NEWS FROM THE WORLD

Algal blooms disrupt holidaymakers across Europe
Instead of pristine and inviting bathing waters, tourists are being met by toxic algal blooms. The recent hot and calm weather in Europe has provided perfect conditions for algae. While surface waters have remained still and undisturbed, algae blooms have flourished uninterrupted. However, the blooms are also helped by nutrient inputs caused by human activities.
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New EU water quality controls due soon
The European commission will propose new EU water quality standards for a priority list of 33 dangerous pollutants next month, ENDS has learned. It will also decide which of the pollutants should be earmarked as priority hazardous substances requiring a phase-out within twenty years. But a plan to impose separate emission limit values on sources of the pollutants will be dropped.
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WWF statement on the adoption of the European Fisheries Fund (EU Fisheries Council)
With the adoption of the European Fisheries Fund, EU Fisheries Ministers have decided how four billion euros of fishing subsidies will be spent in the next seven years. European countries will be allowed to invest million of euros of public funds into the modernisation of the fishing fleets, something which will not help boost competitiveness of the fisheries sector, and even less preserve the natural resources on which the future of the sector depends, says WWF.
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EU must stop its seas from turning into the deserts of tomorrow
Economic growth and competitiveness goals in the EU will fail if maritime development continues to take place at the expense of the seas and its wildlife, warns WWF.
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Protecting biodiversity in the 10 new EU Member States
The biodiversity of the ten new Member States which joined the EU in 2004 is particularly rich. It is crucial for the EU to protect it in order to halt biodiversity loss in Europe by 2010. Significant progress has been achieved in implementing EU nature protection legislation in those countries but important gaps remain. Almost 11% of the territory of the new member States taken as a whole is protected under the Birds Directive and over 12% has been proposed for protection under the Habitats Directive, as part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of high value nature areas.
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European Commission takes legal action to improve protection of birds and habitats and halt biodiversity loss in the EU
Correct implementation of the EU's Birds and Habitats Directives is crucial to achieve the EU goal of halting the loss of biodiversity in Europe by 2010. Yet, a screening carried out by the European Commission has showed that a large number of Member States have not correctly implemented these two laws. The Commission has therefore launched infringement procedures against thirteen Member States over violations of the Birds Directive, and against a further eight Member States over their implementation of the Habitats Directive.
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Oceans and seas: European Commission sets a new vision for Integrated Maritime Policy
The European Commission published a Green Paper entitled, "Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European vision for the oceans and seas" asking citizens how they want to deal with oceans and seas and launching one of the largest consultation exercise in the EU's history. The audition responds to a growing awareness both of the vital role which the sea already plays as a driver of Europe's prosperity, and of its potential for providing more jobs and greater well-being. The results of this exercise will help the Commission define a new vision for an Integrated Maritime Policy.
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Commission weak on EU water pollution controls
The European Commission published a long-expected proposal for a 'Daughter Directive' to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) setting water quality standards for 33 priority substances. EEB, Europe's largest federation of environmental citizens' organisations, regrets that the proposal's lack of concrete measures to achieve the reduction and phase-out of long-known pollutants as required by the WFD. Specific measures are needed to enable Member States to fulfil their obligations in this field, and strong links with other laws in the field of pesticides and industrial emissions would have been necessary.
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Citizens to foot the bill for the river polluters, say environmental NGOs
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and WWF, on behalf of 17 national environmental organisations, have submitted a complaint to the European Commission asking to open an infringement procedure against eleven EU Member States for failure to correctly apply the EU Water Framework Directive. Environmental NGOs say that if the 'polluter pays' principle continues not to be applied, citizens will have pay the whole bill and the main goal of the directive - good ecological status of all European waters by 2015 - will not be achieved. The countries concerned by the complaint are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, and The Netherlands.
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Environment Council sends mixed signals on Europe's environment
The EU's Environment Council, comprising national environment ministers, today agreed on a Flooding Directive, a general approach for the Air Quality Directive and adopted its conclusions on the EU Waste Strategy.
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European Parliament: mixed signals on Groundwater Protection
The European Parliament voted on changes to an EU Groundwater Directive, rejecting the Council's position which contains few binding proposals, making this law little more than a statement of intent. Despite blocking the worst elements of the Council's draft, Parliament has allowed serious flaws to remain.
