NewzIntel.com

Category: Environment

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Rajya Mantri Inaugurates the State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General Conference of NCC

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Inaugurates the State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General Conference of NCC

    Urges State Governments to support NCC Expansion

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 4:47PM by PIB Delhi

     

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth inaugurated the Joint State Representatives and Additional/Deputy Directors General (JS R&A/D) Conference of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) today on September 23, 2024 in New Delhi. Addressing the conference, he emphasized the NCC’s crucial role in nation-building. He highlighted how the organization helps shape disciplined, responsible, and motivated young citizens, while also fostering leadership skills across various aspects of life.

    Highlighting the NCC’s involvement in national initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, International Yoga Day, Environment Protection, Digital Awareness and its commitment to societal welfare alongside traditional training, RRM urged state governments to honour their commitments in providing necessary manpower, funding, and infrastructure to support the expansion and enhancement of NCC’s presence in their regions.

    He informed that the government has recently approved an expansion plan to increase NCC cadet vacancies by three lakhs, raising the total strength from 17 lakhs to 20 lakhs in the coming years. This expansion will also see the inclusion of ex-servicemen as NCC instructors, utilizing their skills and experience to ensure high-quality training and create new employment opportunities for the veterans, he added.

    Lt. Gurbirpal Singh, DGNCC highlighted the progress and achievements of the NCC over the past two years as well as its plans for future expansion. He apprised the state representatives   and the Senior officials for establishing well equipped training & camping infrastructure in various parts of all states to ensure high degree of incentive and motivation for cadets.

    JS R&A/D is a biennial event which witnessed participation of Minsters of Education, Ministers of Youth & Sports as well as senior representatives from the Departments handling NCC affairs in their respective State. Senior officers from the Ministry of Defence along with DGNCC, the NCC Heads from all States and senior officers from HQ DGNCC, were also present in the conference. Conduct of NCC activities is a joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments in terms of policies, finances, administrative and other aspects. Therefore, this conference provides a platform to plan, implement and coordinate the NCC activities in the entire nation.

    *****

    VK/SR/MR/GC

    (Release ID: 2057903) Visitor Counter : 50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cai Guo-Qiang’s big bang of art, science and AI

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    When art meets science, the result can be explosive and revolutionary.

    This fusion lies at the heart of Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey, an exhibition currently on at the University of Southern California Pacific Asia Museum, which runs until next June.

    The exhibition goes beyond the traditional gallery format, merging art with chemistry, physics and artificial intelligence to display the pioneering work of contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang, who uses gunpowder in his creations.

    “Cai’s work is a masterful demonstration of how art and science can converge to create something entirely new,” Bethany Montagano, director of USC Museums, told reporters at a preview event on Sept 13.

    “We are excited to host this transformative exhibition, which not only celebrates Cai’s innovative use of gunpowder, but also highlights the important research and collaboration happening at the intersection of art, science and AI,” she says.

    A Material Odyssey features a series of gunpowder test pieces produced for the Getty Research Institute to study.

    The 67-year-old was born in Quanzhou, Fujian province, and trained in stage design at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in the early 1980s. From December 1986 to September 1995, he worked in Japan and has lived and worked in New York since then.

    Best known for his use of gunpowder in intricate paintings, drawings and large-scale pyrotechnic performances, Cai has spent decades pushing the boundaries of art by incorporating volatile materials into his creative process.

    These materials have been central to his philosophy and creative practice, symbolizing both destruction and creation.

    “I am often inspired by the calmness and the natural strength manifested in the work after the vibrant colors fade. Changes in the gunpowder bring about uncontrollability and unpredictability, which is what makes working with gunpowder so fascinating. The change itself is part of my work,” Cai says.

    According to Rachel Rivenc, lead curator and head of Conservation and Preservation at the Getty Research Institute, A Material Odyssey highlights something rarely seen in exhibitions: science as a tool for understanding artistic techniques, and presents imagery that explores the molecular behavior of gunpowder, and its evolution as an artistic medium in the artist’s hands.

    “Cai has embraced the use of gunpowder because he wanted to relinquish control over the creative process. No matter how precisely a gunpowder drawing is planned, the results are still unpredictable,” Rivenc says.

    “The awe-inspiring nature of Cai Guo-Qiang’s work embodies many of the values we hold dear at our museum,” says Rebecca Hall, USC PAM curator. “His gunpowder drawings and paintings, when presented alongside the museum’s permanent collection and housed in this historic building, remind us that as we push the boundaries of art and science, we remain deeply connected to the wisdom and creativity of the past.”

    The event serves as a companion to the artist’s latest project, WE ARE: Explosion Event for PST ART, which lit up the skies above the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept 15. Integrating AI-driven choreography with fireworks, drones and data science, the free daytime performance commissioned by Getty launched PST ART’s new theme, Art & Science Collide, in a spectacular fashion.

    “Today, with the rapid rise of technologies like AI, culture and the arts often seem powerless. I hope WE ARE will serve as a monumental gesture of how the art world can merge the virtual and real in this new AI-driven era, while also standing as a strong voice and decisive action in these turbulent times,” says Cai, who has been researching AI since 2017.

    The event was one of the first large-scale daytime fireworks display in the US to incorporate drone formations equipped with pyrotechnic devices, according to Katherine Fleming, president and CEO of the J Paul Getty Trust.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Activist shareholders are becoming more efficient, more sophisticated and better resourced

    Source: Allens Insights

    How companies can stay ahead of evolving campaigns 6 min read

    Shareholder activists are increasingly using novel tactics to influence the strategies of companies. While campaigns continue to focus on the full spectrum of key issues like M&A activity, business operations and strategy, regulatory concerns and ESG-related matters, we are seeing a change in the type of shareholder launching campaigns. Large institutional players and funds (including super funds) are moving into this space, resulting in better-funded and more sophisticated campaigns. Activists are also increasingly willing to take campaigns public without first engaging with the company, meaning they are less predictable.

    This escalation underscores the need for companies and boards to understand the interests of their stakeholders and anticipate potential activist agendas, and to take a proactive approach to managing those issues in order to be prepared and minimise the risk of becoming a target of a campaign.

    In this Insight, we discuss recent shareholder activism trends in Australia, explore some of the novel tactics used by activists and discuss strategies for companies to prepare for an activist campaign.

    Key takeaways 

    • With large institutional players and funds (including super funds) becoming more active, campaigns are becoming more efficient, sophisticated and resourced.
    • There has been an increasing trend for activists to go public without prior engagement with the company, meaning an impending campaign is not always easy to identify or predict.
    • The tactics and objectives of activist shareholders are wide-ranging, with shareholders using novel tactics such as fast-paced public campaigns through online platforms and seeking access to internal company documents.
    • To mitigate against these risks and disruption to the business, companies and boards must plan and execute effective strategies that anticipate and respond to activist campaigns.

    Who is launching campaigns?

    Super funds and other large institutional investors are increasingly pursuing an active role in the oversight of their investments – which is pertinent, given super funds currently hold an interest in approximately 34% of the ASX, which is estimated to eventually increase to more than 50%.1 Further, the Australian market has seen activist investment firms, including Australian-based hedge funds, join forces to exert greater influence over company strategy. 

    Key issues driving activists

    M&A activity

    Where a prospective M&A opportunity requires shareholder approval, then by its nature, it needs to be viewed favourably by shareholders to satisfy any applicable approval thresholds. However, even where shareholder approval isn’t being sought, we are seeing a rise in shareholders using their influence to oppose or otherwise alter the terms of M&A activity, putting pressure on the company to pursue alternative strategies or alter the terms of a deal. Tactics used by shareholders to exert influence on emerging M&A transactions can range from confidential non-public engagement with the company, to (increasingly) public criticism of the deal and launching a campaign to actively oppose the relevant transaction and seek support from other shareholders. For instance, earlier this year, Pendal Group, Qantas’ largest investor, publicly voiced concerns about Qantas’ ability to meet projected earnings margins amidst plans to purchase aircraft assets worth over $3 billion. Following the widespread criticism, the company was reported to have pulled back from public presentations on the matter. Whitehaven was also targeted by Bell Rock, a hedge fund investor, as it pursued a transaction to acquire metallurgical coal assets from BHP. The public campaign opposed the proposed acquisition and use of Whitehaven funds, and subsequently targeted the company’s remuneration policies, including writing letters to Whitehaven shareholders and creating a website encouraging shareholders to take action at the upcoming AGM. It culminated in Whitehaven applying to the Panel seeking a declaration of unacceptable circumstances (see our Insight for more details on Bell Rock’s misadventure here).

    We have seen an increase in highly publicised activist campaigns that have successfully resulted in shareholders rejecting takeover bids and schemes of arrangement. Historically, shareholders opposing M&A activity were often competing bidders seeking to advance their own position. Recently, there has been an increase in campaigns by shareholders that are not competing bidders, but rather they oppose the transaction because they see the proposal as opportunistic or otherwise have different views on the longer term value of the company. Notable recent examples are AustralianSuper’s opposition to the Origin takeover and Tanarra Capital’s push for change at Bapcor.

    Business operations and strategy 

    Shareholders have a clear incentive to pursue an activist campaign against a company where, in the eyes of the activist, there are perceived strategy or governance shortcomings or an underperforming share price or asset base.

    Activists can and more frequently will look to challenge corporate strategies in the pursuit of what they perceive as better value or alignment with long-term growth objectives. In May this year, an Australian-based oil and gas producer faced shareholder dissent at its AGM and received a ‘first strike’ against its remuneration report. Shareholders had been advocating for a higher dividend payout ratio and a greater return of cash.

    Activist investment firms, in particular, are increasingly making public statements regarding their own business strategies for investee companies – for example, recommending dividends and buybacks over M&A activity and development. As mentioned earlier in this article, Bell Rock’s campaign against Whitehaven was borne from the hedge funds’ dissatisfaction with the corporate strategy to cease a buyback and deploy the capital on an M&A opportunity. Lendlease, similarly, experienced significant pressure from activist firms Tanarra Capital, Allan Gray, and HMC Capital to refocus its activities on domestic operations rather than offshore expansion.

    Regulatory concerns

    Australian companies and boards are navigating Australia’s ever-changing and complex regulatory landscape. With increasing shareholder expectations regarding a company’s legal and regulatory compliance, we are seeing a rise in shareholders advocating for changes that they believe will enhance compliance, protect a company from legal risks, and strengthen its financial health and public reputation.

    In the gambling sector, for example, non-compliance has compelled shareholders to demand changes to cultural practices and the reconfiguration of boards. Recently, the Alliance for Gambling Reform voiced its plans to target Nine Entertainment and Seven West Media from within, as shareholders, in an attempt to stop gambling advertisements. Shareholder resolutions were publicly revealed as the activism tactic of choice. Unsurprisingly, there remains a consistent push for corporate behaviour to align with regulatory best practices and investor expectations.

    Environment, social and governance considerations

    Historically dominated by individual investors and smaller single-issue activist groups, shareholder activism in the ESG space is now also characterised by the involvement of large institutional investors, with significant resources to dedicate to activist campaigns. Earlier this year, HESTA voted against the re-election of the Chair of the Santos board on the basis of climate-related factors. The activity of these types of investors is often driven by their own ESG-related targets and other commitments they have made to their investors.

    Beyond climate, we anticipate that future shareholder activism in the ESG space may be driven by nature-related considerations. Allens recently discussed the growing need for boards to exercise due care and diligence in relation to nature-related risks and opportunities following elevated investor scrutiny and agitation in this area. In particular, boards must understand the risks associated with a company’s nature-related dependencies and impacts in order to appropriately consider, manage and/or disclose a company’s nature-related matters to meet shareholder expectations.

    Developing strategies to address ESG interests of shareholders and more broadly adapting to the shift in societal expectations will be paramount. The constant advancement of tools and methodologies used to evaluate ESG successes will further drive shareholder scrutiny. M&A front-runners are progressively turning their attention towards these issues, devising innovative approaches to embed relevant ESG factors into their M&A strategies.2

    Activist tactics

    While activism can take many forms depending on the specific goals of the shareholder involved, there are some common tactics employed in the Australian market. 

    Established tactics

    The more typical activist tactics involve utilising the mechanisms available under the Corporations Act to do one or a combination of calling a meeting, proposing resolutions, distributing materials to shareholders and nominating candidates to the board, each with the purpose of placing a spotlight on an issue or advancing an agenda.

    With a spotlight on the experience of the ASX300 during the 2023-24 financial year:

    • of the 37 remuneration reports voted down by shareholders, around five appear to have been a protest vote due to shareholder concerns beyond remuneration-related issues; and
    • four companies had shareholders approve amendments to their constitution, where those amendments were proposed by shareholders and opposed by the board.

    The window for these types of activist campaigns was in the lead-up to AGM season.

    Historically, activists would generally engage with the company as a first step, before going public with a campaign in the month or two ahead of the relevant AGM, which meant companies had more lead time to prepare.

    However, we are now seeing these campaigns being launched outside that typical AGM window. Activists are also becoming more aggressive and are increasingly willing to take the campaign public without first engaging with the company, which can surprise the company and put them on the back foot.

    Emerging tactics

    The existing toolkit is being supplemented with new tactics that are coming to the fore.

    Harnessing the power of the internet and social media, shareholders are reaping the benefits of activism in a tech-savvy world. Novel online platforms are providing new and unpredictable ways for activists to join forces and launch powerful campaigns. The Alliance for Gambling Reform, mentioned earlier in this article, used online share-trading platform SIX, a trading platform that unites shareholders, to begin its campaign against gambling advertising. Similarly, the widespread reach of social media means that shareholders have more power than ever to captivate the public and influence a market. In a successful campaign against a proposed demerger in 2022, the largest shareholder of an Australian-based energy provider launched a sharp website and employed X (then Twitter) to broadcast a video that appealed to other shareholders. Companies must become comfortable with the reality that one activist could quickly and unexpectedly gain substantial online support.

    Shareholders are also seeking opportunities to obtain a company’s own documents and policies (not all of them public) and hold them to account against a particular activist agenda. This approach has seen shareholders seek preliminary discovery of documents relating to the target company’s internal risk management framework. More recently shareholders have used document inspection powers under the Corporations Act to seek to obtain the target company’s internal documents relating to its climate exposure, as well as human rights issues.

