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TRANSCRIPT
No. 9, September 2007
NEWSLETTER OF THE IUGS COMMISSION ON
GEOSCIENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Newsletter No 9, September 2007
Karst sinkholes are continually forming in northern Lithuania. Environmental management includes: mapping of urban areas, monitoring of the karst process, and geotechnical investigations (photo V. Mikulėnas, Lithuanian Geological Survey)___________________________________________________________________________________________
A map (original at 1:50 000 scale) produced by the Lithuanian Geological Survey showing the degree of surface karstification in part of northern Lithuania
No. 6, July 2006
CONTENTSGEM Objectives..........................................................................................................................3
From the Chair ...........................................................................................................................4
2008 - International Year of Planet Earth...................................................................................5
2008 - 33rd IGC - The Geoscience World Congress 2008...............................................................6GEM Involvement in the IGC.........................................................................................7
GEM International Working Groups.........................................................................................13International Borders – Geoenvironmental Concerns (IBC).........................................13Urban Geology...............................................................................................................14Geology and Ecosystems...............................................................................................15Communicating Environmental Geoscience (CEG)......................................................15
Book in progress "Communicating Environmental Geoscience"......................16
GEM Links................................................................................................................................18 International Medical Geology Association (IMGA)...........................................................18 International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG)...............18 International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)............18 Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP)18 IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)........................................................18 International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH).............................................................19 International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISoCaRP)...........................................19
New Journal "Geoheritage".......................................................................................................21Books of Interest.....................................................................................................................................22Upcoming Meetings...................................................................................................................23
GEM Membership information and Application Form........................................................27-28
ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION
If readers have any items/reports/notices etc that are relevant to the environmental geoscience aims of GEM that they would like to submit for publication in future GEM Newsletters please contact the Information Coordinator - Colin Simpson. E-mail: [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________________
IUGS http://www.iugs.org/
IUGS - GEM http://www.iugs-gem.org/
EPISODES – the quarterly journal of the IUGS http://www.episodes.org/
NEWSLETTER OF THE
IUGS COMMISSION ON GEOSCIENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTGEM
http://www.iugs-gem.org/
GEM OFFICERSCHAIR Dr. Joy Jacqueline Pereira (Malaysia)
[email protected] CHAIRProf. Imasiku Nyambe (Zambia)
[email protected] GENERALDr. Jonas Satkūnas (Lithuania)
[email protected]. Kevin Telmer (Canada)
[email protected] José Centeno (U.S.A.)
Prof. Eduardo da Silva (Portugal)[email protected]
Prof. Theo Davies (Nigeria)[email protected]
Prof. Bernardino de Figueiredo (Brazil)[email protected]
Prof. Marek Graniczny (Poland)[email protected]
Prof. Dr. Qingcheng He (China)[email protected]
Dr. David Liverman (Canada)[email protected]
Dr. Brian Marker (U.K.)[email protected]
Dr. Philipp Schmidt-Thomé (Finland)[email protected]
Dr. Roy Shlemon (U.S.A.)[email protected]
Prof. Igor Zektser (Russia)[email protected]
JAPAN BRANCH OF GEM Mr. Kunio Furuno.
[email protected]. Hisashi Nirei.
[email protected] COORDINATORAdj. Prof. Colin Simpson (Australia) [email protected]_______________________----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------________________________________________________________________
DisclaimerItems published in this (newsletter)/(website) are for general information and the views expressed in any contributed articles or reports are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), or its Commission on Geosciences for Environmental Management (GEM), or their employing organisations.
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The IUGS Commission on Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM) provides guidance to geoscientists on how best to integrate geoscience into environmental policy and to communicate the concepts to potential interest groups such as policy makers, politicians, environmental organizations, other science disciplines, and the general public.
The objectives of GEM are:
1. To increase awareness of policy makers, planners and decision-makers about the essential contribution of geoscience to sound management of the environment.
2. To strengthen the interest and participation of the geoscience community in environmental management by providing relevant information on policy, environmental, economic and social issues.
3. To encourage greater application of geoscience in sustainable use of land, mineral, energy, soil, water and other resources for the benefit of society.
4. To further the contribution of geoscience in solving problems affecting society, which arise from natural and human-induced hazards and pollution.
5. To promote multidisciplinary initiatives for better understanding of environmental processes and for the development of new approaches, tools and techniques to forecast and solve environmental problems.
6. To identify, build links, communicate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders for interchange of ideas pertaining to sound environmental management.______________________________________________
Officers are country/regional representatives and can be contacted for enquiries relating to IUGS-GEM activities.
Any reader is welcome to become a Corresponding Member of GEM - see the last page for details.
From the Chair
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The Commission on Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM) has developed on the excellent work of the former COGEOENVIRONMENT (the Commission on Geological Sciences for Environmental Planning) to provide guidance to geoscientists on how best to integrate geoscience into environmental policy and to communicate the concepts to potential interest groups such as policy makers, politicians, environmental organisations, scientists from other disciplines, and the general public.
Through the establishment of International Working Groups, we actively link the results of environmental geoscientific research to Societal well-being, focussing on understanding and communicating policy issues on the role of geoscience. We now have four International Working Groups. The Working Group on Urban Geology, a collaborative effort with the IAEG and IAH, focuses primarily on reducing vulnerability to natural hazards through planning responses. The Working Group is collaborating
in the technical session on Geology of Megacities and Urban Areas at IAEG 2006. The Working Group on International Borders – Geoenvironment Concerns, focuses on managing transboundary issues related to resources and the environment. The Working Group on Geology and Ecosystems seeks to provide an understanding of ecosystems processes and its resilience to the effects of anthropogenic and natural pollution. The most recent International Working Group on Communicating Environmental Geoscience, is having its inaugural meeting in Nottingham, in conjunction with the IAEG 2006 Congress.
GEM is grateful to the many supporting organisations and individuals that assist us in our business of strengthening the role of geosciences in environmental management. We would like to acknowledge in particular, the support of the IAEG, the British Geological Survey and the Geohazards Working Group of the Engineering Group of the Geological Society (London) for facilitating the organisation of our Workshop and thematic session at the Congress. We hope that you benefit from the discussions and look forward to your participation in future activities of GEM. With that I wish everyone a successful IAEG Congress 2006. Thank you.
Joy Jacqueline PereiraChair, IUGS Commission on Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM)Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Joy,All the blue text above is from the last "From the chair..."
Please replace all of this . I have left you all of this page for your next "From the chair..."When this page is full there will be exactly 28 pages.
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2008 - THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH
"EARTH SCIENCES FOR SOCIETY"Organised under the auspices of IUGS
http://www.esfs.org/index.htm AND www.yearofplanetearth.org
2008 THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH (IYPE) is well underway and will have major international activity from 2007 to 2009. Events in progress are listed on the IYPE website.
The following IYPE National Committees are in operation: (National activities and contact details on the websites).
Albania Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Cameroon Canada Czech Republic Cyprus Denmark
Estonia France Georgia Germany Hungary India Iran Iraq Ireland ItalyJapan Korea
Lithuania Malaysia Mexico Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Namibia Netherlands New Zealand Norway Peru
Poland
PortugalRomaniaSlovak RepublicSouth AfricaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTanzaniaTurkeyUKUSAYemenEast & Southeast Asia
__________________________________________________________
The following IYPE National Committees are in progressCape Verde Chile China Cuba
Finland Indonesia Israel Jordan
Nigeria Russia Saudi Arabia Slovenia
Surinam VietnamUAEUkraine
The following IYPE National Committees are under considerationCentral African RepublicColombiaCroatia
JamaicaMadagaskarPhilippines
Uganda
Contact your National Committee and help make IYPE 2008 a year to remember!!------------------------------------------oooooooooooooooooooooo---------------------------------------------
IGC 2008
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“Earth System Science: Foundation for Sustainable Development”http://www.33igc.org/
The major geoscience convention of the IYPELess than 1 year to go!!!
