COP15 (Copenhagen)
Wangari Maathai
25 August 2009
guest blog
The short rains failed, and drought has hit Kenya again. Without water, farmers are watching their crops whither. Ten million people, almost a third of the population, are facing hunger or worse. The government has declared a national disaster. The World Food Programme is more than doubling, to 3.5 million, the number of Kenyans receiving food aid.
Kenya’s situation, sadly, is not unique. Drought, erratic rainfall and desertification—likely intensified by climate change—are realities for numerous communities that rely directly on land, soil and forests to meet basic needs. Marking the World Environment Day on the 5th June, it’s clear that throughout Africa and much of the developing world, environmental issues are not a luxury extraneous to economic survival. Indeed, protecting and restoring forest ecosystems, and arresting global warming, are matters of life and death.
One need only look to Bangladesh and India, where hundreds have just been killed and thousands flooded from their homes by an unusually powerful cyclone. In Darfur, drought, land degradation and a spreading desert have led to a scramble over pasture, farmland and water. Fueled by leaders competing for power, the conflict has escalated into harrowing levels of displacement, sexual violence and death.
In Africa, as in many poor countries, per capita industrial greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions are negligible compared with those of the developed world as well as China and India. Yet the least developed countries stand to be climate change’s biggest victims, with the least capacity and means to adapt.
To this end, a “green deal” on climate for the least developed countries, most of which are in Africa, is needed. As suggested by Kofi Annan and Nicholas Stern, such a deal should support development of green technology, particularly for energy, and provide new sources of funds for mitigation and adaptation.
Six months from now, governments will converge in Copenhagen to formulate a new treaty that will provide benchmarks for reduction of GHGs. Negotiators must craft a comprehensive, effective, just, and equitable response to global warming. Agreement on a comprehensive plan for sustainable management of the world’s tropical forests is essential.
Standing forests serve as the planet’s carbon sinks and “lungs.” Approximately 20 percent of total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the major greenhouse gas, result from deforestation and forest degradation. This is occurring especially in the forests of Amazonia, Southeast Asia, the Congo Basin, and the boreal region of northern Canada and Siberia. Up to 34 billion tons of carbon are trapped in the forests of the Congo Basin Ecosystem alone.
Scientists predict that as the temperature rises, soils in the tropics will dry up. Trees and forests could die off on a vast scale, and fresh water will be less available. The rivers leaving Kenya’s Mau forest, which replenish many lakes, including those essential to the tourism industry, are drying up. Where government policies are inadequate, communities hungry for agricultural land degrade forests, exacerbating the negative impacts of climate change.
The world hopes that in Copenhagen, governments will be guided by the realities of available scientific evidence, and act accordingly. I welcome the development of new incentive mechanisms, such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), which should also address degradation of agricultural land. REDD would compensate developing countries for environmental services provided by indigenous forests left standing.
Other mechanisms have been proposed and should be considered, including an “emergency fund” by the Prince of Wales’ Rainforest Project, which would provide payments from public and private sources to countries that protect their rainforests.
On carbon markets, a lot is yet to be learned. The Green Belt Movement is implementing pilot projects with both the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and voluntary carbon credit schemes, the experience of which is valuable. It’s important that such markets serve the forests, conserve biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of communities.
Public education is also essential. In 2006, the Green Belt Movement partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Prince Albert II of Monaco, and the World Agroforestry Centre to launch the Billion Tree Campaign. In March 2009 we passed the three billion mark for new trees planted by governments, organizations, communities, the private sector, and individuals. Our new goal is planting of an additional seven billion trees by the end of 2009–roughly equal to what the human population will be then.
With global leadership and the mobilization of the world’s citizens we can prevent the catastrophic disruption threatened by climate change. I believe the world’s peoples are ready to act. Time is no longer on our side. As U.S. president Barack Obama has said: “Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response.”
If James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis is correct, the planet will adapt itself to the environment we are creating. The challenge is whether we will—fast enough to survive. Now is a moment for urgency.
Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, is founder of the Green Belt Movement and the goodwill ambassador for the Congo Basin Rainforest Ecosystem. Her new book, The Challenge for Africa: A New Vision is published by Random House this month.
For more information on the Green Belt Movement please visit www.greenbeltmovement.org
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Necessary, but not sufficient. As important as the trees are, Africa needs to put more attention to her streams and lakes: clogged by weeds, dried out and silted up, they can no longer replenish your ground water and aquifers. Your wetlands are no longer able to water your drylands. Clear your steams and lakes of weeds and dredge the silt (use it to rehabilitate damaged soil), and you will see climate change in the direction you want. Lake effect rains would be very welcome again in your lands.
The weeds that need harvesting are all biomass. Some, like Typha, are readily usable for fuel in several ways: charcoal, biomass briquettes,ethanol and methane. The more watery ones, like hyacinth, are more limited but are still quite usable. The charcoal that people are destroying forests for can be gotten by clearing your weeds.