    How to prepare

    Campaigns can be launched without warning and escalate quickly. All companies should take steps to prepare, even if they aren’t anticipating being a target. To be able to be decisive and act swiftly, companies should:

    • actively monitor securities trading and share registers for any early signs of stakes being accumulated;
    • ensure public-facing documents clearly and consistently articulate the company’s strategy;
    • proactively communicate with stakeholders regarding the company’s strategies and values, particularly around points that could be open to challenge, such as operational costs, executive remuneration, ESG related performance and regulatory compliance;
    • consider the breadth of their ESG related public commitments and statements and areas that may be open to scrutiny based on gaps in practice against those commitments or trends in stakeholder activism focus areas;
    • undertake training exercises and work through scenarios with the board and senior leadership to be familiar with how a campaign could play out and potential responses; and
    • have standing appointments for financial, legal and other specialist advisers (such as communications experts) that can be called on quickly if the need arises.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 500 Years of the Three Leagues Free State – Exactly 500 Years Ago: The Three Leagues Seal Their Union

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

    Source: Switzerland – Canton Government of Grisons in Italian

    Exactly 500 years ago, on 23 September 1524, the Three Leagues, namely the Grey League, the Caddean League and the League of Ten Jurisdictions, united to form the Free State of the Three Leagues and affixed their seals to the League Charter. From this aggregation, the Canton of Graubünden was created over time. In addition to numerous activities for the people of Graubünden, the Government is celebrating this historic event with guests from Switzerland and abroad.

    On 23 September 1524, three leagues united, forming an independent state and laying the foundation for today’s Canton of Graubünden. This event is attested by the League Charter. This is a document bearing the seals of the Three Leagues and those of the Lord of Rhäzüns and the Abbot of Disentis. The Bishop of Chur joined later. The document is now kept in the State Archives of Graubünden. The most important provision is that no League may start a war without the consent of the others. The League Charter also guarantees mutual aid and assistance, the protection of roads and free trade. The central units of the Three Leagues are the jurisdictional municipalities, with their own jurisdiction. In the event of disputes, conciliation procedures are provided for. All this is agreed “forever”, without time limits.

    Graubünden had long been linked to the Confederation as an allied country. In 1799, the Free State was forcibly integrated into the Helvetic Republic, and since 10 March 1803, Graubünden has been part of Switzerland as a Canton. At that time, Switzerland was still a Confederation of States, which left extensive powers to the Cantons. However, an independent foreign policy was no longer possible.

    Government celebrates with guests In the anniversary year 2024, numerous events will allow you to see and experience the history of the Canton of Graubünden. In addition to projects and activities in all language regions, the Government of the Canton of Graubünden has invited the Federal Council, guests from neighboring countries and cantons, and numerous representatives of various institutions in Graubünden to Lantsch/Lenz for an anniversary event on Saturday, 21 September 2024.

    After the welcome speech by the Prime Minister Jon Domenic Parolini, Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider addressed the government and the guests. The guests were then introduced to the open-air theatre performance «1524» by Origen director Giovanni Netzer and were able to experience the first performance on the plateau in a spectacular setting. The event was rounded off with a sumptuous aperitif, created by the renowned chef Hansjörg Ladurner and served by hotel communication specialists in training at the EHL Passugg hotel school.

    Open-air theatre performance «1524»Origen’s open-air theatre performance tells the story of the foundation of the Free State at the beginning of the 16th century. The country and the lives of the people are exposed to the lust for power of individual «great lords». A narrator, inspired by the historical figure of Gian Travers, guides the audience through the performance and interprets the era. Like a diary, he recalls the events of his life, which take shape on stage. A large ensemble of amateurs and professionals moves across the stage. In the lively performance, the performers engage with the history of Graubünden and reflect on the future of the Free State and the future Canton.The stage, a refined wooden structure, stands within a gentle arena created by nature. A high, irregular framework of dancing triangles supports the open roof. The theatre opens onto the unspoiled landscape on all sides.

    Further information on the performance and advance tickets are available at www.origen.ch/theater. Performances from today until October 12, at 6:30 pm.

    Other activities for the JubileeThe numerous activities in all linguistic regions continue and can be consulted at https://500.gr.ch/it.

    The site also features a chronological representation of historical events: https://500.gr.ch/chronologie

    Attached images:

    The Government in corpore with the League Charter (Photo: Mattias Nutt)

    Link to photos of the jubilee event (©Mattias Nutt)

    Contact persons:

    Questions about the 500th anniversary celebrations:

    Prime Minister Dr. Jon Domenic Parolini, Director of the Department of Education, Culture and Environmental Protection, e-mailJondomenic.Parolini@ekud.gr.ch
    Daniel Camenisch, Project Manager 500 Years of the Three Leagues Free State, Tel. 41 78 659 63 60, e-mailcamenisch@vinavant.ch

    Questions about the open-air theatre performance «1524»:

    Dr. Giovanni Netzer, author and director of the open-air theatre performance, director of Origen, tel. 41 81 637 16 81, e-mailinfo@origen.ch; g.netzer@origen.ch

    Competent body: Department of Education, Culture and Environmental Protection

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Embracing life-long learning in forestry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A case study of Forestry Commission and Forestry England staff on the support they’ve received to develop their careers in forestry.

    Forestry is a highly rewarding career, as you, alongside other passionate people, are helping to look after something incredibly valuable. You can make a real difference to the environment, people’s enjoyment of the great outdoors, nature recovery and the green economy. The sector also offers a wide range of roles and encourages life-long learning.

    Meet those across forestry making a difference and learn about the support they’ve received to develop the crucial skills needed to perform at their best.

    Abi Davis, Recreation Ranger, Forestry England

    Abi Davis on her mountain bike at work, Crown copyright

    Abi started her career with the Forestry Commission in 2015 and over the years has taken on various roles including surveying, craftsperson and recreation support. Transitioning to a role in recreation introduced her to the exciting world of mountain biking, where she learnt alongside experienced colleagues.

    As part of her role, Abi underwent ‘Cycling at Work’ training (Levels 1 and 2) with British Cycling. Over the 2 days, she honed her skills and knowledge in bike maintenance as well as her mountain biking abilities and confidence both on and off the trails.

    Abi said,

    A highlight was the support from one of the coaches who got me riding down a rock garden – something I didn’t think I was capable of!

    Abi describes the training as invaluable. Inspecting cycle trails on her mountain bike allows her to experience them as visitors do. She can promptly identify issues with waymarking, vegetation management and trail flow. After stormy weather, she’s able to assess the trails quickly and safely for damage to enable faster reopening for visitors to enjoy.

    Abi added,

    Being a Recreation Ranger allows me to combine my love for the outdoors with my passion for helping others to enjoy nature, ensuring our forests are accessible and enjoyable for all.

    Seeing people enjoy our forests, especially through initiatives like our off-road mobility scooters – otherwise known as ‘trampers’, is incredibly fulfilling. These scooters provide access to those who might not otherwise be able to experience the forest, and hearing how it changes their lives is truly humbling.

    Tristan Haynes, Woodland Creation Officer, Forestry Commission

    Tristan on a site visit for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant, Crown copyright

    As a Woodland Creation Officer, Tristan provides expert advice on woodland design, site preparation and the grants available to landowners considering woodland creation.

    Tristan must keep abreast of the latest guidance and forestry best practice, which led him to complete a 2-day training programme on soils and woodland resilience. The course contributed to his continued professional development and in-depth understanding of forestry. Learning about these highly technical elements means Tristan can apply his specialist knowledge to improve the standard of woodland plans put forward for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG).  

    The training provided an understanding of how site soil analysis can improve the results of Forest Research’s Ecological Site Classification (ESC) tool. It also gave insight into how soil analysis can inform what ground preparation and site maintenance operations are necessary ahead of planting. Tristan feels more confident in helping applicants and agents with deciding the optimal tree species to plant, to ensure the longevity and success of their tree planting scheme.

    When asked what he loves most about working in forestry, Tristan said it was his involvement in the process of developing well-considered woodland creation plans and their future management.

    Tristan added,

    Woodlands contribute in so many ways to immediately improve social well-being, the wider environment and economy.

    He feels his role is contributing towards further developments to the forestry sector and long-term sustainability of the wider rural sector in England.

    Ordel Gillson, Compliance Manager, Forestry Commission

    Ordel at her desk, Crown copyright

    As Compliance Manager, Ordel provides advice to ensure that teams adhere to legal standards, regulatory requirements and internal policies. Her role includes risk monitoring, assurance of grant processes and collaborating with grant managers.

    Ordel is currently in her third year of a CMI Chartered Managers Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Cumbria.

    Her degree is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and covers all aspects of business operations with a focus on taking responsibility for people, projects, operations and/or services to deliver long-term organisational success. The course has helped her to manage projects more efficiently and to effectively lead her team to deliver on the Forestry Commission’s objectives for woodland creation and management.

    Ordel hasn’t always worked in forestry. Prior to her career change, she served in the Royal Navy for 23 years. This is her first degree, and she says that her line manager has been very supportive of her professional development, especially as over 20% of her working week goes towards her apprenticeship.

    Her favourite part of her job is the team ethos. It was a big change for her to leave behind her military career and because of the team collaboration and support, she still feels she has that sense of community and belonging.

    Ordel said,

    It makes you feel valued by the organisation because they’re investing in you to get this qualification and ultimately, it’s going to benefit the organisation as well.

    Katarzyna Bromek, Incentives Development Project Officer, Forestry Commission

    Forestry Commission staff learning about a harvester on the ‘Forestry in a Nutshell’ course, Crown copyright

    Katarzyna, otherwise known as Kasia, is an Incentives Development Project Officer who works within the Incentives Development Team. The team is responsible for supporting the operations team to develop and improve all aspects of the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).

    As part of Kasia’s training, she took part in ‘Forestry in a Nutshell’, a highly sought after 2-day course offered to non-operational forestry staff acting as a crash course on forestry operations in the field.

    Kasia gained valuable knowledge about different tree species and the direction that UK forestry is heading. She also learned a lot about the current forest operation policies and the ins and outs of the forester and woodland officer roles.   

    The course helped deepen her understanding of how the Forestry Commission operates and how her team contributes to the bigger picture. She says the course has inspired her to learn more about nature and the environment and is keen to take more forestry courses as a result.

    Kasia added,

    I love working for forestry and knowing that future generations will benefit from the woodland planting that I am involved in. It gives me a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. It is great to know that through my work I can contribute to addressing the climate emergency and create an environment which will be beneficial for wildlife and people.

    Discover more forestry careers resources and stories of those making a difference in forestry.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National Parks have vital role for climate and community

    Source: Scottish Greens

    23 Sep 2024 Nature

    Scotland’s National Parks are special places.

    More in Nature

    Scotland’s National Parks are playing a vital role for our environment and nature, and for local communities, says Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater MSP.

    Ms Slater’s comments follow the publication of a groundbreaking new report by Scottish Environment Link, which has found that, as well as having vast benefits for nature, Scotland’s two existing National Parks regularly generate hundreds of millions of pounds a year for the economy.

    At present the Scottish Government is considering whether a third National Park should be created in Galloway.

    The pledge to create at least one new National Park in Scotland by 2026 was a key commitment of the Bute House Agreement that saw Scottish Greens entering government for the first time. 

    As the former Minister for Biodiversity, Ms Slater led on the project and oversaw a lot of the process that has led to the designation.

    Ms Slater said: “Scotland’s National Parks are really special and beautiful places, and are rightly celebrated around the world. When the Scottish Greens were in government we pushed hard for a third one to be created. 

    “I have no doubt that if it is given National Park status, Galloway will be just as renowned and iconic as the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. The status will also lead to greater investment in the local economy while creating high quality jobs, especially for local young people.

    “Our National Parks are jewels in our nation’s crown and have been the backdrop to millions of wonderful memories. They are having a transformative impact for local nature and communities, and they are responsible for a lot of vital investment, protections and opportunities.

    “If we are to build a greener future for Scotland then our National Park network has a key role to play. I welcome this report and hope we will see even more National Parks across Scotland in the years ahead.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry achieves 100 days target with the launch of Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services for inducing behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Ministry achieves 100 days target with the launch of Ideas4LiFE portal for inviting ideas related to products and services for inducing behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles

    Ministry’s #Ideas4LiFE Initiative Gains Momentum with 46.5 million Impressions, 13.5 million Reach, and Over 1000 Ideas Submitted on Portal

    Ideas4LiFE Ideathon Covers Seven Key Themes Aligned with Mission LiFE: Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Waste Reduction, and More

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 2:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, launched the Ideas4LiFE portal on 29th July 2024 at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi for inviting innovative ideas related to products and services, which induce behavioral changes related to environment-friendly lifestyles.

    The portal ‘Ideas4Life.nic.in’, created in partnership with UNICEF YuWaah, will allow participants to submit their ideas and innovations online. The winning ideas under each of the seven themes of Mission LiFE will be recognized and awarded with attractive prizes for individuals as well as for institutions.

    Further, an event aiming to inspire innovative environmental solutions, at IIT Bombay, was organised on 31st Aug’24 in collaboration with the State Environment Department, Government of Maharashtra. Therein Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the extension of deadline for idea submission in Ideas4LiFE from 15th September to 15th October 2024.

    Partnerships with key educational bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to strengthen the initiative’s presence in academic institutions, encouraging students, faculty, and researchers nationwide to contribute innovative ideas toward sustainable living has been made.

    The UGC, AICTE, IITs, and various educational institutions nationwide will play a key role in promoting the Ideas4LiFE Ideathon among students, researchers, and the academic community. They are encouraged to contribute innovative, citizen-focused ideas and technologies that promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. The Ideathon encompasses seven themes aligned with the Mission LiFE: Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Waste Reduction, E-Waste Management, Minimizing Single-Use Plastics, Embracing Sustainable Food Practices, and Fostering Healthy Lifestyles.

    The Ministry is also propagating the ideas4LiFE initiative through social media outreach on #Ideas4LiFE.  As on date appx 3300 registrations and 1000 ideas have been received at the Ideas4LiFE portal. Social Media Outreach of the #Ideas4LiFE shows that there are 46.5 million impressions and 13.5 million reach.

    It is planned to further amplify the reach of campaign by having meetings with UGC/AICTE/ Department of Education/ State Governments etc. After the culmination of the challenge, innovative ideas will be evaluated by a jury to announce shortlisted and winning ideas. These ideas will not only be recognized with attractive prizes but will also be part of a national repository of innovations. These can be nurtured, scaled, and implemented by various stakeholders, including government bodies and private entities.

    *****

    NB/GS

    (Release ID: 2057810) Visitor Counter : 84

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Sh. Bhupender Yadav Congratulates 128 Bn Ecological Task Force of Territorial Army for Setting World Record by Planting Over 5 Lakh Saplings in One Hour

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Sh. Bhupender Yadav Congratulates 128 Bn Ecological Task Force of Territorial Army for Setting World Record by Planting Over 5 Lakh Saplings in One Hour

    Plantation Drive Held under Prime Minister’s ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ Campaign and TA’s ‘Bhagidari & Zimmedari’ Program

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 11:24AM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sh. Bhupender Yadav congratulated 128 Infantry Battalion and Ecological Task Force of Territorial Army (one of the 6 units of MoEF&CC) for registering a World Record of planting over 5 lakh saplings in one hour on 22.09.2024.

