Idoneidad del establecimiento del área natural protegida del mar pacífico tropical

In this essay we will analyze the suitability of the establishment of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of the Tropical Pacific Sea, which would be located off the coast of Piura and Tumbes. Based on an analysis of the literature regarding the design and implementation of MPAs, we will point out some aspects that should be taken into account by administrators and decision makers in all the stages related to the process of assigning the MPA figure to a specific geographical area. Also, we will review the official documentation developed in the proposal process by various state agencies. The objective of this essay is to provide insights into the correct preparation of a proposal that changes the legal system on which the geographical area chosen to be protected rests.En el presente ensayo analizaremos la idoneidad del establecimiento del Área Marina Protegida (AMP) del Mar Pacífico Tropical, que estaría ubicada frente a las costas de Piura y Tumbes. A partir de un análisis de la literatura respecto al diseño e implementación de AMPs, señalaremos algunos aspectos que deben ser tomados en cuenta por los administradores y tomadores de decisiones en todas las etapas referidas al proceso de asignación de la figura de AMP sobre determinada área geográfica. Asimismo, repasaremos la documentación oficial elaborada en el proceso de propuesta por diversos organismos estatales. El objetivo del presente ensayo es brindar luces respecto a la correcta elaboración de una propuesta que cambie el ordenamiento legal sobre el cual descansa el área geográfica elegida para ser protegida.DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24265/voxjuris.2019.v37n1.0

The case for regulating nanotechnologies: international, European and national perspectives

Governments in leading industrialized countries are currently primarily relying on existing regulatory frameworks for environmental, health and safety regulation to cover nanotechnology risks. European and national regulators have generally concluded that any risks posed by nanomaterials can be addressed using existing frameworks, with minor adjustments to specific regulations. Identifying appropriate responses to uncertain risks is a difficult task for policy makers and regulatory agencies, as they are faced with a high degree of scientific uncertainty, the need to balance the costs and benefits of regulation, and the need to find a reasonable compromise between scientific freedom, technological innovation, consumer safety and environmental protection. As nanotechnologies are arguably only recently gaining public prominence, and their regulation is still in its infancy, this article examines some of the issues faced by regulators, offers insights into potential methods for regulation, and critiques the current state of international, European and national law and policy. The article concludes that to address the current regulatory gaps and environmental and health safety concerns surrounding nanomaterials, nanospecific regulation establishing product specification, notification, public disclosure and risk assessment requirements is necessary

Biosignature stability in space enables their use for life detection on Mars

Two rover missions to Mars aim to detect biomolecules as a sign of extinct or extant life with, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers. However, there are many unknowns about the stability of Raman-detectable biomolecules in the martian environment, clouding the interpretation of the results. To quantify Raman-detectable biomolecule stability, we exposed seven biomolecules for 469 days to a simulated martian environment outside the International Space Station. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) strongly changed the Raman spectra signals, but only minor change was observed when samples were shielded from UVR. These findings provide support for Mars mission operations searching for biosignatures in the subsurface. This experiment demonstrates the detectability of biomolecules by Raman spectroscopy in Mars regolith analogs after space exposure and lays the groundwork for a consolidated space-proven database of spectroscopy biosignatures in targeted environments

A Comprehensive Spectral and Variability Study of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies Observed by ASCA: II. Spectral Analysis and Correlations

(Abridged) I present a comprehensive and uniform analysis of 25 {\it ASCA} observations from 23 Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies. The spectral analysis and correlations are presented in this paper, Part 2; the reduction and time series analysis is presented in the companion paper, Part 1.Comment: 73 pages, 31 figures, accepted for publication in ApJS. Report also available at http://www.astro.columbia.edu/~leighly/research.htm

Biosignature stability in space enables their use for life detection on Mars

Two rover missions to Mars aim to detect biomolecules as a sign of extinct or extant life with, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers. However, there are many unknowns about the stability of Raman-detectable biomolecules in the martian environment, clouding the interpretation of the results. To quantify Raman-detectable biomolecule stability, we exposed seven biomolecules for 469 days to a simulated martian environment outside the International Space Station. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) strongly changed the Raman spectra signals, but only minor change was observed when samples were shielded from UVR. These findings provide support for Mars mission operations searching for biosignatures in the subsurface. This experiment demonstrates the detectability of biomolecules by Raman spectroscopy in Mars regolith analogs after space exposure and lays the groundwork for a consolidated space-proven database of spectroscopy biosignatures in targeted environments

Climate change, young people, and the IPCC: The role of citizen science

This commentary suggests that undertaking citizen science research with young people has the potential to play a significant role in contributing to the IPPC and related UN research and policy processes around climate change. Further, citizen science engagement can educate and empower children and young people in and through research by involving wider communities and groups in data collection, communication, and engagement. A persuasive body of literature suggests that children and youth can be and ought to be included in citizen science projects and that young people ought to and can have a greater say in their environmental and climate lives and futures. There is acknowledgment that certain populations, including young people, have been excluded from participation in citizen science, and strategies need to be developed to be more inclusive. Moreover, through inclusion of youth, there are opportunities for intergeneration collaboration leading to potential solutions. Our commentary is a call for the IPCC to be much more open and creative in its knowledge production work and to engage young people in climate-related citizen science

Citizen Science for Conservation: Towards a Cleaner, Greener China

Citizen science (CS) is the practice where amateurs without formal scientific training collect data to contribute to the scientific observations available to scientists and decision makers (Bonney, et al., 2009). Citizen science is increasingly utilized for environmental protection and conservation as well as related purposes such as education, access to nature, access to justice, inclusion, civics and equality or other ‘social goods’ (Mor Barak, 2020; Makuch & Aczel, 2020).  Several eco-citizen science projects are developing in China (Chen, et al., 2020; Hsu, Yeo & Weinfurter, 2020), though little research has evaluated their effectiveness in facilitating environmental protection or advancing social goods. This paper aims to identify the role and potential benefits of environmental citizen science in China to promote environmental and social objectives within the context of what has been called “authoritarian environmentalism” (Beeson, 2018).Through semi-structured interviews and a review of the (limited) available literature, we identify three key areas in which citizen science could potentially benefit environmental protection and promote social good in China: (1) fostering education to inform society and encourage environmental advocacy; (2) facilitating effective environmental governance through monitoring and litigation; and (3) improving data collection for biodiversity and conservation research