Distilling Science at the Experimental Lakes Area: Studying mercury in ecosystems
This video highlights the role that IISD-ELA has played in helping the world understand and respond to the effects of mercury in our ecosystems, particularly excessive mercury that comes from human sources.
Mercury affects the central nervous system, including the brain, and is an endocrine disruptor.
This video highlights the role that the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), a freshwater science research facility in northwestern Ontario, Canada, has played in helping the world understand and respond to the effects of mercury in our ecosystems, particularly excessive mercury that comes from human sources.
Mercury affects the central nervous system, including the brain, and is an endocrine disruptor. That means we have to be careful about how much of it is in the food we eat.
The research at the ELA has provided critical answers on how mercury gets into the food chain, and what we should do about it. For instance, ELA research on mercury influenced decisions in Canada and the United States to require controls on emissions from the smokestacks of coal and oil-fired power plants. In addition, the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury includes controls on mercury emissions into the atmosphere; ELA research helped provide scientific justification for measures proposed in the convention.
To support IISD-ELA, consider making a donation, or to learn more, visit http://www.iisd.org/ela/.
You might also be interested in
Stalemate on the Global Goal on Adaptation in Bonn: What it means
Countries couldn’t reach an agreement on the Global Goal on Adaptation, but it doesn't change the need for them to track and assess their efforts.
Solar Can Outcompete Grid Power in Rural India With the Right Planning
New research finds solar-based distributed renewable energy systems can generate electricity in rural India at a lower cost than conventional grid supply. Careful planning of local demand, storage, grid conditions, financing, and long-term operations is key to unlock these savings.
Greening the Dry Environment
Cities in drylands regions can successfully implement nature-based solutions to help communities adapt to climate change.
Carbon Pricing in the ASEAN Region: Moving from ambition to architecture
For ASEAN policy-makers, carbon pricing is no longer simply a domestic climate policy choice. It is increasingly linked to global economic integration, trade relationships, investment flows, and industrial competitiveness.