The Daily IIJ » Climate Change

UN envoy urges human development as measure for national progress, not GDP

Nathaniel Yankson, Ghana (www.globalnewsreel.com) — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:54:09 +0000

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Ruby Sandhu-Rojon has stressed the need for Ghana to move away from measuring national progress by the use of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) only.

She argued that progress ought to be measured in terms of human development where long life among the people could mean that they have quality and sustainable education. Read more http://www.globalnewsreel.com/2012/05/un-envoy-urges-human-development-as.html

Greening Africa’s Future, Carbon market actors connect at the 4th ACF

Mamadou Edrisa Njie — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:40:57 +0000

The 4th Africa Carbon Forum (ACF), this year in Addis Ababa, opened its doors today to over 1,000 registered participants from across the globe to foster a discussion on climate change and carbon finance in Africa.

The message resonating this year from Addis is that Africa represents a golden opportunity for a green future.
“The vast potential represented by African countries in the fight against climate change cannot be underestimated,” said Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). “The Africa Carbon Forum is where potential projects and developers and funders can meet, exchange ideas, and – it is hoped – take the concrete steps toward greening Africa’s future.”

This three-day forum has been described by participants of previous ACFs as “the one ‘unmissable’ event for doing carbon business in Africa.” ACF’s aim is to share knowledge on carbon markets and green technologies in Africa. The conference includes presentations by experts in the field as well as workshops that will allow for a dialogue among policymakers, project developers, and investors on topics such as the future of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in Africa, climate-smart agriculture, public–private partnerships, and project funding on the continent.

Africa has enormous potential for sustainable, climate-friendly development, with an abundance of renewable energy resources to satisfy future energy needs. Despite this, Africa continues to face enormous obstacles to investment and lags behind other parts of the world in taking advantage of carbon finance to develop climate friendly projects and to encourage the transfer of cutting edge technologies and know-how.

It is a continent that has the potential to make a significant impact on mitigating climate change through its extensive forest resources. To achieve this, further investment needs to be facilitated for low carbon projects. CDM is in the process of standardization to simplify rules for low income countries. These topics, among others, will be discussed at the Africa Carbon Forum.

The Africa Carbon Forum is held under the Nairobi Framework, an initiative launched to help developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, to increase their participation in the CDM.

The organizing partners of this year’s Africa Carbon Forum include the African Development Bank, the African Climate Policy Centre, the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its UNEP Risø Centre, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the World Bank and its World Bank Institute. The Forum will also be supported by the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Agency.

About the CDM
The CDM allows emission reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reductions (CERs), each equivalent to one tonne of CO2. CERs can be traded, and used by industrialized countries to meet a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. The CDM assists countries in achieving sustainable development and emission reductions, while giving industrialized countries some flexibility in how they meet their emission targets.

GAMBIA: NEA To Replace Plastic Bags With Paper Bags

Mamadou Edrisa Njie — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:42:54 +0000

As plastic waste bags are becoming a major concern for the National Environment Agency (NEA), plans are underway to replace them with paper bags, Mr. Muhammud Jallom Jabang, Senior Programme Environment Quality Officer at NEA informed journalists during an interview at the sideline of the NEA organized forum with relevant stakeholders.
The forum, held at NEA headquarters in Kanifing, was attended by manufacturers, importers and senior government officials.
Jabang told journalists that plastic waste bags have become a major concern and efforts at curbing its proliferation in the environment would form basis for discussion with relevant stakeholders involved in manufacturing plastic bags in the country.
According to him, the NEA on many occasions, has invited plastic bags manufacturing companies to meetings with a view to come up with possible solutions, and ultimate ban of plastic bags in the country.