And look at the environmental side effects. Less malaria, less Quelea, less flooding and cholera...Keep Planting Trees! Help me clear the streams too!
This Global Warming Stuff Is A Complete Hoax . Man has so arrogantly told
God, by inference, that God the Creator didn’t Create things quite right. The United
Nations is just another attempt by Satan to build another Tower of Babel .
If you want to know some real truth tune in to Alex Jones’ Infowars broadcast.
You can listen 24 hours a day. It’s live for 4 hours and on continuous re-broadcast for the
other 20 hours. Here’s a link to articles on the Hoax of Global Warming.
[http://www.scroogle.org/cgi-bin/nbbw.cgi]
What is this hype of Global warming for ? It’s designed to give these phony
scientists ( who actually act like they were taking part in the Creation itself ) and the
organizations they represent control of the world’s natural resources. The GEORGIA
GUIDESTONES is consistent with United Nations goals for the world.
Here is a synopsis of the GEORGIA GUIDESTONES :
[The Agenda Of The Antichrist aka The Georgia Guidestones (GG) ]
10 POINTS LIKE THE 10 HORNS OR RELIGIONS OF THE BEAST
[Revelations 13:1]
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having 7
heads (Kings) and 10 HORNS (Religious Kingdoms), and upon his horns ten crowns, and
upon his heads the name of blasphemy
THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES
1) MAINTAIN HUMANITY'S POPULATION UNDER 500 MILLION IN
PERPETUAL BALANCE WITH NATURE
2) GUIDE REPRODUCTION WISELY —IMPROVING FITNESS AND DIVERSITY
3) UNITE HUMANITY WITH A LIVING NEW LANGUAGE
4) RULE PASSION — FAITH — TRADITION AND ALL THINGS WITH
TEMPERED REASON
5) PROTECT PEOPLE AND NATIONS WITH FAIR LAWS AND JUST COURTS
6) LET ALL NATIONS RULE INTERNALLY RESOLVING EXTERNAL DISPUTES
IN A WORLD COURT
7) AVOID PETTY LAWS AND USELESS OFFICIALS
8) BALANCE PERSONAL RIGHTS WITH SOCIAL DUTIES.
9) PRIZE TRUTH — BEAUTY — LOVE — SEEKING HARMONY WITH THE
INFINITE
10) BE NOT A CANCER ON THE EARTH — LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE —
LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE
In conclusion the directives for these GEORGIA GUIDESTONES call for : a) b) c) Elimination of around 7 billion residents d) e) f) Control of how many people are born g) h) i) The return of the system of ONE LANGUAGE as it was during the construction j) k) of the TOWER OF BABEL l) m) n) The other goals seem to infer that there isn’t currently a choice available to us that o) p) can help us to be better people. And there is a choice. q) r) s) But as the prophecy said in Daniel , The Beast/Antichrist will not allow any other t) u) worship, but of himself.
Global Warming and all this false human-directed unity is designed to appeal to our
personal pride , our lustful flesh and our unsatisfied eyes. But we can’t save our
selves. We children need OUR FATHER GOD to fight for us against our evil older
brethren Satan (formerly known as Lucifer) and His Fallen Followers.
CHECK OUT THIS EYE-OPENING VIDEO ON THE SCAM SWINDLE OF GLOBAL WARMING 1) T
HE GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE
- URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMA6sszChwQ]
Revelations 11:18
And the nations were angry, and your wrath is here, and the time of the dead, that they
should be judged, and that you should give reward to your servants the prophets, and to
the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; AND SHOULD DESTROY
THEM WHICH DESTROY THE EARTH.
- FEED YOURSELVES SUGGESTION -
WE ARE MAKING HUNDREDS WHILE GIVING AWAY BILLIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC SLAVE MASTERS !!!
THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN COUNTRY !
NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL
THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP
GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT
BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.
Scientists Debunk UN “Global Warming” [ http://www.infowars.com/scientists-debunk-un-global-warming/ ]
WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS ! BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/]
- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]
SO PLEASE WAKE UP MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. GOD IS ALL WE NEED. You are In My Prayers. God Bless Us. God Bless Africa.
The chances of that many billions of dollars being just handed over to assorted African countries are well less than zero. Of it coming in investments there is a possibility, but who should get it? If my tax dollars are going to be spent, then, like the rest of my fellow citizens, I’ll want a justification not only for the technology, but where it is to go. Would I want my money to go to Zimbabwe, where the madman Mugabe and his ZANU-PF killers still hold sway? Not on your life. How about Somalia? They can’t even stop killing themselves, let alone manage anything more complicated than an AK47. Liberia? A Big Yes, for there is in place a steady, democratically elected government that has made tremendous strides in improving life for its citizens, and forever buries the myth that an African country can only be led by a Big Man, who holds on to power by corruption and violence. Nigeria? While they have come a long way since the disastrous military dictatorships of the past, it would have to wait until they have finally conquered the beast that is official corruption; they’re getting closer every day. The Point here is simple : People can sit around in meetings & decide how much to “demand” from the rest of the world and talk all they want, but I can think of no advanced country that would simply bow down & say okay, how much do you want and who do I send the check to ~ it is not going to happen, and they are wasting their time and countries resources dreaming about it. The ‘talkers’ should try some ‘action’, and get their own countries house in order, before wanting to add a new wing, financed by someone else.
