A Report of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources National Science and Technology Council

This national scientific assessment integrates and interprets the findings of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) and synthesizes findings from previous assessments, including reports and products by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It analyzes current natural and human-induced trends in global change, and projects future trends impacting the natural environment, agriculture, water resources, social systems, energy production and use, transportation, and human health. It is intended to help inform discussion of the relevant issues by decisionmakers, stakeholders, and the public. As such, this report addresses the requirements for assessment in the Global Change Research Act of 1990.

Science and Technology to Support Fresh Water Availability in the United States

This report describes issues regarding water use, conservation, and management. Many parts of the United States are expected to face water shortages in the near future

Our Changing Planet

This report, prepared under the auspices of the President's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), highlights the Program's recent research and describes future plans and goals. The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) was established in 1989 and authorized by Congress in the Global Change Research Act of 1990. The first edition of Our Changing Planet was transmitted to the Congress as a supplement to the FY1990 budget. In just over a decade, the USGCRPhas generated remarkable improvements to our knowledge of Earth's global-scale environmental processes and helped identify and explain the causes and consequences of a series of global environmental changes, including ozone depletion and climate change

Statewide Water Roundtables Fall 2008: Synthesis Report

Executive Summary: Five facilitated Statewide Water Roundtables were held in Bend, Newport, Ontario, Medford, and Salem during September and October 2008; 301 people attended. Since attendees were self-selected, and some attended more than one Roundtable, they are not a representative cross-section of Oregonians. The attendees responded to eight questions designed to identify their interests and the source of their water. They were also asked which of the following five factors – quantity, quality, economic, ecological, social - they valued most about Oregon and its water. In each region, the majority of the stakeholders are not optimistic about either current or future water supplies, either disagreeing or disagreeing strongly with these statements: 1) in 2008 Oregonians have enough water to cover their needs, including wildlife; 2) same question, but in Year 2028. Attendees identified issues/opportunities/threats (issues) and outcomes/expectations/payoffs (outcomes), then prioritized the issues and identified potential solutions, actions to be taken in the short term and long term, existing examples, and groups responsible for action or implementation. Many issues were the same from Roundtable to Roundtable but certain ones were more evident in particular locations, e.g., water rights and protection of existing water rights (Ontario, Bend); and invasive species (Newport). The participants were knowledgeable about their water supply; only three of 301 attendees could not identify the source of their water. The solutions offered by participants reflected this high degree of knowledge. Over 200 issues were identified at the five Roundtables. The Roundtables were designed to encourage brainstorming so characterizing the issues cannot be done scientifically. Representative issues included: • Funding for water and wastewater infrastructure and management • Integrated long range planning and management at the basin level within a statewide framework • Protection of existing water rights and uses • Water quality, especially non-point pollution, micro-contaminants and the impact of urbanization • Water-land use planning integration • Climate change impacts • Wetland, floodplain and instream flow restoration • Interstate water allocation/management for surface and groundwater Key messages heard at all sessions were that: • One size does not fit all; regions vary greatly and regional differences need to be recognized • Public information and education about water use and management is needed • Need for integrated water management and implementation Potential solutions: • Maximize available funds through agency coordination and streamlining of funding sources • Water conservation tax credits, like energy tax credits • Water reuse and recycling • Water markets, pricing and incentives • Water storage and conservation • Measuring water flows and uses systematically • Local integrated water planning • Interstate compact(s)Keywords: Water quality, Water supply, Oregon, Water right