    Union Minister Sh. Yadav also congratulated multiple stakeholders including the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, District Administration of Jaisalmer, Police and Border Wing Home Guards. Sankalp Taru NGO, and students from various educational institutions. The post on X by Sh. Yadav read as: –

    128 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological Task Force of Rajputana Rifles planted over 5,19,130 saplings on 22.09.2024 from 1100hrs to 1200hrs under “Special Plantation Drive” at Jaisalmer under the Prime Minister’s campaign “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” and the TA’s outreach program “Bhagidari & Zimmedari,” aimed to enhance ecological restoration and promote environmental awareness among the local communities.

    The event witnessed active participation from multiple stakeholders, including the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, District Administration of Jaisalmer, Police and Border Wing Home Guards. Sankalp Taru NGO, and students from various educational institutions. The plantation drive was held simultaneously at seven different locations across Jaisalmer, demonstrating a united effort towards community development and environmental conservation.

    Under the banner of “Protect Trees” and the motto “Those who protect the trees are protected,” the Territorial Army unit achieved several world records, provisionally recognized by the World Book of Records, London. These include the most saplings planted by a team in one hour, the most saplings planted by a team of women in one hour, and the largest number of people planting saplings simultaneously at a single venue.

    The Accreditation Agency i.e. World Book of Records were present in the field and verified the plantation done and certified the achievement.  Ecological Task Force also received the provisional award from the World Book of Records after the plantation.

    *****

    NB/GS

    (Release ID: 2057728) Visitor Counter : 97

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Celebrating a Century of Love: Old Marylebone Town Hall marks 100 Years with 100 Weddings | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    We are just days away from celebrating the 100th anniversary of Old Marylebone Town Hall, an iconic venue renowned for hosting weddings of legendary figures like Ringo Starr, Sir Paul McCartney, and Liam Gallagher.

    In honour of this milestone, 100 lucky couples will soon tie the knot, enter into civil partnerships, or renew their vows at this historic location for just £100—a fraction of the usual cost. Each couple can bring up to 8 guests and even 2 pets to share their special day.

    The team at Old Marylebone Town Hall has been working tirelessly to prepare for this momentous occasion. On the 1st October 2024, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM, the venue will host a diverse range of couples, celebrating love in all its forms on one of the most important days of their lives.

    Pop star Cilla Black and her personal manager Bobby Willis after their wedding at Marylebone Town Hall 25 January 1969

    Many of the couples share a deep connection to Westminster—whether through living, working, or studying in the area. Many even began their relationships in Westminster.

    For others, the venue holds special significance, with parents who were married or children registered at Old Marylebone Town Hall, making it the perfect place to celebrate their own love stories. Many couples have expressed their excitement about being part of such a historic event, adding a unique layer of meaning to their special day.

    Here are some of the reasons behind why the couples chose to get married on this special day:

    I used to work around Marylebone and walk past the town hall every week. Watching the couples walk down the iconic stairs and enjoying their happiest day, I said to myself that one day I’d like to get married there too. And I can’t believe that it’s going to happen soon, I’m so excited! It’s a dream come true.”

    It sounds so fun and way more ‘us’ than a big wedding. I love that we won’t be the centre of attention and that 99 other couples will be celebrating the same day. And also save a fortune. We have hired an afternoon tea bus for after but the money we have saved is all going on a bucket list honeymoon to Mauritius!”

    Marylebone Town Hall has always been one of my favourite venues and we were contemplating about where to get married, having been engaged for a year or so. On October 24th last year, I was on my commute home reading the Evening Standard, and I saw the article about the centenary. I always associate the Old Town Hall with the Beatles and the 60s, and the photos caught my eye. Both my fiancé and I will be 64 when we get married so it seemed a perfect match. ‘When I’m 64’ won’t be our music choice, but it very nearly was!”

    Councillor Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture says:

     We are thrilled to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Old Marylebone Town Hall, a venue that holds historical and cultural significance for Westminster. This milestone is not just a reflection of the building’s rich past, but also a celebration of the diverse couples who will be creating new memories here.

    I am excited to see so many people with personal ties to Westminster come together to mark this occasion. We look forward to continuing the tradition of love at this iconic venue for many more years to come.”

     Notes:

    • Media access is limited, and space for coverage is restricted.
    • Please complete this form, and we will follow up to confirm if we can accommodate your request. Only accredited media will be allowed on-site on the day.
    • For further media inquiries, please contact [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Condolences for snowfall victim

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister, Narend Singh, has expressed sadness at the loss of life that resulted from freezing temperatures and snowfall that covered parts of the country.

    Snowfall brought everyday life to a halt in parts of the country and at least one death over the weekend.

    “We are saddened by the loss of life; one death is one too many. Our hearts go out to the deceased’s loved ones and all the members of the public that remain trapped in the snow covering parts of the country, especially the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands,” Singh said.

    Expressing sadness at the loss of life and the plight of travellers who were stranded along the N3, R74, and the R617 national and regional roads, among others, Singh said it was critical for the public to consult weather forecasts and warnings ahead of outdoor activity, such as travelling, to stay out of harm’s way.

    “It is of paramount importance for the public to normalise checking the weather forecast as they go about planning any outdoor activities including travel and mass events. Such information is disseminated several times each day on traditional and new media platforms to avoid the very dire situation we sadly find ourselves in,” the Deputy Minister said.

    Heavy snowfall occurred over the western and southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern Free State, among other areas, endangering lives. The adverse weather led to difficult driving conditions.

    At least one person has been reported dead due to exposure of extremely cold conditions.

    READ | Roads reopened to traffic after snowfall

    On Wednesday, the South African Weather Service (SAWS), an entity of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, issued a media release alerting the public about expected disruptive snow of 15 to 30cm over parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and Mpumalanga between Friday, 20 September and Saturday, 21 September 2024.

    The SAWS said at the time that the snowfall was likely to result in the closure of mountain passes, loss of livestock and crops, and affect major traffic routes including parts of the N3, N5 and N11.

    The entity added that cold to very cold daytime temperatures of between 8 to 12°C could also be expected over Gauteng and the eastern parts of the North West on Saturday, 21 September. The media release was followed by several severe weather warnings.

    Singh said the global Early Warning for All (EW4All) agenda, in terms of which countries of the world are called upon to put measures in place to ensure that everyone on earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through lifesaving Early Warning Systems by the end of 2027, will only bear fruit if the public heeds the warnings of authorities such as the SAWS.

    “The public is advised to follow weather reports on radio and television. More weather information can be accessed through the SAWS website www.weathersa.co.za, its WeatherSMART APP and social media platforms,” Singh said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: KZN emergency services ready to assist residents 

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has instructed relevant departments and emergency services to prioritise clearing affected routes and assisting stranded road users amid the adverse weather conditions in the province.

    Addressing the media on the provincial government’s interventions in response to the current severe weather conditions impacting the province, Acting Premier Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, said the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) has decided that immediate interventions must be focused on the routes most affected by the heavy snowfall.

    “This decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of motorists and facilitating the swift restoration of normal travel conditions in these areas,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said on Sunday.

    Madlopha-Mthethwa highlighted that the provincial government responded swiftly to the ongoing heavy snowfall affecting various parts of the province, and in coordination with all relevant stakeholders, emergency response measures have been activated to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and motorists.

    As part of the provincial government’s response, officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) have been activated to assist motorists navigating treacherous roads.

    “The Road Traffic Inspectorate and Provincial Emergency Services have been deployed to assist motorists stranded on roads impacted by the snowfall. These teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe passage and provide assistance where necessary.

    “The Municipal Parks Department is on standby to remove tree debris from affected roads and areas. Furthermore, we are collaborating with non-governmental organisations such as the Red Cross and the Al Imdaad Foundation, who are providing food, water, and hot meals to stranded motorists.”

    Provincial agencies, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development, are actively profiling affected families and offering immediate relief.

    “Social workers have also been deployed to offer psycho-social support, social welfare services, and child protection services to those in need. Eskom and municipal electrical departments are on the ground, working to restore power where outages have occurred.

    “Additionally, SAPS [South African Police Service] and SANDF [South African National Defence Force] are on standby with helicopters to assist in delivering hot meals and evacuating individuals in severely impacted areas.
    “Line function departments such as Health, Education, Agriculture, EDTEA [Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs], Transport, and Human Settlements have activated their contingency plans to ensure that the needs of affected communities are met swiftly and efficiently,” Madlopha-Mthethwa explained.

    The provincial government has also called on all citizens to exercise caution considering the heavy snowfall and rain currently affecting the province.

    Madlopha-Mthethwa urged residents to remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and avoid unnecessary travel to ensure their safety during these challenging weather conditions.

    “The provincial government remains committed to mitigating the impact of the storm and providing continuous support to affected communities. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said.

    READ | Government prioritises providing shelter for stranded motorists in anticipation of more snow

    Roads reopened

    Meanwhile, following the deployment of more graders, most routes affected by snow were reopened on Sunday evening.

    These include the N11 Ladysmith to Newcastle; N11 Amajuba Pass; R33 Vryheid to Dundee, water damping on the road at Cotswold; R34 Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid; R33 Vryheid to Paulpietersburg; R34 Vryheid to Melmoth; R69 Vryheid to Pongola; and N2 Richards Bay to Piet Retief.

    The R34 Newcastle to Memel is closed.

    Motorists have been requested to cancel any unnecessary travel.

    READ | Tips for safer driving on icy roads

    The provincial government extended its appreciation to the private sector and many other non-governmental organisations that are taking part in the important rescue operation.

    “As [the] provincial government we wish to extend deepest condolences to the family of the victims who tragically lost their lives due to hypothermia during the recent snowstorm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this incredibly difficult time.

    “The provincial government stands ready to offer support to the affected family, and we continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of all citizens amid these extreme weather conditions,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.22.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 22, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:
     