The 33rd International Geological Congress 2008 is being organised and presented in collaboration with: the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS); the National IUGS Committees in the five Nordic Countries (Norden): Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden; and the many other international and national organisations involved.
Oslo is the host city of the Geoscience World Congress 2008 and offers a unique combination of natural beauty, culture and history. Scandinavia is surrounded by magnificent scenery from the fjord to the forested hills.
Check the website for the exciting array of excursions!
The Nordic countries have organised a wide range of excursions that will take place either before, during and after the congress and be well integrated with the congress themes.
The preliminary excursion targets include the high Arctic environments of Svalbard and Greenland, classical orogens and basins, world-class mineralizations, volcanism, divergent plate boundaries, impact structures and new Geoparks. Oslo itself is a superb location for one-day trips to the Precambrian, Caledonides, Upper Paleozoic graben with related igneous rocks, glacial features and post-glacial landscapes. In addition, the close neighbouring Russian and the Baltic States, will provide outstanding excursion targets. Some of the excursions will cross from one country to another by road and/or ferry.
A selection of 35 preliminary proposals for excursions are presented in the image above. The selected excursions highlighted are organised geographically and are also sorted by theme in the documentation available on the website. The final programme will include a set of pre- and post-congress excursions of up to 10 days duration, as well as a set of mid-congress excursions of 1–2 days duration. There will also be daily excursions, throughout the congress, in the vicinity of Oslo.
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The IGC Symposia are continually being approved - keep checking the updates on the IGC web at http://www.33igc.org/
Time to lodge abstracts etc about the papers you wish to presentIGC Symposia Papers are now being called for.
Abstract submission can be done directly on the IGC web (Front page - Main Menu).The Deadline for abstract submissions is 1 February 2008.
The Geoscience World Congress Scientific Programme will start and end with plenary sessions and include daily plenary lectures. The main programme will be dominated by symposia. Field trips will be arranged as pre- and post congress excursions, as well as short trips during the congress to nearby localities in the Oslo region. Workshops and Short Courses will be arranged before, during and after the congress. Time and space will be made available to meet the needs for the activities of individual geoscience organisations joining the programme.
Symposia are arranged in three categories: Topical: interdisciplinary global themes; Special: major themes concerning Norden and the Arctic; General: the many different disciplines composing Earth Science. An International Panel and an Arctic Consortium will be advising the Science Committee on the programme._______________________________________________________________________________
GEM INVOLVEMENT IN THE IGC
Officers of IUGS -GEM are involved in a significant range of IGC activities including various Symposia, a Workshop, and a Short Course, as outlined below.
If you have information to present on any of the topics listed below please submit your abstract. If you know of scientists/organisations/ who would be interested in presenting a paper(s), please pass this on.
If you require additional information about the Symposia, Workshop, or Short Course involving GEM Officers as listed below, please contact the GEM Officer involved (contact details on the GEM website, or email addresses in this Newsletter page 3). (Symposia Conveners are listed under symposia headings)
IGC TOPICAL SYMPOSIA - EARTH SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
ROLE OF GEOSCIENCE IN GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN SECURITY SYMPOSIUMConveners: Joy Jacqueline Pereira, Chen Shick Pei, Lars Persson
Over the years the term “governance” has become more prominent than “government” to accommodate the growing importance of non-state actors such as non-government organisations, community groups, corporations, and other interest groups in policy-making. This is particularly pertinent in the pursuit for sustainable development, which is addressed through global programmes of actions such as: the UN Millennium Development Goals; Agenda 21; and the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Good governance is
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also critical in the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, among others, which provide for actions and initiatives by countries that are parties to these agreements and share their objectives. It is also relevant to human security, which evokes the right of people to live in freedom and dignity, free from poverty, despair and threats, with an equal opportunity to enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential. The contribution of geoscience in seeking solutions to global problems is very important and significant, particularly within national boundaries. This Topical Session focuses on governance as a point of departure, to authenticate the relevance and significance of geoscience knowledge in addressing issues related to sustainability from the perspectives of environmental, economic, and human security. For this symposium contributions are sought from geoscience institutions, which describe their role and involvement in implementing global programmes of actions and international agreements, using legislative and administrative procedures at the national, provincial, and local, levels. The aim is to document these contributions and develop strategies to mainstream geoscience contributions into international, regional, and national, policy and decision-making processes for sustainable development and human security.
URBAN GEOLOGY ISSUES FOR AFRICAN MEGACITIES SYMPOSIUMConveners: Theo Davies, Imasiku Nyambe, Brian Marker
Linked to the Megacities theme of the International Year of Planet Earth, in which the session organizers are developing a book on "Urban Geology Issues for African Megacities" which they aim to have published through Springer Dordrecht (Nederlands) by the time that the IGC33 takes place. This session at the IGC will focus on the findings and other contributions in Africa which has severe social and environmental problems, and is an area in which Megacity development is proceeding possibly faster than elsewhere. Contributions are invited on papers for this symposium which will address the many issues associated with this topic.
MINERAL EXTRACTION AND PROTECTED AREAS – STRIKING A BALANCE FOR SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUMConveners: Colin Simpson, Joy Jacqueline Pereira, Lars Persson
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity seeks to "significantly reduce" the rate of biodiversity loss before 2010 and for this purpose World Heritage properties have been labelled as ‘no-go’ areas for mineral extraction, and protected areas are being identified by national governments world-wide. The trade-offs between economic development for poverty eradication, and the establishment of protected areas for conservation of biological resources, is a subject of recurrent debate. Reconciling mineral and social development opportunities with the need for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection requires more strategic and integrated approaches to land use planning and management. This Topical Session invites geoscientists to share experiences on the ways to achieve this and assist societies in making informed decisions. This will assist in the advancement of good practices for mineral extraction in and around protected areas, encompassing aspects such as legislation, guidelines, planning policies, development decisions, emergency planning, and stakeholder consultation.
HUMAN IMPACTS ON GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES SYMPOSIUM
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Conveners: Kevin Telmer, Bernardino Figueiredo, Eduardo da Silva.
The ability to unequivocally and quantitatively describe the impact of human activity on an ecosystem is powerful information. It is wanted by governments, environmental managers, sustainable development efforts, and private enterprises, around the world for a variety of purposes. This session will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches available to assess the human impact on geological processes, and why this information is critically needed for environmental management and sustainable development strategies. Participants are invited to contribute studies to this symposium that use one, or a group, of the following approaches: (1) Chemical Fingerprinting – unique chemical signals like isotope or element ratios; (2) Spatial Analysis - anomalies in space and their associations; (3) Temporal Evidence – comparing past to present; (4) Speciation/Partitioning - which phase? solid, aqueous, gaseous? crystalline or amorphous? mineralogical or adsorbed?; (5) Mass Balances - mass distribution and at what rate?; (6) Other approaches.
IGC TOPICAL SYMPOSIA - GEOHAZARDS
INTEGRATING GEOLOGICAL HAZARD ASSESSMENT INTO URBAN PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUMConveners: Brian Marker, Philipp Schmidt-Thome, Mario A. Aurelio, Bhawani Shanker Paliwal
Many valuable hazard assessments are undertaken but the results are of limited use if they are not used in planning and management, particularly in urban areas. There is a need to share experiences on the best ways to get results taken into account in legislation, guidance, planning policies, development decisions, emergency planning, and by the general public. Contributions are invited on presentations for this symposium which will address the ways, and methods, of achieving success in the complex communication process between scientists and non-scientists.
