev drew attention to the need for strict adherence to all established deadlines.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Russia’s Brics summit shows determination for a new world order – but internal rifts will buy the west some time

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    The recent Brics summit in the Russian city of Kazan was less notable for what happened at the meeting than for what happened before, on the margins, or not at all. Among the notable things that did not happen was another expansion of the organisation.

    Since the addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the 2023 Brics summit in Johannesburg, which almost doubled the number of member countries from the original five (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), further enlargement has stalled.

    Argentina, which was also invited in 2023, declined to join. Saudi Arabia, another 2023 invitee, has not acted on the offer to become a member either. Its de-facto ruler, crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, was among the notable absentees in Kazan.

    And Kazakhstan, Russia’s largest neighbour in Central Asia, decided not to join shortly before the summit. This drew Russia’s ire, resulting in a prompt ban on imports of a range of agricultural products from Kazakhstan in retaliation.

    While invitees have declined the opportunity to join Brics, a long list of applicants have not been offered membership. According to a statement by Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, at a meeting of senior Brics security officials in September, 34 countries have expressed an interest in closer relations with Brics in some form.

    This appears to be a substantial increase in interest in Brics membership compared to a year ago, when South Africa’s foreign minister, Naledi Pandor, listed 23 applicants ahead of the 2023 summit.

    But the fact that, since then, only six invitations have been extended – and four accepted – indicates that formal enlargement of the organisation, at least for now, has been stymied by the inability of current members to forge consensus over the next round of expansion and the reluctance on the part of some invitees to be associated with the organisation.

    Meetings on the margins

    The summit declaration may offer little of substance. But there were a number of bilateral meetings before and in the margins of the gathering that are more indicative of the direction of Brics. Perhaps most importantly, India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, and China’s president, Xi Jinping, held their first face-to-face discussion in five years.

    This is a remarkable change from just a few months ago, when tensions between New Delhi and Beijing were intense enough for Modi to cancel his participation in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Astana, Kazakhstan. Yet, with a deal now reached over their countries’ longstanding border dispute, the two most populous and, in terms of GDP, economically most powerful members of Brics have an opportunity to rebuild their fraught relations.

    A warming of relations between China and India could generate more momentum for Brics to deliver on its ambitious agenda to develop, and ultimately implement, a vision for a new global order. Implicit in this would be a shift of leadership in Brics from China and Russia to China and India, and with it, potentially a change from an anti-western to a non-western agenda.

    This is, of course, something that exercises Putin. He acknowledged as much when he referred to the global south and global east in his remarks at the summit’s opening meeting. He also emphasised that it was important “to maintain balance and ensure that the effectiveness of Brics mechanisms is not diminished”.

    In his own bilateral meetings before and during the summit, Putin drove home the point that, despite western efforts, Russia was far from isolated on the world stage. One-to-one meetings with Xi, Modi, South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and the president of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, gave Putin the chance to push his own vision of Brics as a counterpoint to the US-led west.

    This may be a view shared in the global east – Russia, China and Iran, as well as non-Brics members North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela. But many in the global south – particularly India and Brazil – are unlikely to go all in with this agenda. They will focus on benefiting from their Brics membership as much as possible while maintaining close ties with the west.

    Lacking a coherent agenda

    India is the most significant player in Brics when it comes to balancing between east and west. Nato member Turkey is the equivalent on the outside. The country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, travelled to Kazan and did not shy away from an hour-long meeting with his “dear friend” Putin.

    The relationship between Moscow and Ankara is fractious and complex across a wide range of crises from the South Caucasus, to Syria, Libya and Sudan. Yet, on perhaps the most divisive issue of all, Russian aggression towards Ukraine, Turkey has consistently maintained opened channels of communication with Russia and remains the only Nato power able to do so.