He added that the manufacturing of plastic bags is increasing in the country, noting that plastic waste bags constitute about 20 to 30 percent of waste generated in The Gambia.
Jabang pointed out that waste plastic bags do not decompose when buried in the soil and this, he lamented, has greatly affected the soil.
“Plastic waste bags also affect our fish species and generate toxic fumes when burnt and that can cause cancer, he revealed.
NEA’s Senior Programme Officer noted that the waste generated from waste plastic bags when burnt could cause havoc to the population.
“Everyday we are witnessing people burning waste plastic bags in our homes, markets, farms etc. and the fumes that are produced from the burning can cause cancer and other serious diseases to human being and animals. Waste plastic bags are not environmental friendly,” the official told the press.
According to Jabang, animals do die when they eat the waste plastic bags,while they also seriously obstruct the traffic because the waste plastic bags are “flying all over the streets making places dirty”.
Waste plastic bags, he re-echoed, seriously obstruct the traffic when blown by storm and heavy wind, and sometimes blocked the vision of drivers.
During the raining season, he added, waste plastic bags are carried by running water to the rivers, streams and even into the ocean, hence making the water dirty.
He then cited Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya as examples of countries that have banned waste plastic use in their countries.
“We will come up with tangible solution to ban the waste plastic and save our environment from threats cause by waste plastic bags,” the NEA official underlined.
Because of these problems, the NEA has been engaging relevant stakeholders like government institutions, plastic importers, manufacturers, and water producing companies to meetings, so as to dialogue and replace the plastic bags with paper bags.

Diversification des filières agricoles au Bénin La ruée vers l’anacarde

Souleyman Bilha — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:01:25 +0000

Il y a des opportunités d’affaires dans la production de l’anacarde au Bénin. Avec les chamboulements que connait le coton, l’anacarde est l’une des cultures pérennes porteuses actuellement en cours de promotion au Bénin.

Considéré jusque dans un passé récent comme une culture de spéculation, l’anacarde est actuellement en cours de promotion au Bénin dans le cadre du Programme d’appui au développement des filières agricoles (Padfa).
Malgré l’énorme potentialité dont dispose le Bénin, considéré comme un des plus grands exportateurs mondiaux de l’anacarde, le secteur n’a pas bénéficié de toute l’attention requise des pouvoirs publics. Il est abandonné aux mains des producteurs, des collecteurs de noix, des acheteurs et des exportateurs qui constituent l’essentiel de la chaîne des acteurs impliqués dans le processus de la production et de la commercialisation. Les collecteurs et les acheteurs jouent un rôle d’intermédiaire qui tourne généralement en défaveur des producteurs. La présence de ces deux maillons: acteurs et intermédiaires de la chaine agit sur les prix de vente et décourage parfois la production. Chacun de ces acteurs pratique des prix qui sont en deçà des prix d’achat officiels fixés par l’Etat. Sur la décennie écoulée, le prix officiel au kilogramme de la noix d’anacarde est de 200 F Cfa, mais les intermédiaires achètent le produit auprès des producteurs à un prix qui varie entre 125 et 150 F Cfa. Cette situation, en réalité, est due à l’absence d’un système organisé de vente groupé comme ce qui s’observe au niveau de la filière coton. Des insuffisances qui sont en voie de correction.
C’est d’ailleurs dans cette perspective que le ministère de l’Agriculture a réalisé une vaste enquête nationale pour recueillir sur le terrain auprès de l’ensemble des acteurs, des données fiables qui permettront de dégager les investissements nécessaires qui feront de l’anacarde, une filière agricole.
Les départements de l’Atacora, de la Donga, du Zou et des Collines sont les zones de prédilection de la production de l’anacarde au Bénin. Au niveau de l’Atacora et de la Donga, on estime à 36.000, le nombre de personnes qui vivent de cette culture sur 53.456 plantations recensées pour une superficie de 40.650 ha. Dans le Zou et les Collines, l’effectif des producteurs d’anacarde est estimé à 35.691 personnes dont 27.886 hommes et 7.825 femmes sur une superficie totale de 60.438 ha. Le rendement moyen est estimé à 500kg/ hectares. Depuis 2008, la quantité exportée est estimée à en moyenne à 115.400 tonnes par an.
La production de l’anacarde au Bénin remonte à l’époque coloniale. Mais comme toutes les cultures de rentes du pays, ce produit ne n’impulse pas un réel développement. Tout au plus, il permet d’améliorer quelque peu le niveau de vie de certains paysans. Les exportations de l’anacarde toujours à l’état brut ne permettent pas au pays d’avoir d’importants bénéfices.