    • AB 262 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Children’s camps: safety and regulation.
    • AB 460 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – State Water Resources Control Board: water rights and usage: civil penalties.
    • AB 672 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Civil Rights Department: community assistance.
    • AB 761 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Local finance: enhanced infrastructure financing districts.
    • AB 938 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) – Education finance: classified and certificated staff salaries.
    • AB 1005 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – In-home supportive services: terminal illness diagnosis.
    • AB 1038 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Surplus residential property: City of Pasadena: City of South Pasadena.
    • AB 1042 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Pesticide treated seed: labeling.
    • AB 1142 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: costs for using facilities or grounds.
    • AB 1246 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – Public employees’ retirement: Public Employees’ Retirement System optional settlements.
    • AB 1472 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – City of Imperial Beach: recreational vehicle parks: registration requirements.
    • AB 1511 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – State government: diverse, ethnic, and community media.
    • AB 1533 by the Committee on Utilities and Energy – Electricity.
    • AB 1768 by the Committee on Governmental Organization – Horse racing.
    • AB 1784 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Primary elections: candidate withdrawals.
    • AB 1808 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – Childcare and development services: eligibility.
    • AB 1819 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Enhanced infrastructure financing districts: public capital facilities: wildfires.
    • AB 1820 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Housing development projects: applications: fees and exactions.
    • AB 1827 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Local government: fees and charges: water: higher consumptive water parcels.
    • AB 1828 by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) – Personal income taxes: voluntary contributions: Endangered and Rare Fish, Wildlife, and Plant Species Conservation and Enhancement Account: Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund: covered grants.
    • AB 1862 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Engineering, land surveying, and architecture: limited liability partnerships.
    • AB 1891 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Community colleges: allied health programs.
    • AB 1892 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Interception of electronic communications.
    • AB 1901 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Vehicles: total loss claim: salvage certificate or nonrepairable vehicle certificate.
    • AB 1937 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – State parks: Pedro Point.
    • AB 1946 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races: Whitney Stakes.
    • AB 1962 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Crimes: disorderly conduct.
    • AB 1984 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Pupil discipline: transfer reporting.
    • AB 1991 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Licensee and registrant renewal: National Provider Identifier.
    • AB 2015 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Nursing schools and programs: faculty members, directors, and assistant directors.
    • AB 2021 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Crimes: selling or furnishing tobacco or related products and paraphernalia to underage persons.
    • AB 2041 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign funds: security expenses.
    • AB 2046 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Educational programs: single gender schools and classes.
    • AB 2072 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Group health care coverage: biomedical industry.
    • AB 2073 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Physical education courses: alternate term schedules.
    • AB 2081 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Substance abuse: recovery and treatment programs.
    • AB 2091 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: public access: nonmotorized recreation.
    • AB 2127 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Voter registration: California New Motor Voter Program.
    • AB 2130 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – Parking violations.
    • AB 2131 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Certified nurse assistant training programs.
    • AB 2134 by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) – School employees: transfer of leave of absence for illness or injury.
    • AB 2137 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – Homeless and foster youth.
    • AB 2159 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Common interest developments: association governance: elections.
    • AB 2166 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Barbering and cosmetology: hair types and textures.
    • AB 2176 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Juvenile court schools: chronic absenteeism rates.
    • AB 2198 by Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Modesto) – Health information.
    • AB 2247 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Mobilehome Parks Act: enforcement: notice of violations: Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) Program: annual fee.
    • AB 2276 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Forestry: timber harvesting plans: exemptions.
    • AB 2302 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Open meetings: local agencies: teleconferences.
    • AB 2324 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Avocados: sale or donation by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
    • AB 2327 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Optometry: mobile optometric offices.
    • AB 2337 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) – Workers’ compensation: electronic signatures.
    • AB 2359 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Alcoholic beverage control: neighborhood-restricted special on-sale general licenses.
    • AB 2364 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-Sylmar) – Property service worker protection.
    • AB 2373 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Mobilehomes: tenancies.
    • AB 2387 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Mobilehome parks: additional lots: exemption from additional fees or charges.
    • AB 2399 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Mobilehome park residences: rental agreements: Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Program.
    • AB 2434 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Health care coverage: multiple employer welfare arrangements.
    • AB 2453 by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) – Weights and measures: electric vehicle supply equipment.
    • AB 2457 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Sacramento Municipal Utility District: nonstock security.
    • AB 2460 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Common interest developments: association governance: member election.
    • AB 2469 by the Committee on Emergency Management – Emergency Management Assistance Compact: California Wildfire Mitigation Financial Assistance Program.
    • AB 2496 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Foster family agencies and noncustodial adoption agencies.
    • AB 2500 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Student financial aid: application deadlines: postponement.
    • AB 2511 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Beverage container recycling: market development payments.
    • AB 2522 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Air districts: governing boards: compensation.
    • AB 2543 by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) – Small Business Procurement and Contract Act: eligibility.
    • AB 2546 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Law enforcement and state agencies: military equipment: funding, acquisition, and use.
    • AB 2561 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) – Local public employees: vacant positions.
    • AB 2574 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment programs and facilities: disclosures.
    • AB 2599 by the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials – Water: public beaches: discontinuation of residential water service.
    • AB 2664 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Foster youth.
    • AB 2666 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Public utilities: rate of return.
    • AB 2678 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Vehicles: high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
    • AB 2712 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – Preferential parking privileges: transit-oriented development.
    • AB 2817 by Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) – State highways: Route 1: relinquishment.
    • AB 2830 by Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) – Foster care: relative placement: approval process.
    • AB 2834 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Public postsecondary education: part-time faculty.
    • AB 2887 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – School safety plans: medical emergency procedures.
    • AB 2898 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Unbundled parking: exemptions: Housing Choice Vouchers.
    • AB 2902 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Solid waste: reduction and recycling.
    • AB 2931 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Community colleges: classified employees: merit system: part-time student-tutors.
    • AB 2939 by Assemblymember Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) – Parks: counties and cities: interpretive services.
    • AB 2951 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – Voter registration: cancellation.
    • AB 2971 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup: community college districts.
    • AB 2991 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – Alcoholic beverage control: retailer payments: electronic funds transfers.
    • AB 3025 by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim) – County employees’ retirement: disallowed compensation: benefit adjustments.
    • AB 3042 by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove) – County penalties.
    • AB 3069 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) – Tied-house restrictions: advertising exceptions: City of Oceanside.
    • AB 3087 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development Program.
    • AB 3100 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Assumption of mortgage loans: dissolution of marriage.
    • AB 3116 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – Housing development: density bonuses: student housing developments.
    • AB 3119 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Physicians and surgeons, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants: continuing medical education: infection-associated chronic conditions.
    • AB 3131 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – Strong Workforce Program: applicants receiving equity multiplier funding.
    • AB 3158 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Community colleges: West Valley-Mission Community College District.
    • AB 3177 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Mitigation Fee Act: land dedications: mitigating vehicular traffic impacts.
    • AB 3184 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) – Elections: signature verification statements, unsigned ballot identification statements, and reports of ballot rejections.
    • AB 3234 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – Employers: social compliance audit.
    • AB 3261 by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra) – Horse racing: out-of-state thoroughbred races.
    • AB 3290 by the Committee on Higher Education – Public postsecondary education.
    • AB 3291 by the Committee on Human Services – Developmental services.
    • SB 98 by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) – Education finance: local control funding formula: enrollment-based funding report.
    • SB 382 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Single-family residential property: disclosures.
    • SB 577 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Insurance.
    • SB 689 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Local coastal program: bicycle lane: amendment.
    • SB 708 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – Vehicles: off-highway motor vehicles: off-highway motorcycles: sanctioned event permit.
    • SB 778 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Excavations: subsurface installations.
    • SB 819 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Medi-Cal: certification.
    • SB 863 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Measures proposed by the Legislature.
    • SB 977 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – County of San Luis Obispo Redistricting Commission.
    • SB 978 by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) – State government: budget: state publications: format.
    • SB 1046 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Organic waste reduction: program environmental impact report: small and medium compostable material handling facilities or operations.
    • SB 1053 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Solid waste: recycled paper bags: standards: carryout bag prohibition.
    • SB 1077 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Coastal resources: local coastal program: amendments: accessory and junior accessory dwelling units.
    • SB 1106 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – The Kasem-Nichols-Rooney Law.
    • SB 1117 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Organic products.
    • SB 1130 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Electricity: Family Electric Rate Assistance program.
    • SB 1156 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Groundwater sustainability agencies: conflicts of interest: financial interest disclosures.
    • SB 1158 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program.
    • SB 1193 by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley/Burbank) – Airports: leaded aviation gasoline.
    • SB 1225 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – Real estate appraisers: disciplinary information: petitions.
    • SB 1230 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Strengthen Tobacco Oversight Programs (STOP) and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act.
    • SB 1248 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Pupil health: extreme weather conditions: physical activity.
    • SB 1251 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Mosquito abatement inspections.
    • SB 1254 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – CalFresh: enrollment of incarcerated individuals.
    • SB 1280 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – Waste management: propane cylinders: reusable or refillable.
    • SB 1304 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Underground injection control: aquifer exemption.
    • SB 1315 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – School accountability: local educational agencies: annual reporting requirements.
    • SB 1321 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Employment Training Panel: employment training program: projects and proposals.
    • SB 1324 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – California Ocean Science Trust: agreements.
    • SB 1329 by the Committee on Education – Elementary and secondary education: omnibus.
    • SB 1333 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Communicable diseases: HIV reporting.
    • SB 1336 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – Department of General Services: state property: Metropolitan State Hospital.
    • SB 1367 by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) – Agriculture: commercial feed: inspection tonnage tax: research and education.
    • SB 1399 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Transfer of real property: transfer fees.
    • SB 1410 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Pupil instruction: curriculum frameworks: mathematics: algebra. A signing message can be found here.
    • SB 1429 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Education finance: emergencies: snowstorms.
    • SB 1440 by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) – School operations: 4-day school week.
    • SB 1441 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Examination of petitions: time limitations and reimbursement of costs.
    • SB 1450 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Elections.
    • SB 1451 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Professions and vocations.
    • SB 1452 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Architecture and landscape architecture.
    • SB 1453 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Dentistry.
    • SB 1454 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Bureau of Security and Investigative Services: sunset.
    • SB 1455 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Contractors: licensing.
    • SB 1456 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – State Athletic Commission Act.
    • SB 1465 by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) – State building standards.
    • SB 1468 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Healing arts boards: informational and educational materials for prescribers of narcotics: federal “Three Day Rule.”
    • SB 1476 by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) – Political Reform Act of 1974: State Bar of California.
    • SB 1491 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Postsecondary education: Equity in Higher Education Act.
    • SB 1500 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Housing: federal waiver: income eligibility.
    • SB 1511 by the Committee on Health – Health omnibus.
    • SB 1512 by the Committee on Housing – Housing omnibus.
    • SB 1514 by the Committee on Local Government – Local Government Omnibus Act of 2024.
    • SB 1518 by the Committee on Public Safety – Public safety omnibus.
    • SB 1523 by the Committee on Governmental Organization – Gambling: lotteries.
    • SB 1526 by the Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development – Consumer affairs.
    • SB 1527 by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation – Property taxation: exemption: low-value properties and tribal housing.
    • SB 1528 by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation – California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

    The Governor also announced that he has vetoed the following bills:
     

    • AB 544 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) – Voting pilot program: county jails. A veto message can be found here. 
    • AB 832 by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) – California Transportation Commission: membership. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 884 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Elections: language accessibility. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1738 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) – Mobile Homeless Connect Pilot Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1817 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) – Homeless youth. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1834 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) – Resource adequacy: Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1918 by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) – Solar-ready and photovoltaic and battery storage system requirements: exemption. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1919 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Pupil discipline: suspension: restorative justice practices. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1947 by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-Sylmar) – California state preschool programs: contracting agencies: staff training days. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1977 by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster) – Health care coverage: behavioral diagnoses. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 1992 by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) – Carbon sequestration: blue carbon and teal carbon demonstration projects. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2022 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Mobilehome parks: emergency preparedness. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2038 by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) – State parks: outdoor equity programs. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2088 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) – K–14 classified employees: part-time or full-time vacancies: public postings. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2093 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – Community colleges: California College Promise: fee waiver eligibility. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2103 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) – Department of Parks and Recreation: Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks: real property acquisition. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2120 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Trespass. A veto message can be found here. 
    • AB 2214 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Ocean Protection Council: microplastics. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2250 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Social determinants of health: screening and outreach. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2263 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) – The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2271 by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) – St. Rose Hospital. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2277 by Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Palm Springs) – Community colleges: part-time faculty. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2330 by Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) – Endangered species: incidental take: wildfire preparedness activities. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2401 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Clean Cars 4 All Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2448 by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) – Electric Vehicle Economic Opportunity Zone: County of Riverside. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2537 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Energy: Voluntary Offshore Wind and Coastal Resources Protection Program: community capacity funding activities and grants. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2538 by Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord) – Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: seasonal firefighters. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2586 by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) – Public postsecondary education: student employment. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2637 by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) – Health Facilities Financing Authority Act. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2677 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Sureties: liability. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2681 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) – Weapons: robotic devices. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 2910 by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) – State Housing Law: City of Los Angeles: conversion of nonresidential buildings. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3023 by Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) – Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: interagency funding strategy: multiple benefit projects: grant program guidelines. A veto message can be found here.
    • AB 3034 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) – Public postsecondary education: waiver of tuition and fees: California Conservation Corps. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 571 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – Fire safety: ingress and egress route recommendations: report. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 936 by Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) – Department of Transportation: study: state highway system: road safety projects. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 983 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Silicon Valley) – Energy: gasoline stations and alternative fuel infrastructure. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1108 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Mobilehome parks: notice of violations. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1118 by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) – Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1133 by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Bail. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1170 by Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley/Burbank) – Political Reform Act of 1974: campaign funds. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1182 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) – Master Plan for Healthy, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Schools. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1220 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Public benefits contracts: phone operator jobs. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1292 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – Electricity: fixed charges: report. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1369 by Senator Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara) – Dental providers: fee-based payments. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1375 by Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) – Workforce development: records: poverty-reducing labor standards: funds, programs, reporting, and analyses. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1383 by Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) – California Advanced Services Fund: Broadband Public Housing Account. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1411 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Instructional Quality Commission: curriculum framework and evaluation criteria committee: higher education faculty representation. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1412 by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) – Instructional Quality Commission: qualifications: prohibited communications. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1419 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Food Desert Elimination Grant Program. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1423 by Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) – Medi-Cal: Rural Hospital Technical Advisory Group. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1443 by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) – California Interagency Council on Homelessness. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1471 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Pupil instruction: quiet reflection. A veto message can be found here.
    • SB 1509 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Negligent Operator Treatment (NOT) in California Act. A veto message can be found here. 

    For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

    Recent news

    Sep 21, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to provide more safety, care, and accountability for services that help older adults and their families thrive, as more Californians live longer lives. This action further advances California’s…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Moving to protect the health and well-being of youth on digital platforms, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed SB 976 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), which prohibits online platforms from knowingly providing an addictive feed to a minor without…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Katherine “Katie” Butler, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Butler has served as Deputy Director of the Hazardous…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 9.20.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 20, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Katherine “Katie” Butler, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Butler has served as Deputy Director of the Hazardous Waste Management Program at the Department of Toxic Substances Control since 2023. She served as Senior Health Deputy in the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn from 2021 to 2023. She was a Program Supervisor at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from 2015 to 2021. Butler was a Senior Health Scientist at McDaniel Lambert Inc. from 2008 to 2014. Butler earned a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental Epidemiology from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Notre Dame. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $211,239. Butler is registered without party preference.

    Myriam Bouaziz, of Fairfield, has been appointed Director of the Office of Tax Appeals, where she has served as Chief Deputy Director since 2020 and was Deputy Director of Legislation from 2018 to 2020. Bouaziz was a Consultant in the Office of California State Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León from 2017 to 2018. She was a Consultant for the California State Senate from 2014 to 2017 and Senior Legislative Assistant in the Office of California State Assemblymember Roger Dickinson from 2011 to 2014. Bouaziz was Access Specialist at the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability from 2009 to 2011. She was a Case Manager at the Marin Child Care Council from 2007 to 2008. Bouaziz earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $226,092. Bouaziz is a Democrat.

    Holly Holtzen, of Santa Rosa, has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. Holtzen has been Interim Program Manager, Financial Resiliency at AARP since 2024. She was State Director of AARP from 2019 to 2024. Holtzen held several positions at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency from 2009 to 2019, including Acting Executive Director from 2018 to 2019, Chief Operating Officer from 2017 to 2019, Director of Research and Strategic Planning from 2012 to 2017 and Strategic Research Coordinator from 2009 to 2012. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services Research from Old Dominion University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,512. Holtzen is registered without party preference. 

    Samantha Arthur, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Water at the California Natural Resources Agency. Arthur has been Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2023. She held several positions at Audubon California from 2014 to 2023, including Working Lands Program Director from 2019 to 2023, Conservation Project Director from 2016 to 2019 and Conservation Project Manager from 2014 to 2016. Arthur was a Land Protection Specialist with Big Sur Land Trust from 2010 to 2012. She was a member of the California Water Commission from 2020 to 2023. Arthur earned a Master of Environmental Science and Management degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Whitman College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $181,596. Arthur is a Democrat.

    Todd Ratshin, of Elk Grove, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Enforcement at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Ratshin has been Chief Board Counsel at the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board since 2017 and was Senior Board Counsel there from 2016 to 2017. Ratshin was a Labor Relations Counsel at the California Department of Human Resources from 2015 to 2016. He was an Associate at Littler Mendelson P.C. from 2011 to 2015. Ratshin was a Labor Relations Counsel at the California Department of Personnel Administration from 2008 to 201l. He was an Associate at the Zumbrunn Law Firm from 2006 to 2008. Ratshin earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Oregon. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $206,700. Ratshin is registered without party preference. 

    Karen Greene Ross, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Commission on State Mandates. Greene Ross was Chief of Staff to California State Controller Betty T. Yee from 2015 to 2022. She was Assistant Chief Counsel at the California High-Speed Rail Authority from 2012 to 2014, where she was Deputy Director of Legislation from 2011 to 2012. Greene Ross served as a Deputy Controller at the State Controller’s Office from 2005 to 2007. She was Deputy Secretary for Legislation at the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency from 2001 to 2003. Greene Ross was Principal Legislative Policy Consultant in the Office of State Senator Adam Schiff from 1999 to 2000 and Principal Policy Consultant in the Office of Assembly Speaker Emeritus Cruz Bustamante in 1998. She was a Committee Consultant in the California State Assembly from 1994 to 1997. Greene Ross earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Florida. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Greene Ross is a Democrat.