    Read more:
    Turkey attempts to broker power between east and west as it bids to join Brics

    The fact that there has been relatively little public pressure from official sources in the west on Erdoğan to stop is probably a reflection that such communication channels are still valued in the west. This, and Nato’s continued cooperation with India, point to a hedging strategy by the west. India cooperates with the US, Australia and Japan – the so-called Quad group of nations – on security in the Indo-Pacific, and it has maintained political dialogue with Nato since 2019.

    Turkey and India may not see eye-to-eye with the west on all issues. But neither do they with the global east camp inside Brics, and especially not with Russia. If nothing else, this limits the ability of Brics to forge a coherent agenda, deepen integration and ultimately mount a credible challenge to the existing order.

    Relying on India and Turkey to do the west’s bidding in undermining Brics, however, is not a credible long-term strategy. Brics may have achieved little as an organisation, but the Kazan summit declaration indicates that its key players continue to harbour aspirations for more.

    However, as the flailing expansion drive of the organisation indicates, there is also an internal battle in Brics over its future direction. This, in turn, creates space and time for the west to exercise more positive and constructive influence in the ongoing process of reshaping the international order.

    The global east may be beyond redemption, but there is still a massive opportunity to reengage with the global south.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    – ref. Russia’s Brics summit shows determination for a new world order – but internal rifts will buy the west some time – https://theconversation.com/russias-brics-summit-shows-determination-for-a-new-world-order-but-internal-rifts-will-buy-the-west-some-time-241610

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Want genuine progress towards restoring nature? Follow these 4 steps

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yi Fei Chung, PhD candidate in Environmental Policy, The University of Queensland

    Black Dingo/Shutterstock

    “Nature positive” is seemingly everywhere. Two weeks ago, Australia hosted the first Global Nature Positive Summit. This week, nations are meeting in Colombia for a global biodiversity summit to discuss progress on nature positive commitments.

    Nature positive has a simple meaning: ensuring more nature in future than there is now. Making it a reality is the hard part.

    It’s necessary because nature is in trouble. Once common species are becoming threatened and threatened species are going extinct. Humans, too, will be severely impacted. When ecosystems are healthy, they provide vital benefits. Insects pollinate crops, trees slow floodwaters, earthworms, fungi and soil critters make healthy soil and natural vistas improve our mental wellbeing.

    While Australia’s government is working to embed nature positive ideas in environmental reform efforts, we may see lip service rather than real change. The government’s Nature Positive Plan faces opposition from businesses and politicians ahead of a looming election. And the plan itself doesn’t fully align with true nature positive outcomes.

    In our article published today in Science, we lay out four vital steps to ensure nature positive policies are actually positive for nature.

    Step 1: Ensure biodiversity increases are absolute

    At present, Australia’s planned nature positive reforms would only require developers removing habitat to achieve a relative net gain for nature compared to business as usual.

    We have argued this approach won’t work – it should be an absolute net gain.

    It might sound abstract – but it makes all the difference. For instance, consider a population of endangered koalas living on the site of a new mine. Any negative impact to koalas would have to be offset with a benefit to the species elsewhere, usually on a separate site.

    If Australia had absolute net gain in effect, the company would have to ensure there are more koalas overall. If the mine site and an offset site had a combined population of 100 koalas before the development, this combined population would need to be more than 100 koalas after the development – even though some will be lost.

    But let’s say these 100 koalas over two sites were expected to fall to 80, even if the mine didn’t happen. In this case, a relative net gain could be achieved if the mine and offset site had 90 koalas. The population fell, but less than it would have otherwise.

    Most state and national conservation laws use relative net gain in their biodiversity offsets. It slows the biodiversity decline – but it’s still a decline.

    By contrast, England brought in a net gain approach in February of this year, with developers now required to provide a 10% net gain in biodiversity.

    Importantly, the vast majority of developments affecting threatened species habitat never require any offset at all. Plugging this major gap is also key.



    Read more:
    Developers in England will be forced to create habitats for wildlife – here’s how it works

    For nature positive to work properly, any damage done to a species by a development has to be offset by net gain. Pictured: Peak Hill gold mine in NSW.
    Phillip Wittke/Shutterstock

    Step 2: Avoid conservation payments in risky situations

    The Australian government plans to introduce conservation payments, where developers can pay into a government-managed fund rather than providing direct offsets.

