Who Makes The Change


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.

A Message to World Leaders from Global Youth

You’re Not Done Yet. And Neither Are We.

Carbon Cowboys

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

The Copenhagen Climate Accord

The Copenhagen Climate Accord has a number of key provisions.  The following is a quick summary set out by U.S. Journalist Keith Schneider

1. Developed nations have committed to invest $30 billion over the next three years to help developing nations adapt to global warming and pursue clean energy development.

2, Developed nations made a “provisional” commitment to create a $100 billion global fund by 2020 to help the developing nations respond to global warming and particpate more fully in the clean energy economic transition.

3, There was broad agreement on a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions sufficient to prevent a rise in global temperature above two dregree Celsius.

4, There were pledges by most nations to make specific emissions reductions but .. the specific levels were not set in the accord.

5. There was a general goal set by particpating nations to having international review of actual progress on green house gas emission reductions.

6. China and the U.S. were given diplomatic space to work together on the accord and a commitment was arrived at to assess overall progress on reductions under the Accord by 2015.

See the Full Article…

Erthnxt: Trees for the 21st Century

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 »

Forest Recovery Plan Underway

Madagascar

Photo By Rachel Kramer

Negotiators in Copenhagen are working on deals to compensate countries for preserving forests.  Forests are essential to combating climate change because they are able to efficiently capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

With climate change activist eager to ratify a global climate treaty, forest preservation could be the most significant achievement to come out of the Copenhagen climate talks. A final draft of the compensation program REDD, Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation, will be submitted to ministers of nearly 200 countries in an effort to hammer out a framework for the treaty on Wednesday.  

Prince Charles  sums up the program well by saying “It seems the quickest and most cost-effective way to buy time in the battle against catastrophic climate change is to find a way to make the trees worth more alive than dead.”  Much progress is left to be made but this is a good place to start.

COP15 Update: The Answer is in the Forest

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.

Clinton Announcement “Sets Up an Important Moment for the World”

Big news from the international climate treaty talks in Copenhagen, Denmark. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the United States will contribute to a $100 billion fund to help developing nations deal with climate change — provided that an effective international climate agreement is reached.

Jeremy Symons, the National Wildlife Federation’s senior vice president, is monitoring the talks from Copenhagen. Here’s what he had to say:

Secretary of State Clinton’s announcement today sets up an important moment for the world that for the first time offers a clear path forward to cut pollution, protect tropical forests and provide humanitarian aid to those in harm’s way. As the world’s leaders converge tomorrow, they have an historic opportunity to break through years of stalemate. President Obama continues to show his leadership on climate change at every opportunity. His personal engagement is needed now more than ever, and he is coming to Copenhagen at just the right time.

One great resource for keeping up on the latest climate treaty talks: Grist in Copenhagen.

Photo via Flickr’s Andy Revkin

Climate Pranksters Again Target US Chamber

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.

Sit-In at the US State Department, Reading names of 11 Million Petition Signers

The sit-in has concluded.  The protesters were ‘detained’ and removed from the hall, and made to sit in a small holding room.  Then they were given the option to leave, or stay and get arrested.  Since no press was on hand, and no one was there to witness the arrests, they left the building.

Activists read off names of 11 million+ global citizens calling for real climate action

Keep planning more actions in solidarity.  We’re brainstorming!

Previous live-blog comments below… Read More »