The IAEA’s multilateral work in protecting people and the marine environment from the impacts of climate change, pollution, habitat destruction and biodiversity loss was the focus of a high level visit to the organization’s Environment Laboratories in Monaco.
“Exploring the infinitely small particles to better protect our planet and understand its major challenges is essential, so that our decisions live up to the hopes of future generations,” said Stéphane Valeri, President of the National Council, Parliament of the Principality of Monaco.
During the visit on 2 March, Valeri, who was joined by Vice-President Brigitte Boccone-Pagès and National Councillor Marie-Noëlle Gibelli, heard how nuclear and isotopic techniques can contribute to addressing today’s most pressing marine environmental challenges and witnessed various research activities carried out in the laboratories.
“Assisting the Member States of the IAEA to assess, monitor and mitigate the impacts of human activities on the marine environment continues to be at the heart of our work,” said Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the IAEA Environment Laboratories, the only marine environment laboratory in the United Nations system.
“Decades ago, nuclear and isotopic techniques supported countries to monitor environmental radioactivity. Today, nuclear derived tools are precious instruments addressing contemporary environmental threats, such as climate change and ocean acidification, pollution, and seafood safety.”
Hosted by the Principality of Monaco since 1961, the IAEA Environment Laboratories house the Radioecology Laboratory, Radiometrics Laboratory and Marine Environmental Studies Laboratory. “Establishment of these marine environment laboratories in the Principality is an honour and a source of pride for our country, as they celebrate their 60th anniversary this year,” Valeri said.
The IAEA’s collaboration with the Centre Scientifique de Monaco was also highlighted during the visit. Studies on the effects of emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs), associated with microplastics and consumer products, on tropical corals have been the subject of joint research projects. Regular joint workshops on ocean acidification and other emerging marine stressors complement and amplify the work of both entities.
Exploring the infinitely small particles to better protect our planet and understand its major challenges is essential, so that our decisions live up to the hopes of future generations.