    If developers were to cut down trees used by the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, for example, they could choose either to improve habitat elsewhere to offset the damage – or they could pay into the fund instead.

    This is a risky plan. For one, it’s often almost impossible or extremely expensive to find suitable habitat for critically endangered species because they have very little habitat remaining.

    It’s far better to avoid all further habitat removal. For developers, this would mean avoiding damage to rare habitat in the first place.

    Even where offsetting is possible, payments are often inadequate to cover the cost of purchasing and managing an offset site.



    Read more:
    Developers aren’t paying enough to offset impacts on koalas and other endangered species

    Then there’s the time lag. The fund might take years to buy or restore habitat sites, adding to already-long delays between damage and any benefit. And worse, under the government’s proposal, the money could be used for different, potentially less threatened species.

    Under Queensland’s scheme, most developers choose to pay into a fund rather than create their own offset sites. Very little of these offset funds have been spent.

    Meanwhile, the latest independent assessment of the New South Wales biodiversity offset payment scheme recommended the fund be completely phased out.

    Step 3: Go beyond compensation

    Compensating for new damage is important. But it’s not nearly enough. Over the last century, we have done huge damage to the natural world. Australia’s southern seas were once ringed with oyster reefs, for instance, but these were nearly all fished out.

    We need to begin to recover what was lost by restoring ecosystems, managing weeds and reducing risk of diseases.

    Nature-positive laws should include funding and actions designed to produce absolute gains in biodiversity over and above any required compensation.

    The world has long seriously underfunded conservation, including threatened species recovery, ecosystem restoration and protected area management. Australia alone needs a roughly 20-fold increase in funding to actually bring back threatened species.

    While this sounds large, it’s off an extraordinarily low base – just A$122 million in 2019. By contrast, we spend over $100 billion on human health each year.

    Two years ago, the government passed the first of its nature-positive reforms to create a nature repair market aimed at drawing more funds into nature restoration. But as the market will rely on voluntary private sector investment, we don’t know how much funding will flow or whether it will focus on threatened species recovery.

    Step 4: Effectively implement nature positive laws

    Ensuring compliance with new nature-positive laws requires transparent and effective enforcement, such as through the independent national environment protection authority with extra powers proposed in Australia.

    Its independence and powers may be less than required, due to proposed call-in powers allowing the minister to overrule decisions. True independence and adequate resources are crucial.

    If governments do pass environmental reforms, we need to collect adequate and robust data on species to know if they are actually working to boost nature recovery. At present, many Australian threatened species remain unmonitored.

    Is nature positive within reach?

    It’s not easy to create a future with more nature than we have now. Australia’s current government took office vowing to embrace nature positive. To date, their reforms are not yet likely to make that a reality.



    Read more:
    Australia desperately needs a strong federal environmental protection agency. Our chances aren’t looking good

    But the task will only get more urgent. Meaningful nature-positive policy means ensuring targets of absolute net gain for threatened species, ensuring strict compensation for any nature loss, independently resourcing and financing other recovery efforts and implementing these laws effectively.

    With a course correction, Australia can still act as a leading example for other nations as they reform their own policies to meet nature-positive ambitions. Now is the time for real and decisive action.

    We acknowledge our research coauthors, Brooke Williams (Queensland University of Technology), Martine Maron (University of Queensland), Jonathan Rhodes (Queensland University of Technology), Jeremy Simmonds (2rog), and Michelle Ward (Griffith University).

    Yi Fei Chung has received funding from UQ Research Training Scholarship. He is also involving in a Australian Research Council Linkage Project with financial and in-kind support from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the Biodiversity Conservation Trust, Tweed Shire Council, and the NSW Koala Strategy.

    Hannah Thomas has received funding from WWF-Australia and an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. She is an early-career leader with the Biodiversity Council.

