Young People Step Up Pressure on World Leaders to Clinch a Crucial Climate Deal in Copenhagen

Young People Step Up Pressure on World Leaders to Clinch a Crucial Climate Deal in Copenhagen

Daejeon/Nairobi, 23 August 2009 - Rallies in 100 cities will be organized by young people across the world as part of a major push to persuade governments to Seal a meaningful Deal at the crucial UN climate convention meeting in Copenhagen in just under 110 days time.

Youth delegates pledged to keep global warming high on the international agenda as the Tunza International Youth Conference on Climate Change ended today in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

"Climate change is the greatest threat we are facing in the 21st century, and many countries are vulnerable. If we the children and youth don't act now, we cannot be sure there will be a future for us, for future generations. We want to make sure that future generations will inherit a better place to live in," outgoing Tunza Youth Advisory Board member, 22-year old Jessie James Marcellones from the Philippines, said.

Regional Action Plans, agreed during the conference and covering Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and West Asia include:

* Mobilizing youth for the upcoming UN climate change meeting that opens on 7 December in the Danish capital;

* Reaching out to other environmental groups, especially during the September 21-25 Climate Week;

* Educating others about the Copenhagen meeting on campuses, in school and among churches, sports teams and more;

* Letter-writing, phone banking, visiting officials to 'Seal the Deal';

* Social Networking through the Unite for Climate, Facebook, Twitter and other e-fora;

* College campaigns and tree planting initiatives.

The 220 youths, aged 15-24, were joined by 580 children in Daejeon City in South Korea. It has been the largest truly global conference of young people on climate change ever.

Seventeen-year-old Yaiguili Alvarado Garcia, from the Kuna indigenous group in Panama, expressed the need for adults to hear and listen and understand why the young need their support.

"There are a lot of indigenous cultures that are losing, because nobody wants to hear what we want to say, what we know about Mother Earth, and it is frustrating for us because we have so many things to share and the world doesn't listen to us," she said. "There are many things we asked the governments to do and we know it is hard, but we want to work with them, we just want to make a better place for the children, for the animals and plants. It is about time we stop thinking just for us and think also for other beings that cannot speak for themselves. It is time to stop being selfish."

Yaiguili Alvarado Garcia is among the 13 newly elected Tunza Youth Advisory Council members. The Tunza Youth Advisory Council has two Youth Advisors for each of the six regions, and two representing indigenous groups. The Council advises UNEP on better ways of engaging young people in its work and represents youth in international environmental negotiations.

"This global Youth and Children gathering under Seal the Deal Campaign is the largest international gathering of young people this year advocating for climate change action. Their voices will and must be heard because they will inherit the outcomes of our actions," said the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

"The young people of the world are the generation that will inherit the transformational decisions governments need to take in less than 110 days time. If their passion, commitment and ideas can be embraced by world leaders and governments over the coming days and weeks, then a climate agreement that can put the world on track to a low carbon, resource efficient Green Economy can be secured," said Achim Steiner, Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

UNEP organized the conference with the support of the UNEP National Committee for Korea, the Daejeon Metropolitan Government, and Tunza global programme partner, Bayer AG, as well as UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WMO, the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and 350.org. Other private sector sponsors include Hyundai-Kia Automotive group and Samsung Engineering. Nickelodeon TV Asia is the media partner for the event.

For more information and for interviews, please contact:

Satwant Kaur at Korea number (+82) 1055502463, E-mail: satwant.kaur@unep.org

Jang Jun-young at (+82) 1090963497, E-mail: jyjang@unep.or.kr

About Tunza

The Tunza Youth Strategy, adopted in February this year by UNEP's Governing Council, is a long-term strategy to engage young people in environmental activities and in the work of UNEP. The word 'Tunza' means 'to treat with care or affection' in Kiswahili. The Tunza initiative aims to develop activities in the areas of environmental awareness and information exchange on the environment for children and youth. For more information, please visit www.unep.org/Tunza/

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Less Talk, More Action on Climate Change, Young People urge World Leaders

Less Talk, More Action on Climate Change, Young People urge World Leaders

Daejeon (Republic of Korea), 20 August 2009 - Young people from around the globe today called on world leaders to take radical measures against climate change.

