Worldwide Emerging Environmental Issues Affecting The Us Military September 2009

Topics concern worldwide emerging environmental issues affecting the U.S. Military such as: Item 1. Climate Change at the UN and G-20, Item 2. Chemicals Management to Address Emerging Technologies-related Issues, Item 3. Draft European Transboundary Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change, Item 4. Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications, 4.1 New Detection and Cleanup Techniques, 4.2 A New Water Management Tool, 4.3 Electric Vehicle Powered by Sodium-Nickel-Chloride Batteries, Item 5. Updates on Previously Identified Issues, 5.1 UN Mission Assessment of Gaza Conflict Included Environmental Impacts, 5.2 UN Security Council Resolution on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, 5.3 Observation and Information System for the World's Oceans to be Created, 5.4 Synthetic Gene Ordering Security Screening Up for Discussion, 5.5 Hazardous Waste Disposal of Increasing Concern, 5.6 Climate Change, 5.6.1 Scientific Evidence and Natural Disasters, 5.6.2 Food and Water Security, 5.6.3 Health, 5.6.4 Melting Glaciers and Sea Ice, .6.5.5 Rising Sea Levels, 5.6.6 Migration, 5.6.7 Computer Modeling, 5.6.8 Adaptation, 5.6.9 Post-Kyoto Negotiations, 5.7 Nanotechnology Safety Issues, Item 6. Reports and Information Suggested for Review, 6.1 Royal Society Issues Major Geo-engineering Report, 6.2 Energy Security Challenges for the 21st Century, 6.3 New Flood Center to Develop Warning Systems, and Appendix.

1. International Standards Needed to Reduce Hi-tech SIMAD Threats; 2. New International Agreement on Recycling of Ships; 3. Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications; 4. Updates on Previously Identified Issues; 5. Reports and Information Suggested for Review.

The World Health Organization raised the level of influenza A(H1N1) alert to five on a one to six scale, meaning that it considers a pandemic highly probable. All countries are asked to activate their pandemic plans and be prepared to deal with emergency situations. The flu--a combination of swine, bird, and human viruses--started in Mexico and rapidly spread around the world, with cases confirmed in 11 countries, as of the end of April. WHO flu expert Dr Keiji Fukuda said, "Containment is not a feasible operation." In response to the outbreak, WHO has applied the International Health Regulations 2005 that entered into force in 2007 for all member states. Some experts consider that the influenza A(H1N1) will test IHR 2005's efficiency and countries? compliance, as well as provide an opportunity for increased preparedness for eventual future acts of bioterrorism and expedite research for a vaccine that would protect against a larger spectrum of viruses. The Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development announced that the development of a universal flu vaccine is getting closer to reality.

The theme of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly was "Responding to Climate Change." Speeches by heads of state and governments talked about climate change, rising sea levels, droughts and floods--as issues in themselves, but also as related to poverty and social problems, and ultimately to global security. There was again mention of strengthening the UNEP by transforming it into a UN Environmental Organization. This annual General Assembly was preceded by a high-level meeting convened by the UN Secretary General focusing specifically on climate change and actions to address it. Prior to this meeting was the annual UN-NGO conference that also focused on climate change. These meetings demonstrated a near consensus that urgent action is necessary, and that the UN Framework for Climate Change is the appropriate forum for discussions. The President of the UN General Assembly is preparing to create a Global Compact on Climate Change tentatively planned for release in early 2008 from which many agreements could flow. All of this focuses on the next high-level meeting on climate change to be held in December, in Bali, Indonesia.

This report comprises the summary and analysis of environmental issues affecting the U.S. military. Some of the topics include: UN environmental mediation program, international standards on the treatment of the environment in war, EU-US joint energy efficiency standards for office equipment, biowaste treatment, technology advances with environmental security implications, marine environmental protection, human health, health hazards, water and food security, sea ice, rising sea levels, melting glaciers and sea ice,

Environment and global warming issues were mentioned in several speeches delivered by Heads of State and Governments at the UN Summit, however it was not a dominant theme. There were calls to ratify international treaties designed to tackle environmental and global warming problems, and agreement was reached to create a worldwide early warning system for all natural hazards and improve the Central Emergency Revolving Fund to ensure timely relief. Leaders of small island states warned that unless aggressive action is taken to deal with climate change to protect small island states, their people will become environmental refugees due to rising ocean levels. The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement were recognized as an important international framework for the protection of internally displaced persons. Environment was listed along with the International Criminal Court, human rights, and disarmament as an issue that was not addressed strongly enough in the 2005 World Summit Outcome. It could be a mistake to interpret this as a decrease in environmental interest. Much political energy was dedicated to UN Security Council reform and international lobbying to reverse the US initial position to delete the Millennium Development Goals. Although environmental issues were relatively less prominent in this final UN Summit document than in the previous one, it is likely that environment-related actions and regulations will go beyond the agreed document due to momentum of improving international environmental agreements documented previously in these reports.

Table of Contents: "Copenhagen Accord" Brokered by President Obama at United Nations Climate Change Conference is a Step Forward in Negotiations -- Next Stop Mexico; Seven Tipping Elements That Could Transform the Planetary Systems; Emerging International Packaging Standards to Reduce Environmental Footprints; Studies Show Increased Hazards from Some Types of Airborne Particles; Technological Advances with Environmental Security Implications, including New Detection and Cleanup Techniques, New Technology to Measure Single Nanoparticles, NIST Awards Development Funding for Extended Sensor for Infrastructure Health, and Increasing Energy Efficiency Technologies; Updates on Previously Identified Issues, including Climate Change, No Enforcement Mechanism Proposed for Strengthening the Bioweapons Treaty Due to "rapidly changing nature" of the threat, China to Create an Emergency Environmental Management System, Toxic Compound Detected in Chlorinated Tap Water, Environmental Effects from Flame Retardant Manufacturing Impurities, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increase Ocean Noise Pollution, Arctic "Pole of Peace" Suggested to Address Arctic Security Issues, Nuclear Disarmament Dilemma Continues, and Nanotechnology Safety Issues Item; Reports and Information Suggested for Review, including State of the World 2010 Calls for a New Paradigm in Addressing Security, Summary of European Battery Regulations Released, and Water Treatment Technologies for the Removal of High-Toxicity Pollutants. The Appendix contains expanded background information on some items.