scholarly journals The Status of Oiled Wildlife Preparedness and Response in the NOWPAP Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong-Gil Kang ◽  
Tae-Hwan Joung ◽  
Joung-Yun Lee ◽  
Siyeon Lee ◽  
Young You
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Northwest Pacific ◽  
Member States ◽  
Regional Activity ◽  
The Status ◽  
High Level

Abstract and introduction The Marine Environmental Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Activity Centre (MERRAC) is one of four Regional Activity Centres of the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP). It was adopted in 1994 as a Regional Seas Programme of UNEP by the People's Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation and is responsible for regional co-operation on marine pollution preparedness and response in the NOWPAP region. The shipping density has been growing greatly in the NOWPAP region due to the high level of industrial and economic development of the NOWPAP member states and consequently, the region has been severely exposed to oil spills. Oil spill incidents were identified as one of the threatening elements to the marine environment and coastal biota, especially, birds and marine mammals that live mostly near the coast. Objective: We collected existing data on oiled wildlife including relevant response techniques for rescuing, relevant national laws/policies and guidelines concerning response of the oiled wildlife from the NOWPAP Member States to mitigate the damage on the oiled wildlife. Based upon the reviews, we be identified weaknesses and challenges on oiled wildlife issues in the region, suggesting the possible future action plan to taken by NOWPAP members.

ASSESSING THE INCREASING RISK OF MARINE OIL POLLUTION SPILLS IN CHINA

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 711-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Woolgar
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Chinese Economy ◽  
Northwest Pacific ◽  
Marine Oil ◽  
Chinese Waters ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Using Data

ABSTRACT As the Chinese economy continues to develop at a rapid pace, shipping has also increased significantly over recent years. This rise in traffic brings a greater threat of oil pollution from vessels. Assessing the risk of oil spills can be a complex process, yet by modelling and analysing the amount of oil transported around coastal areas during 2001 and 2005, using data obtained from Lloyds’ Marine Intelligence Unit (LMIU) and comparing it with the historical data from ITOPF'S tanker spills database, an improved representation of risk can be made. Using a GIS platform to graphically visualise this information and integrate further datasets regarding local sensitivities we can understand the risk more thoroughly and present the aggregated information more effectively. In response to the increased risk experienced in and around Chinese waters, ITOPF and other international organisations are working to build awareness of the risks and develop links with key parties through training courses and seminars. By working closely with the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) and with the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), a regional UNEP initiative, the threat of future incidents can be minimised and handled in a rational manner. This paper looks at the risks associated with increased traffic and developments taking place to meet the threat of marine oil spills in Chinese waters.

scholarly journals The level of oil spill risk in Northwest Pacific and regional cooperation activities of NOWPAP MERRAC on marine pollution preparedness and response.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong-Gil Kang ◽  
Tae Hwan Joung ◽  
Siyeon Lee ◽  
Joung-Yun Lee ◽  
Young You
Keyword(s):  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Northwest Pacific ◽  
Member States ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Exchange Of Information ◽  
Exchange Information ◽  
Actual Response ◽  
Cooperation System

1. ABSTRACT The Northwest Pacific region, covering the four member states namely, People's Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Russian Federation, has been severely exposed to oil and HNS spills due to its high shipping density and high levels of industrial and economic growth and became a hotspot worldwide. Since member states are geographically close to each other, it is possible to cause transboundary issue affecting neighboring countries when oil and HNS spill incidents occur. In accordance with the need, the NOWPAP member states adopted the Regional oil and HNS spill Contingency Plan (RCP) in 2008, which provides the technical and operational framework for regional cooperation on major spill accidents, is a major achievements among the various regional cooperation activities. This was the first agenda actually adopted in the NOWPAP region and shows a national level of cooperation to protect the marine and coastal environment of the region. Particularly, to enhance the response capacities under the RCP, since 2006, member states jointly conduct oil and HNS spill response exercises (DELTA exercise) biannually, mobilizing actual response resources from the member states in a rotational basis. The 7th NOWPAP DELTA exercise was organized by Japan and Russia in Maizuru city, Japan (Oct. 2018). In addition to this, 19 communication exercises (BRAVO exercise) have also been implemented to test joint operational response procedures and associated communication tools in case of major spills. To further facilitate the exchange of information on marine pollution and preparedness in the region, MERRAC developed and operates the online pollution reporting system (POLREP) since 2015, which enables real-time exchange of information not only with the emails and fax but also through personal mobile phones of competent national authorities of member states. During the Sanchi spill incident (Jan 2018), the member states and MERRAC exchanged almost 300 notifications through POLREP concerning the location and trajectory of the spill and response operations. Furthermore, Member states exchange information on their national policies and response resources and has been building regional cooperation to strengthen its capabilities. In order to establish and maintain such regional cooperation system, MERRAC has been holding Focal Points meetings every year and Expert meetings every two years to exchange information on oil and HNS spill preparedness and response and implement Specific projects for various purposes by the national experts from the member states. In this presentation, we will review the oil and HNS risk levels in the NOWPAP region and examine the various cooperative activities and achievements and discuss the future prospects which MERRAC should go in through.

