Last year's climate summit in Copenhagen was a political disaster. Leaked US diplomatic cables now show why the summit failed so spectacularly. The dispatches reveal that the US and China, the world's top two polluters, joined forces to stymie every attempt by European nations to reach agreement.
In May 2009 the Chinese leaders received a very welcome guest. John Kerry, the powerful chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, met with Deputy Prime Minister Li Keqiang in Beijing. Kerry told his hosts that Washington could understand "China's resistance to accepting mandatory targets at the United Nations Climate Conference, which will take place in Copenhagen."
According to a cable from the US embassy in the Chinese capital, Kerry outlined "a new basis for 'major cooperation' between the United States and China on climate change." At that time, many Europeans were hoping the delegates at the Copenhagen summit would agree climate-change measures that could save the planet from the cumulative effects of global warming. But that dream died pitifully in mid-December 2009, and the world leaders went their separate ways again without any concrete achievements. Confidential US diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks now show just how closely the world's biggest polluters -- the United States and China -- colluded in the months leading up to the conference. And they give weight to those who have long suspected that the two countries secretly formed an alliance.
The cooperation began under the last US president, George W. Bush. In 2007 Bush's senior climate negotiator, Harlan Watson, organized a 10-year framework agreement with China on cooperation on energy and the environment. The two countries also agreed to hold a "Strategic and Economic Dialogue" -- backroom talks that neither the Americans nor the Chinese were willing to admit to at first. China and the US Continue Polluting
Bush's successor, President Barack Obama, and the new secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, continued this dialogue. During Clinton's inaugural visit to China, Beijing agreed to the formation of a "new partnership on energy and climate change," according to a US embassy dispatch dated May 15, 2009. Here too the aim was to ensure the outcome of the climate talks in Copenhagen would be favorable to Washington and Beijing.
But was it really favorable for the two countries? Both had previously managed to avoid committing to serious reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol, signed at the climate summit that preceded Copenhagen in 1997, distinguished between industrialized nations, which were to reduce their emissions, and developing countries -- including economic powerhouse China -- which could basically continue releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere without restrictions. "Joint, but differentiated responsibility," was the principle upon which the Kyoto Protocol was based.
Although the US signed the protocol, it never ratified it. As such, the Chinese and the Americans can continue polluting at will. Meanwhile European nations will have to cut their energy consumption. They, therefore, fought for a new agreement in Copenhagen, one that would tie the United States, China and newly-industrialized nations India and Brazil to specific emission-reduction targets. 'Working Hard at Cutting Emissions'
During his visit to China, Senator Kerry, a former presidential candidate for the Democrats, told the Beijing leadership that the Europeans were determined to push through their goal for agreement on concrete cuts in emissions for the US and other industrialized countries. However, nothing would change for China. Together with the other "developing countries" the Chinese would merely have to say they would "work hard to reduce emissions."
A "scenesetter" drawn up for Kerry by American embassy officials estimated China would invest "$175 billion in environmental protection in the next five years" and that US companies were well positioned to benefit handsomely from this investment. "Westinghouse, for example, estimates that several thousand US-based jobs are retained every time China orders another nuclear reactor from them," the paper claimed.
A note from the US ambassador in Canberra, Australia, showed that the Europeans were well aware of the close relationship between China and the United States.
The memo summarizes a conversation between an embassy employee and an Australian climate negotiator, who reported on a preparatory meeting for the G-8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy. He said the other delegations "including the EU" had noticed the "visibly more comfortable" interaction between the US and China. The Australian said the Europeans' observations led them to doubt whether they could get their climate-change measures approved. The Germans Complained
In September 2009 the US State Department ordered its European embassies to launch a kind of PR campaign. This was to be targeted primarily at governments, but also to "the press, NGOs … and other opinion leaders." The diplomats were to explain that "Obama is taking the United States in a new direction in the fight against climate change" and that he wanted a decisive 17-percent cut in greenhouse gases.
However, the Europeans suspected that Washington was playing with numbers by using the year 2005 as their baseline rather than 1990, which European figures were based on. Nevertheless embassy staff tried to convince the skeptical Europeans that the US government's targets "are consistent with keeping the increase in global temperature to 2 degrees Celsius."
When the leaders and representatives of 192 countries gathered in Copenhagen last December, everyone was talking about an agreement. However, at the decisive moment Europe's politicians were forced to stand by helplessly while China, India, South Africa and Brazil met in a hotel room and took matters into their own hands. They took the draft Copenhagen agreement and struck off all binding obligations. Later on the plotters were joined by Barack Obama. The outcome of this paring-down is now known as the "Copenhagen Accord." In international negotiations, this vague draft resolution now stands alongside the specific plan demanded by the Europeans.
A month after the Copenhagen debacle, German negotiators complained bitterly to the Americans. They said the "Europeans were unhappy that they had not been included in important negotiations between the US and China." US Dangled Carrot in Front of Developing Nations
In contrast to the apathy that befell the Europeans after the summit, US climate negotiator, Jonathan Pershing, went to great lengths to shore up his country's advantage. He and his emissaries offered carrots in the form of development aid to poorer nations in particular to get them to agree to the "Copenhagen Accord." For example, Pershing more-or-less forced an ambassador from the Maldives to take millions of dollars in assistance. He said the ambassador should simply state exactly how much his Indian Ocean archipelago needed. This, Pershing claimed, would increase "the likelihood" that Congress would quickly approve the funds. "Other nations would then come to realize that there are advantages to be gained by compliance," a US memo noted.
To help convey the message to developing nations, the Maldivian ambassador suggested President Obama come to the islands to give a speech on the issue. After all, the ambassador reasoned, the Maldives would form "a dramatic backdrop" against which to talk about environmental challenges.
(SMG) announced that it will partially open long-awaited "Floating Island" to the public on May 21. The Island under construction on the Hangang (Han River) is the largest artificial floating island in the world and the first equipped with an aquatic convention center.
The Floating Island comprised of three artificial islets is currently being constructed on the river around Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. It is scheduled for completion in September this year.
The Island that makes up the sprawling 20,382 square-meter has been developed under three key themes of exhibition and convention, culture, and aquatic-leisure. The KRW 96.4 billion (approx. USD 88 million) project was invested entirely with private funds. Key infrastructure for Seoul's tourism and convention goals
Islet 1, the biggest of the three islets, is three stories high and measures 10,845 square meters. It includes a 700-seat convention hall. Islet 2, a three-story structure measuring 5,373 square meters, puts a focus on developing facilities for cultural events. Islet 3, two stories high, takes up a 4,164 square-meter area and is devoted to various aquatic leisure sports activities like yachting.