At the largest-ever truly global youth gathering on climate change, some 700 young people, ranging from 10 to 24 years of age, honed in on their governments' track record in addressing climate change, emphasizing the need for strong vision and leadership.

In a statement, the young delegates - representing three billion of the world's population - expressed their "concern and frustration that their governments are not doing enough to combat climate change", adding that "we now need more actions and less talking".

The declaration was finalized and adopted by the young participants at the Tunza Children and Youth Conference in Daejeon (Republic of Korea), as part of the global UN-wide 'Seal the Deal!' campaign spearheaded by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to galvanize political will and public support for a comprehensive global climate agreement.

"It is very important to include the voice of children and youth in every environmental decision. It is our request to all politicians that they please take this statement into consideration in Copenhagen," said 13-year-old Yugratna Srivastava from India.

The children and youth also addressed the citizens of the planet and urged them to push their governments to create a global green economy. Other recommendations included a call to pressure businesses, producers and governments to promote environmentally friendly products and eco-labeling policies.

"We are the generation of tomorrow. The decisions that are made today will define our future and the world we have to live in. So we young people of the world urge governments to commit to a strong post-Kyoto climate regime. It is our lives we are talking about," said youth delegate, 23-year-old Anne Walraven from the Netherlands.

The statement is the culmination of eight-week-long discussions between young people across the planet using the power of the worldwide web. It was finalized at a Global Town Hall on 20 August in Daejeon, where the 600 participants were joined by over 200 young people in 15 cities around the world including Cuernavaca (Mexico), Nairobi (Kenya), Canberra (Australia), Bangkok (Thailand), Vancouver (Canada) and Athens (Greece), among others.

The Climate Change Statement, entitled 'Listen to Our Voices: The Future Needs Strong Vision and Leadership', comes just four months before the critical climate talks that will take place in Copenhagen in December this year, and just four weeks ahead of the High-Level Summit on Climate Change convened by the UN Secretary-General at the end of September in New York City.

"This global Youth and Children gathering under the Seal the Deal! Campaign is the largest international gathering of young people this year advocating for climate change action. Their voices will and must be heard because they will inherit the outcomes of our actions," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The children and youth are asking governments around the world to:

* Agree on a more fair, just and action oriented post-Kyoto agreement adopted and implemented by all countries

* Have strict laws and enforcement against those who pollute and degrade the environment, coupled with education and incentives to protect the environment

* Develop and implement clearly defined carbon action plans and climate response strategies, which can be monitored and reviewed by an independent multi-national climate facility

* Transition toward a green economy based on renewable energies and offer more incentives for people to buy affordable energy efficient products

* Reduce the number of vehicles and traffic density on our roads, including improved and affordable public and pedestrian transport systems

* Make engaging environmental education mandatory in schools and universities and promote community environmental awareness - an informed public is a powerful public

* Pay attention to the conflicts that have developed throughout the world and the negative impact it has had on the environment and develop conflict resolution strategies

* Make it mandatory to include carbon and ecological footprint information in products

* Implement green energy and industry, including sustainable food production

* Support youth efforts to make a change in the world

The young delegates at the conference pledged they would soon stage large rallies across 100 capitals to urge global leaders to take action on climate change under the banner of the Seal the Deal! campaign.

"In many ways this process of coming to an agreement on this final text mirrors what will take place in December in Copenhagen. This statement is the fruit of a diversity of views and voices from young people of different ages and cultures. We very much hope the spirit set by these young people will be reflected in the negotiations that will take place in December," said Achim Steiner, Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme.

All the worlds leaders, from President Barack Obama Chinese premier Wen Jia Bao will over the coming days receive a personal letter from representatives of the globe's three billion young people urging them to Seal a meaningful Deal on climate change in just over 100 days time. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia were on the delegates' mailing list, along with leaders in countries like Zimbabwe, Colombia, Venezuela, Lebanon, Haiti, Pakistan, Georgia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Mongolia, Japan and Germany.