scholarly journals Fathoming postnatural oceans: Towards a low trophic theory in the practices of feminist posthumanities

2021 ◽  
pp. 251484862110285
Author(s):  
Marietta Radomska ◽  
Cecilia Åsberg
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Deep Time ◽  
Arts And Humanities ◽  
Slow Violence ◽  
Human Care ◽  
Ethical Stance ◽  
The Baltic

As the planet’s largest ecosystem, oceans stabilise climate, produce oxygen, store CO2 and host unfathomable biodiversity at a deep time-scale. In recent decades, scientific assessments have indicated that the oceans are seriously degraded to the detriment of most near-future societies. Human-induced impacts range from climate change, ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity, eutrophication and marine pollution to local degradation of marine and coastal environments. Such environmental violence takes form of both ‘spectacular’ events, like oil spills and ‘slow violence’, occurring gradually and out of sight. The purpose of this paper is to show four cases of coastal and marine forms of slow violence and to provide counter-accounts of how to reinvent our consumer imaginary at such locations, as well as to develop what is here referred to as ‘low-trophic theory,’ a situated ethical stance that attends to entanglements of consumption, food, violence, environmental adaptability and more-than-human care from the co-existential perspective of multispecies ethics. We combine field-philosophical case studies with insights from marine science, environmental art and cultural practices in the Baltic and North Sea region and feminist posthumanities. The paper shows that the oceanic imaginary is not a unified place, but rather, a set of forces, which requires renewed ethical approaches, conceptual inventiveness and practical creativity. Based on the case studies and examples presented, the authors conclude that the consideration of more-than-human ethical perspectives, provided by environmental arts and humanities is crucial for both research on nature and space, and for the flourishing of local multispecies communities. This paper thus inaugurates thinking and practice along the proposed here ethical stance of low-trophic theory, developed it along the methodological lines of feminist environmental posthumanities.

WHO European Health Literacy Action Plan

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Sørensen ◽  
A Koylyu ◽  
B Mikkelsen
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Member States ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
European Health ◽  
Other World ◽  
Action Networks

Abstract Background Grounded in the last decade's health literacy developments; the work of the European health literacy action networks on measurement and NCDs as well as the newly adopted European Health Literacy Roadmap and resolution agreed upon by their 53 Member States in 2019, the WHO European Region continues its investment in health literacy. A WHO European health literacy action plan is under development to be launched in 2021. The action plan implies concrete actions for Member States on how to develop health literate populations and societies. Methods Based on co-creation principles, the development of the action plan is conducted by stakeholders from a wide range of fields and disciplines. Lead by the WHO European Regional Office, the process includes an initial stakeholder meeting, iterative technical consultations with experts and the wider stakeholder community and Member State consultations. The analytical methods integrate a SWOT-analysis, future scenario thinking and long-sight action planning approaches as well as application of health literacy analytics. Results The results of the initial analytical steps will be presented such as the SWOT analysis, the future scenarios and associated recommendations on how to create health literate populations and societies in Europe. Additionally, the outline of the draft of the European health literacy action plan will be open for discussion and input. Conclusions Through an iterative process, the European health literacy action plan is co-produced by multiple actors through a series of consultations facilitating ownership and accountability. The European health literacy action plan can be an inspiration and a model for other world regions.

Deep AI Enabled Ubiquitous Wireless Sensing

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Chenning Li ◽  
Zhichao Cao ◽  
Yunhao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Great Success ◽  
Wireless Sensing ◽  
Ubiquitous Sensing ◽  
Sensing Systems ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sensing Model ◽  
High Level ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
The Internet Of Things ◽  
High Level Feature

With the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), many kinds of wireless signals (e.g., Wi-Fi, LoRa, RFID) are filling our living and working spaces nowadays. Beyond communication, wireless signals can sense the status of surrounding objects, known as wireless sensing , with their reflection, scattering, and refraction while propagating in space. In the last decade, many sophisticated wireless sensing techniques and systems were widely studied for various applications (e.g., gesture recognition, localization, and object imaging). Recently, deep Artificial Intelligence (AI), also known as Deep Learning (DL), has shown great success in computer vision. And some works have initially proved that deep AI can benefit wireless sensing as well, leading to a brand-new step toward ubiquitous sensing. In this survey, we focus on the evolution of wireless sensing enhanced by deep AI techniques. We first present a general workflow of Wireless Sensing Systems (WSSs) which consists of signal pre-processing, high-level feature, and sensing model formulation. For each module, existing deep AI-based techniques are summarized, further compared with traditional approaches. Then, we provide a view of issues and challenges induced by combining deep AI and wireless sensing together. Finally, we discuss the future trends of deep AI to enable ubiquitous wireless sensing.

