Forest Justice

by Marcelo de Aguiar & Bernadett Kiss

The documentary is based on my MSc field study performed in the Amazon to evaluate the local impact of policy reforms reflecting the Climate Agenda on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). In this short documentary, the story of Jesuina Braga Alves (Jo) illustrates the livelihood of many small scale farmers in the Brazilian Amazon whose survival has been challenged by changes on the climate and consequent top-down reform on policies.

To reduce forest emissions small scale farmers have faced personal and technical difficulties to phase out slash-and-burn agricultural practices and implement agroforestry as a sustainable alternative to produce their food crops while restoring forest landscapes. Small scale farmers are on the forefront of forest conservation and are the most legitimate actors to represent the forest. Therefore, decision makers should engage those actors and consider their needs and obstacles to achieve the global common goal for reducing emissions from deforestation and mitigate climate change.

People&Power investigates fake carbon offset certificates being sold in Papua New Guinea.

Girl Scouts Planting Tree

The National Wildlife Federation and the national tree-planting and youth education organization, Erthnxt, have combined forces to further environmental literacy, youth volunteerism, habitat restoration, and reversing global warming.  Our joint aim is to provide opportunities for scouting and youth groups across America to learn how they can make a difference by planting and caring for trees.

“Erthnxt and its Trees For The 21st Century program share a common purpose with NWF in confronting global warming, protecting and restoring habitats and connecting people and nature, and we’re thrilled to build on our shared goals,” said National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Larry Schweiger.

Erthnxt’s Trees for The 21st Century program joins a suite of National Wildlife Federation’s educational programs including: Eco-Schools USA, the Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat Program, Campus Ecology, community and backyard habitat certifications, and will be an important part of NWF’s Be Out There campaign to connect children and families to the outdoors. Read More »

Photo by Rachel Kramer

With deforestation responsible for roughly 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, we have an opportunity to bridge a significant gap between what science tells us is necessary to avoid catastrophic climate change and the amount of reductions nations like the U.S. are willing to put on the table.

Our own U.S. House legislation lays out an aggressive plan to cut 720 million tons of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 by financing forest restoration efforts. But because that legislation is not law, our own U.S. negotiating team has refused to use it as a negotiating tool.

The Bellona Foundation, an organization that graciously sponsored most of NWF’s side events, has been covering activities. They offer some good coverage to follow.

It’s been a rough year for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. A series of companies have dropped out of the Chamber over its anti-clean energy stance. Those pro-polluter positions also prompted the Yes Men to target the Chamber for parody.

Now climate activists with Greenpeace have pranked the Chamber, putting up “global warming crime scene” tape around its DC headquarters:

Greenpeace has organized some great climate stunts this year, including one at September’s G20 meeting in Pittsburgh.