Sam Staincliffe

🌊 Protecting the Adriatic Sea: How Can We Stop Invasive Species? 🌊 Did you know that invasive species are like unwelcome guests who disrupt the balance of the Adriatic Sea? Scientists at our Center for Marine Research in Rovinj are on a mission to tackle this issue head-on as partners on the ALIENA project. What Is the #ALIENA Project? 🧐 The ALIENA project, which stands for “ALIgning Efforts to control Non-indigenous species in the Adriatic sea,” kicked off in May with a conference marking the start of a 30-month journey. Funded by the #INTERREG Italy-Croatia Cross-border Cooperation Program, this initiative aims to enhance our ability to monitor and manage invasive species that threaten our local marine ecosystems, human health, and economic activities. 🦑 Why Are Invasive Species a Problem? Invasive species are a global challenge, often leading to the extinction of native species and disrupting ecological balance. In the Adriatic Sea, crucial for fishing, tourism, and maritime traffic, the impact can be severe. The ALIENA project is set to address this by creating a shared database and monitoring system for these species. By collaborating across borders, the project will develop early warning systems and improve methods for detecting and managing invasive species. 🌍 How Will ALIENA Make a Difference? The project aims to: Create a shared database to monitor invasive species. Develop early warning systems for rapid response. Improve detection and management methods to protect our marine ecosystem. 👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 Meet our team at the Center for Marine Research in Rovinj: Dr. Martin Pfannkuchen Dr. Mirta Smodlaka Tanković Dr. Ana Baričević Dr. Tjaša Kogovšek Dr. Daniela Maric Pfannkuchen (Project Activity Leader) 🌐Want to Learn More? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d5PbFmtx #MarineConservation #InvasiveSpecies #AdriaticSea #ScienceInAction #INTERREG #ALIENAProject

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Recommended reading by on the nature of current and future #warfare and #deterrence: "An era of limited war has ended; an era of comprehensive conflict has begun." https://lnkd.in/dBdaqbkk via Foreign Affairs Magazine

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As leaders from member countries gather to mark the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington DC, researchers are warning that their military budgets are eroding the climate, producing an estimated 233m metric tonnes of greenhouse gas, more planet-heating pollution than some entire countries. “Our research shows that military spending increases greenhouse gas emissions, diverts critical finance from climate action, and consolidates an arms trade that fuels instability during climate breakdown,” says a new report from three international research and advocacy groups, the UK-based Transnational Institute and Tipping Point North South, and the Netherlands’ Stop Wapenhandel. Nato member states poured $1.34tn into their militaries last year – an increase of $126bn from 2022, the authors say. 👉 Conflicts are not only devastating and tragic for people, they are also destroying our ecosystems and leading us into a frantic and senseless arms race. 👉 At the beginning of the 21st century and at the pinnacle of the development of human civilisation in many respects, is this the only response we are capable of proposing to political and therefore entirely human made problems? 🌎 The answer is a resounding NO 👍 We can do much better #climateaction

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The #dubaiflooding is being blamed on human induced #climatechange. Per Copernicus ECMWF March 2024 was the warmest March. Are we doing something wrong in our #ClimateAction. I write in the TheWire.in about some #inconvenienttruths https://lnkd.in/dSaETmFX #climateresilience #climatejustice #climateequity #climaterefugee #carbonoffset #fossilfuel #renewables #ipcc #cop28 #globalwarming #electricvehicles #iea #parisagreement #noaa #bioenergy #climateinclussion #ngo #climateprotests #energy #energyconservation #nuclearenergy #circulareconomy #degrowth #netzero

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Alexander Hug's excellent publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the OSCE's role in monitoring the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and offers valuable lessons for future crisis management and peacebuilding efforts. The book highlights technology's crucial role in supporting and validating patrol data and accurately reporting ceasefire violations, with UAVs, satellite imagery, and sensors playing a key part However, it underlines that the success of ceasefire monitoring depends not only on technical capacity, but also on the clarity of the ceasefire agreement and the continued cooperation of all parties involved. Looking ahead, the lessons learned in Ukraine can inform future ceasefire monitoring operations in other conflict zones. The integration of technology, careful preparation and a strong political framework can help improve monitoring and verification in complex environments, ultimately supporting peace processes and reducing violence. This publication is complemented by an earlier OSCE Lessons Learned Report, "A Peaceful Presence - The First Five Years of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine" which focuses specifically on the experience of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. (SMM). https://lnkd.in/eVu-8Nif