    Recent news

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: The first hearings of the special session highlighted the incentives that the oil industry has in letting gas prices spike – and that they have no interest in fixing it any time soon. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly hosted its first hearings of…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s streamlining law reduces delays caused by CEQA litigation. Under that law, an appellate court swiftly rejected a CEQA lawsuit against the Sites Reservoir project – in less than 270 days since it was filed.  SACRAMENTO –…

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: A new report shows California greenhouse gas emissions declined across most sectors in 2022 – and declined a whopping 20% since 2000. The decrease in emissions took place even as the state’s economic dominance continued. SACRAMENTO…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sites Reservoir project clears legal hurdle thanks to streamlining law

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 20, 2024

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s streamlining law reduces delays caused by CEQA litigation. Under that law, an appellate court swiftly rejected a CEQA lawsuit against the Sites Reservoir project – in less than 270 days since it was filed. 

    SACRAMENTO – The Sites Reservoir project just cleared another major hurdle after Governor Gavin Newsom had streamlined the project late last year, defeating a CEQA legal challenge. Today’s appellate court ruling builds on a similar victory in the trial court. The Sites Reservoir will store enough water to support 3 million households’ yearly usage.

    Governor Newsom’s infrastructure streamlining law requires that courts must decide CEQA challenges within 270 days to the extent feasible. Today’s decision by the Third District Court of Appeal occurred within 256 days. It upholds a trial court decision that was issued on June 4, 2024 – just 108 days ago.

    “We can’t waste anymore time with frivolous lawsuits to hold up major infrastructure projects, especially building more water storage. The Sites Reservoir project will capture more rain and snow to supply millions of homes with clean drinking water. This is exactly why we needed this streamlining law.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The Sites Reservoir will capture water during wet seasons and store it for use during drier seasons – holding up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, enough for 3 million households’ yearly usage. It has received a total of $46.75 million in early funding from the state. In all, Sites is eligible for $875.4 million of Proposition 1 funding. Total project cost is estimated at $4 billion. More information about the project can be found at build.ca.gov. 

    How it works

    • SB 149 allows the Governor to certify qualifying infrastructure projects for judicial streamlining under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
    • Courts must decide CEQA challenges to certified projects within 270 days to the extent feasible – saving months or even years of litigation delays after a project has already passed environmental review, while still allowing legal challenges to be heard.

    Why it’s important

    • The project will help California maintain a resilient water supply in the face of climate change, weather extremes, and water scarcity.
    • Sites Reservoir is critical to California’s ​​Water Supply Strategy and meeting our goal of expanding above and below ground water storage capacity by 4 million acre feet.

    How we got here

    • Governor Newsom signed into law a package of bills to accelerate critical infrastructure projects across California that will help build our 100% clean electric grid, ensure safe drinking water and boost the state’s water supply, and modernize our transportation system.
    • By streamlining permitting, cutting red tape, and allowing state agencies to use new project delivery methods, these new laws will maximize taxpayer dollars and accelerate timelines of projects throughout the state, while ensuring appropriate environmental review and community engagement.
    • The package will take full advantage of an unprecedented $180 billion in state, local, and federal infrastructure funds over the next ten years while creating an estimated 400,000 good-paying jobs.

    Recent news

    Sep 20, 2024

    News What you need to know: A new report shows California greenhouse gas emissions declined across most sectors in 2022 – and declined a whopping 20% since 2000. The decrease in emissions took place even as the state’s economic dominance continued. SACRAMENTO…

    Sep 19, 2024

    News What you need to know: New measures will combat the misuse of digitally manipulated content, including deepfakes and sexually explicit images.  SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed three significant pieces of legislation designed to address the ethical…

    Sep 19, 2024

    News More housing. More accountability. More transparency. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Governor Newsom signed into law a comprehensive bipartisan housing package to build on California’s long-term strategy to help address homelessness and housing scarcity. The Governor…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RIDOH and DEM Recommend Avoiding Contact with Keech Pond in Glocester

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Keech Pond in Glocester due to a blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) bloom in the pond. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can harm humans and animals. Toxins and/or high cell counts have been detected by the RIDOH State Health Laboratory from water samples collected by the DEM.

    Use caution in all areas of Keech Pond. Cyanobacteria can sink or float to control their location in the water column. Other factors such as, wind, rain and wakes from recreational activities can affect the location of a bloom. All recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking, should be avoided. People should not ingest water or eat fish from the ponds. Pets can also be affected by exposure to the algal toxins and thus owners should not allow pets to drink or swim in the water. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

    Skin contact with water containing blue-green algae commonly causes irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and/or throat. Common health effects associated with ingesting water containing algal toxins include stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Rarer health effects include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at a particular risk for health effects associated with algal toxins. People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

    If you come into contact with the water, rinse your skin with clean water as soon as possible and, when you get home, take a shower and wash your clothes. Similarly, if your pet comes into contact with the water, immediately wash your pet with clean water. Do not let the animal lick algae off its fur. Call a veterinarian if your animal shows any symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning, including loss of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or any unexplained sickness that occurs within a day or so after being in contact with water. People are cautioned that toxins may persist in the water after the blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

    It is possible that blue-green algae blooms may be affecting other waterbodies in Rhode Island. People are advised to avoid contact with waterbodies that exhibit bright green coloration in the water or at the water surface and/or dense floating algal mats that form on the water’s surface. The water may look like green paint, thick pea soup, or green cottage cheese.

    To report suspected blue-green algae blooms, contact DEM’s Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 or DEM.OWRCyano@dem.ri.gov and if possible, send a photograph of the reported algae bloom. ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Unlock your future: Plymouth’s biggest careers fair is here!

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Some of the city’s biggest and best-known employers are returning to take part in this year’s Launchpad Live, a two-day future careers event offering a unique glimpse into the city’s fastest-growing industries.

    Hosted at the Plymouth Life Centre, Launchpad Live will run on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 September 2024 and aims to inspire and raise aspirations of local young people and improve awareness of career choices and future progression pathways.

    Who are the employers attending?

    The event will feature a powerhouse of over 50 employers and organisations such as:

    • Babcock
    • University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
    • Plymouth City Council
    • Princess Yachts
    • Plymouth Community Homes
    • Kier BAM
    • Willmott Dixon
    • Vistry Group
    • Rowe IT
    • Theatre Royal Plymouth
    • Vospers
    • PFK Francis Clarke
    • Greenlight Safety and Training
    • Duchy College
    • HM Armed Forces
    • National Marine Park
    • City College Plymouth
    • Skills Group
    • Discovery College
    • Plymouth Manufacturers Group
    • Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub and the city’s sector skills partnerships –
    • Building Plymouth (promoting construction and the built environment)
    • Caring Plymouth (promoting health and social care)
    • Welcoming Plymouth (promoting hospitality, tourism and retail).

    These organisations are not just looking for employees, they’re looking for the future leaders of their industries.

    A hands-on experience

    With all Plymouth schools bringing along groups of students, more than 2,200 pupils will experience interactive zones, complete with the latest immersive technologies. Those attending will explore, learn, and engage directly with industry experts across Plymouth’s core sectors, including:

    • Marine, Engineering and Manufacturing
    • Health and Social Care
    • Construction and the Built Environment
    • Technology, Business, Legal and Creative Services
    • Armed Forces and Government Services
    • Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Retail
    • Green and Sustainable Careers

    Launchpad Live is where opportunity meets innovation, offering unparalleled exposure to both traditional and emerging career paths. Whether you’re a student curious about your future or a business leader looking to inspire the next generation, this event is for you.

    The event is being organised by Plymouth City Council in partnership with YMCA Plymouth, Discovery College and City College Plymouth.

    Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “This fantastic event will give thousands of young people the chance to meet employers, to learn about the exciting career opportunities available and better understand the investment and growth sectors that present future ambitious employment in Plymouth. It’s really important that we help employers and training providers, including further and higher education institutions, to showcase these opportunities directly with our young people, helping them to make better informed choices for their post-16 next steps.”

    Jonathan Keable, Chair of the Plymouth Employment and Skills Board and Leader of FSB Plymouth, said:
    “I’m incredibly proud to see over 50 of our city’s leading employers come together to not only showcase incredible opportunities but to actively inspire the next generation. This event is a testament to the commitment of our businesses and organisations in investing in Plymouth’s future workforce. Together, we are giving our young people the confidence and tools to dream bigger, reach higher, and shape their own destinies. A huge thank you to the organisers for delivering this transformative event. The line-up is outstanding, and I encourage anyone looking to take the next step to join us to explore your options and take action, because this is your chance to make it happen.”

    Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth said:

    “As a Plymouth charity that has supported young people’s aspirations in the city for 175 years, YMCA is delighted to bring this exciting careers event to life in partnership with Plymouth City Council. We believe it’s vital to showcase what fantastic opportunities are out there to young people and their parents. We’re very proud of how we have been able to make this event truly accessible for young people and the wide scope of employers and trainers, which has now made this an annual landmark event for the city.”

    Open to the Public!

    Launchpad Live will be open to the public on Thursday, 26 September, from 4pm to 6pm. Don’t miss this chance to meet employers, explore career options, and discover pathways that could change your life. All other times on both days are reserved for school bookings only.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1million research project to improve understanding and reduce risks from deadly landslides Images of landslides devastating communities, destroying homes and infrastructure and claiming lives have become a more familiar sight as the impacts of climate change are felt around the world.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Images of landslides devastating communities, destroying homes and infrastructure and claiming lives have become a more familiar sight as the impacts of climate change are felt around the world.
    New research led by the University of Aberdeen (UK) is aiming to improve understanding of the risks of landslides and to mitigate the impact – felt across generations – on those caught in their muddy wake.
    The project, which will see experts from the University collaborate with counterparts in India to focus on the Central Himalayan region, has been awarded combined funding of more than £1million.
    The UK researchers are supported by a grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation, and specialists in India are funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, India (MoES).
    Rapid population growth and infrastructure development in the Indian Himalayan states – together with the increasing frequency of extreme precipitation events and the presence of glacial lakes – has increased the region’s vulnerability to landslides.
    Three-quarters of annual rain in the Himalayas arrives in the monsoon season from June to September. Within this rainy period are sudden and extremely intense cloudbursts, often concentrated on small areas.
    Precipitation-triggered landslides are already happening extensively across the Himalayas and are predicted to get worse.
    When a huge flank of a Himalayan mountain close to the study area failed and fell into the valley below in 2021, it was described as hitting the valley floor ‘like 15 atomic bombs’.
    The cascade of debris claimed more than 200 lives and destroyed hydro-electric infrastructure worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
    More recently, 41 Indian mine workers spent 17 days trapped underground following a tunnel collapse in the study area in Uttarakhand state in November, further underlining the need for greater understanding of ground stability and risks in these areas.
    The project will bring together geoscientists, experts in remote sensing and geotechnical analysis, social scientists and community engagement specialists to conduct mapping, monitoring, reconstruction, and analysis of landslides using satellite, drone, geotechnical, and tree-ring data.
    The team will also investigate community perceptions of hazards and develop socially acceptable mitigation guidelines.
    Participating scientists from The University of Aberdeen and India (from Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences, Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory, Jawaharlal Nehru University, GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, and University of Jammu) have previously led pilot studies on landslides and cascading glacial hazards. The new funding will enable the integration of various datasets and perspectives to develop robust methods to assess landslide risks in high-mountain regions and to mitigate the impacts on communities.
    Project Lead Dr Anshuman Bhardwaj, senior lecturer in Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen, said: “Geohazards such as landslides cause extensive damage to essential infrastructure and local economies, leading to mass displacements. Understanding of these processes and their long-term impacts needs substantial research.
    “Our project will fill existing gaps in untangling the nexus between hazards, humans and infrastructure and aims to develop effective methods for monitoring and mitigating landslides in high mountains such as the Himalaya. By providing accurate hazard assessments, risk analyses, and community-based mitigation guidelines, our research will enhance resilience to geohazards and facilitate preparedness and increased awareness in high-mountain communities.
    “Considering that the UK is also facing increasing coastal erosion and landslides, the easily adaptable methodological framework of this project can be useful to implement locally.”
    The research will provide improved understanding of the relationship between slope failure mechanisms and slope materials, analyse and reconstruct past landslide events using tree-ring records, and model potentially destructive future glacial landslide events.
    The ground-breaking project integrates multiple disciplines to cover all aspects of landslides in a high-mountain catchment and will serve as a benchmark for similar research in other landslide-prone high-mountain regions, contributing to effective monitoring and mitigation of geohazards.
    Project Co-Lead Dr Lydia Sam, lecturer in Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen, added: “There is a lack of comprehensive hazard assessment models that consider both, the environmental as well as social aspects and our project is a much-needed step in that direction.”
    Indian Project Lead Dr S. Nawaz Ali explained: “The project will inform policymakers about landslide-prone regions, ensuring sustainable development of critical infrastructure. Mitigation strategies, such as identifying optimal shelter locations, alternative routes for food supply, trade and migration routes, slope stabilisation strategies, drainage and vegetation management, and adaptable land use planning will enhance resilience to geohazards.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU Master’s student Leonid Nikolaev elected Chairman of the Student Council of St. Petersburg

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Leonid Nikolaev

    Leonid Nikolaev, a first-year master’s student at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Management at SPbGASU, has been elected Chairman of the Student Council of St. Petersburg. This high recognition is a continuation of his successful experience in student self-government. As a bachelor’s student, he headed the student council of our university and, as he admits, is now ready to take the city’s student council to a new level.

    “I plan to intensify the work of the student council and make it more open to all students in the city. I am well aware of their current problems concerning transport, scholarships and benefits. I am confident that together with the city leadership we will be able to resolve them. The list of priority tasks also includes the development of professional communities, the organization of master classes, trainings, meetings with business representatives, which will allow students to develop professionally. By modernizing media channels and conducting regular surveys and meetings, we will improve communication between students and the council. We will support student initiatives, create conditions for the implementation of new projects that will benefit the entire student community,” Leonid shared his plans.

    We congratulate Leonid Nikolaev and wish him success in his new position!

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbgasu.ru/nevs-and-events/nevs/master-student-spbgasu-leonid-nikolaev-elected-chairman-of-the-student-council-of-St.-Petersburg/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Leaders Meet to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification at African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) Special Session

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), the African Union Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brought together African ministers of environment in Abidjan to adopt the Abidjan Declaration (https://apo-opa.co/3BnJ6GN), a commitment to jointly tackle land degradation, desertification, and drought across Africa.

    The 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held from 3-6 September, served as a platform to generate political momentum and secure essential financing and partnerships to address these urgent environmental challenges. Key discussions focused on four critical policy areas: mitigating droughts in Africa; enhancing ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality targets; promoting ecosystem restoration opportunities; and strengthening partnerships for implementation and resource mobilisation.

    The dialogue is expected to shape Africa’s strategies on finance, natural capital, and addressing marine and coastal challenges ahead of the UNCCD COP 16 to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. 

