The Russian meteor and the asteroid 2012 DA14 came at a time when the United Nations (UN) discussed international responses to near-Earth object impact.
Following the meteor crashing in Chelyabinsk, Russia, the 50th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) held talks during the Feb. 15 agenda of Action Team-14 (AT-14). The conference, being held in Vienna, deals with the work of AT-14 as it aims to work on international responses to asteroid or near-Earth objects (NEOs) threats.
"Work is continuing within the United Nations on developing international responses to future threatening asteroids," said Secure World Foundation's Senior Advisor Ray Williamson, a participant at the conference. "Given the uncertainties concerning where such asteroids might strike Earth and how much damage they might do, international responses will be critical."
The AT-14 has discussed a database that would gather and analyze NEO and provide warnings to authorities about NEOs that could threaten Earth. The AT-14 NEO database is titled "Information, Analysis, and Warning Network," or IAWN.
"This event in Russia and the pass of the larger asteroid 2012 DA14 are good reminders that many thousands of objects like it pass near Earth daily," Williamson added.
The UN is also working on stronger measures to protect the Arctic environment. An annual study by the UN showed emerging environmental issues, which noted the risk by chemicals and illegal wildlife trade.
The "Year Book 2013" detailed the loss of ice in the Arctic, and how it will lead to easier access to natural resources in the area such as gas and oil.
"Changing environmental conditions in the Arctic - often considered a bellwether for global climate change - have been an issue of concern for some time, but as of yet this awareness has not translated into urgent action," said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in statement.
"In fact, what we are seeing is that the melting of ice is prompting a rush for exactly the fossil fuel resources that fuelled the melt in the first place," Steiner added. "As the 'UNEP Year Book 2013' points out, the rush to exploit these vast untapped reserves have consequences that must be carefully thought through by countries everywhere, given the global impacts and issues at stake."
The report recommends financial incentives for those that improve chemical safety, chemical regulation, and consistent public information on the use of specific chemicals and hazards.
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