Can the Children Cope until Copenhagen?

As is the case with nearly any global problem, whether it is poverty, illness, or hunger, we see the same groups again and again fall disproportionately victim to its ramifications – women, children, and the elderly. The global economic meltdown and changing climate are no different; they constitute two issues that highly impact children and will continue to do so in the coming decade.

August 12 marks International Youth Day, which prompted Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to recognize the impact of the economic crisis on children—although youth comprise only 25% of the world’s working age population, for example, they account for nearly 40% of the world’s unemployment. Compounding the problem, Ban asserts, is the threat of climate change, which will cause increased economic upheaval as those in developing countries face an escalating and disproportionate ‘ecological debt.’

Fortunately, the current generation of children is growing up with an increased awareness of global warming and climate change, as well as the steps necessary to mitigate the problem. These young people can lead by example, practicing green, healthy lifestyles and making conscious decisions to preserve precious natural resources. The age-old adage thus stands: the children are our future. But, with Copenhagen looming, does that future stand secure?

Hot Enough to Fry an Egg!

Have you ever felt weather so hot that you could fry an egg on the sidewalk? There is so much energy from the Sun hitting Earth everyday that it could cook every last egg on the planet! Harnessing that energy is a vital part of creating a more sustainable future, from massive solar power plant complexes, like the planned "solar tower" of Australia, to smaller scale projects like solar powered vehicles. Today, the United Nations Development Program has partnered with the Global Environment Facility, the European Union, and the Chilean government to harness the power of the sun, prevent deforestation and bring renewable energy to local communities in northern Chile.

The people who live in these communities traditionally relied on wood to fuel their stoves, but thanks to UNDP are now embracing solar ovens as a way to rehabilitate their damaged environment. The overcutting of firewood in northern Chile has accelerated deforestation, drying up already-arid lands. Solar ovens bring an eco-friendly alternative to cooking needs, and lay the foundations for greater renewable energy use in the future. But UNDP is not just providing solar ovens, it is training locals to construct their own ovens so that they may pass the knowledge on to others in the community. Alejandra Alarcon, National Coordinator of the UNDP Small Grants Programme’s Global Environment Facility, stressed the importance of providing not just the materials but the know-how, "The only way to see long-lasting results is if people can build their own ovens and share the knowledge with other communities.”

To learn more about solar ovens in Chile, and how they are sparking green-change and green-entrepreneurship click here

Cutting Emissions and Saving Forests

Forests are one of our planet’s most precious resources. Unfortunately they are easily lost, and often must compete with other agricultural enterprises. Slowing deforestation is a frontline battle in the fight against climate change. Accounting for over 17 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation is second only to the energy sector as the largest source of emissions. Because of harmful practices like over-logging and slash and burn agriculture, the rate of deforestation has averaged 13 million hectares between 1990 and 2005. That’s more than 24 million football fields every year, mostly in the tropics! To take on this enormous challenge, the UN Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Program (UN-REDD) supports nations as they implement sustainable forestry management programs which offer both environmental and economic benefits to their citizens.

UN-REDD has just approved $18 Million in funding to support the programs of five new nations that are ready to take on the challenge. Senior government representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and Viet Nam recently came together to discuss and share plans on how to reduce emissions and save precious forest ecosystems. They join the four other pilot program nations of Bolivia, Panama, Paraguay, and Zambia which are already participating.

To find out more about how the UN is saving forests and fighting climate change click here

UN Fights World Hunger, One Country at a Time

Swaziland is just one of many countries currently suffering from the Food Crisis. However, unlike other countries, Swaziland’s situation is currently exaggerated by the worst drought in over fifteen years. In order to better the situation, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has assisted the local government in establishing "Input Trade Fairs" where farmers are given vouchers which they can trade in for seeds and other necessary tools. This initiative is funded by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, providing farmers with relief from the environmental and economic conditions hindering them. This program demonstrates the UN’s self-sustaining approach to aiding farmers in Swaziland, giving them long term means to help themselves, rather than direct short term aid.

Climate Change is in the Air

Yesterday wrapped up the largest-ever meeting of heads of state or government to discuss the issue of climate change. Top officials from 150 nations attended the one day event at UN headquarters in New York, where Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, explained,

"The current level of effort will not suffice."

Mr. Ban urged the creation of a coalition to encourage global response to climate change and to support the major summit that will be held in Bali, Indonesia in December. All of this corresponds with the launch of the 2007 Human Development Report which focuses on climate change.

In regards to climate change and developing countries, Mr. Ban noted that better global collaboration is needed to help developing countries to increase low carbon and renewable energy: strategies that could lead to better economic growth.

The Kyoto Protocol which is the current framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions expires in 2012, and Mr. Ban stressed the need for a post-Kyoto agreement at that time. However, at an event called, “Global Voices on Climate Change” that same day, former Vice-President and environmental activist, Al Gore, had a stronger message. He explained that a new agreement must be in place by 2009--not 2012, as stated by Mr. Ban. He stressed the importance of multi-lateral meetings every three months until a new agreement is in place. “We simply cannot wait longer, we cannot continue business as usual,” a statement that is both provocative and worrisome. It's time to stop the apathy.

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.