    The Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé attended. In opening remarks, he said: “There is a very concerning imbalance. We must stay informed in order to provide responses to our concerns, particularly to the global community, which is worried about the highly negative impact of climate change on our economic, human, and social activities. Some examples show that climate change affects more than 100 million hectares of land each year.”

    Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqiha, Deputy Minister at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the COP16 Riyadh Presidency also attended the ministerial dialogue. He said, “Elevating Africa’s ambitions to combat land degradation aligns with the message we wish to convey at COP16. It is crucial that land is prioritised in global efforts against drought, famine, rising carbon emissions, and forced migration—issues that have too often been sidelined.”

    The Abidjan Declaration, adopted on September 6, 2024, during the conference, reflects the commitment of African governments to addressing the challenges of desertification and land degradation. Over 65 percent of the continent’s land is affected by degradation, impacting 400 million people.

    Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, underscored the significance of these discussions. “Today’s session is an opportunity to review Africa’s progress since COP 15 in May 2022. The challenges of land degradation and drought are pressing, and we are committed to finding urgent solutions as we implement our Ten-Year Strategy for 2024-2033,” he said.

    Anthony Nyong, Climate Change and Growth Director at the African Development Bank, called for a shift in narrative regarding Africa’s challenges. “Partnership is essential in tackling the complex issues of land degradation, drought, and desertification. We must adopt an integrated, sustainable approach, prioritizing investments in sustainable land practices and climate resilience. However, the prevailing narrative of vulnerability and underdevelopment obscures the climate opportunities and deters private investment.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Arkansas Governor, Local and Community Leaders Congratulate Standard Lithium, Equinor for U.S. Department of Energy Provisional Grant up to US$225 million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEWISVILLE, Ark., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium”) (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE American:SLI), a leading near-commercial lithium development company and Equinor, a global energy leader, is pleased to share that its jointly-owned U.S. subsidiary, SWA Lithium LLC has been selected for up to US$225 million award negotiation from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”). The conditional award, overseen by the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, is one of the largest ever awarded to a U.S. critical minerals project and part of the second wave of funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This DOE funding is aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing of all segments of the battery supply chain and increasing production of critical minerals in the U.S. 

    “Arkansas is proud of its all-of-the-above energy strategy, with a rich production history of oil, natural gas, bromine, and now, lithium,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders. “Lithium has the potential to supercharge South Arkansas’ economy – and this announcement from Standard Lithium moves us closer to that goal.”

    “Congratulations to SLI and its partners, and what an exciting investment in Arkansas,” said Arkansas Secretary of Energy and Environment, Shane Khoury. “This award helps ensure that Arkansas stays on track to become a world leader in lithium production and promotes lithium extraction in a proven and cleaner manner.”

    “The announcement by Standard Lithium today is exciting news for south Arkansas,” said Arkansas State Senator Matt Stone. “The $225 million grant from the Department of Energy will firmly establish Arkansas as an energy leader and pave the way for hundreds of jobs for our State.”

    “Standard Lithium’s Department of Energy grant marks a pivotal investment in South Arkansas, empowering local communities while strengthening our nation’s future,” said Arkansas State Senator Ben Gilmore. “This initiative not only fosters economic growth but also plays a crucial role in breaking our dependence on China and securing a resilient supply chain for lithium and beyond.”

    “Congratulations to the SLI/Equinor team,” said Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. “Arkansas is excited to see the validation of the lithium industry growth opportunities that will benefit thousands of Arkansans. This award and others solidify Arkansas’ significant role in securing North America’s lithium supply chain.”

    “South Arkansas College is excited about this news for our long-term partner Standard Lithium, and we will continue to support them in any way possible in the future,” said President of SouthArk College, Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez.

    “This is great news for the people of South Arkansas and a significant investment in our future and in our nation’s future by helping to break dependence on foreign sources and supply chain for critical minerals,” said Former Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd. “Not only will this investment directly create hundreds of jobs, it will indirectly create numerous opportunities for improved healthcare, childcare, and workforce development and have a lasting positive impact on South Arkansas and beyond.”

    “UA -Pulaski Tech is proud to be an educational partner on the workforce training component of this enormous investment in domestic production, securing of supply chains and jobs in Arkansas,” said Dr. Summer Deprow, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College. 

    “Congratulations Standard Lithium on receiving this outstanding award,” said Lafayette County Judge, Valarie Clark. “Lafayette County is grateful for the opportunity to support this great company in their future endeavors.”

    “I am very proud of Standard Lithium and their persistence in receiving the funding that has been procured by their organization,” said Columbia County Judge, Doug Fields. “I know personally the challenge there is to obtain funding for a project! I’m proud to give my full support to Standard Lithium, and their endeavors to provide new jobs, new infrastructure, and to see them support the community in much-needed ways, not to mention the boost to our economy! Congratulations to Standard Lithium!”

    About the South West Arkansas Project

    The South West Arkansas Project (“SWA” or the “Project”) is located in Lafayette and Columbia Counties, Arkansas, and is being developed in partnership with Equinor, which holds a 45% non-operating interest in the Project. SWA’s Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.4 Mt and 0.4 Mt lithium carbonate equivalent, with an average lithium concentration of 437 mg/L, has some of the highest reported lithium brine concentrations in North America. The design engineers working on behalf of the Company are developing Front-end Engineering Design (“FEED”) and a Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) that contemplates total production of up to 45,000 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate, to be developed in two phases of 22,500 tonnes per annum each.

    SWA’s direct lithium extraction and lithium carbonate facilities are planned to be located on a 118-acre property in rural Lafayette County, approximately 7 miles south of Lewisville, Arkansas. The Project is expected to create up to 300 construction jobs and 100 direct jobs and dedicate millions of dollars to community impact efforts that will benefit the local area through infrastructure improvements, community health initiatives, educational partnerships, and workforce development programs.

    The Company completed a Preliminary Feasibility Study for the project in 2023, and a DFS and FEED are currently underway.

    Qualified Person

    Steve Ross, P.Geol., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and Vice President Resource Development for the Company, has reviewed and approved the relevant scientific and technical information in this news release.

    About Standard Lithium

    Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by the highest quality resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) and purification process. The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor ASA, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas. Additionally, the Company is advancing the Phase 1A project in partnership with LANXESS Corporation, a brownfield development project located in southern Arkansas. Standard Lithium also holds an interest in certain mineral leases in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California.

    Standard Lithium is jointly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the trading symbol “SLI”. Please visit the Company’s website at https://www.standardlithium.com.

    About Equinor

    Equinor is an international energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. Equinor’s portfolio of projects encompasses oil and gas, renewables and low-carbon solutions, with an ambition of becoming a net-zero energy company by 2050. Headquartered in Norway, Equinor is the leading operator on the Norwegian continental shelf and is present in around 30 countries worldwide. Our partnership with Standard Lithium to mature DLE projects builds on our broad US energy portfolio of oil and gas, offshore wind, low carbon solutions and battery storage projects.

    For more information on Equinor in the US, please visit: Equinor in the US – Equinor

    Media Contacts:

    Allysa Iverson 
    Standard Lithium Ltd.
    a.iverson@standardlithium.com

    Ola Morten Aanestad 
    Equinor
    oaan@equinor.com

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target”, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Our digital 3D models of huge coral reefs could help revive these precious ecosystems

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tim Lamont, Research Fellow, Marine Biology, Lancaster University

    As a team of marine biologists, assessing the health of thousands of square metres of coral reef can be a daunting prospect. Often, we have to monitor some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, and there’s a strict time limit due to the safety regulations associated with Scuba diving.

    Accurately measuring and classifying even small areas of reefs can involve spending many hours underwater. And with millions of reefs around the world that need monitoring in the face of looming threats to their existence, speed is critical.

    But now, a digital revolution for coral reef monitoring could be underway, enabled by recent advances in low-cost camera and computing technology. Our new study shows how creating 3D computer models of entire reefs – sometimes known as digital twins – can help us monitor these precious ecosystems faster, more accurately and in greater detail than ever before.

    We worked at 17 study sites in central Indonesia – some reefs were degraded, others were healthy or restored. We followed the same protocol at rectangular areas measuring 1000m² in each location, using a technique called “photogrammetry” to create 3D models of each reef habitat.

    One of us Scuba dived and swam 2m above the coral back and forth in a “lawnmower” pattern across every square metre of this reef, while carrying two underwater cameras programmed to take photos of the seabed twice per second. Within just half an hour, we’d taken 10,000 high-resolution, overlapping pictures that covered the entire area.

    Later, we booted up a high-performance computer, and with the help of specialist experts from an underwater science tech company called Tritonia Scientific, we processed these images into accurate 3D representations for each of the 17 sites. The resulting models surpass traditional monitoring methods in speed, cost and the ability to consistently reproduce accurate measurements.

    Our research paper applies this technique to assess the success of the world’s largest coral restoration project. Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project is located at Bontosua Island on the Spermonde Archipelago in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

    Our findings show that, when well-managed, coral restoration efforts can bring back many elements, including the complexity of reef structure across large areas. By comparing the 3D models, we can see how complex the surface structure of the coral reef looks and measure its details at different scales – these aspects would be far too tricky for divers to accurately measure underwater.

    3D model video visualisation of a 50m×20m reef restoration area.

    In an earlier 2024 study, our team applied photogrammetry to measure coral growth rates at the level of individual colonies. By capturing detailed 3D models before and after a year of growth, we revealed that restored reefs can achieve growth rates comparable to healthy natural ecosystems.

    This finding is particularly significant, as it highlights the potential for restored reefs to recover and function similarly to untouched reef environments.



    Read more:
    Restored coral reefs can grow as fast as healthy reefs after just four years – new study

    Beyond coral reefs

    Photogrammetry is becoming a widely adopted tool across various fields, both on land and in the ocean. Beyond coral reefs, it is used to monitor forests with drones, develop detailed architectural and urban planning models, and monitor soil erosion and landscape changes.

    In marine environments, photogrammetry is a powerful tool for monitoring and measuring environmental changes such as variations in coral cover, shifts in species diversity and alterations in reef structure. It has also been used to develop cost-effective methods for measuring coral reef rugosity (the bumpiness or texture of the reef’s surface).

    Greater rugosity generally indicates more complex habitats, which can support a wider variety of marine life and reflect healthier reef systems. Additionally, it measures the complexity of different shapes and structures within the reef. These methods provide crucial baselines that help scientists like us track changes over time and design effective conservation strategies.

    Although this method is cheaper and quicker than traditional fieldwork, there are still significant financial barriers. The necessary equipment and software can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the specific equipment and software used, and mastering these techniques takes time. It may be some time before these methods become standard for most field biologists.

    Beyond coral reef monitoring, photogrammetry is increasingly being used in virtual reality and augmented reality development, enabling the creation of immersive, lifelike environments for education, entertainment and research. For example, The US agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s coral reef virtual reality offers an engaging way to explore coral reefs through virtual reality.

    In the future, photogrammetry could revolutionise environmental monitoring by offering faster, more accurate baselines and assessments of ecosystem changes such as coral bleaching and shifts in biodiversity. Advances in machine learning and cloud computing are expected to further automate and enhance photogrammetry, increasing its accessibility and scalability, and establishing its role as an essential tool in conservation science.


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

    Get a 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 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Tim Lamont receives funding from the Royal Commission of the Exhibition of 1851, the Natural Environment Research Council and the Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

    Rindah Talitha Vida receives funding from Friends of Lancaster University in America through the Global Impact Small Grants and research studentship funding from Sheba Hope Advocate Program.

    Tries Blandine Razak 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. Our digital 3D models of huge coral reefs could help revive these precious ecosystems – https://theconversation.com/our-digital-3d-models-of-huge-coral-reefs-could-help-revive-these-precious-ecosystems-237711

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 6 Things to Know About Taking Climate Action

    Source: Samsung

    Real talk – every one of us can make choices to tackle climate change and take better care of the environment. Whether it’s by reducing energy consumption or opting for eco-conscious products, small changes can add up to make a big difference. As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, Samsung is helping you make those choices easier with innovative technology designed to minimize your environmental impact.
    In this edition of our “Things to Know” series, we’re unveiling six essential tips to live more sustainably using Samsung technology—perfectly timed for Climate Week NYC. Let’s dive in:
    1. Use SmartThings Energy to Monitor & Reduce Consumption
    Ever wonder which appliance is using the most energy? SmartThings Energy in the SmartThings app will easily help you figure it out, so you can start trimming down your home’s carbon footprint (and your energy bill!). Plus, the app’s energy-saving tips and automated features make it an absolute breeze to take action and stay efficient—no guesswork required.
    Specifically, our AI Energy Mode power-saving feature can help you reduce energy consumption through real-time monitoring and AI-based energy-saving adjustments. For example, SmartThings Energy can notify you if your refrigerator door is left open, saving both energy and money. And if you’re in New York or California, you can even earn rewards for energy efficiency with SmartThings Flex Connect.
    2. Switch to ENERGY STAR Certified Appliances
    Samsung offers more ENERGY STAR® appliances than ever before, with 50% of eligible products1 earning the certification as of late 2024. Curious how much you could save? Switching to ENERGY STAR appliances could knock up to $450 off your energy bills each year! And here’s a fun fact: if every household in the U.S. used ENERGY STAR certified electric cooktops, we could prevent nearly 1.75 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually. How’s that for a win-win?
    In fact, Samsung is the first and only brand to earn SHEMS certification (Smart Home Energy Management Systems) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR program. If you’re looking to minimize your carbon footprint and maximize your savings, head to Samsung.com for deals on some of our latest eco-innovations, including:
    Get a minimum $300 trade-in credit on any good condition smartphone when you buy a qualifying Certified Re-Newed device.2

    3. Cook Smarter with Induction Technology
    In case you missed it, the Inflation Reduction Act made history in 2022 as the biggest investment in climate and energy ever in the U.S., and Samsung is all in! Our Smart Induction Cooktop even snagged the title of the first in the industry to win the EPA Emerging Technology Award in 2021—because it’s not just about cooking; it’s about cutting energy use and lowering emissions, too.
    Fast forward to today, Samsung is proud to offer 11 induction cooking products, all ENERGY STAR certified. Plus, rebates through the Inflation Reduction Act can make upgrading to energy-efficient cooking appliances more affordable if available in your state.
    Not sure about induction cooking? Swing by Samsung 837 in the Meatpacking District on September 24 for a live demo by Chef Christian Petroni and a discussion moderated by Jaeki Cho with Chefs Esther Choi, Priyanka Naik and Eric Adjepong about the benefits of induction cooking. RSVP here.
    4. Trade-In & Trade Up for Sustainability
    More circularity, less waste, and a serious glow-up? Yes, please! Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program breathes new life into used smartphones for a more circular economy. Each device gets a brand-new battery, goes through a rigorous 147-point Quality Inspection to ensure like-new standards and is backed by a 1-year warranty. Plus, all parts are 100% genuine Samsung to keep things running smoothly.
    You can also trade in smartphones, wearables, tablets, buds, TVs, and even some non-Samsung devices and score exclusive promos on newer models. It’s the perfect way to ditch your old tech without adding to the waste pile, all while staying ahead of the curve with the latest gear!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sharks and rays leap out of the water for many reasons, including feeding, courtship and communication

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By A. Peter Klimley, Adjunct Associate Professor of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis

    Manta rays breaching in waters off Costa Rica. Peter Loring, iStock/Getty Images

    Many sharks and rays are known to breach, leaping fully or partly out of the water. In a recent study, colleagues and I reviewed research on breaching and ranked the most commonly hypothesized functions for it.