IGC TOPICAL SYMPOSIA - MEDICAL GEOLOGY
GROUNDWATER - GEOPOLLUTION, CONTAMINATION AND HEALTH ASPECTS SYMPOSIUM.Conveners: Shrikant D. Limaye, Anne Kousa, Jonas Satkūnas, Hisashi Nirei, Kunio Furuno
The issue of land and groundwater contamination is an important one in the world today. In monitoring elements related to contamination, it is necessary to use every geological feature effectively. Such geological features become even more critical in the investigation for monitoring of health impacts on the population. In this context, as much information as possible should be obtained regarding geo-pollution, encompassing groundwater pollution, ground air pollution as well as stratum pollution. It is important to catch this entirety of geo-pollution to understand the nature of the pollution, in particular the diagnosis of litho-stratigraphic units containing pollutants, to seek a solution to remedy land and groundwater contamination effectively. This symposium invites participation from geoscientists who have conducted geo-pollution and groundwater contamination studies from all parts of the world. It is hoped this will produce information which will allow scientists to improve the prediction of the extent of environmental pollution, and remedy the problems based on natural geological attenuation.
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EMERGING ISSUES IN GEOTOXICOLOGY - OTHER ASPECTS OF MEDICAL GEOLOGY SYMPOSIUMConverners: Olle Selinus, Philip Weinstein, José Centeno
EARTH AND HEALTH - MEDICAL GEOLOGY SYMPOSIUMConveners: Olle Selinus, Eiliv Steinnes, Jane Plant, Lucy Hoareau, Ben Mapani, Robert Finkelman, Theo Davies, Catherine Skinner
Geological factors are important for the health and well-being of billions of people worldwide. There is however a general lack of understanding of the importance of such factors on human health including among the biomedical/public health community, and the geoscience community. This symposium will demonstrate the importance of geology and geochemistry on the health of humans and animals. Suggested themes are:
* General aspects on medical geology/geomedicine * Geological factors and human health * Veterinary medicine/animal health and geology. * Ground water quality and human health * Dusts and particulates * Soil properties and human and animal health * Associations between chronic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental; illness and cancer) and the environment * Deficiency / toxicity conditions and the beneficial effects of certain elements * Natural radioactivity
MORPHOTECTONICS OF LOWLAND AREAS SYMPOSIUMConveners: Andrzej Piotrowski, Marek Graniczny, Jonas Satkūnas
This symposium will deal with problems of activities of subsurface structures in connection with active subsurface and surface processes, impact of tectonic structures on glacial morphology and glacial processes, techniques and methodologies of morphotectonic investigations, mapping and modelling. The Symposium will represent main results of the current EU project Morphotectonic Map of the European Lowland Area - MELA (www.mela.3dsign.pl/). The MELA project foresees integration of knowledge on stratigraphy, tectonics, hydrogeology and, on the basis of new scientific experiments, elaboration of an interdisciplinary method of studying of environmental changes in Quaternary, in the past and present. The project will result in creation of a uniform model of changes of the natural environment for the entire European Lowland Area.
The project MELA deals with following subjects: * impact of the various tectonic structures on the glacial processes in Pleistocene, in connection with multiphase liquid flow in the basement, * correlation of the direct and remote sensing techniques, used in the analysis of the young Alpine, glaciotectonique and neotectonique structures to define zones with especially intensive disturbances, influencing hydrodynamic field and initiating mass movements, * assessment of the nuclear physics techiques utilised in direct age dating as well as testing environmental pollution, * elaboration of a new technique for prospecting of oil and gas deposits.
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The Morphotectonic Map of European Lowland Area will demonstrate the correlation of subsurface structures with active geological processes and will give forecast of changes of geological environment significant for sustainable development.
IGC GENERAL SYMPOSIA - GEOSCIENCE EDUCATION
COMMUNITY SERVICE BY GEOSCIENTISTS – “THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY” SYMPOSIUMConveners: Grant Heiken, David Liverman.
Educational outreach programs have become an integral and effective part of the geosciences. Many of our research projects have produced the tools and data required for a safer world and a sustainable environment. However, by aiming high at global problems, many of us have forgotten what is perhaps the most effective venue for applying our expertise—our own communities. We can effectively communicate the value of geosciences and help our neighbourhoods, towns, and cities through service clubs, committees on natural hazards and the environment, and participation in the local political process. This symposium invites speakers who have transmitted the excitement and utility of the geosciences to the residents of their community through service and education.
IGC WORKSHOPGEOCONSERVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND EARTH SCIENCE PROPAGATION, GEOHERITAGE, GEOSITES, GEOPARKS Conveners: Bill Wimbledon, Joy Jaqueline Pereira, Todor Todorov, Il'ya Fishman, Lars Erikstad, Francesco Zarlenga
IGC SHORT COURSEMEDICAL GEOLOGY Presenters: Olle Selinus, Edward Derbyshire, Jose Centeno, Robert Finkelman
This Short Course on Medical Geology is being presented by Members of the International Medical Geology Association - (IMGA - http://www.medicalgeology.org/), and will address the role of toxic trace elements and toxic trace metals on the development of human and animal diseases.
Metal ions occur naturally in rocks, soils, gases, and waters in both harmless and harmful forms and concentrations. Some natural concentrations can be extraordinarily high and have caused serious health problems. However, most anomalously high concentrations of metals are due to extraction (mining) procession (e.g., smelting), manufacturing, use and disposal.
Metals are important in environmental health and on the study of human diseases (pathology) because of their potential toxic effect(s) to one or more organs. Exposure to toxic metal ions may occur via three principle routes: percutaneous absorption, ingestion, or inhalation. Dermal toxicity results from local tissue responses through direct contact of the metal with skin, or alternatively, may represent a manifestation of systemic toxicity following ingestion or inhalation. Allergic contact dermatitis induced by nickel (Ni) is an example of a local tissue response. The adverse skin reactions resulting from chronic ingestion or inhalation of arsenical compounds exemplify systemic toxicity. A variety of toxic pathology responses in human tissues and organs (i.e., skin, liver, heart, kidney) associated with both acute and chronic exposures to metals have been described.
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This Short Course will provide examples where both deficiencies of trace elements as well as toxic exposures of metals may be involved in physiological changes and the development of human diseases. It will discuss the impact(s) of metal ions and trace elements on human health (for example: arsenic poisoning from contaminated water in the Bengal Delta (India and Bangladesh) and Taiwan, as well as from coal combustion in south-western China; lung cancer risk in an occupational cohort of chromate production workers; and an overview of clinical aspects of toxic metal exposures including discussions of essentiality and clinical manifestations).
The aim of this Course is to share the most recent information on the relationship between toxic metal ions, trace elements, and their impact on the environmental and public health issues. The scientific topics of the course will include environmental toxicology, environmental pathology, geochemistry, geoenvironmental epidemiology, extent, patterns and consequences of exposures to toxic metal ions, and analysis. Areas of interest include metal ions in the general environment, biological risk assessment studies, modern trends in metal analysis, and updates on the geology, toxicology and pathology of metal ion exposures.
Who should attend?The Course is intended for geologists, ecologists, chemists, biologists, occupational and environmental scientists, medical professionals, toxicologists, epidemiologists, pathologists and any other health, environmental and geo-sciences professional with interest on the effect of toxic metal ion species on environmental and human health. An important aim of the Course is to provide the opportunity for forming contacts and networks between professionals working in different areas of the field.
------------------------------------------oooooooooooooooooooooo---------------------------------------------GEM INTERNATIONAL WORKING GROUPS
GEM establishes International Working Groups to undertake specific focussed activities relating to GEM Objectives. GEM Currently has 4 International Working Groups:
Working Group on International Borders – Geoenvironmental ConcernsWorking Group on Urban GeologyWorking Group on Geology and Ecosystems – GeoecologyWorking Group on Communicating Environmental Geoscience
The activities of these Working Groups are briefly outlined below. Any reader who would like to become a Member of a Working Group please contact the Working Group Chairman (details below).
