UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS) is a mechanism for identifying, selecting and communicating early warning information on emerging issues to decision makers on a regular basis across the following UNEP's focus areas.

The Global Environment Alert Service continuously scans the scientific literature, analyses results of earth observations and other data sources to produce widely distributed alerts, focussing on policy relevant Environmental Hotspots, Environmental Science, and Near Real-Time Environmental Event Alerts in an easily understandable format. It takes the pulse of the planet and enhances UNEP’s ability to provide regular, science based updates to its member states and the international community on the status and trends of the global environment.

• Most Recent Environmental Hotspot Alert

  Only Scraps of the South American Atlantic Forest Remain, Eastern Paraguay

  As dramatically shown in satellite images from 1973,1985, and 2010, eastern Paraguay’s subtropical rain forest has been almost totally converted to crops and cattle grazing

• Most Recent Environmental Science Alert

  Plant Growth Declined Over the Past Decade

  Contrary to the expectation that a warming climate generally enhances biomass production, new research reveals that plant growth declined during the Earth’s hottest decade in recorded history

• Near Real-Time Environmental Event Alert

  The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill:the World’s Largest Accidental Offshore Oil Spill

  Time-series maps based on over-flight information document the oil spill's spread over the Gulf of Mexico from 22 April to 6 August 2010