Wastewater irrigation: the state of play

As demand for fresh water intensifies, wastewater is frequently being seen as a valuable resource. Furthermore, wise reuse of wastewater alleviates concerns attendant with its discharge to the environment. Globally, around 20 million ha of land are irrigated with wastewater, and this is likely to increase markedly during the next few decades as water stress intensifies. In 1995, around 2.3 billion people lived in water-stressed river basins and this could increase to 3.5 billion by 2025. We review the current status of wastewater irrigation by providing an overview of the extent of the practice throughout the world and through synthesizing the current understanding of factors influencing sustainable wastewater irrigation. A theme that emerges is that wastewater irrigation is not only more common in water-stressed regions such as the Near East, but the rationale for the practice also tends to differ between the developing and developed worlds. In developing nations, the prime drivers are livelihood dependence and food security, whereas environmental agendas appear to hold greater sway in the developed world. The following were identified as areas requiring greater understanding for the long-term sustainability of wastewater irrigation: (i) accumulation of bioavailable forms of heavy metals in soils, (ii) environmental fate of organics in wastewater-irrigated soils, (iii) influence of reuse schemes on catchment hydrology, including transport of salt loads, (iv) risk models for helminth infections (pertinent to developing nations), (v) microbiological contamination risks for aquifers and surface waters, (vi) transfer efficiencies of chemical contaminants from soil to plants, (vii) health effects of chronic exposure to chemical contaminants, and (viii) strategies for engaging the public.<br /

A qualitative analysis of environmental policy and children's health in Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since Mexico's joining the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1994, it has witnessed rapid industrialization. A byproduct of this industrialization is increasing population exposure to environmental pollutants, of which some have been associated with childhood disease. We therefore identified and assessed the adequacy of existing international and Mexican governance instruments and policy tools to protect children from environmental hazards.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We first systematically reviewed PubMed, the Mexican legal code and the websites of the United Nations, World Health Organization, NAFTA and OECD as of July 2007 to identify the relevant governance instruments, and analyzed the approach these instruments took to preventing childhood diseases of environmental origin. Secondly, we interviewed a purposive sample of high-level government officials, researchers and non-governmental organization representatives, to identify their opinions and attitudes towards children's environmental health and potential barriers to child-specific protective legislation and implementation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified only one policy tool describing specific measures to reduce developmental neurotoxicity and other children's health effects from lead. Other governance instruments mention children's unique vulnerability to ozone, particulate matter and carbon monoxide, but do not provide further details. Most interviewees were aware of Mexican environmental policy tools addressing children's health needs, but agreed that, with few exceptions, environmental policies do not address the specific health needs of children and pregnant women. Interviewees also cited state centralization of power, communication barriers and political resistance as reasons for the absence of a strong regulatory platform.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Mexican government has not sufficiently accounted for children's unique vulnerability to environmental contaminants. If regulation and legislation are not updated and implemented to protect children, increases in preventable exposures to toxic chemicals in the environment may ensue.</p

Risk factors for children’s blood lead levels in metal mining and smelting communities in Armenia: a cross-sectional study

Background: Children's exposure to lead poses a significant risk for neurobehavioral consequences. Existing studies documented lead contamination in residential soil in mining and smelting communities in Armenia. This study aimed to assess blood lead levels (BLL) in children living in three communities in Armenia adjacent to metal mining and smelting industries, and related risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 159 children born from 2007 to 2009 and living in Alaverdi and Akhtala communities and Erebuni district in Yerevan - the capital city. The BLL was measured with a portable LeadCare II Blood Lead Analyzer; a survey was conducted with primary caregivers. Results: Overall Geometric Mean (GM) of BLL was 6.0 μg/dl: 6.8 for Akhtala, 6.4 for Alaverdi and 5.1 for Yerevan. In the sample 68.6 % of children had BLL above CDC defined reference level of 5 μg/dl: 83.8 % in Akhtala, 72.5 % in Alaverdi, and 52.8 % in Yerevan. Caregiver's lower education, dusting furniture less than daily, and housing distance from toxic source(s) were risk factors for higher BLL. Additional analysis for separate communities demonstrated interaction between housing distance from toxic source(s) and type of window in Erebuni district of Yerevan. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that children in three communities adjacent to metal mining and smelting industries were exposed to lead. Investigation of the risk factors suggested that in addition to promoting safe industrial practices at the national level, community-specific interventions could be implemented in low- and middle-income countries to reduce BLL among children

Harmful Algal Blooms in US Waters

This document discusses the causes of harmful algae blooms and their impact on the environment, public health, and the economy. The document also discusses options for managing algal blooms and current federal efforts to address the problem