Permafrost Conferences and Observing Networks: Contributions to International Co-Operation and Monitoring

This article describes international collaborative efforts aimed at improving the global capacity to address fisheries crime, with a particular focus on the International Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (IMCS) network and INTERPOL activities. These 2 initiatives have emerged as a response to existing governance deficits and, combined, substantially improve the prospects for addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing (FAO 2001) and associated crimes. I describe the development of these initiatives and provide some reflection on their challenges and opportunities. I use the term fisheries crime to include illegal fishing and associated crimes, although the efforts described here improve the prospects for addressing all aspects of IUU fishing activities, some of which may not constitute legal violations (FAO 2001).

The proposals submitted to the United Nations General Assembly for the establishment of an international satellite monitoring agency are briefly discussed in the light of suggestions to combine surveillance tasks with socioeconomic (resources management) tasks. It is concluded that confidence building, both with regard to peacekeeping and crisis management on one side, and international co-operation for socioeconomic development on the other side, as well as systems characteristics for the various objectives, call for keeping these tasks completely separated.

Simple SummaryInternational cooperation is needed to prevent the loss of threatened species. To evaluate the situation, standardised monitoring is an important tool. Involving the general public (citizen science) can play a crucial role in realising such international monitoring. Here we report on the start-up and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) monitoring schemes using the same protocol. This network aims to regularly assess local and international changes in the population of the stag beetle. Therefore, an internationally standardised protocol was agreed and a website was created where volunteers can create a transect and submit the data of their transect walks. Currently, the number of transects and transect walks submitted is increasing annually and will soon allow trend analysis. Our initial experience with the ESBMN shows that volunteers need more guidance and encouragement to avoid them dropping out of the project. In conclusion, we believe this system of international cooperation can be used for other charismatic insects in order to evaluate their threatened status and plan conservation actions.To address the decline in biodiversity, international cooperation in monitoring of threatened species is needed. Citizen science can play a crucial role in achieving this challenging goal, but most citizen science projects have been established at national or regional scales. Here we report on the establishment and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) monitoring schemes using the same protocol. The network, started in 2016, currently includes 14 countries (see results) but with a strong variation in output regarding the number of transects (148 successful transects in total) and transect walks (1735). We found differences across European regions in the number of stag beetles recorded, related to phenology and temperature, but not for time of transect start. Furthermore, the initial experiences of the ESBMN regarding international cooperation, citizen science approach, and drop-out of volunteers is discussed. An international standardised protocol that allows some local variation is essential for international collaboration and data management, and analysis is best performed at the international level, whereas recruiting, training, and maintaining volunteers is best organised locally. In conclusion, we appeal for more joint international citizen science-based monitoring initiatives assisting international red-listing and conservation actions.

This article examines the environmental consequences of military activity, with a focus on radiological and chemical safety, as well as the need for a systemic approach to ensuring environmental security during armed conflicts. The existing international legal mechanisms and national regulations are analyzed, and their deficiencies and limitations are identified. Examples of environmental disasters, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and Azerbaijan, are evaluated, and proposals for improving security are discussed, including mandatory environmental assessments of military operations, international monitoring, compensation for environmental damage, and the development of standards for the disposal of hazardous waste. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental security into military planning and active international cooperation to minimize damage and restore affected ecosystems.

Dojran Lake located in south-eastern part of the Balkan is shared by Macedonia and Greece. This valuable water body and its ecosystem are vulnerable both to climate and anthropogenic impacts. Within the period 1988–2002, the Dojran Lake water level decreased seriously (6 m) and the littoral zone of the lake became dry. This water level decline together with the simultaneous water quality deterioration resulted in a biodiversity diminish and plankton reduction. The attack on the ecosystem had a harmful impact on the economy in the region. In the last decade, the water increasing trend of the lake water level has been observed. How much the lake is impacted by natural climatic causes, and how much by human activities in the watershed, is a question that cannot be answered easily. The main obstacle for Dojran Lake sustainable water resources management is the fact that there is no exchange of data and information between Greece and Macedonia. Hydrological analysis is obtained using data measured for the period 1951–2010 at the meteorological and hydrological Nov Dojran gauging stations located on the Macedonian side. The aim of the paper is stimulation of a close international interdisciplinary monitoring and cooperation. Of crucial importance is to facilitate the free and unrestricted exchange of data and information, products and services in real and non-real time on matters relating to the safety and security of society, economic welfare and the protection of Dojran Lake environment.