    We found that removal of external parasites was the most frequently proposed explanation, followed by predators chasing their prey; predators concentrating or stunning their prey; males chasing females during courtship; and animals fleeing predators, such as a ray escaping from a hammerhead shark in shallow water.

    We found that the highest percentage of breaches, measured by the number of studies that described it, occurred in manta rays and devil rays, followed by basking sharks and then by eagle rays and cownose rays. However, many other species of sharks, as well as sawfishes and stingrays, also perform this behavior.

    A breaching white shark surprises researchers off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

    Why it matters

    It takes a lot of energy for a shark or ray to leap out of the water – especially a massive creature like a basking shark, which can grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) and weigh up to 5 tons (4.5 tonnes). Since the animal could use that energy for feeding or mating, breaching must serve some useful purpose.

    Sharks that have been observed breaching include fast-swimming predatory species such as blacktip sharks and blue sharks. White sharks have been seen breaching while capturing seals in waters off South Africa and around the Farallon Islands off central California.

    However, basking sharks – enormous, slow-swimming sharks that feed by filtering tiny plankton from seawater – also breach. So do many ray species, such as manta rays, which also are primarily filter feeders. This suggests that breaching likely serves different functions among different types of sharks and rays.

    The most commonly proposed explanation for breaching in planktivores, like basking sharks and most rays, is that it helps dislodge parasites attached to their bodies. Basking sharks are known to host parasites, including common remoras and sea lampreys. The presence of fresh wounds on basking sharks that match the shape and size of a lamprey’s mouth suggests that breaching has torn the lampreys off the sharks’ bodies.

    Basking sharks are filter feeders that live on plankton. They may breach to rid their bodies of parasites.

    Other species may breach to communicate. For example, white sharks propelling themselves out of the water near the Farallon Islands may do so to deter other sharks from feeding upon the carcass of a seal.

    Researchers have seen large groups of mantas and devil rays jumping together among dense schools of plankton – presumably to concentrate or stun the plankton so the rays can more easily scoop them up. Scientists have also suggested that planktivorous sharks and rays may breach to clear the prey-filtering structures in their gills.

    Understanding more clearly when and how different types of sharks and rays breach can provide insights into these animals’ life habits, and into their interactions with their own species and competitors.

    How we did our work

    I worked with marine scientists Tobey Curtis, Emmett Johnston, Alison Kock and Guy Stevens. Across our various projects, we have seen breaching in bull sharks in Florida, basking sharks in Ireland, white sharks in South Africa and central California, and manta rays in the Maldives. Each of us has proposed different explanations for why the animals did it.

    We reviewed scientific studies and video footage to see what species had been observed to breach, under what conditions, and the functions that other researchers had proposed for them doing so. This included information gathered from data logging tags attached to sharks and rays, digital photography, and imagery from underwater and aerial drones.

    Our review proposes further studies that could provide more information about breaching in different species. For example, attaching data loggers to individual animals would help scientists measure how quickly a shark or ray accelerates as it propels itself out of the water.

    Experiments in aquarium tanks could provide more insight into why the animals breach. For example, scientists could add remoras to a tank containing bull sharks, which can live in an aquarium environment, and observe how the sharks respond when remoras attach themselves to the sharks’ bodies.

    In the field, researchers could play audio recordings of splashes from breaches to elicit withdrawal or attraction responses from sharks tagged with ultrasonic transmitters. There remains much to learn about why these animals spend precious energy jumping out of the water.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

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

    – ref. Sharks and rays leap out of the water for many reasons, including feeding, courtship and communication – https://theconversation.com/sharks-and-rays-leap-out-of-the-water-for-many-reasons-including-feeding-courtship-and-communication-238487

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Climate change is a pollution problem, and countries have stopped similar threats before – think DDT and acid rain

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alexander E. Gates, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University – Newark

    Adding scrubbers in coal-fired power plants helped reduce acid rain, but they continued to fuel climate change. Drums600 via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    Climate change can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, if you look closely at its causes, you’ll realize that history is filled with similar health and environmental threats that humanity has overcome.

    The main cause of climate change – carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels – is really just another pollutant. And countries know how to reduce harmful pollutants. They did it with the pesticide DDT, lead paint and the power plant emissions that were causing acid rain, among many others.

    In each of those cases, growing public outcry eventually led to policy changes, despite pushback from industry. Once pressured by laws and regulations, industries ramped up production of safer solutions.

    I am an earth and environmental scientist, and my latest book, “Reclaiming Our Planet,” explores history’s lessons in overcoming seemingly insurmountable hazards. Here are a few examples:

    Banning DDT despite industry pushback

    DDT was the first truly effective pesticide and considered to be miraculous. By killing mosquitoes and lice, it wiped out malaria and other diseases in many countries, and in agriculture, it saved tons of crops.

    After World War II, DDT was applied to farms, buildings and gardens throughout the United States. However, it also had drawbacks. It accumulated in mother’s milk to levels where it could deliver a toxic dose to infants. Women were advised against nursing their babies in the 1960s because of the danger.

    U.S. bald eagle populations were decimated by DDT. Once the chemical was banned, they began to rebound.
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    In addition, DDT bioaccumulated up the food chain to toxic levels in apex species like raptors. It weakened the eggshells to the point where brooding mothers crushed their eggs. Bald eagles were reduced to 417 breeding pairs across North America by 1967 and were placed on the endangered species list.

    Biologist Rachel Carson documented DDT’s damage in her 1962 book “Silent Spring” and, in doing so, catalyzed a public environmental movement. Despite disinformation campaigns and attacks from the chemical industry, tremendous public pressure on politicians led to congressional hearings, state and federal restrictions and eventually a U.S. ban on the general use of DDT in 1972.

    Rachel Carson, whose book ‘Silent Spring’ led to a study of pesticides, testifies before a Senate committee in Washington on June 4, 1963.
    AP Photo/Charles Gorry

    Bald eagles recovered to 320,000 in the United States by 2017, about equal to populations from before European settlement. The chemical industry, facing a DDT ban, quickly developed much safer pesticides.

    Building evidence of lead’s hazards

    Lead use skyrocketed in the 20th century, particularly in paints, plumbing and gasoline. It was so widespread that just about everyone was exposed to a metal that research now shows can harm the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system and children’s brain development.

    Clair “Pat” Patterson, a geochemist at the California Institute of Technology, showed that Americans were continuously exposed to lead at near toxic levels. Human skeletons from the 1960s were found to have up to 1,200 times the lead of ancient skeletons. Today, health standards say there’s no safe level of lead in the blood.

    Lead paint was banned for residential use in the U.S. in 1978, but existing lead paint in older homes can still chip, creating a health risk for children today.
    EPA

    Despite threats both personally and professionally and a disinformation campaign from industry, Patterson and his supporters compiled years of evidence to warn the public and eventually pressured politicians to ban lead from many uses, including in gasoline and residential paints.

    Once regulations were in place, industry ramped up production of substitutes. As a result, lead levels in the blood of children decreased by 97% over the next several decades. While lead exposure is less common now, some people are still exposed to dangerous levels lingering in homes, pipes and soil, often in low-income neighborhoods.

    Stopping acid rain: An international problem

    Acid rain is primarily caused when sulfur dioxide, released into the air by the burning of coal, high-sulfur oil and smelting and refining of metals, interacts with rain or fog. The acidic rain that falls can destroy forests, kill lake ecosystems and dissolve statues and corrode infrastructure.

    Acid rain damage across Europe and North America in the 20th century also showed the world how air pollution, which doesn’t stop at borders, can become an international crisis requiring international solutions.

    The problem of acid rain began well over a century ago, but sulfur dioxide levels grew quickly after World War II. A thermal inversion in London in 1952 created such a concentration of sulfur dioxide and other air pollutants that it killed thousands of people. As damage to forests and lakes worsened across Europe, countries signed international agreements starting in the 1980s to cut their sulfur dioxide emissions.

    Trees killed by acid rain in the Czech Republic in 1998. Forests across many parts of Europe and North America suffered from acid rain damage.
    Seitz/ullstein bild via Getty Images

    In the U.S., emissions from Midwestern power plants killed fish and trees in the pristine Adirondacks. The damage, health concerns and multiple disasters outraged the public, and politicians responded.

    Sulfur dioxide was named as one of the six criteria air pollutants in the groundbreaking 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act, which required the federal government to set limits on its release. Power plants installed scrubbers to capture the pollutant, and over the next 40 years, sulfur dioxide concentrations in the U.S. decreased by about 95%.

    Parallels with climate change

    There are many parallels between these examples and climate change today.

    Mountains of scientific evidence show how carbon dixoide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in vehicles, factories and power plants are warming the planet. The fossil fuel industry began using its political power and misinformation campaigns decades ago to block regulations that were designed to slow climate change.

    And people around the world, facing worsening heat and weather disasters fueled by global warming, have been calling for action to stop climate change and invest in cleaner energy.

    The first Earth Day, in 1970, drew 20 million people. Rallies in recent years have shifted the focus to climate change and have drawn millions of people around the world.

    Public campaigns and huge rallies for action on climate change, like this one in New York City in 2023, help put public pressure on politicians.
    Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

    The challenge has been getting politicians to act, but that is slowly changing in many countries.

    The United States has started investing in scaling up several tools to rein in climate change, including electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. Federal and state policies, such as requirements for renewable energy production and limits on greenhouse gas emissions, are also crucial for getting industries to switch to less harmful alternatives.

    Climate change is a global problem that will require efforts worldwide. International agreements are also helping more countries take steps forward. One shift that has been discussed by countries for years could help boost those efforts: Ending the billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded fossil fuel subsidies and shifting that money to healthier solutions could help move the needle toward slowing climate change.

    Alexander E. Gates is affiliated with The Newark Green Team.

    – ref. Climate change is a pollution problem, and countries have stopped similar threats before – think DDT and acid rain – https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-a-pollution-problem-and-countries-have-stopped-similar-threats-before-think-ddt-and-acid-rain-236479

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USNS Lucy Stone Christened as MSC’s Newest Fleet Replenishment Oiler

    Source: United States Navy

    SAN DIEGO — The fleet replenishment oiler USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209), the Military Sealift Command’s newest ship, was christened during a ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif., today.

    The event was attended by Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro; Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment; Vice Adm. John F. G. Wade, commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet; Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics; Rear Adm. Thomas J. Anderson, Program Executive Officer, Ships; Capt. Micah Murphy, commander, Military Sealift Command Pacific; U.S. Merchant Marine Capt. Lee Apsley, Stone’s civil service master; as well as executives and employees of NASSCO San Diego.

    The ship honors American suffragist Lucy Stone, who joined other notable advocates such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Ernestine Rose, and Antoinette Brown Blackwell to petition for suffrage and abolition in the 19th century. Her efforts as a founder of the Women’s National Loyal League were essential to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery.

    “In choosing to name this ship after Lucy Stone, Secretary Mabus and Secretary Berger knew the legacy of this remarkable woman, who dedicated her life to freedom and to equality for all, “said Deborah Donnley Simmons, Stone co-sponsor. “Her legacy will continue to be told, as this ship sails throughout the world.”

    The official christening moment happened when the ship’s co-sponsors, Alicia Aadnesen
    Deborah Donley Simmons broke a bottle of champagne over the ship’s bow with the words, “For the United States of America, I christen you the USNS Lucy Stone. May God bless this ship and all who sail on her.” Following the christening moment, the ship blew her horns and slid down the rails, amid a fanfare of music from the Navy Band Southwest and red, white and blue streamers.

    “The enduring legacy of Lucy Stone as a trailblazer in the women’s rights movement remains an indelible source of inspiration today,” said Mabus. “How extraordinary that all of these years later, today, our United States Navy is headed-up by the Chief of Naval Operations, a female by the name of Adm. Lisa Franchetti. It would not have been possible if it had not been for the efforts of Lucy Stone.”

    The 746-foot Stone is the fifth ship in the new John Lewis-class previously known as the TAO(X). This class of oilers has the ability to carry 162,000 barrels of diesel ship fuel, aviation fuel and dry stores cargo. The upgraded oiler is built with double hulls to protect against oil spills and strengthened cargo and ballast tanks and will be equipped with a basic self-defense capability. The Lewis-class of oilers will replace the current Kaiser Class fleet replenishment oilers as they age out of the MSC fleet. The ship will be manned by a crew of about 100 civilian Merchant Mariners, sailing under the operational control of MSC.

    “In order to maintain sustained operations at sea, our Navy warships rely on Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Fleet,” said Mabus. “Despite the challenges posed by shortfalls in numbers, MSC continues to play a vital roll in supporting our nation’s logistics readiness. I thank all of our Merchant Mariners for answering our national call to maritime service, and for their ongoing efforts to recruit and maintain our critical capabilities!”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE issues guidelines to sharpen data-driven policies on environmental challenges

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Indicators are vital tools in environmental and economic policymaking. They simplify complex issues into manageable metrics, guiding decision-making, assessing performance and ensuring accountability. By providing a structured approach, indicators help set objectives, monitor progress and evaluate policy effectiveness. Additionally, they generate data that supports further research, leading to refined policies. 

    UNECE, together with the Joint Task Force on Environmental Statistics and Indicators and with the support of the Working Group on Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, has released updated Guidelines for the Application of Environmental Indicators, a tool designed to enhance environmental monitoring and support sound policymaking across the pan-European region. 

    Establishing guidelines for indicator use fosters international collaboration by creating a common basis for comparison. This standardization enhances data quality, enables countries to learn from one another and facilitates coordinated responses to transnational challenges. Harmonized indicators thus improve our understanding of regional conditions and support the development of targeted,  

    These new guidelines provide a revised list of 230 environmental indicators, including 74 priority indicators with detailed metadata. The aim is to better inform monitoring and decision-making in line with recent global policy frameworks, to increase the user-friendliness of metadata, and to better link them with statistical frameworks. In particular, the guidelines seek to enhance alignment with the Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics. 

