INFOTERRA in the Electronic Universe As our national focal points are aware, since 1994 INFOTERRA has been operating an Internet subscription list, UNEPs electronic forum to promote the exchange of environmental information among Internet users. The INFOTERRA networking strategy to use the Internet has opened many new directions in the dissemination of environmental information. As the electronic opportunities expand it is important even if one doesn't have access today as it is necessary to be conversant with new technologies. Just as the radio and television transformed the lives of our parents and grandparents the Information Superhighway has the same potential. In previous INFOTERRA publications we have published the Internet use rate statistics from our provider, the Central European Environmental Data Request Facility (CEDAR). More and more NFPs are becoming connected electronically and queries posed to the subscription list have increased greatly. The utilization of the INFOTERRA network has grown exponentially since it became operational in 1977 with fewer than two hundred queries. In 1984 the use total climbed to 12,000 queries and eight years later in 1992 some 28,000 queries were processed. The 1993 statistics reported 10,500 more queries than the year before bringing the annual total to 38,500. With the increased use of the Internet, the 1996 query statistics are expected to reach the 60,000 mark. INFOTERRA is using several Internet services
to promote the electronic exchange of environmental information. Two subscription
lists have been established.
bernhard.lorenz@pan.cedar.univie.ac.at(Project Coordinator, CEDAR) II. Public list intended for general communications on environmental topics; posing queries to the infoterra network; requesting information from UNEP; etc. Subscription to this list is automatic.
In addition to posing queries, subscribers are encouraged to respond to
queries as well, since this list will ultimately comprise of both sources
and users of environmental information on a global basis. Subscribers may
also post announcements of new publications, gophers, lists, information
services, etc., and upcoming meetings, seminars, training courses, etc.,
which are of general environmental interest. Contributions from UNEP partners
in the UN Common System, IGO/NGO community and governmental sector are
particularly welcome.
The information is also available at the following World Wide Web hosts:
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