SMG expects this center to play a pivotal role in advancing its tourism and convention sectors. The total number of seats for exhibitions and conventions reaches 1,400 uniting all three of the islets. State-of-the-art safety and eco-friendly system
The Floating Island is equipped with a state-of-the- art safety system to prevent damage from inclement weather conditions. 28 three-ply weather-resistant mooring chains secure the Floating Island, ensuring it stays in position and afloat in the event of a flood or other dire weather condition.
The sewage treatment plant will be managed according to strict environmental standards. In addition, solar energy panels measuring 54 square meters and generating 6 kilowatts per house of energy each day have been built on the first-story roof of Islet 1.
SMG added that it will improve public accessibility to the Island by launching a weekend bus and expanding bus lines.
"We hope that Floating Island will contribute to raising the brand value of Seoul as one of the city's key landmarks," said Gyoung Gee Liu, Assistant Mayor for Hangang Project Headquarters.
SEOUL, South Korea, May 18, 2011
source The Seoul Metropolitan Government/ PRNewswire-Asia/ --
The citizens living off the Han River in Seoul, South Korea inaugurated the world’s largest floating island just last week with great excitement! With two more islands slated to open in September, the recently opened Viva is already drawing crowds en masse with its first-rate entertainment complex. The stunning structure includes a 700 seat convention hall, restaurants and arcades — all powered by solar energy. When the development is completed, the trio of islands will be linked together by twenty-three weather-proof chains. Seoul’s man-made islands differ from those common to Dubai, which are constructed by building up sand on the ocean floor. Viva, and its satellite islands, instead float, and are buoyant on the river’s surface. Should there be a flood, the islands while rise and fall with the water levels, rather than be flooded over. A high tech tracking system will alert a controller should the islands float too far from their home site, due to changing water levels. Supported by 24 giant airbags, Viva weighs in at 2,000 tons, but can support building facilities up to 6,400 tons. The island will be harnessed by chains to a 500 ton concrete block to keep it in place. The three story building which holds all facilities is covered with 54 square meters of solar panels, which produced 6 kilowatts of energy each day, providing the facilities below with electricity, and also illuminating the facades at night. The $83.9 million dollar government project includes the 35,000 square foot Viva, 15,000 square foot Vista and nearly 4,000 square foot Tera. Combined, they will host international conventions, water sports events, restaurants, cultural performances and exhibitions. All three islands should be open by late August 2011.
source http://inhabitat.com
Futuristic Floating City is an Ecotopia at Sea
The floating cities seek to provide a solution to many of our environmental problems, like rising sea levels, increasing temperatures and dwindling resources. Recently Japanese building firm Shimizu Corporation unveiled plans for a completely self sufficient floating ecotopia that is covered in vegetation, generates its own power, grows food, manages waste, and provides clean water.
The Corporation has been hard at work coming up with some pretty crazy concepts
lately, and Green Float, the Environmental Island is one of them.
Designed for the equatorial pacific, presumably near Japan,
Green Float is a concept for a series of floating islands with eco skyscraper cities,
where people live, work and can easily get to gardens, open space,
the beach and even “forests”.
Islands are connected together to form modules and a number of modules grouped together
form a “country” of roughly 1 million people.
A 1,000 m tower in the center of the island acts as both a vertical farm as well as
a skyscraper with residential, commercial and office space.
The green space, the beach, and the water terminal on the flat plane of the island
are all within walking distance.
Energy for the islands would be generated from renewable sources like solar,
wind, and ocean thermal, and they also propose to collect solar energy from space,
presumably from their own crazy idea to install a solar belt on the moon.
by Bridgette Meinhold
SOURCE http://inhabitat.com
One of the largest general contractors in Japan, Shimizu Corporation, announced on May 10, 2010, plans for promoting the research and development of various technologies necessary to construct an eco-friendly floating island city, called Green Float, in an equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean, in cooperation with Super Collaborative Graduate School, a project adopted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Nomura Securities. The island is scheduled for completion by 2025 at a location with the maximum benefit from sunlight and the least impact of typhoons. The company aims to create a city that functions like a living plant and continuously absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2).
The Green Float will be 3,000 meters in diameter with a central tower 1,000 meters in height, consisting of three main parts. The top daily life zone, home to 30,000 people, will sit above 700 meters in elevation, with a constant temperature ranging between 26 to 28 degrees Celsius all year round. The middle stem part will house plant factories, and the beachfront residential areas, with a population of 10,000 people, would lie on the outer circumference of the structure. This artificial island structures can be expanded by adding more units when the population increases.
The Green Float will allow people to live more in harmony with nature, be self-sufficient in food supply, and recycle waste. Instead of depending on fossil fuels, it will maximize the use of natural energy sources, including solar-powered electricity-generating satellites in space, ocean thermal energy conversion, and wind. The project strives to reduce CO2 emissions from this plant-like city to a negative level (net absorption) by taking advantage of the much greater CO2 absorption capacity of the ocean compared to terrestrial forests. The company will employ a range of measures to ensure fundamental safety in the construction of the floating marine structure.
Recent developments in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East
cause great concern. To the continuous struggle in Iraq, war cries and threats for a
nuclear strike are added, because of the Iranian government’s insistence on
developing a nuclear program. The publicly confessed possession of nuclear weapons
by Israel creates the conditions for proliferation of nuclear weapons in the wider area.
Furthermore, an effort for the return of nuclear energy is taking place, under the
pretext of countermeasures against global warming and climate changes phenomena.
Many countries in the region express, more or less openly, the will to choose the way
of installation of nuclear stations in order to solve their energy problems. Definitely a
wrong way, a way of high risks, a dead-end.
The most effective way of dealing with the nuclear threat is, above all, a matter of the
citizens’ will and reaction.
One of the basic conclusions of the International Symposium – held in Rhodes, on
May 12-13, 2006, with the subject “We have the right to live in a Nuclear-Free
world”, with the participation of lecturers from 8 European countries and USA – was that the Anti-Nuclear Movement has the obligation to organize its reaction to the
nuclear threat and direct its actions to make that cause effective.
Taking the aforementioned into account, the following protocol is signed: Article 1
An International Network of Unions and Organizations (henceforth “the Network”) is
founded, consisting of unions or organizations, located and acting in countries
around/of the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Black Sea and Middle East, under the
general title “Mediterranean No Nuclear Neighbourhood”.