Enhancing Science and Technology in the SADC Region: Roles of the Secretariat and Member States

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-95
Author(s):  
Rubin Patterson ◽  
James Bozeman
Keyword(s):  
Economic Integration ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Foreign Affiliate ◽  
Member States ◽  
The Third ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
The World ◽  
The Status

AbstractIncreased economic integration throughout the world, the growing dominance of foreign affiliate production over international exports, the routinization of innovation, and amplified knowledge-intensiveness of FDI collectively characterize the new global economic environment in which SADC nations are attempting to develop and compete. This paper provides a detailed summary of the global economic context and one of its leading engines, namely, science and technology (S&T). Analysis of Africa's post-independence S&T travails and successes constitutes the second section of the paper. Various factors that have collectively arrested S&T growth are discussed. The third and largest section is the analysis of commonalities and particularities of S&T needs and activities by the SADC secretariat and member states. Focused analytical reports on the status of S&T development efforts in Botswana and Zimbabwe comprise the final section. Based on the contextual threats and opportunities discussed above, the paper concludes with two concrete recommendations: integrating and adopting the elements suggested in the paper for a long-term S&T development model, and pursuing state-sponsored or quasi-state-sponsored reverse engineering campaigns.

Conspicuous consumption of luxury experiences: an experimental investigation of status perceptions on social media

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Siepmann ◽  
Lisa Carola Holthoff ◽  
Pascal Kowalczuk
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Conspicuous Consumption ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Luxury Goods ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status ◽  
Self Actualization ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level

Purpose As luxury goods are losing their importance for demonstrating status, wealth or power to others, individuals are searching for alternative status symbols. Recently, individuals have increasingly used conspicuous consumption and displays of experiences on social media to obtain affirmation. This study aims to analyze the effects of luxury and nonluxury experiences, as well as traditional luxury goods on status- and nonstatus-related dimensions. Design/methodology/approach After presenting the theoretical foundation, the authors conduct a study with 599 participants to compare status perceptions elicited by the conspicuous consumption of luxury goods, luxury experiences and nonluxury experiences. The authors investigate whether experiences that are visibly consumed on Instagram are replacing traditional luxury goods as the most important status symbols. Furthermore, the authors examine the effects of the content shown on nonstatus-related dimensions and analyze whether status perceptions differ between female and male social media communicators. Finally, the authors analyze how personal characteristics (self-esteem, self-actualization and materialism) influence the status perceptions of others on social media. Findings The results show that luxury goods are still the most important means of displaying status. However, especially for women, luxury experiences are also associated with a high level of social status. Thus, the results imply important gender differences in the perceptions of status- and nonstatus-related dimensions. Furthermore, the findings indicate that, in particular, the individual characteristics of self-actualization and materialism affect status perceptions depending on the posted content. Originality/value While the research has already considered some alternative forms of conspicuous consumption, little attention has been given to experiences as status symbols. However, with their growing importance as substitutes for luxury goods and the rise of social media, the desire to conspicuously consume experiences is increasing. The authors address this gap in the literature by focusing on the conspicuous display of luxury and nonluxury experiences on social media.

scholarly journals Proposals for the Negotiation Process on the United Nations Global Compact for Migration

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 682-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Genina
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
United Nations ◽  
International Migration ◽  
Negotiation Process ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
Global Compact ◽  
Member States ◽  
Un General Assembly ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
High Level