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GEM International Working Group on
INTERNATIONAL BORDERS – GEOENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS(IBC)
http://www.lgt.lt/iborders/
The Working Group on International Borders – Geoenvironmental Concerns (IBC) was established in 2002 by the IUGS Commission on Geosciences for Environmental Management (GEM). The Working Group aims to encourage and promote interdisciplinary cooperation across international borders (onshore and offshore) for the efficient application of geoscientific information in environmental planning, ecosystem monitoring and environmental impact assessment, development
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of conservation and the understanding of the value of geological heritage for a sustainable and integrated environment in cross-border areas.
The Objectives of the Working Group on International Borders – Geoenvironmental Concerns are: to increase awareness of the relevance of geosciences to land use planning, subsurface resources
management, and sustainable development and management of cross-border areas. to inform planners, managers, developers, policy makers, lawyers and other appropriate groups
concerned with cross-border areas of the importance of geosciences to their activities and interests; to develop practical and user-friendly geosciences-based approaches, techniques and models for use
by all involved in cross-border environmental management issues; to inform and/or train geoscientists on the use of these approaches, techniques, and models in
relation to planning, land resource management and sustainable development of cross-border areas; to draw together the geoscientists of neighbouring countries where the current level of activities is
different.
Since its establishment the IBC has been involved in several major events (more details on the Events section of its website).
The IBC has plans for similar international events through 2007-2008. These will be announced on the website at http://www.lgt.lt/iborders/. IBC Chair Jonas Satkunas (email: [email protected]).
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GEM International Working Group on
URBAN GEOLOGY
http://web.uvic.ca/~iugsgem/working.htm
The International Working Group on Urban Geology aims to encourage safe and effective planning development and management of the World's urban areas through the international exchange of information, knowledge and best practice in urban geoscience and urban management.
The Objectives of the Working Group are as follows: to increase public awareness of the relevance of urban geoscience to everyday life; to inform planners, managers, financial and conservation interests, developers, and decision
makers, and other appropriate groups, of the relevance of urban geoscience to their activities and interests;
to draw practical approaches to the use of urban geoscience in urban planning, management, conservation and investment to the interest groups listed at (b);
to inform geoscientists of developments and new approaches in, and events on, urban geoscience; and
to seek to raise the profile of urban geoscience issues in those countries where the current level of activity in this field is small.
The Working Group on Urban Geology is Chaired by Brian Marker (UK), and the Vice-Chairman is Imasiku Nyambe (Zambia) who also chairs an affiliated African Urban Geology Group. The Working Group is currently finalising a set of leaflets on urban geoscience intended to alert a wide audience to the significance of geoscience in sustainable urban management. The first set is aimed at developed countries. Topics include: location, wealth creation, water, soils, energy, transport, regeneration, waste management, health, hazards, heritage and conservation; and dealing with the
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issues. These will be available for downloading from the IUGS-GEM website. Further sets, customised for South East Asia and Africa, are planned.
Authors are currently being sought to contribute to a book on urban geoscience. This will deal with traditional topics such as sustainable use of natural resources and management hazards, but also focus on cross-cutting topics such as urban management and governance; tools and techniques; monitoring, indicators and targets; consultation and participation; and responsibility and liability. If you are potentially interested in contributing please contact Brian Marker at [email protected].
Contributors are also being sought for a book on "Urban Geology of African Megacities". As part of this process the Working Group is co-sponsoring a Symposium at the 2008 International Geological Congress, in Oslo, Norway, under the Earth System Management component of the IGC Topical Symposia. Further details of this Symposium "Urban Geology Issues for African Megacities" is available on PAGE ??? If readers are interested in contributing papers to either of these activities, or if they require further information contact Dr. Brian Marker ([email protected]), Prof. Imasiku Nyambe ([email protected]), or Prof. Theo Davies ([email protected]).
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GEM International Working Group on
GEOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS - GEOECOLOGY
http://web.uvic.ca/~iugsgem/geoecology.htm
Any natural ecosystem is the product of the interaction of geology and climate over time. Geoscience can add considerably to the understanding of the basic controls on different types of ecosystems and such understanding has the potential to lead to improved sustainable management strategies.
The main aim of the Working Group on Geology and Ecosystems has been to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the mechanisms and special features within the "living tissue - inert nature" system under different regional, geological, and anthropogenic conditions. This requires international contributions from many scientific fields and from scientists specializing in topics such as: environmental impacts of extractive industries, anthropogenic development and medical problems related to geology and ecosystem interaction, the prediction of the geoenvironmental evolution of ecosystems, etc.
A primary product of this CEG Working Group has been the publication in 2006 of the first major book on geoecology - prepared by 34 authoritative and highly-qualified specialists from 11 countries. The book GEOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS. Edited by: Igor S. Zektser (Editor-in-Chief); Brian Marker; John Ridgway; Liliya Rogachevskaya; Genrikh Vartanyan. was published in association with the IUGS-GEM. Purchase details: http://www.springer.com/sgw/cda/frontpage/0,11855,4-40157-22-81597229-0,00.html
For more information contact the Working Group Chairman Igor Zektser ([email protected])
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GEM International Working Group on
COMMUNICATING ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCE (CEG)
http://www.mun.ca/canqua/ceg/
There is a gulf between environmental geoscientists and those who could be using science in planning and decision-making. There are numerous examples of where scientific work has clearly indicated a direction in planning and policy, yet this has been ignored. This ranges from the global scale, where some countries resist scientific advice on climate change; to the local, where people live in places that are highly vulnerable to landslide, earthquake, flood, or other hazards. Policy makers frequently ignore the natural variation in earth systems when making decisions, and lack the long-term perspective that palaeoenvironmental research can offer.
To address this problem the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) Commission on Geosciences for Environmental Management (GEM) has established a Working Group on Communicating Environmental Geoscience (CEG).
Tasks of the CEG Working GroupThe main task of the CEG Working Group is educating, training and assisting scientists in the following areas:-
Learning how to communicate effectively with non-scientists Tool development - developing tools to aid scientists in communication Communicating the concepts of risk, probability and natural variation in earth systems. Building contacts and relationships with media, politicians and decision makers Coordinating existing efforts to improve communication
The Working Group has established a management committee of 4 people with international representation and crossing disciplines. They will direct a programme of further workshops, training courses, meetings, publications and the establishment of a newsletter and web site to communicate the efforts of the group.
The Geological Society has accepted a proposal to publish a book of papers on "Communicating Environmental Geoscience". A discussion paper on the book follows below.
If you wish to contribute to the book please contact Dave Liverman.
The working group is co-sponsoring a Symposium at the 2008 International Geological Congress, in Oslo, Norway, under the Geoscience Education component of the IGC General Symposia. Further details of this Symposium "Community service by geoscientists- Think Globally Act Locally" is available above.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the CEG Working Group, or making a presentation in Oslo, please contact the Working Group Leader David Liverman. E-mail: [email protected]
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No. 6, July 2006
Book in progressCommunicating Environmental Geoscience
Report by Dave Liverman (Leader - GEM Working Group on Communicating Environmental Geoscience).
As scientists we communicate well with our peers, but common experiences suggest that excellent science, with clear implications to planning and policy, is often ignored by decision makers- planners and politicians.
To attempt to address this problem, the International Union of Geological Sciences Commission on Geosciences for Environmental Management established a working group “Communicating Environmental Geoscience” (with of course, an appropriate acronym, CEG) in September 2005.