Notes to Editors:

For photos and graphics from the Tunza conference, please visit: http://www.unep.org/downloads/Daejeon_Conference/HighRes_Photos_Korea.zip

For more information on the Tunza conference, please visit: http://www.unep.org/tunza/Downloads/tabid/870/language/en-US/Default.aspx

The Tunza Youth and Children's Conference on the Environment in Daejeon (Republic of Korea) on 17-23 August is the largest-ever gathering of young people on climate change.

The Tunza International Youth Conference was organized by UNEP with the support of the UNEP National Committee for Korea, the Daejeon Metropolitan Government, and Tunza global programme partner, Bayer AG, as well as UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WMO, the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and 350.org. Other private sector sponsors include Hyundai-Kia Automotive group and Samsung Engineering. Nickelodeon TV Asia is the media partner for the event.

For more information and for interviews, please contact:

Satwant Kaur at Korea number (+82) 1055502463, or email: satwant.kaur@unep.org

Anne-France White at (+82) 1058494805, or e-mail: anne-france.white@unep.org

Jang Jun-young at (+82) 1090963497, or email: jyjang@unep.or.kr

About Tunza

The Tunza Youth Strategy, adopted in February this year by UNEP's Governing Council, is a long-term strategy to engage young people in environmental activities and in the work of UNEP. The word 'Tunza' means 'to treat with care or affection' in Kiswahili. The Tunza initiative aims to develop activities in the areas of environmental awareness and information exchange on the environment for children and youth. For more information, please visit www.unep.org/Tunza/

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Batangas Mangroves Help Fight Against Global Warming

Besides coastline protectors, mangrove forests are one of the most promising carbon sequesters, having the highest carbon net productivity among all ecosystems.


By capturing carbon dioxide and storing it in its biomass, mangrove species are able to reduce the amount of excess carbon in the air, thereby lessening the greenhouse gas' contribution to global warming.

Forest researchers Dixon T. Gevana, Florencia B. Pulhin and Nelson M. Pampolina of the UPLB College Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) recently assessed the capability of mangrove forests to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas which contributes as much as 26% to the greenhouse effect.

In an article entitled “Carbon Stock Assessment of a Mangrove Ecosystem in San Juan, Batangas” published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Management (JESAM) in June 2008, the UPLB researchers mentioned two mangrove systems in San Juan, Batangas: in Barangays Potcol and Catmon, where 100 hectares are planted to mangroves. In these sites, the Bakawan (Rhizophora sp.), Tabigi (Xylocarpus granatum), and Bungalon (Avicennia marina) are dominant mangrove species planted.

According to the report, San Juan's mangrove forests can store about 13,000 tons of carbon- already a huge quantity absorbed and not trapped in the atmosphere.

San Juan's mangrove forests serve as very good “carbon sinks”, thus the local government unit should continue to preserve and protect the forests. The researchers estimated that if one-third of San Juan's coastal area is converted to mangrove forests, the carbon that may be mitigated can reach up to 25,652 tons.

# # #

UP Los Baños is the Philippines premier research university in the areas of agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, environment, alternative energy and climate change.

Source: http://www.prlog.org/10310880-batangas-mangroves-help-fight-against-global-warming.html

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Mangrove Action Day, July 26

Mangrove Action Day is July 26th:

The Mangrove Action Project wishes to lend full support to the plans
and actions of all network members for Global Action on 26 July 2009.
MAP staff and volunteers based in the Seattle area will be attending
the 35th Annual Ballard SeafoodFest on 25-26 July, tabling at this
popular Seattle event and talking with consumers about the problems of
shrimp farming worldwide. MAP will be promoting our "Shrimp Less,
Think More" Consumer Awareness Campaign.

We ask that you and/or your organizations please join us all in a
global protest against the ongoing losses of the mangrove forest
ecosystems and the local communities that depend upon the mangroves
for their lives and livelihoods. Please send MAP your regional or
local plans for actions that are meant to commemorate this
international Day for the Mangroves! MAP would like to again share
your plans and ideas with our global network. We look forward to
hearing from you soon in this regard!

