European Environment Agency's Newsletter, Issue 04/2023

Your quarterly update on Europe's environment

European Environment Agency's Newsletter, Issue 04/2023

Cleaner air, a stable climate
and healthier lives

The European Union has made substantial progress in improving air quality by adopting and implementing policies and measures since the 1980s. Yet, air pollution continues to pose the greatest environmental risk to people’s health in Europe. This risk is even higher when combined with climate change impacts, such as extreme heat, affecting vulnerable groups, like the elderly and children the most.

You might ask why take action? It is because these deaths attributed to air pollution can be prevented. It is because we can improve the everyday lives of millions of Europeans, whose health and quality of life are affected by air pollution – severely or discreetly.
Leena Ylä-Mononen, EEA Executive Director



Read editorial

Interview



What is the role of biomass in Europe's sustainability ambitions?

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION's update

 

Weekly hot topic

WHO’s Executive Board adopts resolution on access to life-saving aid into Gaza and respect for laws of war

In a special session held on 10 December 2023, WHO’s Executive Board adopted a resolution aimed at addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

Read more

 

 

Other hot topics

Digital time capsule of COVID-19 vaccine delivery efforts

On 5 May 2023, the COVID-19 global health emergency was officially declared over. Now it is time to process and appreciate humanity’s incredible journey, reflecting on our collective lessons so we can better prepare for the future. Introducing a digital time capsule preserving the stories and data of the COVID-19 vaccine delivery efforts.

Experience here

Road traffic deaths fall by 5%

The annual number of road traffic deaths fell slightly to 1.19 million per year, according to the latest WHO report. Yet with more than 2 deaths occurring per minute and over 3200 per day, road traffic crashes remain the leading killer of children and young people aged 5–29 years.

Find out more

Time for action to ensure health for all

On 12 December - Universal Health Coverage Day - WHO calls on governments to invest in building resilient health systems to safeguard the health and well-being of all people, everywhere.

Find out more

WHO calls for protection of humanitarian space in Gaza 

WHO reiterates its call for the protection of health care and humanitarian assistance in Gaza. This call follows military checkpoint delays and detention of health partners during a mission to transfer critically-ill patients and deliver supplies to a hospital in northern Gaza. During the mission, a patient reportedly died.

Find out more

Science in 5: How can you protect your child's vision?

Did you know that more and more children are having trouble seeing things that are at a distance? What are the early signs? How would you know if your child is at risk and what can you do to protect your child’s vision? Dr Stuart Keel explains in Science in 5

Watch here

 

CDC update

December 15, 2023
This message includes updates on COVID-19 from CDC.

Respiratory Illnesses Are on the Rise. There Is Still Time to Get

Vaccinated

Respiratory illness activity is rapidly increasing across the United States, yet vaccination rates for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remain low. Millions of people may get sick in the next month or two, and low vaccination rates means more people will get more severe disease. Getting vaccinated now can help prevent hospitalizations and save lives.

CDC is reaching out to healthcare providers and clinicians to encourage them to recommend all patients receive all respiratory immunizations they are eligible for. On December 14, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory to raise awareness about respiratory illness activity and urge action. To increase vaccination coverage, COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost to people who are uninsured or underinsured through the Bridge Access Program.

Respiratory illness activity is rising

COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising quickly. Since the summer, public health officials have been tracking a rise in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which is caused by COVID-19. Influenza activity is growing in most parts of the country. RSV activity remains high in many areas. In some parts of the country, hospital beds for children are already nearly as full as they were this time last year. If these trends continue, the situation at the end of this month could again strain emergency departments and hospitals, as it did in winter 2022-2023. Strain on the healthcare system could mean that patients with other serious health conditions may face delays in receiving care.

On December 14, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory to healthcare providers and public health officials highlighting the increased respiratory disease activity occurring in the United States, particularly in the southern part of the country, and internationally. The HAN noted that low vaccination rates for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV could lead to more severe disease and a strained healthcare system for the rest of the season. These low rates can also lead to more days of missed work and school.