The CEG working group held a successful workshop in Nottingham, UK in August 2006, following which it was proposed to collect papers from the workshop, and from other interested researchers into a book. The Geological Society (London) has agreed to publish this volume, and it is currently being put together by the co-editors, Dave Liverman, Brian Marker and Joy Pereira. The target publication date is June 2008, and although the list of papers is not finalized at the time of writing, it looks as though this will be an important and useful publication. A provisional list of papers as of August 2007 is appended. They are diverse, perhaps dominated by researchers in the UK and North America, but including contributions from Australia, Malaysia, South America, and other parts of the world.
There are other publications dealing with the general topic of communicating science, but this we believe is the first compilation of papers dealing with the specific challenges of communicating environmental geoscience. As I write in my paper for the book, “communication challenges in environmental geosciences differ from the geosciences as a whole in that the scientific input provided into policy and decision making reflects not just on economic aspects, but also health and safety issues. The focus on risk and probability matches that in the field of medical research, where it is vital that informed decisions on health and well-being be made based on scientific research”.
Publication details will be posted on The Geological Society web – http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/
Provisional list of papers for publication in " Communicating Environmental Geoscience "
• Communicating Environmental Geoscience – challenges and solutions – Dave Liverman, Working Group Leader, Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Media and Scientific Communication: A Case of Climate Change - Max Boykoff, Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University Centre for the Environment.
• Altered priorities ahead – or, how to develop fruitful relationships with the media - Ted Nield, (Editor, Geoscience
• Community participaton in natural risk prevention: several cases from Colombia- Michel Hermelin & G. Bedoya, Department Geology, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Colombia
• Lead contamination, media and risk communication: a case study in the Ribeira Valley, Brazil- Gabriela Marques Di Giulio, Newton Müller Pereira, Bernardino Ribeiro de Figueiredo, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
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• The role of communication in geology: lessons learnt from volcanic, mining, exploration, geotechnical, and police (forensic) investigations - Laurance J Donnelly, consultant, Halcrow Group Ltd, U.K.
• Communication of geoscience information in public administration: comments based on UK experience - Brian Marker, Independent Consultant, U.K.
• Communicating uncertainty in climate change adaptation and decision support - further development of the Gdansk case study - Philipp Schmidt-Thomé & Dorota Kaulbarsz, Geological Survey of Finland.
• Communicating Environmental Geoscience - Australian Communication Pathways - Colin J. Simpson.
• Making Geology Relevant: Can geologists do it? - Jennifer Walsby, British Geological Survey.
• Multinational Andean Project - Geosciences for Andean Communities: New directions and innovations in geohazards and risk management and communications. V. Lay, R. Page, C. Hickson, M.M. Jaramillo, R.H. Hermanns, O. Krauth, F. Muñoz-Carmona, & M. Ellerbeck, Multinational Andean Project: Geoscience for Andean Communities (MAP:GAC)
• Communication of Geoscience Information for the Urban Environment – Kate Royse, British Geological Survey.
• Communicating Geoscience to Indigenous People: Examples from the Solomon Islands - Mike Petterson, D Tolia, S J Cronin & R Addison. British Geological Survey/Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University/Ministry of Natural Resources, Solomon Islands.
• Communicating integrated science products and communicating science within the interdisciplinary process - A. Wein & R. Bernknopf, USGS.
• Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptive Planning: Mutual and Multi-lateral Community-Researcher Communication, Arctic Canada. Norm R. Catto & Kathleen Parewick, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.
• Guidelines for Landslide Hazard Mapping in the Andes- Multinational Andean Project: Geosciences for Andean Communities.
• Uncertainties associated with the effects of climate change on natural disasters: how they have been conveyed to the public in the United Kingdom and United States since 2001 – Bob Ward, Risk Management Solutions, UK.
• "How can geoscience data and maps help me manage salinity ?" - Communicating geoscience knowledge and application to salinity managers - Ken Lawrie, Richard George, & Peter Woodgate (CRC LEME, Australia).
• Framing volcanic risk communication within disaster risk reduction: Finding ways for the social and physical sciences to work together – Jenni Barclay, Katharine Haynes, Tom Mitchell, Amii Darnell, Sian Crosweller, Paul Cole, David Pyle, Catherine Lowe, Carina Fearnley, and Carmen Solana (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, England).
For more information contact the CEG Working Group Leader David Liverman: dliverman@gov.nl.ca------------------------------------------oooooooooooooooooooooo---------------------------------------------
No. 6, July 2006
GEM LINKSGEM has established links with the organisations listed below.
GEM is keen to develop links with organisations having common interests._____________________________________________________________________________
International Medical Geology AssociationIMGA
www.medicalgeology.orgGEM has close links with the IMGA as several of the current GEM officers were involved in the IUGS Special Initiative on Medical Geology that led to the formation of the IMGA.
_____________________________________________________________________________
The International Association for Engineering Geology and the EnvironmentIAEG
http://www.iaeg.info/The International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) is a worldwide scientific society with more than 5,200 members and 59 national groups. The aims of the IAEG are: to promote and encourage the advancement of Engineering Geology through technological activities and
research to improve teaching and training in Engineering Geology, and to collect, evaluate and disseminate the results of engineering geological activities on a worldwide basis.
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The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.(World Conservation Union)
IUCNhttp://www.iucn.org/
The IUCN’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. The World Conservation Union is the world’s largest and most important conservation network. with 1000 staff located in 62 countries. Its headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland. GEM has particular interest in the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) and the IUCN Regional Office for Europe's Countdown 2010 initiative on urban conservation.
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The Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast AsiaCCOP
http://www.ccop.or.th/sitemap.aspCCOP is an intergovernmental organization whose mission is to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of applied geoscience programmes in East and Southeast Asia in order to contribute to economic development and the improvement of the quality of life in the region. It promotes capacity building, technology transfer, exchange of information and institutional linkages for sustainable resource development, management of geo-information, geo-hazard mitigation and protection of the environment. GEM links with CCOP include the holding of joint-technical sessions at CCOP annual meetings.
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IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)http://www.iucn.org/themes/cem/
GEM has particular interest in the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) which provides expert guidance on integrated ecosystem approaches to the management of natural and modified ecosystems. GEM also has interests in the Countdown 2010 initiative, launched by the IUCN Regional Office for Europe, which is supporting the development of a pilot project on urban conservation (http://www.iucn.org/en/news/archive/2006/07/1_countdown2010.htm).
No. 6, July 2006
GEM links continued....International Association of Hydrogeologists
IAHhttp://www.iah.org/
IAH is a scientific and educational organisation whose aims are to promote research into and understanding of the proper management and protection of groundwater for the common good throughout the world. GEM has links to the IAH and to several of its Commissions (http://www.iah.org/commwg.htm)
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International Society of City and Regional PlannersISoCaRP
http://www.isocarp.org/ISoCaRP is a global association of experienced, professional planners with a vision of bringing together recognised and highly qualified planners in an international network. It is a non-governmental organisation, recognised by the United Nations, and the Council of Europe and with a consultative status with UNESCO, and has members in over 70 countries.
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GEOSCIENCE internet linkshttp://www.uni-mainz.de/FB/Geo/Geologie/GeoInst.html
This website has worldwide links to a large range of geoscience activities (geological surveys, university geology departments, research institutes, geological societies, geoscience magazines, employment, computer software, contact details, etc).