The Network’s headquarters are located in Rhodes, Greece
The official language of the Network is English, in which the Network publishes its
positions and in which all official procedures take place. Article 2
Purposes of the Network are:
- The communication, cooperation and coordination of all the participating
organizations, in order to make the actions undertaken against the nuclear threat
stronger and more effective.
- The monitoring and publishing of all recent developments in the fields of nuclear
weapons, nuclear power reactors and generally any sector of industrial nuclear
activity.
- The information, sensitization and motivation of citizens towards the substantive
cause of the abolition of the nuclear threat against Life, Peace and the Environment.
- The promotion of the Renewable and Environment-friendly Sources of Energy and
the institution of measures for energy preservation, along with the energy saving with
the formation of new consumer standards, matters strongly connected to the future of
the planet and humanity.
Specifically:
- The transformation of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Balkans and the
Middle East into a Zone free from nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
And generally:
- The conservation of the high ideals of Life and Peace, the protection of the
Environment and the Ecological Balance of the Planet, as necessary requirements for
the quality of life for the current generation and the generations to come.
Article 3
Means for the accomplishment of the Network’s purposes:
- The creation of a website, under the responsibility of the Secretariat of the Network,
as a place of opinion exchange, policy configuration and continuous contact among
the members of the Network and the world community.
- The interventions, announcements, protests, signed petitions, information
campaigns, publications, etc.
- The organization and realization of events, lectures, seminars, educational programs,
meetings, conferences, festivals, etc.
- Any other means judged necessary for the accomplishment of the Network’s
purposes, always within the frameworks of Transparency, Democracy and according
to International Law and Practice, principles governing the nature of the Network.
Article 4
Members of the Network
Member of the Network can be any local, regional or national organization,
movement, union, or network fulfilling the following conditions:
1. It acts within the borders of any country of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the
Balkans or the Middle East and agrees with the aforementioned purposes and means,
and generally all those described within this Protocol.
2. It includes in its constitutional causes and/or demonstrates through its actions
opposition to the use of any form of nuclear energy.
For an NGO to become a member of the Network, apart from the constituting
members, the NGO has to apply for membership to the Secretariat, the application
being accompanied by its constitution and a description of its actions over the last
years. The Secretariat rules on the application with a 2/3 majority. Article 5
Network Organs
The Organs of the Network are:
• the Plenary Session
• the Secretariat
• the Executive Secretariat
Plenary Session:
The Network’s Plenary Session takes place once a year, in a different country each
time, with the participation of delegates from all its member-organizations. The
Agenda of the Plenary Session is set by the Secretariat. Additional topics to the
Agenda may be added by the delegates.
During the Plenary Session, workgroups are formed, with the participation of certain
groups of delegates, as established by the Secretariat, after debate with the memberorganizations.
Special guests of the Network may attend the workgroups.
Finally, the last day of the Session, the conclusions of each workgroup are introduced
to the Plenary participants for approval.
In any case and in order for a workgroup resolution to be included in the final
conclusions of the Plenary Session, the resolution must be approved by the Plenary by
2/3 majority.
At the end of each Plenary Session, the next Plenary host is selected by the members
with a simple majority.
The hosting member-organization, with the cooperation of other members and with
the support of the Secretariat, ensures the best possible outcome of the Plenary
Session procedures and the facilitation of the accommodation for all participants. The
expenses for the transportation and accommodation of the delegates are provided by
the member-organizations they represent.
Secretariat:
The Secretariat composes of a delegate and a substitute delegate from each country
with NGOs participating in the Network. The delegates of each country are
recommended to the plenary by this country’s member-organizations.
The Secretariat operates between two Plenary Sessions. It has the responsibility of
informing and coordinating the member-organizations of the Network, maintaining
the website of the Network and the responsibility of the practice of the Plenary’s
decisions. The Secretariat rules with a 2/3 majority on matters arising between two
Plenary sessions.
Executive Secretariat:
The Executive Secretariat is the coordinating and introductory organ of the Secretariat
and is composed of the delegate of the country to host the next Plenary and the two
delegates of the countries that hosted the last two. In case the Plenary is hosted in the
same country as one of the previous two, the third member of the Executive
Secretariat is elected among the delegates of the Secretariat. The Executive Secretariat
rules and release announcements, in emergency, under consensus.
Article 6
Network’s funds
The Network’s funds originate from member-organizations. The funds cover the cost
of the design and maintenance of the Network’s website, along with the costs of the
secretarial support of its organs. The funds are managed by the Secretariat, which also
defines the amount of each of the member-organizations contribution.
Momentary Provisions for the First Plenary
The first Session of the Plenary took place in Rhodes, September 27th to 29th, during
the 2nd International Anti-Nuclear Festival of Rhodes (September 25-29, 2007).
The Protocol of Cooperation has been ratified and signed during this First Session, as
concluded after cooperation among the NGOs participated and are considered as its
constituting members. The constituting members and the representatives signing the
Protocol, are:
Mediterranean Anti Nuclear Watch, Greece
Represented by Mr. Thanassis Anapolitanos, President of the Board
Greek Medical Association against Nuclear and Biochemical Threat, Greek
Affiliate of IPPNW, Greece
Represented by Mrs. Maria Arvaniti Sotiropoulou, President of the Board
ECOTOPIA - Environmental Research and Awareness Society, Greece
Represented by Mr. Mihalis Promponas and Mr. Giannis Shizas
Eco - Corfu, Greece
Foundation for Environment and Agriculture, Bulgaria
Represented by Mrs. Albena Simeonova, President of the Board
Ecologists - Environmentalists Movement of Cyprus, Cyprus
Represented by Mrs. Chrisemily Psilogeni, Secretary on International Relations
Ecoclub, Ukraine
Represented by Mr. Andriy Martynyuk, President of the Board
Réseau Sortir du Nucléaire, France
Represented by Mr. André Lariviére, Responsible on International Relations
Israeli Committee for a Middle East Free from Atomic Biological and Chemical
Weapons, Israel
Represented by Mr. Yehuda Atai and Mr. Gideon Spiro
EUROSOLAR, Turkey - The European Association for Renewable Energy
Represented by Mrs. Isil Uyar
ATTAC-Hellas, Greece
Represented by Mr. Wayne Hall
Anti Nuclear Platform of Izmir, Turkey
Represented by Mr. Metin Erten
Turkish Greens, Turkey
Represented by Mrs. Bilge Contepe, General Spokesman
Monitor of International Organisations and Globalization, Greece
Represented by Mrs. Maria Arvaniti Sotiropoulou, Secretary General
Action des Citoyens pour le Désarmement Nucléaire (ACDN), France
ECOGNOSIA-Environmental Research and Information Center, Cyprus
Represented by Mr. Kostas Papastavros
Group of Scientists and Technicians for a Non Nuclear Future, Spain
The Greens-Green Alternative, Spain
Green Justice Association, Bulgaria
Represented by Mr. Pepo Petrov, Member of the Board
Friends of Science, Culture and Art Association, Istanbul, Turkey
Represented by Mrs. Isil Uyar
Rhodes, 06/03/2008
His Excellency Demetris Christofias
President of the Republic of Cyprus
Your Excellency,
On behalf of the international network “Mediterranean No Nuclear
Neighborhood” (in short MN3 Network) we wish to congratulate you for your
election to the highest position in the Republic of Cyprus and to wish you success
with your task.