I am sad to hear that African countries gave away their role in climate negotiation and decided, though reluctantly , to be represented by Ethiopian leaders, just because Ethiopian leaders wanted to show off and hence pushed the "lets show off" cult. I think deeds must be taken as merits than talks. Ethiopia has not been succesful with any meaningful adaptation plan of action or have no registered CDM project, showing the countrly purely lacks practical leadership and intellectual competence of its environment office.I think countries like Ghana, Nigeria and Botswana deserve the leadership role!
This Global Warming Stuff Is A Complete Hoax . Man has so arrogantly told
God, by inference, that God the Creator didn’t Create things quite right. The United
Nations is just another attempt by Satan to build another Tower of Babel .
If you want to know some real truth tune in to Alex Jones’ Infowars broadcast.
You can listen 24 hours a day. It’s live for 4 hours and on continuous re-broadcast for the
other 20 hours. Here’s a link to articles on the Hoax of Global Warming.
[http://www.scroogle.org/cgi-bin/nbbw.cgi]
What is this hype of Global warming for ? It’s designed to give these phony
scientists ( who actually act like they were taking part in the Creation itself ) and the
organizations they represent control of the world’s natural resources. The GEORGIA
GUIDESTONES is consistent with United Nations goals for the world.
Here is a synopsis of the GEORGIA GUIDESTONES :
[The Agenda Of The Antichrist aka The Georgia Guidestones (GG) ]
10 POINTS LIKE THE 10 HORNS OR RELIGIONS OF THE BEAST
[Revelations 13:1]
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having 7
heads (Kings) and 10 HORNS (Religious Kingdoms), and upon his horns ten crowns, and
upon his heads the name of blasphemy
THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES
1) MAINTAIN HUMANITY'S POPULATION UNDER 500 MILLION IN
PERPETUAL BALANCE WITH NATURE
2) GUIDE REPRODUCTION WISELY —IMPROVING FITNESS AND DIVERSITY
3) UNITE HUMANITY WITH A LIVING NEW LANGUAGE
4) RULE PASSION — FAITH — TRADITION AND ALL THINGS WITH
TEMPERED REASON
5) PROTECT PEOPLE AND NATIONS WITH FAIR LAWS AND JUST COURTS
6) LET ALL NATIONS RULE INTERNALLY RESOLVING EXTERNAL DISPUTES
IN A WORLD COURT
7) AVOID PETTY LAWS AND USELESS OFFICIALS
8) BALANCE PERSONAL RIGHTS WITH SOCIAL DUTIES.
9) PRIZE TRUTH — BEAUTY — LOVE — SEEKING HARMONY WITH THE
INFINITE
10) BE NOT A CANCER ON THE EARTH — LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE —
LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE
In conclusion the directives for these GEORGIA GUIDESTONES call for : a) b) c) Elimination of around 7 billion residents d) e) f) Control of how many people are born g) h) i) The return of the system of ONE LANGUAGE as it was during the construction j) k) of the TOWER OF BABEL l) m) n) The other goals seem to infer that there isn’t currently a choice available to us that o) p) can help us to be better people. And there is a choice. q) r) s) But as the prophecy said in Daniel , The Beast/Antichrist will not allow any other t) u) worship, but of himself.
Global Warming and all this false human-directed unity is designed to appeal to our
personal pride , our lustful flesh and our unsatisfied eyes. But we can’t save our
selves. We children need OUR FATHER GOD to fight for us against our evil older
brethren Satan (formerly known as Lucifer) and His Fallen Followers.
CHECK OUT THIS EYE-OPENING VIDEO ON THE SCAM SWINDLE OF GLOBAL WARMING 1) T
HE GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE
- URL – [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMA6sszChwQ]
Revelations 11:18
And the nations were angry, and your wrath is here, and the time of the dead, that they
should be judged, and that you should give reward to your servants the prophets, and to
the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; AND SHOULD DESTROY
THEM WHICH DESTROY THE EARTH.
- FEED YOURSELVES SUGGESTION -
WE ARE MAKING HUNDREDS WHILE GIVING AWAY BILLIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC SLAVE MASTERS !!!
THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN COUNTRY !
NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL
THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP
GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT
BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.
Scientists Debunk UN “Global Warming” [ http://www.infowars.com/scientists-debunk-un-global-warming/ ]
WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS ! BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com] / [http://alexjonesringtones.net/]
- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]
SO PLEASE WAKE UP MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. GOD IS ALL WE NEED. You are In My Prayers. God Bless Us. God Bless Africa.
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Active Discussions: Africa Unites Over Climate Change