Agenda 21, Chapter 17, Section EAddressing critical uncertainties for the marine environment and climate changeThe main objectives of Section E were all to do with research and data handling in order to actually have an usable working knowledge of the oceans and their ecosystems. This is to understand how climate change will effect the oceans so that it can be effectively managed such as through activities by governments for the protection against detrimental climate change and through international organisations such as the IPCC. The following are actual programmes that identify and will achieve the objectives of section E in agenda 21. Objective a: Periodic assessment of the marine environment. To be able to understand how the oceans work and ultimately how to protect against detrimental changes we need to know the state of the marine environment now. To do this periodic assessment of the marine environment is one of the first steps towards the understanding of the marine environment.
IOC-Ocean Science A programme used to assist and manage multinational, co-operative research in the broad fields of oceanography and marine sciences. This happens through programmes such as; the Ocean Science in Relation to Living Resources (OSLR), Ocean Science in Relation to Non-Living Resources (OSNLR), and Marine Pollution Research and Monitoring (GIPME/MARPOLMON). MAST (Marine Science and Technology programme). The aim of the MAST programme is to develop the scientific and technological base for the sustainable exploitation of marine systems, as well as determining their precise role in global change.
AWI (Alfred Wegener Institute). Smaller institutes like this are also viable although they do often operate over a smaller area such as this one for Polar and Marine research. Objective b: Review of existing regional and global databases and the strengthening of existing research facilities. The creation of national multisectoral information bases linked with existing data to ensure comparability in research and the cooperation and exchange of data and information, and its storage and archiving. The next step in understanding the oceans is to find what information we already have and to organise it making it easier to access.
IOC-IODE (Data and Information Exchange) The programme reviews existing regional and global databases, and then also strengthens the facilities. Right from the beginning (1961) IODE has been reviewing existing databases as they wish to produced an international exchange system to provide data and information from all available sources. The IODE also does research themselves as well as reviewing and strengthening existing databases.
GIWA (Global International Waters Assessment). The aim of this project is to produce a comprehensive and integrated global assessment of international waters by using existing information. Sindre Langaas. There are also a number of individual scientists that have reviewed databases such Sindre Langraas. They sometimes as here publish good information on the web in this case it is a review of the GIS databases in the Baltic region. ICSPRO (The Inter-secretariat Committee on Scientific Programmes Relating to Oceanography). This acts as a good independent co-ordinating mechanism. Objective c: Formation of Sub-regional, regional and global observing systems and using the information gathered to provide improved forecasts. The development of an integrated regional systematic long-term observation programme for the marine environment mainly concerning climate change. For real time research observing systems are needed and will act to improve our understanding of the processes involved in climate changes.
GOSIC (Global Observing Systems Information Centre). The three global observing systems for climate, ocean and land are organised. Therefore all the information from these three systems can be effectively used to give better forecasts.
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). An advisory group that prepares approximately every 5 years, a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the policy-relevant scientific, technical and socio-economic dimensions of climate change. Objective d: A strategy for providing training and technical assistance for developing countries through training, education and mutual assistance programmes and to ensure full participation by them. To get the best possible information for the marine environment we have to get the everybody involved including the developing countries and therefore we have to be assured that they up to the same stage in technology.
IOC-TEMA (Training, Education and Mutual Assistance in Marine Sciences). A capacity building programme that is linked to existing and planned national and regional programmes. It acts as a link with potential donor agencies, aiming at '…regional pooling of resources and joint capacity building, and draw[ing] upon the global programmes of the IOC, for expertise, results and advice…' Involves activities such as job training, courses and workshop groups; scientific, technical and engineering fellowships etc.
World Bank. This organisation has goals set for helping the environment and developing countries and so will lend money to reach these goals. Objective e: Co-operation in adopting special measures to cope with and adapt to climate change and sea level rise. With the now the reality of climate change and all the deleterious effects such as sea level rise that go along with it, help is needed to adapt and cope with it.
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). An advisory group that prepares approximately every 5 years, a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the policy-relevant scientific, technical and socio-economic dimensions of climate change.
Climate Change Programme. Programmes from individual governments also work to cope with the deleterious effects of climate change. Objective f: Freely available information and data for Antarctica. Antarctica is the world's last unspoiled wilderness and has a central role in regulating the earth's environmental processes, including the world's atmospheric and oceanic systems, global tides and sea levels. Therefore any disruption to it could have disastrous results. TAP (The Antarctica Project). It is the Secretariat of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) and contains nearly 230 organisations in 49 countries and leads many national and international campaigns to protect the biological diversity and wilderness of Antarctica, including its oceans and marine life.
SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research). This is an inter-disciplinary committee for the International Council for Science. It deals with the initiation, promotion and co-ordination or scientific research in Antarctica. With the objectives being achieved we only need to see what the future holds. |
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