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The European Union is calling for international talks on a potential worldwide framework on how to treat and regulate deliberately atmosphere-altering tech, aka geoengineering.

What Is Carbon Capture? With Gizmodos Molly Taft | Techmodo

In a statement released today, the European Commission argued that the risks and long-term impacts of geoengineering arent well underst ood and that necessary regulations havent been developed. [The tech] could also increase power imbalances between nations, spark conflicts and raises a myriad of ethical, legal, governance and political issues, the commission wrote .

Nobody should be conducting experiments alone with our shared planet, Frans Timmermans, the European Union climate policy chief, said according to Reuters. This should be discussed in the right forum, at the highest international level.

Theres a reason why global leaders are worried about environment-altering projects going unchecked. Geoengineering describes new technologies and strategies that are used to help lower global temperatures. They include carbon capture projects, but a lot of that tech is relatively new and isnt always effective (and sometimes backed by big oil). Some geoengineering proposals are kind of alarming and feel like something out of a sci-fi horror film. This is especially true for solar radiation modification ideas, projects that seek to block the suns rays from reaching the planet.

Earlier this year, a group of researchers at Harvard and the University of Utah proposed a solution to shoot millions of tons of moon dust into Earths orbit to partially block out the Suns rays every year. An explosion on the moon that has catastrophic implications for the globe is actually the plot of a book series titled Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Spoilereverything went to hell and people died.

Some suggestions have been pretty cool concepts in theory. Last year, a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced an idea that included engineering a huge raft of bubbles that would be sent into outer space. The raft would sit between the Earth and the Sun and would be big enough to deflect sunlight away from the planet to slow down global warming. But sending rockets into space also creates emissions that will contribute to the overall problem.

Geoengineering might be our final and only option. Yet, most geoengineering proposals are earth-bound, which poses tremendous risks to our living ecosystem, an MIT web page explained. Which, hey, its cool in theory. But when would we have the technology (and the funding) to send a bubble raft into space?

And some forms of geoengineering have already been utilized in the U.S. Colorados Weather Modification Program has used cloud seeding to boost snowfall. This is when silver iodide particles are released into clouds to promote the generation of ice particles, which then turn into falling snow. Earlier this year, the Southern Nevada Water Authority accepted a more than $2 million grant to support more cloud seeding in Western states, the Associated Press reported. But this form of geoengineering requires specific conditionsit has to already snow for this to work, and there needs to be enough humidity in the atmosphere.

None of this is to say that the creativity used in geoengineering concepts isnt cool. But why not simply hold fossil fuel companies accountable for achieving record profits at the expense of the rest of us? And the EU isnt the first government to push for stricter regulations. This January, Mexicos government moved to ban solar geoengineering projects in the country after the startup Make Sunsets claimed that it released weather balloons filled with sulfur dioxide particles in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. The sulfur dioxide particles are reflective and were supposed to block sunlight. However these particles could contribute to acid rain and can irritate peoples lungs, The Verge reported. A few balloons may not cause those problems, but the company conducted this experiment without any sort of approval from Mexican authorities.

Want more climate and environment stories? Check out Earthers guides to decarbonizing your home, divesting from fossil fuels, packing a disaster go bag, and overcoming climate dread. And dont miss our coverage of the latest IPCC climate report, the future of carbon dioxide removal, and the invasive bugs you should squash on sight.

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The European Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria has today published its final report on the federal and state elections of 25 February and 18 March. The Chief Observer, Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament, stated: In the lead up to the 2023 general elections Nigerian citizens demonstrated a clear commitment to the democratic process. That said, the election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signal a need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.

Following a three-month-long observation across Nigeria, and in accordance with its usual practice, the EU EOM is now pleased to present its findings and recommendations. Shortcomings in law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged trust in INEC. With the aim of contributing to the improvement of future elections, the EU EOM is offering 23 recommendations for consideration by the Nigerian authorities.

We are particularly concerned about the need for reform in six areas which we have identified as priority recommendations, and we believe, if implemented, could contribute to improvements for the conduct of elections. said Barry Andrews.

The six priority recommendations point to the need to (1) remove ambiguities in the law, (2) establish a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members, (3) ensure real-time publication of and access to election results, (4) provide greater protection for media practitioners, address (5) discrimination against women in political life, and (6) impunity regarding electoral offenses.

Chief Observer, Barry Andrews, noted: Importantly, there is a need for political will to achieve improved democratic practices in Nigeria. Inclusive dialogue between all stakeholders on electoral reform remains crucial. The European Union stands ready to support Nigerian stakeholders in the implementation of these recommendations.

At the invitation of the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria, the EU EOM carried out its work between 11 January and 11 April. A delegation of the European Parliament joined the EU EOM for the observation of the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The mission accredited a total of 110 observers from 25 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Canada.

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Published on June 29, 2023

After months of effort, negotiations, and expressions of concern about mesothelioma and other deadly diseases, members of the European Parliament have prevailed on the European Union (EU) to overhaul its asbestos policies. The new exposure limits will now match that of the Netherlands, which currently has the lowest existing limit in the EU.

In response to growing knowledge about asbestos role in the development of mesothelioma, the European Union banned the use of the toxic mineral in 2005, and some countries took action far earlier than that. But the prohibition on current and future use did not address the existence of asbestos that was already in place in the roofs, ceilings, electrical systems, and insulation of buildings constructed before the ban. With a robust renovation initiative planned for the immediate future, advocates for workplace health knew that it was time to take action.

