ConEnvObs, Author at CEOBS

The Vatican’s latest encyclical ‘Care for Our Common Home’ has triggered much rejoicing from the environmental movement, and justifiably so, coming as it does in the run up to the latest round of climate change negotiations. But in questioning the global economic order and its depredations on the planetary environment, Pope Francis has also sought to communicate a wide range of problems that have blocked progress on environmental protection.

Jun122015

Judging the civilian and environmental risks of cyber warfare

Blog, Military and the environment, TopicBy ConEnvObs June 12, 2015

How much of a threat do cyber attacks on industrial infrastructure pose to civilians and the environment? More to the point, how do we judge the environmental acceptability of new forms of warfare, or current practices for that matter? Doug Weir takes a look.

May282015

ILC | Second report on the protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts

External Content, Law and policy, TopicBy ConEnvObs May 28, 2015

The second report from the ILC’s Special Rapporteur proposed four draft principles aimed at minimising harm during conflict, and one on the agreement of protected areas before conflicts, or at their outset.

May192015

European Environment Agency | ENPI-SEIS project country report Libya

Country, External Content, LibyaBy ConEnvObs May 19, 2015

This report focuses on environmental governance in Libya and was prepared as part of an EU project intended to create a shared environmental information system in the European neighbourhood.

May152015

Colombia halts aerial coca eradication after WHO Glyphosate cancer ruling

Blog, Colombia, Country, Military and the environment, TopicBy ConEnvObs May 15, 2015

Aerial use of Glyphosate herbicides in Colombia prove too controversial after WHO findings on cancer risks.

Apr222015

The Ukraine conflict’s legacy of environmental damage and pollutants

Blog, Country, UkraineBy ConEnvObs April 22, 2015

Early indications suggest that the conflict in Ukraine’s Donbas region has resulted in a number of civilian health risks, and potentially long-term damage to its environment. In order to mitigate these long-term risks, international and domestic agencies will have to find ways to coordinate their efforts on documenting, assessing and addressing the damage.

Mar272015

The civilian health risks from TNT in Syria’s barrel bombs

Blog, Country, SyriaBy ConEnvObs March 27, 2015

The TRWP was recently asked to help identify a substance associated with partially detonated barrel bombs in Syria. While the irritant fumes and pink powdery residue appeared to be from TNT and not a chemical weapon, the health risks from exposure to this common explosive are increasingly well understood and should be taken into account when examining the civilian impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Mar232015

WHO finds that Glyphosate is probably carcinogenic – implications for Plan Colombia

Blog, Colombia, Country, Military and the environment, TopicBy ConEnvObs March 23, 2015

The World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the world’s most widely used herbicide Roundup as probably carcinogenic in humans. Roundup is widely used in US supported efforts to destroy poppy and coca fields in Colombia’s long running internal conflict and the decision will add to existing concerns over the health impact of aerial spraying.

Author Archives: ConEnvObs