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🌟 Exciting News from the #European #Defence #Fund! 🌟 Today, the #European #Commission announced the #results of the 2023 #EDF calls, allocating €1,031 million in EU funding to support 54 innovative joint European defence research and development projects. These initiatives will drive technological excellence across a wide range of critical defence capabilities. Key Highlights: 🔹 #Cyber #Defence & #Combat Systems: Projects will enhance capabilities in ground, air, and naval combat. For instance, the MARTE and FMBTech projects will engage over 70 industrial players and research organizations to develop a main battle tank platform for Europe. 🔹 Protection of #Space-#Based #Assets & CBRN #Defence: Initiatives will bolster defences against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear threats and safeguard space assets. 🔹 Strategic #Air #Transportation: Essential for rapid support to global missions, these projects will include advancements like those seen in the E-CUAS project, which builds on JEY-CUAS to counter unmanned aerial systems with 24 beneficiaries from 12 Member States and Norway. 🔹 #Land Capabilities: SRB2 will enhance suspension systems for heavy armoured vehicles. EDC2 will prototype the European patrol corvette, building on designs from EDF 2021 calls. TALOS-TWO will advance laser-based directed energy weapons, with participation from 19 entities across 8 countries. #Innovative #Support for #SMEs and #Start-Ups: Under the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), the EDF is providing significant opportunities for SMEs, start-ups, and new entrants. Notably, the MaJoR project will combine technology development with short-term technical and financial support for up to 60 start-ups and SMEs, facilitating easier access to the programme. #Programme #Impact: 📈 Strong Interest: 236 proposals received from diverse consortia, including large industries, SMEs, midcaps, and research organizations. 🌍 Wide Participation: 581 legal entities from 26 EU Member States and Norway are involved in the selected proposals. 🤝 Extensive Cooperation: On average, selected proposals involve 17 entities from 8 countries. 🔍 Significant SME Involvement: SMEs represent over 42% of selected entities, securing more than 18% of the total requested EU funding. 🔬 Balanced Support: €265 million for 30 research projects and €766 million for 24 capability development projects. 🚀 Disruptive Technologies: 4% of the budget dedicated to game-changing innovations in defence. Background: The EDF is the EU's key instrument to support defence R&D cooperation and focuses on projects that result in state-of-the-art and interoperable defence technologies and equipment. #EuropeanDefence #Innovation #ResearchAndDevelopment #EDFFunding #EUCollaboration #DefenceTechnology #SMEs #InnovationInDefence https://lnkd.in/dGy6B8Kf

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This is huge & the right response to the outcome of the #US election: The #EU is changing its spending policy to redirect billions of euros to #defense & #security, as #Russia's war in #Ukraine & Donald #Trump's victory put pressure on the EU to increase investment. The policy shift would apply to about €392bn (2021-27), which could then be used for #military mobility, defense industry, etc. https://lnkd.in/dkJc_jd6

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My first investigation with Bellingcat is published! Bence Szechenyi and I found evidence of suspected cases of property destruction and ransacking in Nagorno-Karabakh, one year after the mass displacement of over 100,000 Armenians from the region. We created an interactive map of the city to help visualize the scale of ransacking, and also found evidence in satellite imagery of property destruction. Read the investigation and learn about our methodology here: https://lnkd.in/eRH6wP2u

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European defence modernisation and energy transition are discussed at the IISS Prague Defence Summit (especially the 'Innovating at Speed' session) and new Strategic Dossier on 'Building Defence Capacity in Europe: An assessment'. Catch the special session and Dossier launch on Friday, 8 November. Themes from the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) Montreal Climate Security Summit will feature -- competing spending pressures, co-benefits of defence tech investment, etc. Plus taking the new transatlantic dynamic into account... #IISSPDS24 #climatesecurity #defence #decarbonisation #CCASCOE #NATO