EuroGeoSurveyshttp://www.eurogeosurveys.org/
EuroGeoSurveys, the Association of the European Geological Surveys, represents over 7,500 persons working in all the numerous applications of geosciences to the EU society and economy and is a non-profit organisation working solely in the public interest. For recent highlights, current news, and events visit their Bulletin website at: http://www.eurogeosurveys.org/news/overview
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ITEMS OF INTERESTINTERREG IVC under wayThe INTERREG IIIC successor programme “INTERREG IVC” which runs from 2007 till 2013 will replace the INTERREG III model, (consisting of four programme zones) with one Europe-wide programme with a single management structure. INTERREG IVC will have a clear focus on regional development policies in the areas of innovation, knowledge economy, environment and risk prevention. Different types of interregional cooperation projects and networks will be funded. The INTERREG IVC programme is structured around two thematic priorities. The first priority will address the growing areas of innovation and the knowledge economy, while the second
will focus its attention on the emerging areas of concern of the environment and the precautionary principle.http://www.interreg3c.net/sixcms/media.php/5/2007-04-19+INTERREG+IVC+OP.pdf
IMGA (International Medical Geology Association) - Student's Web Page.The IMGA has established a new web page for students to advertise for work and research opportunities in medical geology.http://www.medicalgeology.org/Students%20page.htm If your organisation has opportunities for such students please routinely check the page or forward the page details on to anyone who may be able to assist.
No. 6, July 2006
SOPAC/UNEP Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) - Official Global EVI Websitehttp://www.vulnerabilityindex.net/EVI_Country_Profiles.htmThis EVI for the natural environment, the basis of all human welfare, has been developed by the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and their partners. The index was developed through consultation and collaboration with countries, institutions and experts across the globe. This index is designed to be used with economic and social vulnerability indices to provide insights into the processes that can negatively influence the sustainable development of countries.
International Association for Environmental Hydrology. http://www.hydroweb.com/
Global Water Partnership Central and Eastern Europe (GWPCEE)The Country Water Partnerships currently involve: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia. The mission of the Global Water Partnership is to "support countries in the sustainable management of their water resources." This comprehensive partnership actively identifies critical knowledge needs at global, regional and national levels, helps design programs for meeting these needs, and serves as a mechanism for alliance building and information exchange on integrated water resources management.http://www.gwpceeforum.org/
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“Geoheritage” - a new Journal
To be launched during The International Year of Planet Earth 2008
Geoheritage, published by Springer Verlag, will be the official journal of a partnership consortium consisting of:
• ProGEO (the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage) and • IUGS Commission on Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM) with • IUGS Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and subcommissions • International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) • International Association of Palaeontologists (IPA) • INHIGEO (IUGS International Commission on History of Geological Sciences) • AEGS, European Association of Geological Societies • Geological Society of Africa (GSA)
DESCRIPTION Geoheritage will be the first ever peer-reviewed journal dedicated to all aspects of inanimate natural heritage – geo(morpho)logical heritage – following rising awareness of these subjects in society , amongst conservationists, geoscientists and a growing public. Geological heritage is here understood in a broad sense, integrating all subdisciplines such as geomorphological, stratigraphic, palaeontological, mineralogical and landscape heritage, amongst others, as well as the places and materials connected with geoscience and its progress. The journal will publish papers on scientifically important geosites, their characterisation and assessment. Key topics for papers also include geosites (at all scales), their science and conservation, interpretation and use, geodiversity, educational links, geotourism and geoparks.
“Geoheritage” AIMS AND SCOPE
No. 6, July 2006
The Geoheritage journal is an international journal dedicated to promoting heritage conservation, and to discussing all aspects of our global geoheritage, both in situ and portable. The journal will invite all contributions on the conservation of sites and materials - use, protection and practical heritage management- as well as its interpretation through education, training and tourism. The journal wishes to cover all aspects of geoheritage and its protection. Key topics are: o Identification, characterisation and quantification of geoheritage; o Definition, assessment and management of geosites - geological and geomorphological; o On-site science, geological and geomorphological research: o Global scientific heritage – key scientific geosites, GSSPs, stratotype conservation and management; o Scientific research and education, and the promotion of the geosciences thereby; o Conventions, statute and legal instruments, national and international; o Integration of biodiversity and geodiversity in Nature Conservation policies; o Geological heritage and Environmental Impact Assessment studies; o Sustainable development, community action, practical initiatives, geoparks; o Environmental issues, mineral resources and conservation, the built heritage, use of natural materials; o Conservation in the natural world, Man-made and natural impacts, climate change; o Geotourism definitions, methodologies, and case studies;o Geotourism definitions, methodologies, and case studies;o International mechanisms for conservation and popularisation – World Heritage Sites, National Parks etc; o Materials, data and people important in the history of science, museums, collections and all portable geoheritage; o Interpretation, education, training and tourism; o Pedagogical use of geological heritage - publications, teaching media, trails, centres, on-site museums; o Linking the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) with geoconservation. The journal will publish research papers, review articles and short notes, as well as comments on papers already published in this journal or elsewhere. Occasionally, concise meeting reports and news of interest to the scientific, geoconservation, environmental and educational community will be published. As the official journal of the European Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage (ProGEO) (and its national groups) and GEM and other partner organisations, Geoheritage will regularly publish the proceedings of the partner’s international symposia.
TARGET GROUPS The journal addresses geologists, biologists, geographers and landscape architects, environmental geologists, planners and officials dealing with nature conservation, museum workers, archivists and curators, science historians, specialists in town & country (spatial) planning, environmental impacts, geotourism, and secondary teaching, as well as faculty staff, graduate and post-graduate students.
EDITORS Jose Brilha (University of Minho, Portugal) William A.P. Wimbledon (Countryside Council for Wales/University of Bristol, United Kingdom).
EDITORIAL BOARD To be completed, with specialists from all key organisations, specialisms and all continents. For more information contact Mr William A.P. Wimbledon E-mail: [email protected]
------------------------------------------oooooooooooooooooooooo---------------------------------------------BOOKS OF INTEREST
No. 6, July 2006
(Further information is available at the websites shown)
Urban Geoscience. – Edited by G.J.H. McCall, E.F.J de Mulder, and B.R. Marker (1996)Issued as AGID Special Publication Number 20.Available from the publisher: A.A. Balkema Publishers Ltd (http://www.balkema.nl/)
Geology and Ecosystems. Edited by: Igor S. Zektser (Editor-in-Chief); Brian Marker; John Ridgway; Liliya Rogachevskaya; Genrikh Vartanyan. Available from the publisher: http://www.springer.com/sgw/cda/frontpage/0,11855,4-40157-22-81597229-0,00.html
Aggregate Resources – A global perspective. – Edited by P. T. Bobrowsky ( l998)Available from the publisher: A.A. Balkema Publishers Ltd. (http://www.balkema.nl/)
Environmental Geology – by W. H. Freeman (1997)http://www.whfreeman.com/environmentalgeology/preface.htm
Geology and the Environment – by B. W. Pipkin, D. D. Trent, R. W. Hazlett (2005)http://books.google.com.au/books?id=gRX558Xmg_QC&dq=book+environmental+geoscience+geology
Earth Science in the City: A Reader(2003) Edited by Grant Heiken, Robert Fakundiny and John SutterSpecial Publications Series 56http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2003/2003EO380013.shtml
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Details of the following interesting environmental geology texts can be found athttp://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&index=books&field-keywords=Environmental
%20Geology&page=1
Environmental Geology – by Carla W Montgomery (2005)
Environmental Geology – by Edward A. Keller (1999)
Introduction to Environmental Geology – by Edward A. Keller (2004)
Environmental Geology Laboratory – by Tom Freeman (2003)
Environmental Geology: An Earth System Science Approach – by Kirsten Menking, Dorothy Merritts, and Andrew De Wet (1998)
Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists – by Alan E. Kehew (2006)
Investigations in Environmental Geology – by Duncan D. Foley, Garry D. McKenzie, and Russell O. Utgard (2005)
Engineering Geology: An Environmental Approach. – by Perry H. Rahn (1996)
Environmental Geology: Principles and Practice – by Fred G. Bell (1998)
Agrogeology, The Use of Rocks for Crops – by P. van Straaten (2007), Enviroquest Ltd. Canada.