For more details, contact mangroveap@olympus.net


FUNDECOL Initiates Celebrations for International Day for the Defense
of Mangrove Ecosystems:

In Muisne, FUNDECOL is planning several activities for the July 26,
international day for the defense of mangrove ecosystems, including a
massive mangrove reforestation, agro-ecological fairs, art
competitions involving murals and contests, typical local foods and
marimba, among other activities. More than 700 people from communities
of Bolivar, Daul,

Chamanga, Bilsa, stains, Bunche and other user communities of tropical
wetland forest and mangrove ecosystem, students of colleges, schools
and universities in the province and Guangzhou, and other volunteers,
foundations and organizations working to benefit the community at the
national level will participate.


Background on Mangrove Action Day:

The plan to make this call to action arose during the In the Hands of
the Fishers Workshop held in Forteleza, Brazil in early 2003. The
workshop attendees came from Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia and
Guatemala. The IHOF mainly focused on the issues surrounding mangrove
and salt flats endangered by expansion of the shrimp farm industry, as
well as strategies to help halt the continued expansion of these
shrimp farm ventures. It was brought up during this workshop that an
international campaign involving local fisherfolk should be undertaken
where participating NGOs and local community representatives organize
their own local events on the same day, thus linking these local
events with each other to make an international movement or action.

July 26th was chosen because of its existing significance for the
movement in Latin America led by Red Manglar. July 26th has been
called the "Day of the Mangrove," commemorating that day in 1998 when
a Greenpeace activist from Micronesia, Hayhow Daniel Nanoto, died of a
heart attack while involved in a massive protest action led by
FUNDECOL and Greenpeace, International. During this action the local
community of Muisne joined the NGOs in dismantling an illegally placed
shrimp pond in an attempt to restore this damaged mangrove zone back
to its former state. Since Hayhow's death, FUNDECOL and others have
commemorated this day as a day to remember and to take renewed action
to Save the Mangroves!

With no Greenpeace ship in sight on the horizon, we decided that the
fishermen form cooperative flotillas to protest the destructive
expansion of shrimp farming in their areas. This call to got positive
responses from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia,
Mexico, Honduras, Nigeria, Europe and the USA. And it looks like
momentum is building globally for an annual commemoration of July 26th
as Mangrove Action Day, with some groiups organizing teach-ins, some
mangrove tree planting, wetland clean-ups, protests and letter
writing.

Click to view this email in a browser

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New York to Host UN Climate Summit and a Week of Public Action next September

New York to Host UN Climate Summit and a Week of Public Action next
September

New York, 24 June 2009 On Tuesday, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon
invited world leaders to an "unprecedented" Summit on Climate Change at
UN Headquarters for Heads of State and Government from every country in
the world. The focus of the day-long event will be to mobilize the
political will needed to "Seal a Deal" at the United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Copenhagen on 7-18 December.

During the week of the Summit, 21-25 September, New York City will host
"Climate Week NYC" - five days of cultural events, workshops, seminars
and other activities organized by NGOs, businesses, artists, and
academia, reinforcing the call for urgent action in Copenhagen and
beyond on climate change.

While the Summit will serve to generate momentum at the highest
political level, Climate Week will mobilize a wide cross-section of
civil society - not just in New York, but around the world - in support
of a new climate deal.

Speaking at a press conference with Mr. Bloomberg, Mr. Ban said he was
joining forces with the city and non-governmental organizations to
launch this important initiative.

"Climate change is the greatest challenge facing this and future
generations." Citing the world's leading scientists, he stressed that
there are fewer than 10 years left to stop rising emissions in order to
avoid "catastrophic" problems. "Now is the time for action," he
emphasized.

The Secretary General highlighted the significance of reaching a climate
agreement in December. "If we are to 'seal a deal' in Copenhagen, we
need to be bold and ambitious and visionary. And therefore we need the
full support and commitment of the visionary global leaders at the
highest level," he stressed.