    The United Nations Framework for the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES) is a flexible, multi-purpose conceptual and statistical framework that provides an organizing structure to guide the collection and compilation of environment statistics at the national level. When applied it brings together data from various relevant subject areas and sources, covering environmental issues and aspects relevant for policy analysis and decision making. 

    To align the latest edition of the Guidelines with FDES to the maximum extent possible, the revised list of indicators is organized according to six main themes of the FDES: (1) Environmental Conditions and Quality, (2) Environmental Resources and their Use, (3) Residuals, (4) Extreme Events and Disasters, (5) Human Settlements and Environmental Health, and (6) Environmental Protection, Management and Engagement. This organization aligns with the hierarchical structure of FDES components, sub-components and statistical topics, providing a comprehensive framework for environmental statistics with an emphasis on the importance of data disaggregation.  

    The updated list of indicators will be promoted and applied across the pan-European region. This revised list includes indicators from various sources, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Convention on Biological Diversity, the European Environment Agency, the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Conference of European Statisticians. Each indicator serves a specific purpose, helping to explain the causes and effects of environmental conditions. They can be used for environmental assessments within the analytical framework of the DPSIR model (Driving forces, Pressure, State, Impact, Response). The guidelines will remain a “living” document, recognizing the ongoing need to align with emerging policy requirements and global developments. 

    Ultimately, the 2023 Edition of the Guidelines enhance the relevance of environmental indicators for global environmental reporting by aligning with the SDGs. They introduce new and updated indicators to ensure that the guidelines remain responsive to emerging environmental challenges. The improved methodological consistency with statistical frameworks such as FDES ensures high-quality, comparable data. The guidelines are also more user-friendly, with clearer descriptions and references, making them more accessible to various stakeholders involved in environmental monitoring.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: China documentary screened

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The premiere of Enchanting China, a documentary series produced by the Environment & Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department, was screened at the University of Science & Technology today.

    The series was produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology & Environment’s Center for Environmental Education & Communications to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

    The first series of Enchanting China consists of five episodes totalling 75 minutes. The episodes are “Ninety-Nine Bends of the Yellow River”, “Song of the Yangtze”, “From Desert to Forest”, “Embracing Diversity” and “Clean Air Actions”.

    The first four episodes, together with “Picturesque Bays of Hong Kong” – the first episode of Beautiful Hong Kong, a documentary series produced by the bureau – were screened at the premiere.

    Through showing the country’s achievements and contributions in environmental protection, the series aims to instil a strong sense of patriotism and help people to understand the progress being made by China, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, towards ecological development and building a beautiful China.

    Speaking at the premiere, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said Enchanting China allows Hong Kong to experience the extraordinary charm of the nation and witness its major achievements and contributions in environmental protection.

    “On the first National Ecology Day last year, President Xi Jinping emphasised that ‘building an ecological civilisation is of fundamental importance for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation’”, Mr Chan said.

    “Enchanting China is a meaningful way to implement the concept of ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets’, and promote the construction of ecological civilisation and environmental protection education,” he added.

    The bureau’s documentary series, Beautiful Hong Kong, also consists of five episodes totalling 75 minutes. It shows the progressive environmental improvements made in Hong Kong since its return to the motherland.

    Mr Tse said “Picturesque Bays of Hong Kong” celebrates the achievements made by the Hong Kong SAR Government in environmental protection and nature conservation, adding that the city will closely collaborate with other Greater Bay Area cities to jointly set up ecological security shields to serve the bay area’s development.

    “I encourage everyone in the community to explore our picturesque bays, treasure the natural beauty of Hong Kong and work together to enhance our natural environment.”

    Enchanting China and Beautiful Hong Kong will be screened at the Space Museum and T·PARK from October. It will then be broadcast on RTHK TV 32 and uploaded online for primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to download for broadcast.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Red flags hoisted at Deep Water Bay Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Attention TV/radio announcers:

    Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:
     
         Here is an item of interest to swimmers.
     
         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 22) that according to the Beach Water Quality Forecast System of the Environmental Protection Department (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/water/beach_quality/forecast_system.html), the Beach Water Quality Forecast Index for Deep Water Bay Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island is 4, which means the predicted water quality at these beaches is “Very Poor” due to potential transient water quality fluctuations caused by heavy rain. The red flags have been hoisted, and beachgoers are advised not to enter the water to safeguard their health.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Lesotho needs constitutional reforms to help gain political stability – but the latest attempt is flawed

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Hoolo ‘Nyane, Head of Department, Public and Environmental Law Department, University of Limpopo

    Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa, has been struggling to make constitutional reforms since the advent of coalition politics in 2012. It needs the reforms to address political instability which has been a feature of the country for more than five decades.

    The judiciary, security agencies and civil service have been
    politicised, resulting in the institutions being abused for political ends, stoking recurrent instability.

    The reform project has encountered many headwinds. High government turnover amid unstable governing coalitions, the reform processes being declared invalid numerous times by the judiciary, and a sheer lack of political will are just a few.

    The current administration, in power since 2022, is taking a new stab at it. The national assembly is debating the bills intended to amend the constitution. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has hailed this as “a positive development”.

    But as a constitutional law researcher who has published widely on the constitutional developments in Lesotho, I argue that the current approach to constitutional amendment is only intended to ward off the current pressure to pass reforms. It may not cure the longstanding constitutional problems in the country.

    The approach has two features. Firstly, the reforms process is now almost exclusively led by the government. This will enable the government to have only its views, and those it agrees with, being enacted as national reforms.

    Secondly, it breaks the constitution into three separate amendments. This dismembers the constitution. The court of appeal has already warned against that, saying the sections of the constitution, regardless of how they are amendable, belong to a single basic structure.

    Fits and starts

    The reform attempts have been in fits and starts. The most decisive step was in 2022 when parliament, on the eve of its dissolution ahead of elections, passed a raft of reforms known as the omnibus bill. This resulted in the 10th amendment to the constitution.

    However, parliament didn’t follow the amendment procedures set by the constitution. The Court of Appeal in turn declared the reforms invalid. The process was restarted after the 2022 elections, overseen by the SADC Panel of Elders led by former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete.

    New attempt at reform

    With the support of the SADC, the current coalition government, led by Prime Minister Sam Matekane, has broken the constitutional reforms into three sets:

    • Changes requiring a simple majority in parliament to pass: These are amendments that either introduce new provisions to the constitution, or alter provisions of the constitution that are not entrenched. These include sections such as changing the number of official languages. Government can pass this set alone.

    • Changes requiring a two-thirds majority: Section 85 of the constitution protects certain provisions by requiring a minimum two-thirds majority of the two houses of parliament. These provisions include the structure and workings of parliament, among others. The present government lacks this majority. It needs opposition support to pass this set.

    • Changes requiring a referendum: These are provisions that require a vote of electors before enactment, such as changes to the monarch and the bill of rights. They can only be changed by consensus across all sectors of society, not just in parliament. There is no plan at present to move ahead with this set of amendments.

    The idea of the three-part approach is to speed up reforms amid immense international and local pressure as it circumvents the many procedural hurdles in amending entrenched provisions.

    But I see problems with it.

    Stakeholders left out

    The National Reforms Authority, established by an act of parliament in 2019, was disbanded in 2022 by the government of the former prime minister, Moeketsi Majoro.

    The reforms authority was not a perfect model. It was dominated by politicians and was criticised for not following proper constitution-making processes. But at least it gave the reform project some legitimacy because it represented a variety of stakeholders. It even relied on public consultations reports produced by its predecessor, the National Dialogue Planning Committee.

    In the new approach reforms are led by the government. Previous governments were warned against a government-led approach to reforms as it alienates other stakeholders.

    The ultimate purpose of these reforms is to change governance in Lesotho, which is characterised by unchecked exercise of executive power. It’s unlikely that a government will reform itself.

    There are political elites – in government and the opposition – who are against fundamental changes. They believe in continuing the current Westminster design with only minimal changes. The problem with the Westminster system in Lesotho (a constitutional monarchy) is that the monarch’s powers have drifted to the prime minister, who exercises them for political ends. This has been at the centre of political instability.

    Piecemeal approach

    The government has evidently rejected calls to totally overhaul the constitution and replace it with a new one. Instead, it has chosen piecemeal amendments.

    The government reckons it can easily pass the simple majority amendments and easily negotiate with the opposition to secure support for passing the two-thirds amendments. Then, perhaps in future, consider the amendments requiring a referendum.

    This is a flawed attempt to deal with criticism by both the high court and the court of appeal in 2022. The courts held that parliament had disregarded the rules about how to amend the constitution.

    Parliament is now heading for another pitfall: dismembering the constitution. Breaking it into compartments to make it easier to amend it will kill its basic structure.

    The courts have already warned the parliament against interfering with the basic structure of the constitution without the involvement of the people.

    What should be done

    The donor community and society in Lesotho have grown impatient with the delay in finalising the reforms. But pandering to pressures is not enough.

    The ideal approach would be for the country to make the new constitution through a proper process that will culminate with the people approving the outcome in a referendum. This approach has already worked in recent constitutional changes in Africa. The most recent examples are Kenya and Zimbabwe. This approach will enable the country to reflect holistically on its treacherous constitutional development and clothe the new changes with the garb of legitimacy.

    Hoolo ‘Nyane 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. Lesotho needs constitutional reforms to help gain political stability – but the latest attempt is flawed – https://theconversation.com/lesotho-needs-constitutional-reforms-to-help-gain-political-stability-but-the-latest-attempt-is-flawed-237905

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lesotho needs constitutional reforms to help gain political stability – but the latest attempt is flawed

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Hoolo ‘Nyane, Head of Department, Public and Environmental Law Department, University of Limpopo

    Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa, has been struggling to make constitutional reforms since the advent of coalition politics in 2012. It needs the reforms to address political instability which has been a feature of the country for more than five decades.

    The judiciary, security agencies and civil service have been politicised, resulting in the institutions being abused for political ends, stoking recurrent instability.

    The reform project has encountered many headwinds. High government turnover amid unstable governing coalitions, the reform processes being declared invalid numerous times by the judiciary, and a sheer lack of political will are just a few.

    The current administration, in power since 2022, is taking a new stab at it. The national assembly is debating the bills intended to amend the constitution. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has hailed this as “a positive development”.

    But as a constitutional law researcher who has published widely on the constitutional developments in Lesotho, I argue that the current approach to constitutional amendment is only intended to ward off the current pressure to pass reforms. It may not cure the longstanding constitutional problems in the country.

    The approach has two features. Firstly, the reforms process is now almost exclusively led by the government. This will enable the government to have only its views, and those it agrees with, being enacted as national reforms.

    Secondly, it breaks the constitution into three separate amendments. This dismembers the constitution. The court of appeal has already warned against that, saying the sections of the constitution, regardless of how they are amendable, belong to a single basic structure.

    Fits and starts

    The reform attempts have been in fits and starts. The most decisive step was in 2022 when parliament, on the eve of its dissolution ahead of elections, passed a raft of reforms known as the omnibus bill. This resulted in the 10th amendment to the constitution.

    However, parliament didn’t follow the amendment procedures set by the constitution. The Court of Appeal in turn declared the reforms invalid. The process was restarted after the 2022 elections, overseen by the SADC Panel of Elders led by former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete.

    New attempt at reform

    With the support of the SADC, the current coalition government, led by Prime Minister Sam Matekane, has broken the constitutional reforms into three sets:

    • Changes requiring a simple majority in parliament to pass: These are amendments that either introduce new provisions to the constitution, or alter provisions of the constitution that are not entrenched. These include sections such as changing the number of official languages. Government can pass this set alone.

    • Changes requiring a two-thirds majority: Section 85 of the constitution protects certain provisions by requiring a minimum two-thirds majority of the two houses of parliament. These provisions include the structure and workings of parliament, among others. The present government lacks this majority. It needs opposition support to pass this set.

    • Changes requiring a referendum: These are provisions that require a vote of electors before enactment, such as changes to the monarch and the bill of rights. They can only be changed by consensus across all sectors of society, not just in parliament. There is no plan at present to move ahead with this set of amendments.

    The idea of the three-part approach is to speed up reforms amid immense international and local pressure as it circumvents the many procedural hurdles in amending entrenched provisions.

    But I see problems with it.

    Stakeholders left out

    The National Reforms Authority, established by an act of parliament in 2019, was disbanded in 2022 by the government of the former prime minister, Moeketsi Majoro.

    The reforms authority was not a perfect model. It was dominated by politicians and was criticised for not following proper constitution-making processes. But at least it gave the reform project some legitimacy because it represented a variety of stakeholders. It even relied on public consultations reports produced by its predecessor, the National Dialogue Planning Committee.

    In the new approach reforms are led by the government. Previous governments were warned against a government-led approach to reforms as it alienates other stakeholders.

    The ultimate purpose of these reforms is to change governance in Lesotho, which is characterised by unchecked exercise of executive power. It’s unlikely that a government will reform itself.

    There are political elites – in government and the opposition – who are against fundamental changes. They believe in continuing the current Westminster design with only minimal changes. The problem with the Westminster system in Lesotho (a constitutional monarchy) is that the monarch’s powers have drifted to the prime minister, who exercises them for political ends. This has been at the centre of political instability.

    Piecemeal approach

    The government has evidently rejected calls to totally overhaul the constitution and replace it with a new one. Instead, it has chosen piecemeal amendments.

    The government reckons it can easily pass the simple majority amendments and easily negotiate with the opposition to secure support for passing the two-thirds amendments. Then, perhaps in future, consider the amendments requiring a referendum.

    This is a flawed attempt to deal with criticism by both the high court and the court of appeal in 2022. The courts held that parliament had disregarded the rules about how to amend the constitution.

    Parliament is now heading for another pitfall: dismembering the constitution. Breaking it into compartments to make it easier to amend it will kill its basic structure.

    The courts have already warned the parliament against interfering with the basic structure of the constitution without the involvement of the people.

    What should be done

    The donor community and society in Lesotho have grown impatient with the delay in finalising the reforms. But pandering to pressures is not enough.

    The ideal approach would be for the country to make the new constitution through a proper process that will culminate with the people approving the outcome in a referendum. This approach has already worked in recent constitutional changes in Africa. The most recent examples are Kenya and Zimbabwe. This approach will enable the country to reflect holistically on its treacherous constitutional development and clothe the new changes with the garb of legitimacy.

    – Lesotho needs constitutional reforms to help gain political stability – but the latest attempt is flawed
    – https://theconversation.com/lesotho-needs-constitutional-reforms-to-help-gain-political-stability-but-the-latest-attempt-is-flawed-237905

    MIL OSI Africa –