The MN3 Network was founded in Rhodes Island in September 2007 by 20
organisations from 8 countries of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the
Balkans. Two international meetings had precede this event, in May 2005 in order
to obstruct the construction of new nuclear power plants and in May 2006 under
the title “we have the right to live in a nuclear free world”, with the participation
of scientists and representatives of organisations from 8 countries from Europe
and the USA.
The MN3 Network´s main objective is to establish the Mediterranean and the
Middle East as a peace zone, without nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass
destruction. This objective does not concern only nuclear weapons but also the so
called “peaceful” use of nuclear energy”.
In the last years there is an increased interest in the promotion of nuclear
energy. The powers that be in the world, taking advantage of the time lapse from
the disaster in Chernobyl and renewed concern about climate change and high oil
prices, are planning a comeback for nuclear energy, creating a dangerous
environment and political dependence. Recently many governments in the region
have declared the construction or the intent to construct, nuclear power plants:
Bulgaria, Rumania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Egypt,
Jordan and others. Turkey has already declared a bid for the construction of it’s
first nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, on the coast right across Cyprus, an intention
that had initially created great opposition in the 1990’s, leading to the initial
abandonment of any such plan in the year 2000. .
And of course we do bear in mind the nuclear program of Iran, for which the
USA and their allies, with apparent hypocrisy, are trying to convince us that it is
the only dangerous such program, but also Israel, the only country in the area which has not signed the Non Proliferation Treaty (DEF) and does not allow the
entrance of international inspectors on its lands.
These plans, if no immediate initiatives are undertaken, will create a tight
situation and consist of a major threat for the Environment, Life and Peace in the
entire planet.
The MN3 Network, taking into consideration the unsolved problems of nuclear
waste disposal, the limited technological experience and financial resources and
the real risk of a nuclear accident, acknowledges that the intention of several
countries to install nuclear power plants in this highly flammable area is suicidal.
The risk of such intentions is even more enhanced due to the very thin line that
crosses the peaceful use and the military utilisation of nuclear power, as well as
the danger of a blind terrorist attack, especially under current circumstances,
which from a geopolitical point of view are characterised by fragility and
uncertainty.
Nuclear energy is neither cheap nor safe or friendly for the environment. It is
not a solution. It is yet another problem. The only guaranteed solution is the
undertaking of measure to save energy consumption and the development of
renewable sources of energy, which our blessed region has in abundance.
Your Excellency,
We strongly doubt the right of any country to decide to construct nuclear
power plants. It cannot be the right of any country to jeopardise the future and
to decide on the health and life of the citizens of another country.
We believe that the governments of countries that decide to construct
nuclear power plants undertake a huge risk and responsibility. But responsibilities
are undertaken also by those who could alter such decisions and choose to do
nothing. That is why we intently ask for political initiatives at an international
level and in the concept of good neighbouring relations.
Your Excellency,
We call upon you with the event of your resuming your new high
responsibilities and look forward to the undertaking of initiatives that will keep
nuclear threat at bay and will bring a vision of a Mediterranean and Middle East
nuclear free closer. Political initiatives which will give hope for sustainable
development, without the threat of war, without fear of ecological disasters and
human holocausts.
The MN3 Network once more wishes you success in your responsibilities and
is at your disposal for any further information and cooperation in the issues we
have displayed.
Sincerely yours,
The executive Secretariat of the Mediterranean No Nuclear Neighbourhood-MN3 Network
(clicking at the titled link we are redirected to the official view)
GEOCHANGE REPORT (part)
Below are given some results of studies of global environmental changes expressed by the statistics and the scale of various natural disasters, both atmospheric and geological in nature. On the basis of statistical data analysis for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, drift of the magnetic poles and other geological processes it has been demonstrated that the Earth’s geodynamic activity has been continuously increasing over the past 100 years, with this tendency substantially growing in recent decades. This is reflected in the number of casualties and the extent of economic damage caused by natural disasters. The global “energy spike” in endogenous and exogenous processes of the Earth started in the late 1990’s.
A similar trend can be observed in atmospheric processes, specifically the increased number of tornados, hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, etc. The global environmental changes caused by anthropogenic and natural factors combine to amplify the negative effect on humanity.
It has to be acknowledged that humankind is not prepared to enter the era of global natural cataclysms, either technologically, economically, legally, or psychologically. A joint effort by scientists, international organizations and governments of different countries under the aegis of the UN is needed to take effective measures to counter natural disasters and to minimize the casualties and damage they cause to humanity.
E.N.Khalilov
“GEOCHANGE” IC GCGE
The time has come when accumulated earth science data make it possible to take a deeper look into the nature’s global changes, and reconsider their extent and their role in the sustainable development of civilization. Many world scientists realize that not only do these changes affect the climate, but they have an impact on virtually the entire volume of the Earth, from its core to the atmosphere and magnetosphere. Global Changes of the Environment, “GEOCHANGE”, means natural, planet-wide changes in nature, influenced by endogenous, exogenous and cosmic factors occurring within the solar system and having negative implications for the sustainable development of humankind.
This summarizing scientific work by IC GCGE, “GEOCHANGE”, is our attempt to demonstrate the extent of these processes and how they influence the development of humankind. Those processes may destabilize the progress of civilization unless some preemptive and effective joint action is taken by the international community to ensure the maximum possible reduction in the number of casualties and economic damage caused by natural disasters. The first report by the Chairman of IC GCGE is a fundamental initial document justifying the International Communiqué on issues of Global Changes of the Geological Environment, “GEOCHANGE”. In the next IC GCGE reports, greater involvement of scientists from different countries as well as consideration of aspects and issues not covered in the first report is planned.
All IC GCGE reports will be published in an international scientific journal titled “GEOCHANGE: Problems of Global Changes of the Geological Environment”.
When preparing this report, the following basic principles have been observed:
- All data provided in the report are verifiable based on references to literary sources or databases available on the Internet.
