Editorial
In a pair of feature articles, Alfredo Quarto discusses the threat posed by the rapid development of aquaculture. He points out that it is the intensity and unsustainable nature of the aquaculture industry that is destroying not only many of the worlds’ ecosystems but is also adversely affecting the livelihoods and cultures of millions of indigenous coastal people.
The use of renewable energy resources on small islands is reported on by Thomas Lynge Jensen. He outlines a recent study that considered the development of resources such as sun and wind, on islands where fossil fuel-based imports are extremely high. With a well-established infrastructure, island states could significantly increase the utilization of their own renewable energy sources.
In our forum article, Jim Detjen reports on a recent conference for environmental journalists which adopted an international code of ethics. He continues the report with a comment on the plight of many environmental journalists who have been imprisoned or killed as a result of their investigations into environmental abuses throughout the world.
In the news section, we present a summary of the World Health Organization’s recently released report “Making A Difference” that reviews the state of human health and the challenges for improving well-being in the 21st century.
Finally, we report on the new Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. The Convention calls for effective dissemination of information to the public as well as a greater transparency in decision-making procedures.