READ THE SPOTLIGHT STORIES ON
SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH & WELL-BEING
SDG 3 : GOS4POPS
The Global Observation System for Persistent Organic Pollutants (GOS4POPS) initiative brings together efforts from around the globe, harmonizes their content, holds unique datasets and showcases them for better protection of human health and the environment.
The objectives of GOS4POPs are to provide:
1
Increased availability and quality of Earth observation data and information needed to track these chemical pollutants
2
Harmonization of metadata production, archiving and sharing among networks
3
Development of advanced services in support of the policy mandate and effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
The task of the GOS4POPS Initiative is the development of the electronic data warehouse, analyses and visualization system (GMP DWH), in line with the latest listings under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to support the global decision making on the basis of the largest harmonized global POPs datasets in air, human tissues and water. As of 2020, the GMP DWH already contains a full dataset available for human matrices data since 1987 WHO/UNEP surveys and the largest set of data from global and regional air monitoring networks providing its users with information on time trends and levels of listed toxic chemicals online.
The initiative contributes to global informed decision making and serves as the main source of information to prepare the third round of regional reports under the Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention on POPs. In line with the approval procedures, the content of the GMP DWH is currently open just to the authorized experts. After the global endorsement will take place in the next Stockholm Convention Conference of the Parties in 2021 (COP), the content will be publicly released and accessible to all 24/7 .
The GOS4POPS Initiative continues to generate inputs for global evidence based decision making as requested by the Stockholm Convention decision SC 8/18 and supports the Stockholm Convention Secretariat and its experts in the preparation of the third regional reports under the Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention on POPs.
“The GMP DWH is a unique platform in which global data on POPs occurrence in the environment is gathered in order to provide wide range of users such as scientists and policy-makers with the opportunity to assess progress in tackling POPs, establish trends and/or draw conclusions.”
Representative of the Stockholm Convention Secretariat
SDG 3: GOS4M SUPPORTS THE MINAMATA CONVENTION ON MERCURY
The GEO Flagship Global Observation System for Mercury (GOS4M) was designed to support nations, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and all interested Parties to characterize the linkages between impacts and effect of mercury contamination of Earth system on human health and provide EO data sets and validated interoperable tools to support policy makers in co-designing policy-driven scenarios that nations may implement for achieving the objectives of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (MCM).
The MCM is the first multilateral environmental agreement that aims to protect both the environment and human health by addressing activities that are likely to increase human exposure to mercury.
Mercury is a harmful substance for people exposed to its organic compounds. It is released by anthropogenic sources and natural-driven emission processes, can be transported long distances from the emission region/source and be deposited to terrestrial and aquatic receptors. Once deposited to marine and freshwater ecosystems may partly be deposited to sediments and partly be accumulated in biota. In marine and freshwater biota can be found at concentrations that increase with trophic levels. The impact on human health may occur through different patterns of exposure such as ingestion of Hg-contaminated food such as fish and seafood. Once accumulated in human body it may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes, causing serious health problems.
Mercury is a harmful substance for people exposed to its organic compounds. It is released by anthropogenic sources and natural-driven emission processes can be transported long distances from the emission region/source and be deposited to terrestrial and aquatic receptors. Once deposited in marine and freshwater ecosystems may partly be deposited in sediments and partly be accumulated in biota. In marine and freshwater biota can be found at concentrations that increase with trophic levels. The impact on human health may occur through different patterns of exposure such as ingestion of Hg-contaminated food such as fish and seafood. Once accumulated in the human body it may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well as on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes, causing serious health problems.
GOS4M is promoting a number of key actions to leverage the effort of nations and all interested parties in the implementation of the MCM, these include the harmonization of Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for in-situ monitoring, modeling intercomparison to assess the uncertainty associated to different atmospheric and biogeochemical modeling systems used worldwide, methodologies for co-designing policy scenarios aimed to evaluate possible cost-effective strategies that nations may implement in order to achieve the goals of the MCM and promote capacity building initiatives to ensure the transfer of knowledge to all interested parties and stakeholders.
On October 7-8, GOS4M held its virtual kick-off workshop officially launching the GOS4M Flagship by nominating the Governing Bodies and planning activities for the coming months. The virtual event was opened by Nicola Pirrone, Research Director of CNR (Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research in Italy) and GOS4M lead, Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and Gilberto Camara, Director of the GEO Secretariat. The agenda of the kick-off workshop is available here.