TABLE OF CONTENTS MBIS: A MID-TERM PROGRESS REPORT EXPEDITION STUDYING ARCTIC OCEAN AND GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF GLOBAL CHANGE-ARCTIC RESEARCH CGCP NOW CMOS GLOBAL CHANGE FORUM IGBP UPDATE IPCC-SECOND ASSESSMENT REPORT IDNDR-THE YOKOHAMA STRATEGY OPINION-IGBP REPORT NO. 28: WORK PLAN 1994-1998 UVB IMPACTS CONFERENCE UNIQUE WEATHER PROJECT   CCP INFO MODELLING THE GLOBAL CLIMATE SYSTEM WEATHER AND CLIMATE: INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURE JAMES BRUCE WINS 1994 IMO PRIZE

UVB IMPACTS CONFERENCE RECOMMENDS ACTION Keith C. Heidorn The Skies Above Foundation   An international conference on Ozone Depletion and Ultraviolet Radiation: Preparing for the Impacts attracted nearly 100 scientists, environmental activists, government decision makers and concerned citizens to Victoria, British Columbia in late April 1994. Popularly titled "How Deep Will The Burning Go?", the conference addressed the issues of how to prevent further damage to the ozone layer and how to prepare for UVB-induced damage resulting from ozone layer depletion. The conference opened with a plenary session where 30 speakers outlined the issues of concern on ozone depletion and the impacts of increased UVB radiation on the biosphere and human health. On the second day, the participants broke into several working groups which discussed specific issues relating to health, resource management, protection of the food supply, the atmosphere, public education, international law and community planning. Each working group prepared a series of recommendations which were presented for adoption by the closing plenary. Conference Highlights Dr. David Lean of the National Water Research Centre pointed out that UV damage in fresh water aquatic ecosystems was strongly dependent on the organic content of the water, which could be impacted by a variety of pollutants and land-use practices as well as global climate changes and increased UV radiation. Dr. Orie Loucks of Miami (Ohio) University called for a systematic evaluation of impacts on forests to be made in conjunction with UVB measurements to determine if damage can be related to episodes of high UVB radiation. Dr. Donald Pitts of the University of Houston urged a standardization of terminology among the disciplines relating to UVB impacts, including the definition of the action spectrum. He also called for redefining UV indices to account for more than susceptibility to sunburn, noting that eye damage may occur at UV radiation dosages less than those causing a sunburn. Conference Recommendations The full list of recommendations and conference proceedings are available from The Skies Above Foundation (address below). Highlights of the conference recommendations include: increasing public education on pressing issues such as ozone depletion and UVB impacts by scientists; increasing the in-depth study of the role of UV radiation on ecosystems; endorsing the basic research implementation plan presented in the 1994 SCOPE report on effects of increased ultraviolet radiation on biological systems; increasing study of forest ecosystems which may be particularly vulnerable to increased UVB radiation from both acute and chronic exposures; studying the impacts of UVB on soil and soil life including insects, soil microbes and fungi; developing integrated management strategies that are both anticipatory and precautionary in establishing sustainable aquatic harvests and protecting commercial and recreational activities; increasing attention paid to arctic terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, especially as they impact the food supply of indigenous peoples; accelerating the ban on the manufacture and use of ozone-depleting substances; encouraging changes in human lifestyles to reduce exposure to UV radiation; establishing standards for sunglasses and sunscreens; examining synergistic effects of UV radiation on human health in conjunction with other contaminating substances; broadening the list of food species whose performance under UVB must be assessed; simplifying the exchange of information and knowledge between the scientific community and those outside it; and promoting initiatives for providing UVB protection and reducing the use of ozone depleting substances at the municipal/local government levels. For more information or to obtain conference proceedings write to: The Skies Above Foundation c/o 2701 Seaview Rd. Victoria, B.C. V8N 1K7.