Background In order to map exceedances of critical atmospheric deposition loads for nitrogen (N) surface data on the atmospheric deposition of N compounds to terrestrial ecosystems are needed. Across Europe such information is provided by the international European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) in a resolution of 50 km by 50 km, relying on both emission data and measurement data on atmospheric depositions. The objective of the article at hand is on the improvement of the spatial resolution of the EMEP maps by combining them with data on the N concentration in mosses provided by the International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops (ICP Vegetation) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LTRAP) Convention. Methods The map on atmospheric depositions of total N as modelled by EMEP was intersected with geostatistical surface estimations on the N concentration in mosses at a resolution of 5 km by 5 km. The medians of the N estimations in mosses were then calculated for each 50 km by 50 km grid cell. Both medians of moss estimations and corresponding modelled deposition values were ln-transformed and their relationship investigated and modelled by linear regression analysis. The regression equations were applied on the moss kriging estimates of the N concentration in mosses. The respective residuals were projected onto the centres of the EMEP grid cells and were mapped using variogram analysis and kriging procedures. Finally, the residual and the regression map were summed up to the map of total N deposition in terrestrial ecosystems throughout Europe. Results and discussion The regression analysis of the estimated N concentrations in mosses and the modelled EMEP depositions resulted in clear linear regression patterns with coefficients of determination of r 2 = 0.62 and Pearson correlations of r p = 0.79 and Spearman correlations of r s = 0.70, respectively. Regarding the German territory a nationwide mean of 18.1 kg/ha/a (standard deviation: 3.49 kg/ha/a) could be derived from the resulting map on total N deposition in a resolution of 5 km by 5 km. Recent updates of the modelled atmospheric deposition of N provided a similar estimate for Germany. Conclusions The linking of modelled EMEP data on the atmospheric depositions of total N and the accumulation of N in mosses allows to map the deposition of total N in a high resolution of 5 km by 5 km using empirical moss data. The mapping relies on the strong statistical relationship between both processes that are physically and chemically related to each other. The mapping approach thereby relies on available data that are both based on European wide harmonized methodologies. From an ecotoxicological point of view the linking of data on N depositions and those on N bioaccumulation can be considered a substantial progress.

Summary Over the past 70 years, the world has established an impressive history of international co-operation on weather monitoring via satellite, but this co-operation has not always been consistent. Following the launch of the first weather satellites, an international World Weather Watch system was established, and the United States engaged in bilateral co-operation and data exchange with the Soviet Union. However, more recently, co-operation in this area has been more challenging. While the World Weather Watch continues to operate, there were questions in the 2010s about the United States’ ability to maintain its full contribution to the international weather monitoring system, and suggestions to pursue bilateral co-operation with China in this area were spurned by Congress. This article investigates the variation in diplomatic efforts in this area, focusing on the key actors involved in space diplomacy, the underlying goals of space diplomacy efforts and the processes by which space diplomacy occurs.

This paper describes the proof-of-concept demonstrator implemented as part of the project Enhanced Situational Awareness to Improve Maritime Safety in the Baltic (BONUS ESABALT). The demonstrator represents the system as used in different classes of vessels including leisure craft (small boats), larger ships, and authority vessels. Various validation scenarios are implemented to demonstrate the system functionality, for example application of ESABALT to aid in recovery operations after an oil spill, rerouting in the presence of significant sea-ice, aiding vessel navigation in case of a GNSS interference event, and situations where multiple ships are in distress. The demonstrator is implemented on a laptop computer and using the FURUNO FFSC-200 software environment, FURUNO Finland FICE-100 ice radar and FOIL-200 oil radar, live ship data from AIS receivers, dashboard camera, and the FURUNO Navisimu simulator environment. The simulated data include AIS tracks, radar echo and tracks, and small boat tracks. The paper also describes the implementation challenges, quality of service factors, and results of the economic and non-economic viability analysis of the proposed ESABALT system for potential full-implementation in the future. This study shows that the system would be cost-effective and the benefits to international cooperation, maritime safety, and environmental monitoring would outweigh the management costs necessary to sustain it.

This study evaluates the heterogeneous impacts of the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement on greenhouse gas emission reduction across diverse country groups, including OECD, EU, BRICS, Asian, and African nations. Employing fixed-effects panel regression and Difference-in-Differences methodologies, the research analyzes longitudinal data (1990-2020) to assess emission performance using absolute reductions and CO2 intensity metrics. Findings reveal significant disparities: OECD and EU nations demonstrate consistent progress in absolute and intensity-based reductions, while BRICS countries improve CO2 intensity but face rising absolute emissions. Asian and African nations show limited progress, constrained by financial and technological barriers. The study highlights the differentiated trajectories driven by Kyoto's rigid, binding commitments versus Paris's flexible, inclusive framework of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Emerging economies benefit from intensity-based targets, balancing economic growth with emissions management. However, the lack of enforceable mechanisms under the Paris Agreement hinders uniform progress. This research underscores the need for tailored, equity-focused policy interventions to enhance climate governance. It emphasizes strengthening international cooperation, financing mechanisms, and monitoring systems to achieve the Paris Agreement's goals while addressing unique regional challenges and fostering sustainable development.

In economics, several theories have focused on the study of decisions made by economic agents. Recent branches in economics have even revealed some controversies with the theoretical findings of the basic neoclassical model. Indeed, the growing uncertainty characterizing certain contemporary risks leads to various biases in the economic agents’ behaviors. The relevance of decisions under uncertainty calls into question the assumption of absolute rationality of the neoclassical economics. In this context, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing an unprecedented human crisis. This paper aims to provide a theoretical examination of the behaviors of economic agents faced with uncertainty and catastrophic situations. In its first contribution, this study provides a theoretical overview of behaviors under uncertainty. In its second contribution, the paper highlights the need for a prospective approach in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Hence, we delve into the theoretical foundations of a prospective approach to health. All around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic approved the need for rethinking the preparation of “public health” systems to deal with pandemics. A good response to the present and a better preparation for the future require a revision of behaviors in terms of international cooperation and monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals.

