Dirty Dozen Tales, or how I learned to love DDT Michael G. Angstreich NARI

Our Goals Improved environmental and human health through the reduction and elimination of Persistent Organic Pollutants - POPs Dynamic and effective teamwork with Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, WB/GEF, UNEP, WHO, FAO, MFA/Norad, NGOs and local communities Fulfillment of the Stockholm Convention

Our Objectives Our Objectives Develop, demonstrate and scale-up new strategies and alternatives to POPs in agriculture and vector control Reinforce linkages between agriculture, environment and health for sustained action in Hot Spots Capacity building for policy, technical and development cooperation at local, national and regional levels

What is this thing called POPs? Pesticides Industrial by-products Combustion by-products --- that resist degradation in nature, accumulate in living tissues, pollute water, soil and air, travel long distances and cause hormonal, reproductive, mental and abnormal growth problems in humans and animals.

The Dirty Dozen! Pesticides: Aldrin, Chlordane, DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Mirex, Toxaphene Industry: Polychlorinated biphenyls Combustion: Dioxins, Furans These and similar toxins are linked to 3 million poisonings and 220 thousand deaths worldwide each year!

Our Appropriate Technology Environmental Impact Quotient Integrated Pest Management Integrated Vector Management Phyto or bio-remediation Participatory appraisals, planning and demonstrations

Toward a Higher Consciousness First annual WB/Norway Dialogue 2003 Seminar with GEF in Norway Continuous contact and planning with partners in Asia Periodic updating with Norwegian MFA and Norad UNEP as implementing agency Continuous guidance from GEF Secretariat

Romancing DDT and other POPs Love, honor and obey the GEF process, its thematic and funding opportunities, its obligations and the UN Conventions GEF serves. Patience and perserverence are not only virtues, they are musts for overcoming the trials and tribulations of a long-term partnership process. Even the best relationships have ups and downs. When feelings fizzle, seek timely ”marriage” counseling: technical, political and collegial. Our romance with POPs has now brought us to the exalted state of temporary bliss known as GEF Pipeline Entry, which may be described as halfway between your first kiss and a fully consumated marriage.

Bare hands, bare feet, bare face = Big, bad problems All photos by T. Hofsvang

Thanks to the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the GEF Secretariat in WDC, my colleagues in NARI and all of you. Stå på!