Save the Environment, Save Sudan

Competition over resources. Environmental degradation. Deforestation. Lack of clean water. All this on top of a massive refugee and humanitarian crisis. These inflictions cannot be dealt with in isolation of one another if peace and prosperity is to return to Sudan.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is rightly bringing increased attention to the environmental challenges facing Sudan, which play a significant role in the ongoing conflict within the country. The agency assessed that “Sudan is unlikely to see a lasting peace unless widespread and rapidly accelerating environmental degradation is urgently addressed.”

Thanks to UNEP's comprehensive environmental assessment, we know what the main problems are. What Sudan needs now is a solution that deals with all of these problems in a coordinated manner. In conducting this study, UNEP participated in community hearings to consult with local people on what they deemed to be their greatest needs and challenges. Future action will hopefully combine feedback from these hearings and best practices from a variety of UN agencies operating in Sudan.

One thing that can be agreed on from the start is the need for action now.


Watch this video for an excellent overview of UNEP's Sudan project.

Don't ignore Desertification

The UN University in Bonn, Germany, has recently released a report drawing attention to desertification as a mounting environmental crisis. Desertification occurs as a result of overexploitation of the land by unsustainable irrigation practices and is compounded by the devastating effects of climate change on arable soil.

The study warned that lack of arable land may displace over 50 million people within the next 10 years. And not only that, but 1/3 of the world's population - concentrated in the poorest regions - are also potential victims.

What can be done: The report urges synchronization of development and environment priorities at the national level. The study suggests that sustainable management of drylands is the most important step that can be taken now. One approach is providing alternative livelihoods to dryland dwellers. The study's lead author, Zafaar Adeel explains, "we need to provide alternative livelihoods [to dryland dwellers]- not the traditional cropping based on irrigation, cattle farming, etcetera - but rather introduce more innovative livelihoods which don't put pressure on the natural resources."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is one of the UN Environmental Program's initiatives to assess the impact of different aspects of climate change. It is then up to policymakers to incorporate this information into the national agenda.

Support for Live Earth

Climate change needs attention now! This is the message behind Live Earth, a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on July 7 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people. Participating cities are New York, London, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney and Hamburg.

This movement, spearheaded by Al Gore and Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, is designed to trigger a response to issues such as global warming and the negative impact climate changes will have on the poorest populations of the world.

The UNDP is a major sponsor of the event. In collaboration with the UN Environment Program (UNEP) the UNDP works to spread awareness about the importance of addressing Millennium Development Goal 7, which is to "ensure environmental sustainability."

Proceeds from Live Earth will support a new campaign being launched to combat the climate crisis. This campaign will be led by the Alliance for Climate Protection and other international environmental NGOs. The goal of this campaign will be to mobilize organizations, businesses, governments and individuals to combat global warming.

Environmental refugees

The UN Environment Program (UNEP) called for far greater action on climate change yesterday during events of World Environment Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to raise global awareness of the environment and boost political attention and action. This year's theme is Melting Ice: A Hot Topic? though all aspects of climate change have recently climbed to the top of UNDP's and other UN agencies agendas.

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP observed that climate change is “magnifying existing disparities between rich and poor” and “aggravating tensions over fragile or increasingly scarce natural resources” such as productive land and freshwater. “It increases the potential to create a new class of displaced people known collectively as environmental refugees,” Mr. Steiner warned.

Climate change is affecting the living conditions of those in the poorest countries of the world. By creating awareness and practical programs, UNEP has a chance to curb these negative side effects.

UNEP Helps Plant a BillionTrees

The UN Environmental Program also just announced yesterday that they have received pledges to plant over 1 billion trees this year as part of their (you guessed it) Billion Tree Campaign.

Following a pledge of 20 million trees by Senegal, the five month-old Billion Tree Campaign has surpassed its initial goal some seven months ahead of its original target.

The focus will now turn to making sure the pledges materialize and all the trees are planted.

The idea for the campaign was inspired by Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai.

Effect of Global Warming

I highly recommend todays NYT article on global warming and its impact on different regions. Especially take a look at the map of "winners and losers".

The issue of the costs of limiting and coping with the effects of climate change is also picked up in this new report by UNEP on low-cost and easy to do changes that could have a huge impact on carbon emissions.