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This technical document looks at how the biological productivity of the oceans is of central importance to a world concerned about climate change. Marine phytoplankton comprises a quarter of the world’s vegetation and chlorophyll is the most frequently measured biochemical parameter in aquatic science. The publication includes all the oceanographer needs to know on how to measure and identify pigments, as well as select the best methods of quality control.

The analytical report offers a series of panoramic views accompanied by short commentaries on the geography of the Mediterranean Basin. The maps presented show the extreme diversity of natural water resources, the specific needs of Mediterranean countries, and the impacts of water usage on the environment.

This technical document is a sourcebook of protocols for studying, monitoring and managing harmful marine microalgae. Proliferation of microalgae in marine, brackish or fresh waters can cause the destruction of huge numbers of fish, contaminate seafood with toxins and alter ecosystems. About 300 species of microalgae are reported to form mass occurrences, so-called ‘blooms’, and nearly one-fourth of these species are known to produce toxins.

This technical document provides a practical guide to water development projects on small islands. It is a useful advice for technicians, hydrologists, engineers and managers in identifying, assessing, developing, managing and protecting the water resources of these islands. It presents a selection of methods and best practices appropriate to the special conditions of small islands.

This document is a concise but complete description of geothermal phenomena and geothermal exploitation. Features include a comprehensive introduction to the nature, classification and distribution of geothermal resources; a description of geothermal electricity generation and non-electric uses; an analysis of the potential impact of the uses of geothermal energy on the environment, and socio-economic and regulatory aspects.

This technical document consists of a toolkit designed to provide guidance in collecting sex-disaggregated data in scientific and technological activities. It aims at helping decision-makers, researchers and practitioners understand gender issues better and formulate successful policy and programming. It intends to promote a common approach in the systematic collection of sex-disaggregated data in science and technology. It also provides an overview of the participation of women in these fields, both in industrialized and industrializing countries.

This analytical report focuses on how and where fishers’ knowledge – indigenous and artisanal, as well as large and small-scale commercial – is being put to work in collaboration with scientists, government managers and non-governmental organizations.

This analytical report covers the data requirements for Integrated Urban Water Management. Integrated urban water management relies on data allowing the analysis, understanding and predicting of the behaviour of the individual water cycle components and their interactions. The concomitant monitoring of the complex of urban water system elements makes it possible to grasp the entirety of relations among the various components of the urban water cycle and so develop a holistic approach to solving urban water problems.

This video shows a documentary on climate change impact and effects made for the Environment for BBC World News. In particular the documentary investigates how two ‘twinned’ coastal biosphere reserves, one in the UK and one in Kenya, are comparing their mutual challenges and sharing the lessons learned in trying to find sustainable solutions to local development in the face of climate change. The ‘twinning’ has taken place within the framework of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves which includes 553 biosphere reserves in 107 countries.

This policy document covers the issue of the impacts of climate change on World Heritage natural and cultural properties. The Committee requested (Decision 29 COM 7B.a) the World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with the Convention’s Advisory Bodies, interested States Parties and the petitioners to convene a broad working group of experts to review the nature and scale of the risks arising from climate change and prepare a strategy and report for dealing with the issue.

This manual attempts to provide media professionals with basic information about some priority issues for sustainable development. It encourages the media to engage in public participation and to debate improvements that can lead to sustainable development. It also seeks to contribute to media awareness and understanding of sustainability, as outlined by the Agenda 21 Plan of Action for all nations endorsed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).

This daily publication produced by the IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) presents reports on selected side events that took place during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP 15 and COP/MOP 5).