RNRF & MEMBER NEWS
AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION
AGU Honors Journalists for Excellence in Science Journalism
WASHINGTON — AGU has awarded journalists Gregory Barber and Robin George Andrews for their reporting on the Earth and space sciences. Honorable mentions for features go to Kate Evans and Paul Voosen, and honorable mentions for news stories go to Kelso Harper and Richard Stone.
Gregory Barber, a staff reporter for WIRED, is honored with the 2022 Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Writing – Features for his longform story on the impact lithium mining in the deserts of Nevada has on a fragile species of buckwheat, at risk of extinction due to mining operations. Robin George Andrews, a freelance journalist, is honored with the 2022 David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Writing – News for his story digging into new evidence of the conditions behind the fatal Dyatlov Pass expedition in 1959.
These two AGU journalism awards will be formally presented during AGU’s annual Honors Ceremony during AGU Fall Meeting 2022. Nominations for next year’s journalism awards will open in the spring of 2023.
To read more, click here.
AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
Extreme Cold Temperature Outbreaks: A Call to Action for Better Preparation
A Best Practice Statement of the American Meteorological Society
The cascading impacts brought by the February 2021 Arctic cold outbreak across Texas and much of the central United States demonstrate how compound disasters can quickly occur in the absence of adequate preparation by businesses (specifically essential services), communities, and individuals. The extreme cold event highlights the need for stronger community resilience should essential services (e.g., water, electricity) fail for extended periods of time. Prolonged Arctic outbreaks will occur again and will find vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure if mitigation and preparedness efforts are not taken. This statement focuses on how local governments, businesses, community organizations, and individuals can contribute to improved preparedness and resilience to Arctic outbreaks to minimize loss of life and damage to property.
For more information, click here
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS FUND
The American Society of Landscape Architects Releases Analysis on the Inflation Reduction Act
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) released its analysis of the Inflation Reduction Act (August) which funds $369 billion for energy security and climate change programs, many of which will be led by landscape architects.
“This bill leverages the tools landscape architects have already developed to help communities be more climate resilient and it will supercharge the development of new planning and design solutions,” said Torey Carter-Conneen, CEO of ASLA. “From equitable transportation projects in urban communities to addressing sea-level rise in coastal communities, landscape architects will take this bill from concept through design and implementation.”
The measure recognizes and funds long-standing landscape architecture approaches that address climate change -- from active transportation projects like Complete Streets and recreational trails, to nature-based solution water projects, community tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and more. Additionally, the measure makes significant strides in addressing environmental and climate justice.
Read the complete analysis here.
AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION
AWRA 2022 Annual Water Resources Conference
November 7-9, 2022
This conference is one of the most diverse and inclusive conferences in water resources management. AWRA provides you with innovative, practical, and applied water resource management solutions, management techniques, and current research. Attendees can expect to hear:
- lessons learned from the implementation of multidisciplinary projects,
- best practices discovered in the design and application of water resource management,
- implications of water policy decisions, and
- research into current and emerging issues.
For more information, click here.
SOCIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
SETAC Advisory Panel on Chemicals Management
SETAC is forming an Advisory Panel on chemicals managment. In resolution 5/8 the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) decided that a science-policy panel should be established to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. UNEA further decided to convene an Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) to prepare proposals for the science-policy panel, to begin work in 2022 with the ambition of completing it by the end of 2024.
SETAC supported the establishment of this panel and is eager to contribute to the responsible management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. SETAC is an accredited stakeholder in the UNEA Scientific and Technological Major Group. Through its accredited status, SETAC can provide statements at OEWG meetings, to help guide the preparation of proposals for the science-policy panel.
In the first session on 6 October 2022, the OEWG agreed on procedural matters, and adopted rules of procedures for its work. SETAC delivered an oral statement at this first meeting and urged the OEWG “to be bold and brave in decision-making and not to settle for the route of least resistance, or the route endorsed by the loudest voices”. SETAC also urged the OEWG “to select a route that is supported by the most robust and rigorous scientific evidence, to focus on the key chemicals of concern and wastes that pose the greatest global risk to human health and the health of aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric ecosystems, in order to reduce pollution and therefore, protect humankind and our planet”. SETAC urged the OEWG not to focus specifically on one ecosystem at the expense of our other ecosystems, but instead take a holistic approach, which offers humankind and our planet the greatest protection”.
The second session (OEWG 1.2) will be held in Bangkok early in 2023. SETAC will generate a statement for that meeting, and will also provide input as a member of the OEWG Scientific and Technical Group. SETAC will be represented by a SETAC Spokesperson, appointed by the SETAC World Council, and supported by the SETAC Advisory Panel Chemicals Management. The SETAC Advisory Panel is composed of the SETAC World President and Global Executive Director as ex officio members, and 6 to 9 SETAC members at large, who will reflect the scientific, geographical, sectorial and cultural diversity, equity and inclusivity of the society.
SETAC is also planning to establish an Affinity Group to organise the input from the broader membership to feed into the SETAC Advisory Panel.
For more information, click here.