Polar Environmental Monitoring

The present and projected benefits of the polar regions were reviewed and then translated into information needs in order to support the array of polar activities anticipated. These needs included measurement sensitivities for polar environmental data (ice/snow, atmosphere, and ocean data for integrated support) and the processing and delivery requirements which determine the effectiveness of environmental services. An assessment was made of how well electromagnetic signals can be converted into polar environmental information. The array of sensor developments in process or proposed were also evaluated as to the spectral diversity, aperture sizes, and swathing capabilities available to provide these measurements from spacecraft, aircraft, or in situ platforms. Global coverage and local coverage densification options were studied in terms of alternative spacecraft trajectories and aircraft flight paths

DroughtScape- Spring 2007

2007 Spring Drought Outlook & Winter Summary VegDRI Expands to 15 States, Refines Views DroughtScape State Spotlight: Utah International Panel Foresees Drought as Part of Climate Change NIDIS Portal Advancin

Urbanisation and health in China.

China has seen the largest human migration in history, and the country's rapid urbanisation has important consequences for public health. A provincial analysis of its urbanisation trends shows shifting and accelerating rural-to-urban migration across the country and accompanying rapid increases in city size and population. The growing disease burden in urban areas attributable to nutrition and lifestyle choices is a major public health challenge, as are troubling disparities in health-care access, vaccination coverage, and accidents and injuries in China's rural-to-urban migrant population. Urban environmental quality, including air and water pollution, contributes to disease both in urban and in rural areas, and traffic-related accidents pose a major public health threat as the country becomes increasingly motorised. To address the health challenges and maximise the benefits that accompany this rapid urbanisation, innovative health policies focused on the needs of migrants and research that could close knowledge gaps on urban population exposures are needed

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene In Health Care Facilities: Status in Low- and Middle-income Countries and Way Forward

This report presents, for the first time, a global assessment of the extent to which health care facilities provide essential water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Drawing on data from 54 low- and middle-income countries, this report finds that 38 percent lack access to even rudimentary levels of water. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, governments, and other partners must develop a global plan to address the pressing needs and ensure that all health care facilities have WASH services

Advanced study of coastal zone oceanographic requirements for ERTS E and F

Earth Resources Technology Satellites E and F orbits and remote sensor instruments for coastal oceanographic data collectio