UN Environment Program (UNEP) has just published its “2012-Emerging Issues in our Global Environment.” Nuclear power plant decommissioning and benefits of “soil carbon” are two issues that are points of focus, but below are further highlights as well as direct link to the UNEP Handbook.  Closing and decommissioning nuclear power reactors: The number of nuclear power reactors that are set to be decommissioned is increasing. The scale of the task ahead will require careful planning and co-ordination to ensure that decommissionings are carried out safely and cost-effectively.  Benefits of soil carbon: The carbon in soils provides multiple benefits, especially in enhancing food production and regulating our climate. Effective management of soils is important for maintaining and even enhancing soil carbon content, in a way that will meet the food, water and energy demands of a growing population.  2011 Year in Review: 2011 saw a number of environmental extremes, including record extreme weather and climate events and increasing degradation of marine ecosystems. However, progress was made towards new investments in renewable energy, with continued investment needed to transition to a green economy.  Key environmental indicators: Global environmental trends that illustrate the state of our environment can be inferred using several key indicators. These indicators bring to light a number of positive trends, but also highlight the need to address mounting challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and land and soil degradation. LINK to UNEP 2012 Yearbook - www.unep.org/yearbook/2012/ By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey – Follow @MuhamedSacirbey Facebook = Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX “Ecology-Diplomat” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/ecology-diplomat