Global Unification-Gambia Partners With 1% for the Planet

Mamadou Edrisa Njie — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:15:55 +0000

Global Unification, The Gambia better known as GU is a new nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet. 1% for planet is an alliance of over 1,380 member companies in 43 countries around the world, that give one percent of their revenues to environmental causes.
Under this partnership, GU is now eligible to receive donations from 1% member companies, placing them among a diverse, global network of environmental organizations. 1% member businesses fuel this non-profit network through their annual contributions, which totaled over $22 million in 2010. Partnership with 1% greatly expands the potential pool of funding to which GU can look to for support.
Over 2,300 non-profits worldwide are included in the 1% network, and over $70 million has been funneled to its nonprofit partners to date. “The intent of 1% for the Planet is to help fund these diverse environmental organizations so that collectively they can be a more powerful force in solving the world’s problems,” Yvon Chouinard, founder of 1% for the Planet.
Global Unification The Gambia, is youth-led research and development organization that contributes to a healthier planet through training media person, traditional communicators and other stakeholders on climate change communication, engage local communities and youth in tree planting and other cost effective environment protection strategies, lobby government and policy maker to enact pro-poor climate change policies as well conduct climate change vulnerability assessment and sensitization for local communities in the Gambia.
“As young people, the one to inherit the climate disaster and its impact if there is no action now, we have taken by ourselves to contribute in whatever way we can in global efforts for safe climate future,” says Ebrima Dem, GU National Coordinator

On LEAD Francophone Africa Top Officials’ Visit

Mamadou Edrisa Njie — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:06:49 +0000

Three top officials of Leadership for Environment and Development- LEAD, Francophone Africa, had visited the Gambia recently. The LEAD officials were Mr. Abdou Gueye, Acting Director of LEAD Francophone Africa, Mary Mah, LEAD Africa Communication and networking Officer, Dakar, Senegal, and Madam Marie Skraep, project manager LEAD .
During their days visit, the LEAD Francophone Africa officials were hosted by their Gambian counterparts- LEAD Steering Committee.
At a debriefing session held at the Seaview Hotel, Mr. Abdou Gueye, Acting Director of LEAD Francophone Africa thanked his Gambian counterparts for hosting them. He told the session that LEAD Francophone officials which he (Gueye) led were in The Gambia to inform counterparts about their upcoming events-LEAD Africa fellowship programme which includes training of mid-career professionals.
According to him, The Gambia is part of LEAD Francophone Africa simply because the country shares the same values with senegal, adding that for the country to twin with Senegal in their programmes would be a ‘great success’ to both nations.
As he put it, “The Gambia and Senegal share the same boundary, culture, tribe, local languages etc; therefore it will be very easy to implement programmes and exchange visits”.
In addition, he noted that the Gambia shares the same environmental issues with Senegal, hence whatever affects its environment could seriously affect the environment in Senegal.
“We need to work hand in glove to make sure that the programme is successfully implemented- training of mid-career professionals in both countries,” he remarked.
Gueye also told the session that LEAD Africa has developed a standard training manual for the LEAD fellows. Also, he said the training manual would be used for all their trainings. He explained that LEAD is a non-profit organisation that was created in the wake of the 1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development.
Currently, as Gueye disclosed, LEAD has thirteen members programme in most regions around the world, including LEAD Francophone Africa. The LEAD Francophone Africa is hosted by Environment and Development in The Third World (ENDA). LEAD Africa, LEAD International and the Shell Foundation have entered into a partnership in order to set up and implement the LEAD Africa fellowship programme.
The programme aims to train each year close to 500 African leaders by 2015,according to him, as he explained further that LEAD Africa programme fellowship targets mid-career professionals age between twenty-five to forty-three years old; and the age bracket covers all LEAD programmes.
The fellowship,he apprised the gathering, is open for both Francophone and Anglophone African countries and the applicants should be living in the following countries-Chad, Malawi, Senegal and The Gambia.
Expected fellows, he told the briefing session, should hold a university degree with two years’ working experience, or five years for non-university graduates and be working in the private sectors like Banks, Industry etc.
For that of the public sector, he said the training targets civil and related services sectors; to wit non-governmental organisations, local authorities,social-professional organisations.
He, however, added that universities, research centers, intergovernmental bodies and the media are all eligible to apply for the fellowship programme.
Again, they (applicants) should furthermore have written and oral English language skills which allow them to fully participate in sessions, a good knowledge of social media, and a capacity to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
Still on the qualifications, he said applicants should be ready to help promote sustainable development within young leaders’ associations “and last and just as important”, have a leadership potential and aspire to become an agent of change.
Also speaking was Mary Mah, LEAD Africa Communication and networking Officer, Dakar, Senegal, who informed the debriefing gathering that LEAD Africa gives fellows the opportunity to enhance their capacities and knowledge.
This, she went on, couldbe in terms of leadership and sustainable development, analysising and sorting out complex issues connected to the choice of environment and development alternatives.
Successful applicants would have the opportunity to build their skills around negotiation, communication, networking, social entrepreneurship and ethics among other relevant topics, according to her.
After attending their-LEAD Africa, she also stated that one fellow would have the chance to join a large international network of fellow young leaders.
About the training session, Madam Mah said the training would take place in two forms: national session and pan-African session of one week, each.
By virtual means, fellows would also do online distance learning, teleconferencing, forums etc.
The Pan-African session, she averred, is the session where associates are graduating- will be held in Malawi for 2012.
As part of the training session, she said there would be a-one week international session ,which follows the pan-African session and is organised each year by LEAD International.
She stated that this session is not included in the LEAD fellowship fees and therefore it would be charged separately.
The beauty of the programme is that LEAD Africa would cover a grant of the total cost of the forty best candidates from Senegal and twenty best candidates from the Gambia, she revealed.
The remainder percentage would be covered by the applicant which stands at 670.000 CFA , to be paid by personal means or by the candidates’ institution.
She then called on female candidates and professionals from the private sector to apply as they would be given special considerations.
Mr. Muhammed Fayenkeh, National Coordinator LEAD Africa- Gambia; Mr. Amadou Taal Steering Committee LEAD Africa-Gambia all spoke at the debriefing which was attended by youth groups, organisations and non-governmental organisations in the country.