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https://lnkd.in/eNDbK5t7 "... an in-depth study entitled Sous les Radars ('Under the Radar'), devoted to changes in Russia's informational influence ecosystem since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Published on October 7 in the journal Réseaux ('Networks'), the 40-page article scrutinizes and maps out a constantly changing system that is endowed with growing resources. Pro-Moscow informational influence operatives, faced with the measures taken, since 2022, to block Russian media outlets whose content was targeted toward Europe and the US (such as RT, formerly Russia Today, and Sputnik), have been 'resorting to stealthier, more clandestine practices to disseminate their narratives to Western audiences,' explained the article. More often than not, these campaigns have been 'subcontracted by public authorities to firms specializing in public relations and digital marketing.' These companies try to bribe Western influencers to spread pro-Kremlin rhetoric to the widest possible audience. Their message is thereby 'laundered,' since its Russian origin and propagandistic intent are concealed from the public."

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🔔 The #Carbon Accelerator Programme for the #Environment (‘#CAPE’) , financed by FCDO Services, seeks to address the challenges of investment flow into projects addressing both #climate change and biodiversity loss, by accelerating high integrity nature-based carbon projects. As part of its pilot phase, FSD Africa seeks to contract a firm or #consortia to: ☑ develop the #CAPE platform ☑provide #transaction advisory and project development services for 3-5 high-potential project developers ☑generate an #ecosystem of praxis ☑document reflections and insights for broader #dissemination and thought-leadership.

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An important read.

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Learn more about EU-US Arctic cooperation at this virtual discussion and livestream on Monday, May 6, 10am ET!

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The Council approved conclusions on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Strategic Review. The review was launched in November 2023 with the aim of strengthening PESCO, making it more strategic and effective, and adapting it to the new geopolitical reality beyond 2025. #eu #pesco #defence

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Dr Daniela Richterova's commentary in War on the Rocks, The Long Shadow of Soviet Sabotage Doctrine, is a powerful reminder of how history can shape the present. The recent sabotage attacks in Europe and the U.S. bear striking similarities to the Cold War tactics used by the Soviet Union. These actions are not random - they follow a pattern that was established decades ago, aiming to disrupt and destabilize Western nations. It’s obvious, these old methods being used again and it’s clear that the strategies from the Cold War are still very much alive. West and its allies are working hard to protect critical infrastructure, but the challenge is real. West needs to stay alert and learn from the past to better prepare for what might come next. This piece makes it clear that understanding the past is key to navigating today’s challenges coming from Russia. The tactics may have evolved, but Russia's goals remain the same: to weaken and divide. #russia #sabotage #coldwar #europe #warstudies #doctrine

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#BRUSSELSNEWS // 🎤 Today, Ursula von der Leyen, who was appointed to lead the European Commission for a second term, presented the new EU commissioners, with #Lithuania’s Andrius Kubilius assigned the defense and space portfolio. 🛰 💭 “He will work to develop the European Defence Union and to increase our defense capabilities,” von der Leyen said while introducing the Lithuanian representative. The defense and space portfolio is new and was added to the European Commission for the 2024–2029 term in response to the growing security threats from Russia, the need to provide military assistance to Ukraine, and to strengthen the EU’s defense. 🔗 Read more: ⤵️ #AmChamLT #AmChamLithuania #EuropeanCommission #EU

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#PRESS_RELEASE CCAG urges greater NDC ambition as new report outlines critical need to re-frame 1.5 temperature limits ● The Climate Crisis Advisory Group’s latest report recommends the widening of climate targets to include GHG atmospheric levels, which are critical ‘real-time’ indicators of climate change. ● Even at ‘just’ 1.07 degrees of global warming – a figure based on the 10-year global average – vulnerable communities and countries around the world, including Ghana, are experiencing severe impacts. ● CCAG calls for governments to urgently commit to ambitious NDCs to ensure a safe pathway for humanity remains within reach. ● Examining Ghana’s position in the global energy transition, CCAG member Dr Fatima Denton, calls for overdue loss and damage support from developed nations United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) Climate Crisis Advisory Group

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