The NASA Ice Report

Hello Friends…

Scientists from NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) have announced measurements showing Arctic sea ice is hitting major lows (http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/nasa-findings-on-global-warmin).

This past summer, Greenpeace explorers succeeded in making the first summer trek to the North Pole to document the impacts of global warming firsthand and to call attention to the plight of the polar bear. As part of the expedition, the explorers also collected data on ice thickness, snow cover and snow density and took snow samples for scientists at NSIDC.

NSIDC’s satellite data analysis shows that Arctic perennial sea ice, which remains all year-round, has shrunk by 14 percent between 2004 and 2005. These changes in Arctic sea ice are being linked to global warming and changes in wind patterns. The overall decrease in winter Arctic perennial sea ice totals 280,000 square miles - an area that is the size of Texas!

The good news is, scientists say we can avoid the worst if we act now. That's why Greenpeace is putting Congressional candidates in the hotseat. Find out more about how you can get involved www.greenpeace.org/usa/houseparty/.

Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP)

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Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP)

Description: 

The Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) evolved from the Toxicology Information Program (TIP) that was established in 1967 at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in response to recommendations made in the 1966 report "Handling of Toxicological Information," prepared by the President's Science Advisory Committee. The TIP objectives were to: (1) create automated toxicology data banks, and (2) provide toxicology information and data services. In the mid-1990's, the mission of TIP was expanded to include environmental health. TEHIP, by creating, organizing, and disseminating toxicology and environmental health information, now serves as a premier information portal for resources in these subject areas.

TEHIP maintains a comprehensive toxicology and environmental health web site that includes access to resources produced by TEHIP and by other government agencies and organizations. This web site includes links to databases, bibliographies, tutorials, and other scientific and consumer-oriented resources. TEHIP also is responsible for the Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET®), an integrated system of toxicology and environmental health databases that are available free of charge on the web.

TOXNET

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TOXNET

Description: 

TOXNET (TOXicology Data NETwork) is a cluster of databases covering toxicology, hazardous chemicals, environmental health and related areas. It is managed by the Toxicology and Environmental Health Information Program (TEHIP) in the Division of Specialized Information Services (SIS) of the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA)

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Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA)

Description: 

Pesticides are hazardous to human health and the environment, undermine local and global food security and threaten agricultural biodiversity.

Yet these pervasive chemicals are aggressively promoted by multinational corporations, government agencies, and other players in this more than $35 billion a year industry.

PANNA (Pesticide Action Network North America) works to replace pesticide use with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. As one of five PAN Regional Centers worldwide, we link local and international consumer, labor, health, environment and agriculture groups into an international citizens' action network. This network challenges the global proliferation of pesticides, defends basic rights to health and environmental quality, and works to insure the transition to a just and viable society.

Envirofacts Master Chemical Indicator

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Envirofacts Master Chemical Indicator

Description: 

Envirofacts contains chemical data from several different program system databases: the Aerometric Information Retrieval System, the Permit Compliance System, and the Toxics Release Inventory System. The Envirofacts Master Chemical Integrator (EMCI) identifies the chemicals in these systems. Using this integrator, you can learn details about a chemical substance, such as chemical names, discharge limits, and reported releases without knowing how the chemical is identified in the various program office systems throughout the Envirofacts database. The Chemical Query lets you obtain the acronyms, chemical identification numbers, and chemical names reported in the Envirofacts databases. You may also learn if the chemical is included in other groups, or composed of other chemical components. Additionally, you can get chemical information from the Toxic Releases Query, the Air Releases Query, and the Water Discharge Permits Query. You can also search our chemical reference information to learn more about the chemicals monitored by these databases.

ECOTOX

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ECOTOX

Description: 

The ECOTOXicology database (ECOTOX) is a source for locating single chemical toxicity data for aquatic life, terrestrial plants and wildlife. ECOTOX was created and is maintained by the U.S.EPA, Office of Research and Development (ORD) , and the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory's (NHEERL's) Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED).

ECOTOX integrates three previously independent databases - AQUIRE, PHYTOTOX, and TERRETOX - into a unique system which includes toxicity data derived predominately from the peer-reviewed literature, for aquatic life, terrestrial plants, and terrestrial wildlife, respectively.

National Atmospheric Deposition Program

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National Atmospheric Deposition Program

Description: 

The National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN) is a nationwide network of precipitation monitoring sites. The network is a cooperative effort between many different groups, including the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and numerous other governmental and private entities. The NADP/NTN has grown from 22 stations at the end of 1978, our first year, to over 250 sites spanning the continental United States, Alaska, and Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

The purpose of the network is to collect data on the chemistry of precipitation for monitoring of geographical and temporal long-term trends. The precipitation at each station is collected weekly according to strict clean-handling procedures. It is then sent to the Central Analytical Laboratory where it is analyzed for hydrogen (acidity as pH), sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, chloride, and base cations (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium). Our excellent quality assurance programs ensure that the data remain accurate and precise.

Atmospheric Pollution and Economic Development (APD), formerly TAPs

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Atmospheric Pollution and Economic Development (APD), formerly TAPs

Description: 

Recent scientific work indicates potentially important economic and environmental synergies between air pollution control and the mitigation of greenhouse gases at different temporal and spatial scales. A systematic assessment of such synergies and their interactions with economic development could thus point the way towards effective and viable approaches for protecting the local and global atmosphere.

The Atmospheric Pollution and Economic Development program aims to employ IIASA's expertise in applied interdisciplinary research to develop innovative modelling tools to identify strategies to protect the local, regional and global atmosphere while imposing least burden on the economic development. IIASA's work will bring together geo-physical and economic aspects of pollution control into one assessment framework and implement it – together with a network of collaborators - for practical policy analyses in different regions of the world.

American Lung Association

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American Lung Association

Description: 

The mission of the American Lung Association® is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.

The American Lung Association® is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a National Office and constituent and affiliate associations around the country. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, the American Lung Association® today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. The American Lung Association® is funded by contributions from the public, along with gifts and grants from corporations, foundations and government agencies. The American Lung Association® achieves its many successes through the work of thousands of committed volunteers and staff.

Air and Waste Management Association

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Air and Waste Management Association

Description: 

The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional organization that provides training, information, and networking opportunities to thousands of environmental professionals in 65 countries.

The organization works to enhance knowledge and expertise by providing a neutral forum for technology exchange, professional development, networking opportunities, public education, and outreach to more than 9000 environmental professionals in 65 countries. A&WMA also promotes global environmental responsibility and increases the effectiveness of organizations to make critical decisions that benefit society.

The Mission of A&WMA is to assist in the professional development and critical environmental decision-making of our members to benefit society.

The core Purpose of A&WMA is to improve environmental knowledge and decisions by providing a neutral forum for exchanging information.