There’s still time to get vaccinated. Talk with your trusted healthcare provider about which vaccines you and your loved ones need to stay healthy this holiday season and into the new year. Find out more.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Rd Atlanta, GA 30329 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: 888-232-6348

BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM,update

Federal Reserve Board announces the appointment of seven members, including four new members, to its Insurance Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC) https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20231215b.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Reserve Board releases results of survey of senior financial officers at banks about their strategies and practices for managing reserve balances https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/other20231215a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System The latest G.17 data are now available.   https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/current/default.htm Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20231213a.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee release economic projections from the December 12-13 FOMC meeting https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20231213b.htm Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System   Visit us on the web at Federal Reserve Board.

NATO news

 

A Christmas hunt Lapland, Finland: high in NATO’s north, Finnish Army conscripts begin the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. Selecting a suitable tree from Finland’s dense forests is a national tradition, and even though these soldiers are on guard for the holidays, that doesn’t stop them from partaking. After the tree is settled and decorated, the soldiers receive a special visitor with a sack full of gifts. Who could it be? Happy holidays from everyone at NATO. Click here to download the video.  You can also watch the video on YouTube. NATO Secretary General with Prime Minister of Slovakia: support to Ukraine is not charity, it is an investment in our security

IMF update

 

Dear maria, In today's edition, we highlight: IMF approves $900 million Ukraine disbursal Gita Gopinath on a new Cold War How to harness AI for global good Digital trade Somalia debt relief The Weekend Read is taking a holiday until the new year. Our coverage of IMF analysis of global economics, finance, development and policy issues will resume in January.

UKRAINE IMF Board Approves $900 Million Ukraine Disbursal (Credit: IMF Photo/Kim Haughton) The IMF’s executive board on Wednesday completed the second review of Ukraine’s extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility, allowing the authorities to draw the equivalent of about $900 million. Welcoming Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the IMF’s headquarters in Washington, Kristalina Georgieva praised the remarkable resilience of the people of Ukraine despite the enormous toll of the war. “We reaffirmed our close collaboration on the authorities’ economic program supported under the IMF’s $15.6 billion Extended Fund Facility, which is part of a $122 billion international support package,” the IMF managing director said in a statement. “We look forward to our continued engagement with Ukraine in preserving macroeconomic and financial stability, implementing an ambitious reform agenda, and further building the foundation for a strong economy with sustainable growth and for Ukraine’s goal of EU accession.”

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Friday 15 December 2023

● General Secretariat   15/12/2023 17:50 | Press release | Forward look: 18- 31 December 2023   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. The General Secretariat of the Council will be closed for the winter holidays from 23 December to 3 January 2024. The next issue of the Forward Look will be published on 12 January 2024. Environment Council, 18 December 2023 EU environment ministers will seek a general approach on a proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste that would replace the existing directive.

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau...

 Removing barriers to build more homes, faster in Vancouver, British Columbia

December 15, 2023
Vancouver, British Columbia

Right now, in communities across the country, building the housing we need, especially affordable housing, is too hard. That’s why the federal government is working with municipalities to break down barriers and build more homes, faster so Canadians – from young families, to seniors, to newcomers – can find a place to call home, at a price they can afford.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, to fast-track over 3,200 new housing units over the next three years. This work will help spur the construction of more than 40,000 homes over the next decade and help meet the demand in Vancouver.

Under the Housing Accelerator Fund, this agreement will provide almost $115 million to eliminate barriers to build the housing we need, faster. It will allow for high density development including multiplexes and apartment buildings, help fast-track development processes, and build housing near public transit. As part of the agreement, Vancouver will work to streamline re-zoning laws, expand affordable rental programs, cut red tape, and unlock non-market housing. These initiatives are going to significantly improve the way housing is built in one of Canada’s largest cities.

The Housing Accelerator Fund is helping cut red tape and fast track the construction of over 250,000 new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada. It asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.

The Government of Canada is supporting the middle class – and housing is key to that work. Our plan to double the rate of housing construction over the next decade will help build the housing supply we need. We will continue to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners, to keep building more homes for Canadians, faster, and make life better for everyone.

Quotes

“Like so many cities across Canada, Vancouver needs more homes, and fast. That’s why we’re working with mayors across the country to cut red tape and change the way we build housing. Today’s announcement with Vancouver will help build more homes, faster, so that every Canadian has a good place to call their own.”