Killer Slugs and Other Aliens

Prague (ots/PRNewswire) -

- EEA Signals 2009: Eight Environmental Stories for Europe

Translated versions of Signals 2009 are available here:
http://reports.eea.europa.eu/corporate_document_2009_1/en

(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090109/333827 )

Is gardening one of your interests? If so and you live in central
or northern Europe the 'killer slug' is probably one of your personal
enemies. The slug, which attacks your herbs and vegetables
relentlessly, seems immune to control measures.

The killer slug, suffocating lobster, globe trotting televisions
and dangerous air particles are just some of the topics featured in
EEA Signals 2009, a new annual publication from the European
Environment Agency, launched today in Prague by Czech Environment
Minister Bursik and Executive Director of the EEA, Professor
Jacqueline McGlade.

The EEA, in partnership with its network of 32 member countries,
monitors the environment across Europe. Finding, reading and
understanding the range of 'signals' regarding the health and
diversity of our environment is at the heart of what the Agency does.
EEA Signals 2009, which will be published in all 26 EEA languages,
takes a story-based approach to provide a snapshot of key
environmental topics of special relevance to the year ahead.

"2009 offers a remarkable opportunity to engage the global
community and to begin to deal with the environmental challenge
proper. We need to move carefully but quickly. The scale of the
challenge should neither paralyse us into inaction nor stifle
valuable debate. In this context, I welcome the EEA Signals, which is
aimed at the broad range of European citizens," Minister Bursik said.

The stories in EEA Signals are not exhaustive but have been
selected on the basis of their relevance to the current environmental
policy debate in Europe. They address priority issues of climate
change, nature and biodiversity, the use of natural resources and
health and the environment.

"As our need to mitigate and adapt to climate change becomes more
urgent, so our need to communicate effectively with a wide audience
also increases in importance. Before we can motivate people to take
action, we need to engage and empower them, and their governments, to
act," Professor McGlade said.

Notes to the editor:

Launch details: Prague, Czech Republic

Date: January 9

Venue: European Commission Representation, Jungmannova Street 24

Time: 11 am

Eight environmental stories for Europe in 2009

EEA Signals is an annual publication profiling key environmental
stories for the coming twelve months. Signals 2009 includes the
following articles:

- Not just hot air: Global diplomacy and the search for a successor to
the Kyoto protocol
- If the well runs dry: Climate change adaptation and water
- Killer Slugs and other Aliens: The killer slug is just one threat to
Europe's fragile biodiversity.
- Every breath you take: Air quality in Europe
- If bioenergy goes boom: Large scale bioenergy production
bears considerable environmental risks. How will the great bio debate
unfold?
- Fish out of water: Marine management in a changing climate
- Taking CAP in hand: reform of the Common Agriculture Policy
- Not in my Backyard: International shipments of waste

ots Originaltext: European Environment Agency
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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