Building a resilient future: One drop at a time - By Robert C.Brears

To prepare Singapore for future weather changes and the impacts of dimate change on its water services, the Public Utilities Board (PUB)has initiated a series of adaptation measures.

With climate change likely to lead to prolonged dry periods, PUB has developed a robust, diversified, and sustainable water supply that includes NEWater and desalination, both of which are not dependent on rainfall and therefore boost the city-state’s resilience to dry weather.

NEWater

NEWater is a process involving the treating of used water into ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water that provides up to 40% of Singapore’s current water needs. NEWater is mainly used for industrial and air-con cooling purposes and is delivered via a dedicated pipe network. During dry periods, NEWater is added to PUB’s reservoirs to blend with raw water, which is then treated at the waterworks before becoming potable water. By 2060, NEWater is expected to meet up to 55% of the country’s future water demand.

Desalination

Because Singapore is surrounded by sea, PUB already has two operational desalination plants with a combined capacity of 100 mgd, which can meet up to 25% of current water demand. By 2020, PUB will have three new 30 mgd desalination plants. By 2060, desalinated water is projected to meet up to 30% of total water demand. With desalination being energy-intensive — Singapore currently uses reverse osmosis, which uses around 3.5 kWh/m³ — PUB is exploring low-energy desalination options to reduce in half the desalination energy used in the future. Options include electrodeionization (an electric field pulls dissolved salts from the water) and biomimicry (mangrove plants and euryhaline fish extract freshwater from seawater using minimal amounts of energy). Read More

2018 Hurricane Prediction – Strongest Cycle in 70 Years

Global Weather Oscillations (GWO) was cited by news media as the only major hurricane prediction organization that correctly predicted the hyperactive 2017 Atlantic hurricane season from beginning to end, and the destructive United States hurricane landfalls.

The media also noted that when the hurricane season began last year, “nearly every major weather agency predicted a normal 2017 hurricane season – but only Global Weather Oscillations Inc. (GWO) had an accurate forecast” – with a prediction for a destructive hurricane season with 16 named storms, eight hurricanes, four major hurricanes – and 2 major impact hurricanes for the United States.

GWO also predicted the United States would have 6 named storms and 3 hurricanes making landfall in 2017 – and where they would occur. Just as predicted, the U.S. ended up with six named storms and 3 hurricanes. GWO predicted that the Florida Peninsula would break out of their 12-year hurricane drought with a major category 3-4 hurricane making landfall on the south tip of Florida. GWO also predicted that Texas could break out of their 8-year hurricane drought with a landfalling hurricane just above Corpus Christi – and a Category 1 hurricane striking the upper Gulf Coast. The 2017 landfalling hurricanes ended up being – Harvey, Irma and Nate. Read More

VACANCY: Three fulltime positions at the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner [POA Update]

Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner

Subject: VACANCY: Three fulltime positions at the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner [POA Update]

Date: 15 January 2018 at 11:13:20 am AEDT

The Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner is currently recruiting for THREE fulltime positions. The application deadline is ‪5pm‬ (Fiji Time) ‪Friday 26 January 2018‬.

Please note all enquiries and applications MUST be submitted via the PIFS job application site. Any applications submitted to this email address will not be opened. (detailed position descriptions and applications details are available via the links below).

Ocean Analyst and Manager http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/about-us/working-with-us/fulltime-positions/ocean-analyst-manager.html

Ocean Management Officer http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/about-us/working-with-us/fulltime-positions/ocean-management-officer.html

Ocean Communication Officer http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/about-us/working-with-us/fulltime-positions/ocean-communication-officer.html

Method of application:
Applications must be submitted via the application portal accessed via the links above.

Deadline for Applications:
Submissions need to reach the Forum Secretariat by ‪5pm‬ (Fiji time) ‪Friday 26 January 2018‬. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of application documents due to any reason whatsoever.

In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the recruitment, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of applications.

Joint management of the Mascareignes Plateau between Mauritius and Seychelles

US $2m GEF funding to help achieve strategic aims

Seychelles and Mauritius have benefitted from a US $2 million from the GEF for the implementation of a project to achieve the main strategic objectives as laid out in the 2018-2020 Strategic Plan of the joint management of the Mascareignes Plateau between the two coastal states.
This is in view to consolidating the development and management of the joint management area (JMA) between the two countries.
The main components of the project will be focusing on building Technical and Management Capacity in support for Marine Spatial Information System and effective management of the JMA.
The project will support the Joint Commission (JC) to develop a training and capacity development programme as well as design and implement training courses and workshops.
It will also provide support to the technical cadre of both States by envisaging regional and global meetings related to the Joint Management process and for the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning.
The project will also work with existing industry partners to support mapping and monitoring programmes in the JMA.
It will further assist and support the JC in the development of contingency plans for the offshore extractive industry.
Another vital part of the project includes the development of a data and information system along with a programme of data capture and gap-filling as a foundation for an adaptive management strategy.
It shall cater for the finalisation of gaps analysis of missing data and of unsurveyed areas and also emphasise on the repatriation of data currently.
The project will also endeavour to undertake further baseline surveys of the Mascarene Plateau in order to fill in gaps while assisting in the development of a joint data and Information System to support the joint authority. This will help identify and facilitate access to appropriate technologies linked to capacity
building and training, select appropriate indicators for targeting in a long-term monitoring programme as well as develop a reliable mechanism to ensure that data analysis results and conclusions fed into management guidelines and policy advisories provide an adaptive management options for decision makers. Read More