In order to draw the attention of EEIU and IUR members, as well as others interested in the ecological/environmental aspects of radioactivity as related to ethics, science and politics, ESEP presents the key IUR Statement 'Protection of the environment in the 21st century: radiation protection of the biosphere including humankind' (Brechignac et al. 2003), which is currently in press with the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. More information about the IUR is available at www.iur-uir.org.