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Iraqi Environment Ministry and UN to Assess Polluted Sites

BAGHDAD, Iraq, September 14, 2004 (ENS) – Environmental contamination left by years of war is about to be investigated by Iraqi scientists working on a new $4.7 million project funded by the government of Japan. Impacts on human health and the environment left by oil and chemical fires and spills will be assessed at five of 300 polluted sites across Iraq in preparation for a long term plan to clean up the country. The project will be coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of the Environment, both agencies announced today. Iraqi Environment Minister Mishkat Moumin said, "My country is faced with a wide range of pressing issues that must be addressed if the Iraqi people are to enjoy a stable, healthy and prosperous future. Delivering a clean and unpolluted environment is a key piece in this jigsaw puzzle towards a better future." Going in, the scientists will be trained in the latest laboratory and field testing skills, and they will become the nucleus of the first independent Iraqi team of environmental assessors. They will share samples with UNEP's Post Conflict Assessment Unit in Geneva so that testing of the samples can be […]

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Turner Survey Reveals Major Growth for Green Building

Turner Construction Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Turner Corporation, the nation's leading general builder, today announced the findings of its survey of 719 building owners, developers, architects, engineers and consultants on Green building issues. The on-line survey was conducted by Bayer Consulting during July 2004. For the purposes of the survey, Green buildings were defined as buildings which use design and construction practices to significantly reduce or eliminate negative effects on the environment and occupants. Growth of Green Buildings In the coming three years, 93% of executives working with Green Buildings expect their Green workload to rise. 51% anticipate substantial increases in their Green building activities while 42% expect these activities to increase somewhat. Even among executives not currently working with Green buildings, 30% think it is very or extremely likely their organization will work on a Green project in the next three years. The survey also finds that 88% of executives currently involved with Green buildings have seen their activities with Green buildings increase during the last three years, and nearly 40% have seen Green activity increase substantially during that period. "An increase in sustainable building practices is great news for everyone," said Rod Wille, Senior Vice President, […]

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