On September 19th, 2016, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted Resolution 71/1, the text of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (the “New York Declaration”). Resolution 71/1 is the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants, held at the UN headquarters. The New York Declaration reflects how UN member states have decided to address the challenge of large movements of people in two main legal categories: asylum seekers/refugees and migrants. Resolution 71/1 includes an annex titled “Towards a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration” (the “global compact for migration” or “global compact”). This document is comprised of several thematic issues related to international migration that will be the basis of a globally negotiated agreement on how member states should respond to international migration at the national, regional, and international levels, as well as to issues related to international migration and development. The global compact for migration is intended to be adopted at a conference on international migration and development before the inauguration of the 73rd annual session of the UN General Assembly in September 2018. This paper addresses how UN member states should plan to address international migration in the future. It does not refer to refugees and asylum seekers: a global compact on refugees will be drafted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2018, and to be presented to the UN General Assembly for states' consideration during its 73rd annual session, which starts in September 2018.1 For those who have been involved in migration issues within the United Nations, the fact that member states have finally agreed to convene an international conference on international migration represents a major achievement. It is the result of an extended process that started decades ago and was made possible by a long chain of efforts by many state delegations and other stakeholders. The global compact for migration will not be the first outcome document dealing exclusively with international migration. A declaration2 adopted at a high-level meeting at the United Nations in October 2013, for example, paved the way for the 2018 conference. Nonetheless, the global compact represents a unique opportunity to address international migration comprehensively and humanely. This paper contributes to the discussion on the elements that should be included in the global compact for migration. The paper is divided into two sections. The first section analyzes the main elements of Annex II, “Towards a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration,” and the criteria that needs to be adopted in order to achieve a substantive outcome. In particular, participants in the negotiation process should aim to balance the concerns of states and the members of host societies, on one hand, with the needs and rights of migrants, on the other. The second section includes proposals to enrich the final global compact for migration and takes into account two documents written by two different actors within the UN system, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Migration, and the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants. In particular, the paper proposes that the global compact for migration: • sets forth principles that can inform the actions of governments in relation to international migration at all levels; • enunciates a clearer definition of state protection responsibilities in relation to migrants in crisis situations and so-called “mixed flows”3; affords a substantive role to civil society organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions in the global compact's follow-up and review process; • defines the institutional framework for the implementation and follow-up of the global compact within the United Nations, including through the work of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF); • establishes a mechanism to fund migration policies for states that lack enough resources to invest sufficiently in this task; and • builds a cooperation-oriented, peer-review mechanism to review migration policies. The paper has been conceived as an input for those who will take part in the negotiation of the global compact for migration, as well as those who will closely follow those negotiations. Thus, the paper assumes a level of knowledge on how international migration has been addressed within the United Nations during the last several years and of the complexities of these negotiation processes. The author took part in different UN negotiation processes on international migration from 2004 to 2013. The paper is primarily based on this experience.4

ASEAN and Its Problematic Treaty-Making Practice: Can International Organizations Conclude Treaties “on Behalf of” Their Member States?

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhida CHEN
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
The Other ◽  
Member States ◽  
The Real ◽  
Asean Member ◽  
Real Issue ◽  
The Status

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has, on various occasions, concluded treaties on behalf of its Member States. This raises some interesting questions: is ASEAN entitled to enter into treaties on behalf of its Member States; and if so, what should be the status of ASEAN and its Member States vis-à-vis the other party to the treaty? The issue is not one of whether the ASEAN Member States have consented to such a practice—it must be assumed that they have. Instead, the real issue is whether such treaty-making practice can and should be valid under international law, even if the Member States have consented for ASEAN to conclude these treaties on their behalf. This paper will argue that, under international law, ASEAN is entitled to conclude treaties on behalf of its Member States.

MANAGERS CAN ALSO RESIST CHANGES — CAN WE DEAL WITH THIS? AN EXPLORATORY STUDY FROM JAPAN

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (04) ◽  
pp. 447-493
Author(s):  
BALÁZS VASZKUN
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Values ◽  
Traditional Management ◽  
Japanese Firms ◽  
Work Routines ◽  
The Status ◽  
Major Reform ◽  
Mass Recruitment ◽  
Dominant Coalition ◽  
High Level ◽  
Shed Light

Japan is going through a transformation, yet it is difficult to judge which model should be chosen as a direction to go in with corporate reforms. Badly needed initiatives seeking to replace outdated managerial habits by new best practices in Japanese firms are being jeopardized by organizational members whose goal is to maintain the status quo — in terms of both political power and everyday work routines. Yet managerial habits and behaviours need to change if Japanese firms are to be entrepreneurial and innovative. According to institutionalism, blocking new initiatives is normal, and societal support is needed for major reform attempts. The focus of this paper is to shed light on how society in Japan is divided when it comes to large firms altering practices with which they have been traditionally managed. Our proposition is that complex, multi-element reform packages — having a potentially opposing dominant coalition, which is the case of Japan — ought to be implemented following a well-defined, prioritized listing of elements. After examining an attitude survey carried out in Japan, our findings revealed two clusters with a particularly high level of support for traditional management. Moreover, out of the two, one appeared to be extremely passive and resistant to any sort of change. In order to fight general resistance and reform outdated practices, our survey shows that Japan could move further towards a system compensating performance rather than seniority and giving more chance to women, discarding mass-recruitment, slow promotion whilst also maintaining the most deeply-rooted traditional values such as job security, paternalism or harmony in corporate life.

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