    – ref. Want genuine progress towards restoring nature? Follow these 4 steps – https://theconversation.com/want-genuine-progress-towards-restoring-nature-follow-these-4-steps-240569

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to Take Place in Grayson County, Va., on Oct. 29

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to Take Place in Grayson County, Va., on Oct. 29

    Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to Take Place in Grayson County, Va., on Oct. 29

    BRISTOL, Va.— Helene caused over $159 million in agricultural damage and farm losses in southwest Virginia, according to a recent assessment by the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Commonwealth, federal and local agencies will be coming together in day-long events dedicated to agricultural recovery to share information and resources with impacted producers. The commonwealth of Virginia, USDA and FEMA are jointly organizing an Agricultural Recovery Resource Day on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Grayson County. The event will take place at the Mountain View Baptist Church at 112 Mountain View Road in Independence, Va. At least two additional, day-long events are also being planned for the week of Nov. 3 in Wythe and Washington counties. Southwest Virginia farmers and agricultural producers whose operations were affected by Helene can attend any event and can arrive any time from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For the latest information, please visit the event website: fema.gov/event/hurricane-helene-virginia-agricultural-recovery-resource-day“Multiple organizations, including federal, commonwealth, and local agencies have come together to help agricultural community recover from Tropical Storm Helene. The first Agriculture Recovery Resource Day will be an opportunity for farmers, private forest owners, and agribusiness owners to receive information and speak directly to representatives from over 15 agencies,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy Pheil. “We understand the critical role agribusinesses play in Virginia’s economy, and through the Agriculture Recovery Resource Days, we’re working to provide farmers with direct access to the tools and resources they need to bounce back stronger than ever.”“Recovery is a long process. The commonwealth is working to coordinate resources for the agricultural community that was impacted by Tropical Storm Helene,”, said VDEM State Coordinating Officer Shawn Talmadge. “We welcome any farmers to the first Agriculture Recovery Resource Day in Grayson County”.The following agencies will be present on Agriculture Recovery Resource Day to answer questions about grants, loans and other resources available for the agricultural community: Federal agencies: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA FSA) USDA National Resources Conservation Agency (USDA NRCS) USDA Rural Development (USDA RD) Commonwealth agencies:Virginia Department of Emergency Management Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesVirginia Department of ForestryVirginia Department of Conservation and RecreationVirginia Department of Environmental QualityVirginia Cooperative ExtensionVirginia Department of HealthVirginia Tobacco Region Revitalization CommissionVirginia Small Business Financing AuthorityLocal agencies and organizations: Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsAgriSafeVirginia Farm Bureau Virginia Cattlemen’s Association Farm Credit of the Virginias First Bank & TrustMount Rogers Health DistrictGrayson CountyFarming is an economic driver in southwest Virginia and recovery for agribusiness is essential for long-term, sustainable recovery after Helene. The federal government and commonwealth are here to support recovery for the whole community. For additional disaster recovery resources, visit vaemergency.gov,  the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.  ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.
    erika.osullivan
    Thu, 10/24/2024 – 20:31

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Announces $49.7 Million to Upgrade WV’s Drinking Water, Wastewater Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $49.7 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in West Virginia. This funding was made available through this year’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    “A central aspect of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is delivering the resources our states need to improve and expand their drinking water and wastewater systems, which was commissioned through diligent efforts at the Environment and Public Works Committee. Through that process, we made certain our states maintained the flexibility they need to address the issues most important to their residents, providing a significant boost to our communities and the services they rely on. I’m pleased to see these resources heading our way to further upgrade our local infrastructure and provide safe, clean water for West Virginians,” Ranking Member Capito said.

    BACKGROUND:

    From April 2021: EPW Committee Ranking Member Capito applauded passage of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA 2021), legislation she introduced and co-wrote along with Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the EPW Committee.

