United Nations’ Initiatives

Sustainable Energy for All is a United Nations initiative that aims to redress the imbalance of the supply of clean and efficient energy worldwide, to improve energy efficiency and thus reduce energy demand, and to increase the proportion of energy that comes from renewable energy resources. 

Kolpin DW, Barbash JE, Gilliom RJ. 1998. Occurrence of pesticides in shallow groundwater of the United States Initial results from the National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Environ Sci Technol 32 558-566. 

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) represents a third international player in the field of LCA. In 1996, UNEP published an easy to read and user-friendly guide to LCA° and supported several international workshops since then, deahng with various topics in the context of LCA. The launch of the Life Cycle Initiative in 2002 within UNEP further emphasised its importance.°°... 

In 2005, a comprehensive comparison of LCIA toxicity characterization models was initiated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) in their life cycle initiative. The main objectives of this effort were to [9] (1) identify specific sources of differences between the models results and structure (2) detect the indispensable model components and (3) build a scientific consensus model from them, representing recommended practice. 

Figure 32.6 Chernobyl air plume behavior and reported initial arrival times of detectable radioactivity. Plume A originated from Chernobyl on April 26, 1986 Plume B on April 27-28 and Plume C on April 29-30. The numbers indicate initial arrival times 1, April 26 2, April 27 3, April 28 4, April 29 5, April 30 6, May 1 7, May 2 and 8, May 3. (From United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). 1988. Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation. United Nations, New York. 647 pp.)... 

A detailed description of how Operation Purple developed, its activities and the results achieved in phase I are presented in the 1999 report of the Board on the implementation of article 12 of the 1988 Convention (United Nations publication. Sales No. E.00.XI.3). The activities undertaken during the initial stages of phase II are presented in the 2000 report of the Board on the implementation of article 12 (United Nations publication. Sales No. E.01.X1.4). The objectives of the operation, the procedural details and its results can further be found in the report on phase I of the operation prepared by the Steering Committee. 

UNICEF (2004). Micronutrient Initiative Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency, A Global Progress Report. In "Micronutrient Initiative". UNICEF (The United Nations Children s Fund. 

The conception of snstainable resource development worked ont nnder the initiative of the United Nations (U.N.) actualizes ideas for improving the health of people and the environment. The needs of people are to be addressed and, simnltaneonsly, natnral resonrces preserved. Chemical education in schools has to snpport a change in the... 

United Nations Environment Programme Chemicals (2000) OECD High Production Volume Chemicals Programme. Phase 3. SIDS (Screening Information Data Set), initial assessment report [http //irptc.unep.ch], Geneva... 

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management and United Nations Industrial Development Organization as initiator of this book, would like to thank the following companies and persons, whose personal commitment contributed substantially to the success of this book project ... 

In the U.S. House of Representatives, states are represented according to population—the larger the population of the state, the more representatives the state is allowed to send to Congress to vote on various laws and issues. Should a similar system be set up within the United Nations How might Europeans feel about such an initiative ... 

Larson SJ, Gilliom RJ, Capel PD (1999) Pesticides in streams of the United States— initial results from the national water-quality assessment program. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 98-4222, p 92... 

In 1997, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council decided that immediate international action should be taken to protect human health and the environment. International negotiations to reduce and eliminate the emission and discharges of an initial set of 12 POPs were initiated at the Stockholm Convention on POPs in May 2001. The 12 substances that were addressed at the Stockholm Convention were aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, dichlorodiphenyltrichoroethanes (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), chlordane, toxaphene, heptachlor, hex-achlorobenzene (HCB) and mirex. Basic information and status of major organochlorine pesticides in China are summarized in Table 8.1. 

One of the investigated alternatives is using satellites. Richard Hughes from the Los Alamos National Laboratories is investigating methods for sending photons through the open air. One of the obstacles is bad weather in some parts of the world, e.g., the Northwest of the United States. Initial research results in this area are not encouraging [13]. 

Environmental Industry News (2008) Old computer equipment can now be disposed in a way that is safe to both human health and the environment thanks to a new initiative launched today at a United Nations meeting on hazardous waste that wrapped up in Bali, Indonesia, 4 Nov 2008... 

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