------------------------------------------oooooooooooooooooooooo---------------------------------------------Upcoming Meetings…
No. 6, July 2006
Meetings shown in green involve IUGS-GEM Commission Officers
3–6 September 2007.International Conference on Environmental Flows. Brisbane, Australia. Held in partnership with the 10th International River Symposium and The Nature Conservancy. www.riversymposium.com/index.php?page=Symposium2007
6–7 September 2007AGREE II - Arctic geology, resources and environment conference. Tromso, Norway. www.geologi.no/cgi-bin/geologi/imaker?id=8529
10–12 September 2007Geological Society of London Bicentennial Conference - Earth Science in the service of society; the next 200 years. London, UK. www.geolsoc.org.uk/template.cfm?name=Bicentenary
13–17 September 20077th European Geopark Network Open Conference, Ullapool, Scotland, UKhttp://www.europeangeoparks.org/isite/page/115%2C1%2C0.asp?mu=&cmu=&thID=
16–19 September 2007Fourth International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health ResearchMarriott Hotel, Jackson, MS, USA.http://www.jsums.edu/%7Esst/SYMPOSIUM/index.htm
16–20 September 2007.WETPOL 2007 - 2nd International Symposium on Wetland Pollutant Dynamics and Control. Tartu, Estonia. http://www.geo.ut.ee/wetpol2007
17–20 September 2007.Clays in Natural & Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Management. Lille, France. Covering all topics concerning natural argillaceous geological barriers and clay material based engineered barrier systems. Organised by ANDRA (France) with Nagra (Switzerland), ONDRAF/NIRAS (Belgium), and SKB (Sweden). http://www.lille2007.com
17–21 September 200735th IAH Congress - Groundwater and Ecosystems. Lisbon, Portugal.http://www.iah-2007.com/
18–19 September 2007
26th Biennial Groundwater Conference and 16th Annual Meeting of Groundwater Resources Association (GRA). Sacramento, U.S.A.. http://www.grac.org/am07.asp
19–23 September 20072007 ISoCaRP 43rd International Planning Congress, “Urban Trialogues”. Antwerp, Belgium, http://www.isocarp.org/
24–26 September 2007Geo-Pomerania Szczecin 2007, University of Szczecin, Poland. http://www.geopomerania2007.org/
6–7 October 2007GWP CACENA, CEE and MED Inter-Regional Partners Meeting. Varna, BulgariaThe Global Water Partnership (GWP) Inter-regional meeting of the Consulting Partners of Central Asia and Caucasus (CACENA), Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Mediterranean (MED) will hold the first meeting between the three regions aimed at gathering the partners to discuss common and priority water resources issues, with a special emphasis on the emerging framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). http://www gwpceeforum.org
8–10 October 2007Groundwater Conference. Bloemfontein, South Africa. organised by the Groundwater Division of the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) http://www.gwd.org.za andhttp://www.gwd.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=27
16–19 October 2007.Technology of Seawater Intrusion into Coastal Aquifers (TIAC'07) and International Symposium on Coastal Aquifers and Desalination Plants (SIACODE'07) Almeria, Spain. http://www.ual.es/GruposInv/RecHid/otros/primera_circular.pdf
16–19 October 2007.Sixth Asian Regional Conference on Geohazards in Engineering Geology. Seoul, Korea. E-mail: [email protected] http://www.iaeg2007.org
18–19 October 2007Workshop on Global Monitoring of Groundwater Resources. Utrecht, The
No. 6, July 2006
Netherlands. Organised by IGRAC with the IGWCO/GARS/UNESCO groundwater working group. http://www.igrac.nl
20–21 October 2007IUGS-GEM Fourth Annual Meeting held at the Brazilian Geochemistry Congress (see below). Atibaia, Brazil. Jonas Satkunas, [email protected]
21–24 October 2007.8th Joint CGS/IAH-CNC Groundwater Conference. Ottawa, Canada. A part of the 60th Canadian Geotechnical Conference Organised by IAH Canada and the Canadian Geotechnical Society. http://www.ottawageo2007.ca
21–26 October 20072nd Hemispherical Conference on Medical Geology. Atibaia, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) (http://www.medicalgeology.org/) in conjunction with the Brazilian Geochemistry Congress, aims to bring together a range of disciplines in geosciences and biomedical research and scientists from South America, Central and North America, Canada and the Caribbean Basin to share the most recent advances and latest information on Medical Geology. IMGA Contact [email protected]. English language web: www.acquacon.com.br/xicbgq/eventos_short.htmlPortuguese web: http://www.acquacon.com.br/xicbgq/
22 October, 2007.International Workshop on Geosciences for Environmental Management. Atibaia, State of Sao Paulo, Brazilto. (See 2nd Hemispherical Conference on Medical Geology above) Hosted by IUGS-GEM. in the Bourbon Atibaia Convention Centre. This one-day conference aims to present the IUGS-GEM mission and share regional reports on environmental geology - this will include presentations of activities of the GEM Working Groups, focusing on the scientific themes of the International Year of Planet Earth (2007-2009).
21–26 October 2007.ISTERH/NTES Conference on Trace Elements in Diet, Nutrition & Health. Hersonissos, Crete, Greece.http://www.angelfire.com/nd/isterh/index.html21–26 October 200744th CCOP Annual Session, Cebu City, Philippines. http://www.ccop.or.th/eventall.asp#
28–31 October 2007Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, USA. Conference information:http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/Topical Session information Geoscience Information/Communicationhttp://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/sessions/topical.asp?CatID=Geoscience+Information%2FCommunication&submit=Go Environmental Geoscience http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/sessions/topical.asp?CatID=Environmental+Geoscience&submit=Go Medical Geology http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/sessions/topical.asp
5–9 November 2007.National Workshop on Water Quality, Galveston, Texas, USA.. Includes a major session on Water quality and human health. http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/NWQW2007/
6–7 November 2007Cities and Conservation - International Symposium. Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur.http://web.uvic.ca/~iugsgem/Cities%20and%20Consevation/index.htm
11–15 November 2007.Medical Geology: Relating Earth Materials, Environmental Health, and Human Health Risks. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. http://milwaukee.setac.org.
12-15 November 2007.CAIWA2007 International Conference on Adaptive and Integrated Water Management. Radisson SAS Hotel, Basel, Switzerland. http://www.newater.uos.de/caiwa/
19–23 November 2007 Cities on Volcanoes 5 conference. Shimabara, Japan. Co-hosted by IAVCEI.www.citiesonvolcanoes5.com
December 200717th Symposium on Geo-Environments and Geo-Technics Symposium. Tokyo, Japan.Contact: NIREI Hisashi E-mail: [email protected] OR FURUNO Kunio E-mail: [email protected] http://www.jspmug.org/ (website in Japanese)
2–7 December 2007.