- The report primarily uses databases of various countries’ public bodies or authoritative international organizations.
- To avoid subjectivity, the report provides raw data without any special mathematical treatment. In some cases, for visualization purposes, minimal mathematical processing is employed, for instance, when drafting various trends or averaging data.
- The text has been written in a popular science style so as to be understood by non-specialists.
- The report contains a lot of illustrative material to maximize the reader’s perception of the information.
- Because the report addresses some issues covering various fields of science and issues at the interface between different disciplines, the text provides basic concepts of the most important terms used.
We observe that, along with the rise of our planet’s average temperature, there is a simultaneous increase not only in the activity of extreme weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, etc., but also of the number of strong earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, with the movement of the magnetic poles accelerating and the Earth’s shape and rotation rate changing. Therefore, it is evident that global climate change is only a part of global environmental changes.
Fig. 1. Casualty breakdown by natural disaster
types for the period between 1947 and 1997 (According to data by K. Y. Kondratiev et al, 2005) http://www.viems.ru/asnti/ntb/ntb502/oboc5.html
Natural disasters cause enormous economic damage to many countries, but the most tragic consequence of their manifestation is numerous casualties. According to research by K. Y. Kondratiev (Kondratiev, 2005), the majority of human lives worldwide are claimed by tornadoes, typhoons (hurricanes) and storms (64%). Earthquakes, in terms of casualty toll, rank second (17%), followed by floods (15%), thunderstorms (2%), tsunamis (1%), and volcanic eruptions (1%).
Nevertheless, in our opinion, these statistics do not so much represent a stable persistent pattern as they are a particular case associated with the specific time period being considered. Alternatively, during the period from 1999 to 2010, earthquakes would be in the lead, followed by tornadoes, typhoons, and storms ranking second, and tsunamis being third.
Below are given some actual data and their brief analysis, the conclusions of which are disappointing and articulate humankind’s entering an era of global cataclysms for which people are not ready yet, either technologically, economically, legally or psychologically.
While writing this first IC GCGE report, we tried to minimize subjective approaches and opinions, relying solely on the facts and primary conclusions that are evident or the most well-grounded. That is why the last section of this report, “Possible forecasts of some natural disasters and cosmic processes” is placed beyond this report as Appendix 1. That section is attached as additional information for discussion.
This report has been published in the international scientific journal “GEOCHANGE: Problems of Global Changes of the Geological Environment” (№ 1, 2010) and is available for open discussion on www.geochange-report.org website. All proposals, recommendations, and comments will be considered and posted on IC GCGE website.
It is also planned to discuss the report during IC GCGE General Assembly and at the International Conference on Global Changes of the Environment (2011).
In the next IC GCGE reports, we plan to address the following issues not covered in the first report: - Near-earth space; - Impact of cosmic processes on the Earth; - Problems of global desertification; - Land degradation; - Melting of glaciers; - Natural causes of ozone layer depletion; - Global changes of the geological environment contributing to disturbance of the natural ecosystem.
Horrifying statistics!
Below is a graph showing numbers of casualties during major earthquakes, covering the period from August 1999 to January 2010. As one can see from the graph, the straight-line trend indicates the tendency to a sharp increase in fatalities over the past decade.
Meanwhile, a kind of cyclicity associated with specific events that have significantly influenced the statistics can be observed. For instance, the sharp increase in the number of casualties since 2003 was caused by the disastrous magnitude 9.1 earthquake with an epicenter north of Sumatra Island on Dec. 26, 2004, which resulted in a very powerful tsunami affecting the coasts of 14 countries. Some 230,000 people died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.
The second maximum occurred in January 2010 and is associated with the catastrophic Haiti magnitude 7,1 earthquake (12.01.2010), claiming lives of 222,570 people.
Fig. 2. Casualty breakdown by natural disaster
types for the period between 1947 and 1997(by E. Khalilov, 2010, according to USGS data)
Graph for numbers of fatalities during major earthquakes
for certain years is marked in blue.
Straight-line trend reflecting tendency of fatalities to grow in numbers
over last decade is marked in red.
So, certain natural disasters can make a significant contribution to the overall statistics, and such events have a special place in the history of the world civilization. Below is a table indicating the number of people killed during large earthquakes from August 1999 to February 2010. Table 1 mentions only the earthquakes with over 10,000 fatalities.
Number of casualties during major earthquakes
for the period between August 1999 and February 2010
The table demonstrates that the number of casualties caused by strong earthquakes is growing year by year, this tendency being distinctly displayed by the fatality graph (Fig. 2) and the straight-line trend showing the general tendency.
Meanwhile, the pernicious effects of natural disasters are not limited to human victims only. Major natural disasters may, in a short time, make a substantial impact on the Earth’s global characteristics: its shape, angular velocity of rotation, and variations of the spatial position of its axis. These factors, in their turn, can cause global climate change.
For instance, the catastrophic magnitude 9.1 earthquake of December 26, 2004 near northern Sumatra generated a very large tsunami and became a cause of death of about 300 thousand people, entering into the history of humankind as one of the most immense natural disasters ever. It is not merely about the monstrous number of people fallen victim to the earthquake and the tsunami it caused. It is, above all, about an amazing geological event with a scope so large that it influenced planet-wide processes. The catastrophic earthquake in the Southeast Asia changed the Earth’s geophysical characteristics. As the Spaceflight Now website reports, NASA scientists have established that the underground shocks have affected the planet’s rotation rate, lengthened the day, and slightly altered the planet’s shape. Moreover, the earthquake changed the position of the Geographic North Pole. It shifted by 2.5 cm towards 145° east longitude. The alteration of the planet’s rotation rate caused lengthening of the 24-hour day by 2.68 microseconds, and the movement of masses led to a change in the planet’s shape.
Catastrophic Indonesian tsunami of December 26, 2004
The catastrophic earthquake of December 26, 2004 occurred as an upthrust at the convergent boundary between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates in the northern Sumatra region. Within about 2 minutes, the rupture activated elastic deformation that had been accumulating in that focal area for centuries as a result of the continuing subduction (sliding) of the Indo-Australian plate under the Eurasian plate. The aftershock zone on December 26 had a length of about 1300 km. Even if we assume that only some of the aftershocks reflected the rupture plane of the main shock, then, according to a number of researchers, its length is considerably more than 500 km. As Chen Ji indicates in his work (2005), geodetic observations and computer simulations enabled scientists to conclude that the maximum underthrust during the earthquake was about 20 m at the depth of 18 km. It was accompanied by seabed shift – about 5 m vertically and 11 m horizontally.
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Accelerating of Earth's Magnetic Poles
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Brian Vastag. North Magnetic Pole Is Shifting Rapidly Toward Russia.National Geographic News. December 15, 2005, USA. http://news.nationalgeographic.com
WE KNOW,WE HAVE EXPERIMENTED,WHY DON'T WE PROCEED ,FASTER???
ON THE OCCASION OF OUR EPAPHOS TEAMWORK PARTICIPATION IN THE CLEAN SKIES CONFERENCE ,AT BRUSSELS,ON 18/06/10,WE POST THIS INTRIGUED ARTICLE,WHICH CASE SEEMS THAT YET ,ISN'T STUDIED WELL BY THE EUROPEAN AERONAUTICS INDUSTRY.
A COMBINATION WITH OTHER ENERGY RESOURCES ,CURRENTLY, COULD PROVIDE A FURTHER DIMINISHING OF THE FOSSIL FUELS CONSUMPTION.
WE WOULD LIKE INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE TODAY'S ACHIEVEMENTS OF EUROPEAN AERONAUTICS INDUSTRY,BY THE DIMINISHING OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION,AT LEAST UP TO 30%.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WE ARE EXPECTING AN INCREASE BY THE MAN-MADE EMISSIONS OF CO2,FROM THE PARTICIPATION OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY,FROM TODAY 2% OF THE TOTAL, TO 3% UP TO 2050.
AT THE CONFERENCE WERE PRESENTED A LOT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES,BUT THE MAIN ONE WAS THE
OPEN-ROTOR ENGINE TYPE,AT THE BACK OF THE PLANE,READY FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
PS.CLICKING ON THE TITLE YOU WILL BE REDIRECTED TO A PHOTO SHOW,OF THE EVENT
'We Have the Technology to End Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels'
Bertrand Piccard has been working on a solar-powered plane for almost a decade and hopes to fly it around the world in 2013. He spoke to SPIEGEL ONLINE about ending the world's addiction to fossil fuels, the aviation industry's need to change and how he plans to stay awake during the round-the-world flight.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: You have been working on a solar-powered airplane for almost 10 years. But not a single tourist or business traveler will ever fly in your plane. What's the point of the project?
Bertrand Piccard: To be frank, the airplane is not the most important thing to me. It is a means to an end. The message is the important thing -- that's what I've been working on for over the last 10 years. It is only because of this project that people listen to me when I speak about the things that matter to me. I want to make clear that we have the technology today to end our dependence on fossil fuels.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Which is why your plane relies on solar power.
Piccard: Yes, and we did not have to develop new solar cells or batteries. Basically, we utilize technologies that you can use in your house, your car or wherever. Of course it is difficult to build a solar-powered plane that flies day and night. You have to optimize some things.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: But there will be no technological spin-offs from the project?
Piccard: Everything is already there. Spin-offs are not important to me. I want to make sure that the people out there follow our adventure and understand that they can save energy and that they can use alternative power sources -- just like we do.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: To spread this message, you have become something of an itinerant preacher around the globe.
Piccard: I can reach millions of people a year through interviews and presentations. I would also like to exert an influence on political decisions. For example, I would love to speak to the delegates of the next United Nations climate conference in Mexico.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: What would you tell them if you got the opportunity?
Piccard: That the current debate is missing the point. We should not speak only about the costs of adapting to climate change. Our problem is not climate change but our dependence on fossil fuels. If you reframe it like this, you understand that there are lots of solutions to the problem. And these opportunities are profitable. It is not a question of costs anymore, but of profits.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: After the failure of the Copenhagen climate summit, it seems that a lot of the momentum for saving the climate has dissipated -- even if you present it as a job-creation machine.
Piccard: Nobody these days would find it acceptable to simply empty their trash can in the forest. But at the same time you are allowed to emit as much CO2 into the atmosphere as you want. Is this normal? Countries have to agree on ambitious rules to protect the climate. We need strict limits on energy consumption and CO2 emissions. But we should not tell industry how to reach these goals. They will find the best methods.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: A lot of managers don't share your desire for strict rules on energy consumption and climate protection.
Piccard: There are stupid people everywhere, that's for sure. If General Motors, for example, had been obliged to produce more fuel-efficient cars 10 years ago, they would not have gone bankrupt. It's not a question of regulating companies out of business, but of making them able to survive.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: The airline industry has a particularly big problem when it comes to the environment. Do industry leaders understand that their survival is at stake?
Piccard: They understand the magnitude of the problem. But they have no idea what to do about it. When oil prices go up, they will be in big trouble. You need to reduce the weight of planes; you need to have more direct routes; you need to make continuous descent approaches, which reduce fuel consumption. Everybody has known this for years. But not much has happened.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Your plane Solar Impulse will fly only 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour) on average. Could slower flying speeds also save fuel for commercial airliners?
Piccard: In principle, yes. It is something of a paradox. Everybody wants to fly as fast as possible. But should oil prices rise above $200 (€166) per barrel, you will eventually have to reduce speed.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Had you used fuel cells for your plane, you would surely have aided the airline industry more than you have. In that scenario, passengers might have been able to fly with the technology one day -- in contrast to the solar plane that you have built.
Piccard: I did think about fuel cells in the beginning. But solar cells are more consistent with our goals. We want to change people's behavior. We don't want to change the airline industry.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Solar Impulse has made five test flights so far. Why have you not flown a single one of them?
Piccard: Our German test pilot Markus Scherdel is much better trained for the job. He is both a pilot and an engineer; as such, he helps to make the plane better. Flying stability has improved a lot. My associate André Borschberg has already taken his first flight. And in the next two or three weeks, I plan to enter the cockpit myself.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Are you planning on making the first night flight, when your plane will have to use energy stored up during daylight hours?
Piccard: Either André Borschberg or myself will do it. We will decide at the last minute. We plan to start sometime around June 21. And if it doesn't work the first time, we will just have to keep trying. We can't fly around the world if the plane does not stay in the air at night. It's as simple as that.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: If everything goes well, you plan to fly around the world in 2013. Why are you planning on making five stops on the way?
Piccard: There is only room for one pilot. You are totally on your own in the cockpit. And nobody can stay awake for 20 days in a row. After five days of travelling alone, things get a bit dangerous. That's when we want to change pilots.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: How do you plan to keep alert during the flight?
Piccard: I will use meditation and self-hypnosis. And apart from that, there will be an autopilot that permits sleeping, at least for short periods of time.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: There will not even be room for a toilet in the small cabin. How will you solve that problem?
Piccard: With plastic bags.
Interview conducted by Christoph Seidler.
Bertrand Piccard, 52, is a Swiss psychiatrist and aeronaut. He wrote aviation history in 1999 when, together with the Briton Brian Jones, he circumnavigated the Earth in a balloon, taking 19 days, 21 hours and 47 minutes for the voyage. Piccard comes from an adventurous family. His grandfather, Auguste Piccard, was the first person to ascend to the stratosphere in a balloon, while his father Jacques Piccard was a famous deep-sea explorer who reached the deepest point of the world's oceans, the Mariana Trench, in 1960.
PUMPING UP THE FOSSIL WATER (GROUNDWATER),DOESNT RESOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE'S NEEDS.THESE NATURAL TANKS ARE HAVING A SIGNIFACANCE ROLE FOR THE UNDERGROUND LIFE'S ENVIRONMENT,WHICH WE HAVEN'T YET STUDIED CAREFULLY.
LANDS LIKE SAUDI ARABIA HAVE MODERN SOLUTIONS WHICH CAN OFFER PLENTY OF WATER,EITHER BY ORGANIZING BETTER CONSERVATION POLICIES(MIN.CONSUMPTION,RECYCLING,USE AND DEPOSIT OF RAIN WATER,TRADITIONAL LOCAL PLANTATION AND NOT DEVELOPING ONE WHICH DOESNT BELONG TO THE CLIMA OF THE MENTIONED TERRITORY ETC) OR BY USING THE NEWER METHODS,WITH GREEN ENERGY FOR DESALINATION OF THE SEAWATER (EG.COMBINATION OF SUN-WIND POWER ENERGY PRODUCTION FOR DESALINATION PURPOSES AND NOT ONLY ETC ).
IT IS VERY EASY FOR COUNTRIES LIKE SAUDI ARABIA TO FINANCE SUCH RESEARCH AND PROJECTS WHICH CAN AUGMENT THE PARTICIPATION OF DESALINATED SEAWATER ,FOR HUMAN ACTIVITIES,FROM 8% UP TO 50%.EVEN IF THEY ALREADY HAVE INVESTED AT LARGE SCALE DESALINATION PLANTS,THE USED ENERGY ISN'T CARBON FREE.
WE CAN READ ABOUT SUCH AN IDEA ,ONLY A SOLAR ONE,AT AUSTRALIA ,IF WE CLIK ON THE TITLED LINK.
THANK YOU
AGGELOS
Searching for Water under the Sands of Saudi Arabia
Water is scarce in arid Saudi Arabia. Now the king has hired a team of German scientists to search for groundwater trapped in aquifers beneath the massive kingdom's sands. Their pioneering work could provide solutions for other desert countries.
German geologist Randolf Rausch, 59, is showing his visitors the desert. He walks nimbly across the narrow crest of a sand dune, pointing his toes outward like a ballet dancer. The wind blows away his tracks immediately and tugs at his green Tyrolean hat.
The guests, who are from the southwestern German city of Darmstadt, trudge along behind him, panting in the silence. The air temperature in the Ad Dahna Desert at this time of the year is only about 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 20 degrees Celsius cooler than in the summer. The air is dry, clear and odorless. Rausch stops at the highest point on the dune and gazes out over a seemingly endless landscape of shimmering, copper-colored dunes.
"This here," he says, with a strong Swabian accent, "is every geologist's dream."
Finding Fossil Groundwater
Rausch has been working for GTZ International Services, part of Germany's federal GTZ development agency, in Riyadh for the last six years. The Saudi king has hired him and his visitors, who are from the Technical University of Darmstadt, to search for water in the desert. By drilling holes up to 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) deep, conducting pumping tests, and applying complex measuring techniques and computer models, they are trying to find out how much fossil groundwater remains stored between layers of rock beneath the Arabian Peninsula.
ONLY HELLENIC STYLE,BY THE SUBSTANCE OF OECOS, CAN RESPECT AND PRESERVE NATURE
'Copenhagen Is About Doing As Little As Possible'
Interview with US Economist Dennis Meadows
With his 1972 book "The Limits to Growth," Dennis Meadows was one of the first to warn about the looming environmental crisis. The US economist spoke to SPIEGEL ONLINE about the need to drastically change our behavior and why he doesn't expect much from the global climate change summit in Copenhagen.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mr. Meadows, you simulated the future of the Earth back in 1972 with less computing power than a Blackberry. How good was your model on the limits to growth?
Dennis Meadows: Amazingly good, unfortunately. We are in the midst of an environmental crisis, which we predicted then. The difference is that we have lost 40 years during which humanity should have acted.
SPIEGLE ONLINE: You have been one of those warning about the environment ever since the first publication of your book. Now representatives of almost 200 countries are gathering to tackle the environmental crisis. Are you satisfied?
Meadows: Copenhagen? I don't take it seriously. The whole thing is a huge ploy. I am outraged because the situation is outrageous. If we rely on conferences instead of changing our lifestyles then things look bad.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: But the world is now looking to Copenhagen, to see if politicians can bring about a solution to the climate problem.
Meadows: The world? I think 98 percent of humans haven't even heard the word Copenhagen, not to speak of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change there. If people were to come together there with a fresh mind to achieve something then it would look different. This conference is essentially about doing as little as possible, not as much as possible.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: You ask people to make personal sacrifices in order to preserve the environment and resources?
Meadows: I don't ask for it but I say if we don't change our behavior then we will be in serious trouble. People are getting sidetracked if they think that new green technology will solve all the problems. There is no magic button. It is about our lifestyles.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Changing our personal behavior will make everything better?
Meadows: When it comes to oil dependency, yes; but when it comes to climate change, I think we are too late. It might have been possible to prevent serious climate change in the 1970s and 1980s, but it isn't any more. We have pumped enough carbon dioxide already into the atmosphere to cause global warming. We are on a roller coaster at the top of the hill and all we can do is hold on tight.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Then does it make any sense to reduce CO2 emissions?
Meadows: Absolutely, but that will only limit climate change, not prevent it.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: You sound pretty pessimistic.
Meadows: No. We won't die out as a species. Humanity has already survived the Ice Age, and now we will survive an age of warmth. I doubt, however, that in the end there will be billions of us flying around the world in planes and driving huge cars.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: We will live like today's poorest people, those who emit hardly any carbon dioxide?
Meadows: That is not my role model. I lived long enough in a country like Afghanistan to know that I don't want us to have to live like that in the future. But we have to learn to live a life that allows for fulfilment and development, with the CO2 emissions of Afghanistan.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Is it possible to have 9 billion people on the planet?
Meadows: No. Even 7 billion is too much -- at least if they are all to have an appropriate standard of living. If you think it is acceptable to have a small elite that enjoys a decent lifestyle and a large majority that is excluded from that, then the Earth can probably sustain 5 to 6 billion people. If you want everyone to have the full potential of mobility, adequate food and self-development, then it is 1 or 2 billion.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: How does one achieve that?
Meadows: I have no idea. I am an ethical person and I wouldn't hurt a fly. The problem is that with our current lifestyle we are hurting the people of the future.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: You don't have a recipe for saving the world?
Meadows: We don't have to save the world. The world will save itself, like it always has. Sometimes it takes a few million years until the damage is repaired and a new balance has been established. The question is much more: How do we save our civilization?
SPIEGEL ONLINE: How do you deal with the fact that your analyses have failed to bring about any real changes?
Meadows: A long time ago I thought we would have to achieve a total utopia in order to avoid total collapse. Today I am somewhat more balanced. For me personally it is enough if I make the world a little better than it would have been without me. Everyone should rethink their own lifestyle, their carbon footprint and try to think one step ahead into the future.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: What has the reaction been to this kind of advice?
Meadows: A fashion editor once asked me about lifestyle changes. I asked her how many pairs of shoes she had. It was 18. I advised her that three pairs would be enough. Unfortunately the article was never published. Many habits are deeply rooted and it takes practice to get rid of them.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: How will the necessary changes come about?
Meadows: Through a series of crises. It is only when there are abrupt climate changes, unpleasant ones, that the willingness will come about to really do something. We have to use these opportunities. We didn't use them during the financial crisis. The opportunity to change something was wasted, despite the crisis.
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Some people might regard you as an angry prophet from the Old Testament.
Meadows: Nonsense. Our first book had 13 different scenarios for how the Earth and humanity would develop. Of these, eight or nine were catastrophic, the others were not. But no one was interested in the positive scenarios. They weren't reported upon and people didn't try to live them out. I am not preoccupied with doomsday scenarios. Most other people, however, are.
Horrifying forest fires in Greece
PHOTO FROM NASA Latest fire map available: 08/29/07 - 09/07/07 (2007241-2007250)
In four heatwaves, one each in June and July and two in August, with temperatures exceeding 400 C in the day time and staying above 300 C even during the night for two to four consecutive days and with strong winds, thousands of fires occurred (well over 3.000 fires for the period, repeatedly over 200 per 24 hours). Over 150 arson mechanisms were collected in the aftermath of the fires.
Few fires escaped early control by the locals or the fire fighting service but they were enough to devastate the country in the worse year for fires ever recorded in a country were forest fires are a regular occurrence. Attica, the Peloponese, Euboea, Mount Pelion and Cefalonia were particularly damaged.
75 human lives lost, aprox. 15.000 homeless, tens of hamlets destroyed by fire, 50.000 sheep and goat animals, 200.000 ha of forests and 100.000 ha of agriculture and pasture land burnt , costs of 1 billion Euro (without counting lives or ‘’social costs’’) are current estimates of the human and material losses of the country. There was relatively little damage to ancient monuments but considerably more to Byzantine churches and other treasured buildings.
The fire fighting service persevered with great courage against the fires for days on end in the most adverse conditions. They lost 5 of their members in the process.
There were generous and moving manifestations of solidarity from the EU, from its member –countries, from our neighbours, notably Turkey, from our kin – Cyprus, and from many other countries. There was ample and moving moral and material support. At the end of August we had perhaps the largest ever international fire fighting air force, operating against the fires.
The August fires coincided with the electoral period and soon became a focal point for party –political recrimination .
It is now time to reorganize our defense against forest fires in the Mediterranean with particular attention to prevention and early response and in this, as in so much else, we look forward to EU initiatives and leadership.
By THEODOROS N.IKONOMOU President of Greek Forest Owners Association
SOMETHING IS MOVING IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNDER The HIGH PATRONAGE Of the EMBASSY OF FRANCE IN GREECE AND FRENCH INSTITUTE Of ATHENS and on the initiative of SD-MED Free-Hellenic and International meetings "Which policies of urban development in the context of the durable development? Transformations of the urban fact, the built framework and the market of the real estate "
May 16-17, 2007 Auditorium of the French Institute of Athens 30, Street Sina, 106 80 Athens
16-17 Mai 20071ères Rencontres Franco-Helléniques et Internationales« Comment aménager dans le contexte du développement durable ? Transformationsdu fait urbain, du cadre bâti et du marché de l’immobilier »Lieu : Institut de Développement Régional, Université Panteion d’Athènes
14-15-16 Mars 2007 à St Raphael-PARIS Vous n’êtes pas encore inscrit aux Rencontres de la Construction Durable ? 10 raisons de venir aux Rencontres de la Construction Durable
Une rencontre inédite entre les professionnels de la construction et les décideurs de la commande publique pour développer la durabilité dans la ville, qu’il s’agisse de construire neuf, de réhabiliter ou d’aménager…
Une manifestation réunissant les prescripteurs publics et le monde de la construction où chacun peut échanger, dialoguer, s’informer, innover, commander …
Des thèmes d’actualité sur la ville, l’urbanisme, la construction et la réhabilitation : o les coûts, mais aussi les quartiers durables, o la construction neuve, mais aussi les centaines de milliers de bâtiments et de logements à réhabiliter, o les ressources mais aussi les énergies, o les documents d’urbanisme mais aussi leur cohérence, o les labellisations, mais aussi les démarches étrangère susceptibles d’être appliquées en France … Les meilleurs spécialistes réunis en plateau pour débattre et faire progresser ensemble le développement durable dans la ville, dans la collectivité, etc.
Des séances de travail concrètes, animées par des hommes de terrain soucieux de faire partager leurs expériences, leurs contraintes et leurs réussites …
Un point précis sur les innovations actuelles dans les bâtiments, innovations qui foisonnent en particulier pour la gestion de l’énergie …
Un salon de la Construction Durable, regroupant des grands groupes industriels et des entreprises très spécialisées, ouvert durant toutes les Rencontres ...
Des visites de sites et des présentations techniques illustrant les technologies nouvelles sur le marché de la construction durable …
Des temps d’échanges réguliers et très conviviaux organisés sur le Salon …
Une conclusion des Rencontres par le Délégué Interministériel au Développement Durable, qui viendra apporter son soutien aux démarches nombreuses, désormais entreprises dans les collectivités, la HQE®, l’éco construction, la normalisation …
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