Boko Haram activities threaten humanitarian food supply – UN Rapporteur

Nathaniel Yankson, Ghana (www.globalnewsreel.com) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:53:27 +0000

There are fears that the activities of radical Islamist group, Boko Haram, will make it difficult for the World Food Programme (WFP) to source its supply from Nigeria to affected areas in the Sahel region, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food has stated. Read more http://www.globalnewsreel.com/2012/02/un-on-food-security.html#more

Action Aid Errands Gambian Journalists’ on Accountability

Mamadou Edrisa Njie — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:11 +0000

Action Aid The Gambia Policy and Advocacy Manager, Mr. Lamin Nyangado has told a group of Gambian journalists that accountability goes with effective communication.

“When we talk about accountability, we are not only talking about money, but accurate information for the benefit of citizens especial the local communities.”

He was speaking at media training for Gambian journalists on climate change facts, communication and strategies for adaption at Tendaba Hotel (about 155 km) of the rural Gambia.

Action Aid The Gambia funded the training and been executed by Global Unification The Gambia. The training will runs from 23-25 January, 2012.

He stated that without effective communication, there will be very little accountability, good governance and democracy in the country- The Gambia.

Relating his statement with the responsibility the media, Nyagado pointed out that journalists’ need to expand their span of reporting not only on climate change but the rights of the citizens, he added, “ If not the ordinary people will not forgive us because you (journalists) fail your responsibilities to inform them,” he debunked.

He then advised journalists to write chiefly on accountability and good governance so as to promote democracy in The Gambia.

He pointed out that with good governance, democracy will win through in The Gambia noting that government officials need to be accountable for their performance.

“As journalists, you need to put in the picture the rural communities about accountability, democracy and good governance for them to be well up to date about their rights and responsibilities and how to grip duty bears accountable,” he remarked.

Accountability, Nyagado said is a cross cutting issue, while calling journalists to write more articles about accountability.

Ebrima Dem national coordinator, Global Unification-The Gambia says climate change is the change in the environment and the community.

He stated that climate change is affecting Gambians daily saying the country is facing high sea level, taking the capital city Banjul as an good example.

