Suchergebnisse

Maintaining drinking water quality and quantity is a resource management challenge worldwide. In the United States, there are federal, state and local laws to further drinking water quality protection, but few regulations that address water quantity. The first part of this article summarizes existing water protection laws, especially the division of water quality protection and local land use regulation between federal and state government. The second part assesses current water quality and quantity trends. The third part concludes the article with a discussion of drinking water case studies in the United States, to give a snapshot of current use and protection trends, highlighting planning tools, best management practices and intervention solutions. Given the current status of water protection laws and policies in the U.S., this discussion of best management practices is targeted towards municipalities, with the aim of linking it to sustainable development policies.

Climate Change in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Indicators and Considerations for Key Sectors is a report developed by the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA). It is one in a series of reports aimed at assessing the state of knowledge about climate change indicators, impacts, and adaptive capacity of the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands and the Hawaiian archipelago. Authors from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Office of Planning and Development, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the East-West Center—along with technical contributors from government and nongovernmental organizations, research, and community groups—collaboratively developed the CNMI PIRCA report. Key climate change issues affecting the CNMI include more destructive typhoons, threats to ocean ecosystems, and mental and physical health risks. Climate change is expected to disrupt many aspects of life in CNMI. Those who are already vulnerable—including children, the elderly, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities—are at greater risk from extreme weather and climate events. Climate Change in CNMI: Indicators and Considerations for Key Sectors provides guidance for decision-makers seeking to better understand the implications of climate variability and change for CNMI and its communities. This assessment also identifies the additional information and research needed to support responses that enhance resilience and help CNMI to withstand the changes to come.

Climate change Loss and Damage has emerged as a key challenge of the 21st century. This Policy Brief first frames the challenge and then introduces the Resilience Academy, highlighting 5 key insights that both feed the debate and inform action. Finally, it provides 5 recommendations to the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM ExCom) for its 5-year work plan.