Antibiotic use: How to improve it?

This paper aims to adapt the social network analysis method to explore the characteristics of 59 cross-border e-commerce policies promulgated by the Chinese government from January 2013 to July 2018. On this basis, the paper quantitatively analyzes the internal structure and dynamic layout characteristics of sustainable cross-border e-commerce policy documents focusing on three dimensions: policy service contents, policy regulatory targets, and policy measures. The results suggest that policies involving service contents lack long-term strategic planning, especially those related to taxation and warehousing. In addition, policies regarding service system construction and demonstration construction follow an upward trend, whereas policies related to international cooperation and risk monitoring are less prevalent. Finally, it is suggested that the government pays attention to the supervision of payments, transactions, and goods in the early stage of development, but began conducting comprehensive supervision over all aspects of the cross-border e-commerce supply chain in 2015. Thus, there has been a relatively mature regulatory system established in China with particular attention to the aspects of quality and safety.

The international community has taken upon itself the responsibility for the condition of the environment as a human habitat. International conventions draw attention of governments to the pollution and the deterioration of the environment as a result of economic and other human activity. Particular attention is paid to issues of climate change and sustainable development, emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere are taken under government control. According to research data, at the present stage there is an onset of a thawing process of not just Arctic ice, but also of permafrost. The thawing of permafrost on one hand is a result of climate warming, on the other hand it will inevitably lead to emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and become a source (cause) of climate change. Permafrost covers the territories of northern parts of America, Europe, Asia, islands of the Arctic Ocean, and the Antarctica. The paper argues for the necessity of research on the thermokarst processes on the basis of international cooperation, the development of an international permafrost monitoring network. Establishing the principles of organization of international cooperation, the funding and the creation of a permafrost monitoring network in international agreements will become an another step towards ensuring the environmental security of our planet. Research and reproduction of scientific knowledge were conducted along the spectrum of related fields of international and environmental law and areas of legal regulation, and also at the crossing of law and fields of permafrost studies, geology, ecology, biology, environmental protection.

High probability of natural catastrophes in the Russian Far East and in Northeast Asia as a whole is connected with their geographical position at the interface of Eurasia and two oceans: the Arctic and Pacific oceans. The threats of natural catastrophes caused by the extreme natural processes, such as volcanism and earthquakes, tsunami, storms, cyclones, typhoons and flooding are singled out. The threats of technogenic catastrophes connected with possible spills of oil and oil products, with forest fires, with extraction of natural resources on the sea-bottom are distinguished. Specific threats are connected with the trans-boundary transfer of the water and air contamination into the trans-boundary watersheds of the rivers (the Amur River, the Tumen River, and others) and into the seas (the Sea of Japan – the East Sea). The paper gives the examples of natural catastrophes – the extreme flooding in the Amur River watershed (July - August, 2013) and technogenic catastrophes - extreme technogenic contamination of the Sungari River (December, 2005). A small-scale natural-economic zoning of the Russian Far East, including identification of four zones with various danger to economic activities, and fractional natural-economic zoning, including identification of 24 areas with the different combinations of possible extreme processes, are carried out. The projects of UNEP on protection of the sea environment in the Northwest Pacific, including the sea oil spills, contamination of the seas by other kinds of technogenic substances, the trans-boundary transfer of air contamination and others are considered. The directions of the international cooperation on minimization of the negative consequences of natural and technogenic catastrophes, including the conclusion of the international contracts on the trans-boundary watersheds (rivers, lakes, and seas), the formation of the joint international programs, commissions, insurance funds, and monitoring systems are offered.

Pteropus vampyrus, the largest bat in the world, has a broad geographic range covering much of Southeast Asia. The wide distribution of P. vampyrus and its ability to cross oceanic expanses makes management of this threatened species an international concern. Pteropus vampyrus is an essential seed disperser and pollinator of rain forest trees, many of which are ecologically and economically important. Understanding population dynamics of P. vampyrus is thus critical to addressing conservation issues and global health concerns. We used phylogenetic inference and population genetic indices to infer past gene flow between populations of P. vampyrus throughout most of the species' range. Population genetic parameters indicate low levels of nucleotide variability with high haplotype diversity across its range, implying a demographic scenario of recent population expansion after a bottleneck. Subspecies were not found to be monophyletic from the genetic data, which may reflect some level of genetic variation on even shallower time scales. The low level of population genetic structure throughout the species range is not necessarily surprising given its high vagility and seasonal migratory behavior. However, it cannot be entirely excluded that these results may reflect historical connectivity or lineage sorting issues rather than more recent persistent gene flow. These findings highlight the need for international cooperation and monitoring to ensure persistence of populations and to create a species management plan that can protect the species throughout its range. Increased genetic sampling is needed to ascertain P. vampyrus' commonly used dispersal routes and to assess the possibility of asymmetric gene flow among populations.