Baboucarr Ceesay Gambia Press Union first vice president told colleagues to filter their reporting on climate change to the community level.

He says most of the journalists in Africa including Gambian journalists are not specialize in climate change reporting.

He then called on his fellow colleagues to improve their reporting on climate change noting that climate change has become an issue of debate in today’s world.

While nation mourns Sendong’s dead, Philippine President partying with actresses in Palace?

Joseph Ubalde — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:39:53 +0000

MANILA — Where was President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday evening, as the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and several other areas in Visayas and Mindanao grappled with the devastation of tropical storm Sendong? Apparently, partying with his security personnel in Malacanang, and laughing and exchanging jokes with actresses.

This was according to a post on Twitter by actress Valerie Concepcion on Sunday, the same day the combined death toll in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan climbed to more than 600.

Youth Stand United to Save Vital Climate Treaty

Mamadou Edrisa Njie — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:19:35 +0000

Young people from across the world have today taken a stand, refusing to accept the prospect of a toothless treaty from leaders that claim to represent them. With their future under threat, young people are making their presence felt and their voices heard at the UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa.

As climate talks heat up in the second week, some nations are still uncertain about extending the Kyoto Protocol (KP), which is set to expire at the end of 2012. This treaty – the only treaty ever to commit nations to legally binding targets on greenhouse gas emissions – provides essential stability for continued action on climate change. A void in international agreements could prove fatal for people and communities across the planet. Young people are calling for a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to be implemented immediately to provide a bridge to a new, more comprehensive climate treaty by 2015.

Tom Youngman, 18, from Bath, UK said: “A second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is essential. The leaders of polluting nations have run out of excuses. We are running out of time. We need a legally binding agreement now to ensure a safe future for us and future generations. The Kyoto Protocol isn’t perfect, but it serves as an essential bridge to a new more holistic treaty. Under its watchful eye we’ve seen a transition in the way we live our lives – being ‘green’ is now thoroughly mainstream. It is essential leaders work together today to sign this treaty and protect our future. We stand with the leaders of vulnerable states that struggle to get their voice heard at these conferences when making this statement.”

This week hundreds of young people have flooded the Durban conference centre playing host to COP17, the UN’s annual climate summit, donning t-shirts emblazoned ‘I ? KP’. Even leading negotiators have worn ‘I ? KP’ t-shirts and ties, showing that support for this treaty is widespread. This support was echoed by a negotiator speaking on behalf of the Africa group, speaking in plenary, who stated: “We will not let African soil become the graveyard for the Kyoto Protocol.”

A recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that we have five years to prevent irreversible changes in our climate and catastrophic impacts on humanity. Young people echo the report’s findings in stressing the urgency of the situation and the necessity of a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in Durban.

“The Maldives are already experiencing adverse impacts of climate change in the form of issues of food security, water scarcity and dengue epidemics. The economy is totally dependent on natural resources. Already the beaches on which we depend are eroding and coral reefs being bleached due to rise in sea surface temperatures.” said Aisha Niyaz, age 29, who has travelled from the Maldives to stand up for her and her community’s survival as part of global youth at the UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa. “The Maldives was the first country to raise the issue of climate change in a UN general assembly. Without new legally binding commitments to act on climate change, our nation is doomed. Its future would be non-existent.”

The omnipresence of the “I <3 KP” slogan is a symbolic call to negotiators to put politics aside and to remember what is at stake – lives and livelihoods of people and communities across the globe. By wearing the shirts throughout the negotiation halls, young people are reminding negotiators of the urgency in passing a fair, ambitious and binding climate treaty in Durban.

For futher information or to request a press advisory on tomorrow’s actions, contact:
Thomas Youngman, United Kingdom Youth Climate Coalition
thomas.youngman@ukycc.org, +27714877389
Follow YOUNGO on twitter @IYCM

Notes to editors:

* YOUNGO is the official name for the Youth Constituency at the United Nations climate talks – the UNFCCC. COP17 is the 7th Conference of the Parties, the annual high-level meeting of the UNFCCC.
* YOUNGO members are members of the International Youth Climate Movement who are accredited as observers at the UNFCCC. At COP15 in Copenhagen over 1,500 youth were present as accredited observers.