    The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA) makes significant investments in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) grant and loan programs, including the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, or SRFs, and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) that are vital to support our nation’s water infrastructure. The legislation was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – Christchurch City Council leads – Luxon government must follow – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Following the principled decision of the Christchurch City Council this week to change its procurement policy to exclude companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements, nationwide protests this week will be demanding the government:

     

    • Ban all imports into Aotearoa New Zealand from illegal Israeli settlements
    • End government procurement of goods and services from companies identified by the UN as complicit in the building and maintaining of illegal Israeli settlements
    • Direct the Superfund, ACC and Kiwisaver providers to end investments in the companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements

     

    The Christchurch City Council has shown the way. The Luxon government must follow.

     

    PSNA has asked the government to take these steps – we have had no response for two months.

     

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Nationwide rallies/marches/MP protests/vigils this week

     

    These are on the PSNA Facebook events page here with the basic details listed below.

     

    North Island
    Opononi – Gathering for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Kerikeri – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Whangarei – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Auckland – Talk by Vijay Prashad
    Thursday 24 October
    7:00 pm
    Western Springs Garden Community Center
    956 Great North Road, Western Springs
     
    Auckland – Picket
    Friday 25 October
    No Picket this Friday – Labour Weekend
    Next picket Wed 30 October @ 4:00 pm outside the US Consulate
      
    Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!
    Every Saturday
    8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
     
    Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau
    Every Saturday
    10:00 am
    Text John on 021 899 659 for location
     
    Auckland – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    2:00 pm
    Te Komititanga – Britomart Square, Tamaki Makaurau
     
    Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
    (Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice – Hauraki)
    First Saturday of the month
     
    Tauranga – Flag wave
    Monday 28 – Labour Day
    1:00 am
    Coronation park, Mt Maunganui
     
    Whakatane
    Saturday 26 October
    Rallies are being organised
    Watch this space
     
    Hamilton – Flag Waving for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 pm
    Flynn Park, Hamilton
     
    Raglan
    To be advised
    Watch this space
     
    Cambridge – Rally for Palestine
    Every Saturday
    11:00 am
    Cambridge Town Hall
     
    Rotorua – Rally for Palestine
    Every Thursday
    4:30 pm
    National MP Todd McClays Office – Cnr Amohau and Ranolf St lights, Rotorua
     
    Gisborne – Farmers Market – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
    Every Saturday
    9:30 – 11:30 am
    Gisborne Farmers Market
     
    Napier – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    11:30 am
    Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
     
    Hastings – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    1:00 pm
    Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
     
    Palmerston North – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    2:00 pm
    The Square, Palmerston North
     
    New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge
    Friday 25 September
    4:30 pm
    Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth
     
    New Plymouth – March for Gaza
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 PM
    Huatoki Plaza, Ngamotu, New Plymouth
     
    Whanganui – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    11:00 am
    Riverside Market, Whanganui
     
    Carterton – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Tuesday
    12:00 midday
    Memorial Square.
     
    Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine
    Every Wednesday
    11:00 am
    The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
     
    Masterton – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Sunday
    9:30 am
    Town Hall Lawn, Masterton
     
    Featherston – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Saturday
    11:00 am
    The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
     
    Wellington – Vigil for Palestine (by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)
    Every Friday
    6:00 pm
    In front of Wellington Hospital
    49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
     
    Wellington – Flags on the Bridge
    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
    Every Friday
    7:15 – 8:15 am
    Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
     
    Wellington – Obela boycott rally
    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Outside Countdown in Newtown, Wellington
    Meeting on the corner of Hanson St and John St
     
    South Island
    Nelson – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    10:30 am
    Rocks Road by the beach
     
    Blenheim – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    11:00 am
    Blenheim Railway Station
     
    Littleton – Flag Waving for Palestine
    Wednesday 23 October
    4:00 pm
    Corner of Sutton Quay and Norwich Quay, Littleton
     
    Christchurch – Flag Waving for Palestine
    Friday 25 October
    4:00 pm
    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
     
    Christchurch – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
     
    Timaru
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Dunedin – Rally and March
    Saturday 19 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Queenstown
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Invercargill – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    1:00 pm
    Wachner place Invercargill.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –