Environmental Dimension of Water, Sanitation and Human Settlements
The eighth Special Session of the United Nations Environment Programme's Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GCSS-8/GMEF) opened on Monday, 29 March 2004. Kyul-ho Kwak, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea, said the WSSD was an important turning point in the establishment of goals and plans for global environmental protection in the 21st century. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, delivered a message from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressing the importance of further developing IEG, in particular addressing universal membership of the GC, strengthening the scientific base of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the intergovernmental strategic plan for technology support and capacity building. UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer highlighted the need to refocus attention on the foundation of sustainable development, which he said was "the only security policy" for the future.
On Wednesday morning, the Chair's Summary of the consultations, called the "Jeju Initiative," was presented. Ministers and heads of delegation then had the opportunity to comment and make amendments to the text. The Jeju Initiative will be presented as part of UNEP's contribution to CSD-12. In addition to the Jeju Initiative several countries presented summaries of innovative practices to the UNEP Secretariat, highlighting national measures to address integrated water resource management, water and sanitation, and water, health and
poverty. These summaries are available online by clicking here.
Read Linkages Daily Coverage from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Throw Away Society New Threat to Island Paradises
Urgent international assistance is needed to help small island states deal with a rising tide of rubbish and wastes. Studies by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicate that along with issues including rising sea levels, over-fishing, water shortages and inadequate sanitation services, waste is fast becoming another key problem. The Pacific island of Nauru, for example, now has a “blue green shoreline”. But this has nothing to do with it being next to a beautiful azure sea.
The colour is caused by rubbish or more specifically mounds of discarded Fosters and Victoria beer cans. The wastes not only threaten public health but also livelihoods. Many small island developing states (SIDS) are dependent on income from tourists.
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Legislators Promote Better Ocean Stewardship with Introduction of Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2004
The cruise ships of today carry thousands of passengers, and produce waste equivalent to that of small cities. Yet they are not governed by the same anti-pollution laws as municipalities of comparable size on land. Right now, cruise ships are not subject to regulations that would help protect the beautiful and inspiring ocean ecosystems and marine wildlife that attract many cruise ship travelers.
"Cruise ships have largely escaped pollution regulations, and The Ocean Conservancy believes it is time to adopt legislation that brings cruise ships in line with 21st century pollution control practices," said Roger Rufe, President of The Ocean Conservancy. "With the large expansion in the cruise industry, the Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2004 provides an appropriate solution to a preventable problem."
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New Online Magazine Celebrates Coral Reefs
A new online magazine has been launched to "celebrate the power and mystery of the planet's coral reefs." Coral Reef Report bills itself as "the very first online magazine to explore the beauty of coral reefs through the personal stories, photographs, and art of people who have dedicated their lives to protecting this magical underwater world."
The Coral Reef Report features articles, personal stories, and audio interviews with, among others, Pulitzer Prize nominee Osha Gray Davidson, Pew Fellow Dr. Rod Fujita, and Marine Scientist and Explorer-In-Residence for the National Geographic Society, Dr. Sylvia Earle. The site also features a rotating photo gallery currently featuring award-winning photographer Linda Cline.
For Further Information visit the Coral Reef Report.

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