No. 6, July 2006
Groundwater Quality 2007 - Securing Groundwater Quality in Urban and Industrial Environments. Freemantle, Western Australia. http://www.clw.csiro.au/conferences/GQ07/____________________________________________
2008
2008 The International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) Webs: http://www.esfs.org/index.htm AND www.yearofplanetearth.org
11–14 March 2008International Groundwater Conference on Groundwater Dynamics and Global Change. Jaipur, India. Organised by University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and Association of Geo-environmentalists. [email protected]
31 March – 3 April 2008.2nd International Salinity Forum. Adelaide, Australia. "Salinity, Water and Society - Global Issues, local action. New approaches for tackling the salinisation of water resources. Includes irrigation, dryland and urban salinity and salt water intrusion. Email: [email protected]://www.internationalsalinityforum.org
31 March – 3 April, 200826th EuropeanConference Health Implications of Environmental Contamination. Athens, Greece. http://www.igme.grhttp://www.medicalgeology.org/PDF/SEGH_2008_1st_circular.pdf
14–17 Apr 2008Water Down Under 2008. Adelaide, South Australia. Incorporating 31st Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium and the 4th International Conference on Water Resources and Environment Research (ICWRER). Organised by Engineers Australia and the International Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Management. Sponsored by UNESCO, IAH, IAHR and IAHS. http://www.waterdownunder2008.com/
18–23 May 200815th International Congress of the International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO) “Soil and Water Conservation, Climate Change and Environmental Sensitivity”. Budapest, Hungaryhttp://www.isco2008.com/
19–21 May 2008;
The Seventh International Conference on Environmental Problems in Coastal Regions - including Oil and Chemical Spill Studies.The New Forest, United Kingdomwww.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/coast08/
25–29 May 20084th International Conference on Trace Element Speciation in Biomedical, Nutritional And Environmental Sciences. Munich-Neuherberg, Germany. http://www.gsf.de/spec/neu/index.php
2-4 June 2008;The Fourth International Conference on Waste Management and the Environment. Granada, Spain. www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/waste08/index.html
3–6 June 200810th ConSoil Conference on Soil-Water SystemsMilan, Italy. http://www.consoil.de/
4–6 June, 2008Environmental Toxicology 2008. Granada, SpainWith thousands of new chemicals entering the market every year, it has become necessary to assess their effects on the ecosystem as well as to minimize their impact on the environment.http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/toxic08/index.html
9–11 June 2008Ninth International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Water Pollution. Alicante, Spain http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/water08/
16–18 June 2008Geo-Environment & Landscape Evolution 2008 - Third International Conference on Evaluation, Monitoring, Simulation, Management and Remediation of the Geological Environment and Landscape. The New Forest, U.K.http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/geoenv08
22–26th June 2008The 3rd International UNESCO-Conference on Geoparks. "Communicating our Earth Heritage". Osnabrück, Germanyhttp://www.geoparks2008.com/
No. 6, July 2006
25–28 June 2008Groundwater and Climate in Africa International Conference. Kampala, Uganda. Supported by: UNESCO-IHP & IAH-AIH / IAHS-AIHS / BGR / IAEA / GW-MATEhttp://www.gwclim.org
29 June – 3 July 20089th International Conference on Permafrost Fairbanks, Alaska, USA.http://www.nicop.org/
2–3 July 2008International Conference on Flood Recovery, Innovation and Response (FRIAR). http://www.floodrepair.net/asp/eventdisp.asp?id=6%20&secid=1
20–24 July 2008Australian Earth Sciences Convention (AESC) 2008 "New Generation Advances in Geoscience". Perth, Western Australia.http://www.gsa.org.au/
25–29 August 2008EUROSOIL 2008 “Soil - Society – Environment” Organised by the European Confederation of Soil Sciences Societies (ECSSS). Vienna, Austriahttp://www.ecsss.net/web/frontend/view.php?MENUEID=230____________________________________________________5–15 August 200833rd IGC The Geoscience World Congress 2008 “Earth System Science: Foundation for Sustainable Development”. Oslo, Norway.http://www.33igc.org/ Note - the IGC will have several symposia organised by, or involving, Officers of IUGS-GEM. These symposia are listed on the IGC website under the following: - General Symposia: "Geoscience Education" - Topical Symposia: "Medical Geology" - Topical Symposia: "Earth System Management" - IGC Workshop: "Geoconservation for Sustainable Development and Earth Science propagation, Geoheritage, Geosites, Geoparks" - Short Course: "Medical Geology". ____________________________________________________
30 June – 4 July 2008 10th International Symposium on Landslides and Engineered Slopes. Xi'an, China.Organised by JTC1, ISSMGE, ISRM, and IAEGhttp://www.landslide.iwhr.com/
1–4 September 2008XIIIth IWRA World Water Congress.Montpellier, France.E-mail [email protected]; http://wwc2008.msem.univ-montp2.fr
8–10 October 2008.8th International Hydrogeological Congress of Greece. Athens, Greece. E-mail: [email protected]://iah-hellas.geol.uoa.gr
10–12 October 2008Workshop on New Practices in Geo-Diversity for Sustainable Development of the (EU) Regions. Sibiu, Romaniahttp://www.eurogeosurveys.org/_STUDIOEMMA_WWW/uploads/file/Geoheritage_TAIEX_workshop_Oct_2007_Romania.pdf
26–31 Oct 200836th Congress of IAH; Integrating Groundwater Science and Human Well-being. Toyama City, Japan. http://www.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/~IAH2008
26 October – 1 November 200836th Congress of IAH; Integrating Groundwater Science and Human Well-being. Toyama City, Japan. http://www.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/~IAH2008
12–15 November 2008CAIWA 2007 - International Conference on Adaptive & Integrated Water Management. Basel, Switzerland.http://www.newater.uos.de/caiwa/
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No. 6, July 2006
GEM SEEKS SUPPORTING MEMBERS
The IUGS Commission on Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM) is seeking Supporting Members. Supporting Members are individuals, and organizations (such as Geological Surveys, Ministries, Universities, Laboratories, Oil and Mining Companies, Consultants etc.) that wish to contribute to the aims and objectives of the Commission. Supporting Members receive selected publications of GEM, and upon request may be permitted to use the Commission’s name for promotional purposes.The annual fee for Supporting Members is USD 50 for individuals and USD 500 for organizations. All interested in becoming Supporting Members please contact the Secretary-General of GEM.
Dr. Jonas SatkūnasLithuanian Geological SurveyS. Konarskio 35LT-03123 VilniusLITHUANIATel: +370-2-2332-482Fax: +370-2-2336-156E-mail: [email protected]
____________________________________________________________________________
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS of GEM
CALL FOR MEMBERS
GEM is seeking Corresponding Members for the Commission. Corresponding Members are active contributors to the aims and objectives of the Commission. Corresponding Members take initiative to provide the Secretary-General regularly with information on the state of the environment in their countries and progress made in the field of geoscience for environmental planning and management. Corresponding Membership is on a personal basis only and is free of charge. In return Corresponding Members are required to supply the Information Coordinator with contributions at least once in two years. They are also encouraged to host workshops and meetings of GEM in their countries. Corresponding Members receive selected publications of GEM.
All applying to be Corresponding Members of GEM please complete the CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION FORM below and return, either by email or by post to the Secretary-General (contact details on the registration form).
____________________________________________________________________________
No. 6, July 2006
GEMIUGS COMMISSION ON GEOSCIENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP
REGISTRATION FORM
PRIMARY SPECIALISATION/ AREA OF INTEREST(check one or more):
Construction Aggregates Land-ManagementContaminated Land Medical GeologyDesertification Mineral ResourcesEcosystems Natural HazardsEnergy Resources Soil and AgricultureEnvironmental Issues Surface and Groundwater ResourcesForestry Sustainability Assessment & GovernanceGeoscience Administration Urban GeologyGovernment Waste DisposalInternational (eg UN; EU; EC) Other
Please return this completed form to:Dr. Jonas SatkūnasSecretary-General of GEM
by mail: Geological Survey of LithuaniaS. Konarskio 35LT-03123 VILNIUSLithuania
or by fax: +370-5-2336-156
or by email: [email protected]
If any reader requires this form emailed in word format please contact: either the Information Coordinator (Editor), or the Secretary-General.
SURNAME:__________________________________________________________FIRST NAME:____________________MIDDLE NAME:_____________________TITLE:______________________________________________________________OCCUPATION:_______________________________________________________MAILING ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________EMAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________
Please tick your preferred correspondence method: email □ post □(Email correspondence will reduce overall costs to GEM).OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER: _______________________________________OFFICE FAX NUMBER:_______________________________________________