The new rules are expected to significantly lower the incidence of mesothelioma in the future, as they change the occupational exposure limit from 0.1 to 0.01 fibers per cm3, a tenfold shift downward. The numbers will be decreased again after a maximum time period of six years, dropping to 0.002 fibers per cm3, which is the current maximum level in the Netherlands.

Though workers representatives acknowledge that the new regulations will lower mesothelioma rates in the future, they are still concerned about workers who are currently exposed, and urge people to begin acting on the new exposure limits now. Speaking to these worries, Claes-Mikael Stahl, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation said, Todays agreement is an important step forward in ending the scandal of workplace cancer. But the long implementation period means that workers wont benefit from the safer limit until after much of the work as part of the renovation wave has been completed.

He went on to say, That is why it is imperative that member states do not wait until the end of the implementation period and put the lower limit into effect as soon as possible.

While European workers enjoy greater protections against in place asbestos, workers in the United States continue to face the risk of malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. For information on facing these diseases, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.

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European Union leaders have called on the blocs foreign policy chief to draft a strategic and forward-looking report on Trkiye-EU relations, a statement from the bloc said on Friday.

The 27 EU heads of state and government, who attended a two-day summit in Brussels, invited Josep Borrell and the European Commission to submit a report on the state of play of EU-Trkiye relations in the light of the recent general and presidential elections in Trkiye.

The document must build on the instruments and options identified by the European Council, and proceed in a strategic and forward-looking manner, as per the summits conclusion.

The EU leaders also called for a speedy resumption of negotiations under the U.N. framework for finding a comprehensive settlement for the Cyprus issue."

Their document further referred to the verification of decisions made at EU summits held in March and June 2021 regarding Trkiye, where EU leaders had stated their readiness to gradually and proportionally develop cooperation with Ankara and start high-level dialogue on topics of mutual interest such as migration, healthcare, climate, war on terror and regional issues.

They had asked for commencing technical works to bolster relations with Trkiye on managing migration and authorization to update the Customs Union agreement.

The Cyprus issue is an ongoing dispute between the Greek Cypriot administration in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) over sovereign rights.

The TRNC entirely broke away from the south and declared independence in 1983 after a coup aimed at Greeces annexation of the island led to Trkiyes military intervention, dubbed Cyprus Peace Operation, as a power guarantor to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence.

An international embargo against Turkish Cyprus is currently in place in several areas that allow access to international communications, postal services and transport only through Trkiye.

Turkish Cyprus has been resolute in demanding a two-state solution that would ensure international recognition and equal sovereignty and status, something the Greek Cypriots reject.

The island has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years. U.N.-backed reunification talks have been in limbo since the last round collapsed at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in July 2017 between guarantor countries Trkiye, Greece and the U.K.

The Greek Cypriot administration joined the European Union in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots thwarted a U.N. plan to end the longstanding dispute.

Today, the Turkish side supports a solution based on the equal sovereignty of the two states on the island. On the other hand, the Greek side wants a federal solution based on Greek hegemony.

The crisis also looms over Trkiyes accession to the EU, which has been essentially frozen due to political roadblocks by certain EU members, including Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, for reasons unrelated to membership criteria, according to Ankara.

Turkish officials argue that the EU can never live up to its potential on the world stage without Turkish membership in the bloc.

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In response to an invitation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, the European Union has decided to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the Harmonised elections of 23 August 2023.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has appointed Mr Fabio Castaldo, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer for this mission.

High Representative Josep Borrell stated:

The deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission to the general elections in Zimbabwe shows the EU's commitment to support democracy and the rule of law. Under the leadership of Chief Observer Castaldo, the EU EOM will contribute to enhancing citizens trust in the process and to further strengthening Zimbabwes democratic institutions. The Zimbabwean authorities have expressed their commitment to credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections. This is what is expected and the Zimbabweans deserve

The Chief Observer, Mr Castaldo declared: Democracy requires more than elections, but a country cannot be a democracy without holding genuine elections. That is why I feel honored to head an EU EOM to Zimbabwe. Credible, transparent and inclusive elections are a cornerstone of democracy and play a critical role to promote a peaceful and democratic path towards greater stability and prosperity, not only for the individual countries, but also for the broader regions. On the basis of an impartial and objective assessment of the election process, we hope to continue working with the Zimbabwean authorities after the elections to encourage the implementation of the observation mission's recommendations. The EU can play a pivotal role in this process, and we will always be by the side Zimbabwean people.

With the service provider of the EOM arriving in Harare the first week of July, the Core Team of the EU EOM will consist of 11 election experts that will arrive in Zimbabwe shortly after. Towards the end of July, 46 Long-Term Observers will join the mission and are to be deployed across the country to follow the electoral campaign. 44 Short-Term Observers are also foreseen to be deployed closer to election-day. Finally, a number of Locally-Recruited Short-Term Observers from the EU Member States accredited in Zimbabwe may integrate the mission on Election Day. The EU EOM will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.

Following the EU election observation methodology, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Harare after the elections. The final report, which will include a set of recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented and shared with stakeholders after the finalisation of the entire electoral process.

CONTACT DETAILS

NABILA MASSRALI Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy nabila.massrali@ec.europa.eu +32 (0) 2 29 88093 +32 (0) 460 79 52 44

DANIEL PUGLISI Press Officer for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management/Foreign Affairs and Security Policy daniel.puglisi@ec.europa.eu +32 (0)2 29 69140 +32 (0)460 767374

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