Paying attention to the Arctic

According to Sheila Watt-Cloutier, "Ice represents life" in the Arctic communities of Canada. This Inuit activist has recently won the UNDP's Award for Excellence in Human Development.

Watch this video for an interview in which she describes the importance of preserving the Arctic, especially given its impact on global climate change.

More Development Awards

The UNDP has recently announced the recipients of its 5 Human Development Awards, which are granted every 2 years. These awards honor National and Regional Human Development Reports that successfully influence development policy. These reports are prepared by national teams in UNDP Country Offices.

The 2006 awards were given to teams in:

1. Costa Rica, Excellence in HD Innovations-Concepts OR Measurement
2. Chhatisgarh, India, Excellence in Participation and Capacity Building Process
3. China, Excellence in Policy Analysis and Influence
4. Guinea-Bissau, Excellence in Support of the Millennium Development Goals:
5. Asia Pacific, Excellence and Innovation across HDR corporate principles for a Regional HDR

In 2006, the UNDP HD Report focused on water and its impact on poverty. This year, the theme will be 'Human Development and Climate Change,' one of the greatest challenges facing the UNDP in the upcoming decades.

An Award for Activism

Congratulations to Ms. Sheila Watt-Cloutier for winning the prestigious Mahbub ul Haq Award for Excellence in Human Development.

According to UNDP, the award is presented every 2-3 years to a leader who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to furthering the understanding and progress of human development in a national, regional or global context.

Ms. Watt-Cloutier fits the bill. As an Inuit activist and political leader, she has fought tirelessly to raise global awareness about climate change on behalf of the Arctic communities of Canada, Alaska, Greenland and Russia, which are suffering from global warming effects. Ms. Watt-Cloutier also helped launch one of the world's first international legal actions on climate change, contending that unchecked gas emissions from the US violated Inuit cultural and environmental rights. Her inspiring leadership has brought global attention to global warming. It is now up to the world's leaders to take action.

Ms. Watt-Cloutier is also nominated for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

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.

Respecting local traditions in Mt. Kenya

Global climate changes have led to the loss of Mt. Kenya’s glacial hat, which along with deforestation threatens a crucial source of water for millions of Kenyans. The UNDP-Compact project has brought together NGOs, community grouping and private companies to deal with this mounting problem.

The UN, government corporations and NGOs have been quick to exploit the mountain's immense spiritual significance to millions of the residents living around it. Some of the NGOs have joined hands with the National Museums of Kenya to initiate schemes that now "remind" relevant communities of the need to preserve and conserve sacred sites. They are now tapping into ancient, but evidently forgotten, taboos and myths to help secure the mountain's ecosystem from total ruin.

Poverty is driving the destruction of the forests surrounding Mt. Kenya. Many locals steal firewood, timber and kill animals for food in order to survive. Consequently, the spiritual significance of this UNESCO world heritage site has been forgotten.

Whether helping trout farmers continue their business, aiding women’s groups to cultivate nurseries in the Mt. Kenya forest or generating electricity from River Tungo-Kabiri, the UNDP-Compact will work with local communities to preserve this entire area and its vital contribution to Kenyan society.

Third IPCC Climate Change Report

Last Friday the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its third report, "Mitigation of Climate Change". Today UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis released a response to the report.

"The IPCC reports make clear the urgency of our challenge in facing climate change," said Dervis. "We are already seeing its effects—drought in some places and flooding in others; transmission of vector-borne disease; general resource scarcity-in many of the developing countries in which UNDP works."

Responding to climate change has become increasingly important to the work of UNDP. However, success will ultimately depend on whether we all - rich and poor countries; governments, companies, and citizens - are able to work together to confront this challenge

"We have the resources, and we have the technology, to avoid disastrous climate change and cope with unavoidable climate change without compromising economic and human development," concluded Dervis. "The missing ingredients are political will and coordinated actions."

Climate change as a development issue

Earlier this month, UNDP Administrator Kemal Derviş expressed support for the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.

“For many people in the developing world climate change means drought, famine and the loss of their homes, land, or even their lives. These people have been coping ably with the variability of weather patterns for many years. Now, they face a challenge of adaptation they simply cannot deal with alone.”

The IPCC report paints an unsettling picture of the advance of climate change and its potential harm to the lives of millions. It projects that many millions more people will be threatened by serious flooding every year by the latter part of this century, especially in densely populated, low-lying areas that already face other challenges such as tropical storms and local coastal sinking.

How does climate change tie in with development? Simple, hurricanes, flooding, drought, and other effects of climate change can rapidly wipe out important gains made in human development. In Dira Dawa, Ethiopia, more than 300 people died and 10,000 were made homeless by flash flooding last August.

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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.

Norway Contributes to China to Fight Global Warming

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China is the world's second largest fresh-water glacier. Feeding rivers in China, India, and other neighboring countries, it helps provide almost a billion people with water each day. Unfortunately, global warming and growing pollution in China has made it the fastest melting glacier in the world.

Recognizing that one of their main sources of water needed for humans and farming is being endangered, the Chinese government is beginning to take action. Working together, UNDP, Norway, and the Chinese National Coordination Committee on Climate Change (NCCC) are building better infrastructure to utilize the up-stream water supplies. This project will ease the stress of water scarcity and better prepare the country to use less water in an age where resources are becoming more scarce.

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