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Warmer seas bring algal bloom explosion
Toxic algal blooms are flourishing across Europe's coastal waters, fuelled by this summer's hot weather and fertilized by human-induced pollution - a phenomenon that is likely to become a common sight in a warmer Europe, the European Environment Agency has warned.
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European Award "Our Waters"
Cost-effective measures to implement the WFD can now be nominated for the European Award "Our Waters". Throughout Europe, ideas on how to achieve the good status of water shall be gathered. By seeking the best measure to improve the water locally, the creativity of Europe can be used to establish a network of interesting water projects. The best contributions will be given an award. All water users and those interested in water protection are requested to submit measures and ideas for achieving good status required of our water.
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Europe's coastline approaches environmental 'point of no return'
Europe's unique coastal environment is under increasing threat from its own popularity, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). 'The changing face of Europe's coastal areas', warns that a rapid acceleration in the use of coastal space, mostly driven by the recreation and tourism industries, threatens to destroy the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems. For example, approximately two thirds of Europe's wetlands (most of which are coastal) have been lost since the beginning of the 20th century. Development along the Mediterranean has created the 'Med wall' where more than 50% of the coast is dominated by concrete, the report says.
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US Government Tries to Undermine Work of Aarhus Convention
The European Environmental Bureau got concrete evidence that the USA government is putting pressure on the EU to undermine the work of the Aarhus Convention to increase transparency and public participation in international organisations and bodies.
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4th World Water Forum - synthesis process and evaluation
The 4th World Water Forum came to an end on 22 March 22, World Water Day, in Mexico City, after seven days of debates and exchanges. Close to 20,000 people from throughout the world participated in 206 working sessions where a total of 1600 local actions were presented. A synthesis process of the Forum is under way. Session's outcomes are available on the website of the World Water Council (WWC), based on reports prepared by session conveners. Also included are the main messages that were delivered through the Voices of the Forum on a daily basis, which reflect participant's views and conclusions.
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World Ocean Day: Save fisheries, reduce poverty
The world's oceans are under greater pressure than ever before. More than three-quarters of the world's fish stocks are fished to their maximum capacity, recovering from collapse or over-fished. Important habitats are being lost and damaged. If present rates of destruction continue, 60 per cent of the world's coral reefs will be destroyed within the next 30 years.
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Water crisis hits rich countries
Water crises, long seen as a problem of only the poorest, are increasingly affecting some of the world's wealthiest nations, warns WWF ahead of World Water Week.
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Rooftops to Rivers: Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows
from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a policy guide for decision makers looking to implement green strategies in their own area, and includes nine case studies of cities that have successfully used green techniques to create a healthier urban environment.
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Available online as a PDF document (1.9mb) here

The state of the environment in the coastal areas
This report provides information on the state of the environment in the coastal areas of Europe, and provides evidence of the need for a more integrated, long-term approach.
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Urine collected and purified separately
From an environmental and cost perspective, it is a good idea to collect and purify urine separately, rather than simply allowing it to flow into the sewer, according to Delft University of Technology researcher Jac Wilsenach. Wilsenach estimates that substantial savings on energy costs can be achieved and moreover that raw materials can be reclaimed. Applying this research can lead to revolutionary changes in waste water management. Urine accounts for less than 1% of our waste water, but it contains 50-80% of the nutrients in the waste water. For this reason, it is extremely burdensome for our sewer water purification installations.
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New study tracks human impact on coastal marine ecosystems
Human activity over the centuries has depleted 90% of marine species, eliminated 65% of seagrass and wetland habitat, degraded water quality 10-1,000 fold, and accelerated species invasions in 12 major estuaries and coastal seas around the world. However, in areas where conservation efforts have been implemented in the 20th century, signs of recovery are apparent. Entitled "Depletion, Degradation, and Recovery Potential of Estuaries and Coastal Seas," the study is the most comprehensive quantitative assessment of the state of estuaries and coastal ecosystems ever conducted.
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Behavioural Attitudes to Water Saving
British researchers have recently analysed the different behavioural attitudes towards water saving in households in the United Kingdom. The authors have identified four different types of individuals according to their behavioural characteristics. They conclude that it is necessary to recognise behavioural complexity in order to ensure that policies and initiatives for water conservation are effective.
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