The UN can galvanize support for climate change action, but ultimately,
Mr. Ban said, it is the world's parliaments, presidents, prime
ministers, governors and mayors who must take bold measures to tackle
climate change.

"Seal the Deal" is a global UN campaign for a fair, balanced and
effective climate agreement at the

United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Global public support is crucial if governments are to "seal the deal"
on a new climate agreement in Copenhagen. Thousands of people have
already added their voice to the global chorus by signing the Climate
Petition on the campaign website at www.sealthedeal2009.org.

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The Climate Petition Seal the Deal!

The Climate Petition
Seal the Deal!

The world urges world leaders to:

Seal the Deal at COP 15 on a climate agreement that is definitive, equitable and effective.

Set binding targets to cut greenhouses gases by 2020 to avert the climate change threat.

Establish a framework that will bolster the climate resilience of vulnerable countries and protect lives and livelihoods.

Support developing countries’ adaptation efforts.

Seize this defining opportunity to protect People and the Planet.

Power green growth; launch the green, low carbon economy of tomorrow

Seal the Deal
Power Green Growth
Protect People and the Planet

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Youth Action on Climate Change

Youth Action
Youth Action on Climate Change

On 21 September 2009, UNEP with the support of several partners including UNICEF, UNESCO, FAO, WMO, the Secretariat of the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scout (WAGGGS) and 350 degrees hopes to bring together over one million young people to march across one hundred capitals to deliver to global leaders the Seal the Deal Petition on behalf of the world’s three billion young people.

The Seal the Deal Petition will be developed online and finally agreed to in Daejeon, South Korea at a Global Townhall during the Tunza International Children and Youth Conference. Organized against the backdrop of the world wide campaign on climate change “Seal the Deal”, the petition aims to ensure the voices of youth reach, and hopefully inspire world leaders to sign a definitive climate deal in Copenhagen.
“Seal the Deal” Youth Action Activities:

Children and Youth Conference on Climate Change
17- 25 August - Daejeon, South Korea
The Conference will bring together 1,000 participants comprising 750 children (10 to 14 years) and their chaperones and 250 youth (15 to 24 years). The theme of the conference is Climate Change - Our Challenge and will include two high profile events (A Global Townhall and a Global Debate). The Conference will result in a petition to world leaders and an action plan for promoting individual actions on climate change.

Global Townhall (20 August 2009)
The Global Townhall meeting will include all 1,000 participants of the Conference and virtual participants from over 20 cities around the world connected via webcasting. The Townhall will adopt a petition on climate change for governments and will discuss a rollout plan on the delivery of the petition in over 100 capitals around the world. It will also discuss the action plan for individual actions. The following countries have already confirmed their participation via webcasting in the townhall (Kenya, Sweden, the UK, Switzerland, Mexico and India). It will be organized with the support of the US-based Global Voices.

Global Debate on Climate Change (20 August 2009)
At least three high level political leaders, several business leaders, senior UN dignitaries and young business and political leaders will join the 1,000 participants of the Tunza Conferences to discuss the scenarios that the global community will be faced with in the event of a deal or no deal at the climate change conference in Copenhagen.

UniteforClimate Online Campaign
UniteforClimate is an interactive social networking platform developed by UNICEF in collaboration with UNEP. It provides a platform for young people to learn, interact and share their thoughts about climate change and the action needed to combat global warming.

UniteforClimate encourages young people to interact with scientists and decision-makers to build their capacity and knowledge. Young people will also be encouraged to interact with other young people to discuss the issues they find pertinent to the earth and their own future.

Virtual Climate Wall
A Virtual Climate Wall will allow young people to articulate their concerns on climate change so the world can understand why the next generation feels it is imperative to reach agreement in Copenhagen. This Climate Wall will be projected at UN headquarters during the General Assembly meeting on 22 September.

Global Action Week on Climate Change
20-25 September 2009
Young People from around the world will be invited to join a Global Action Week on Climate Change from 20-25 September 2009. The Action week is being organized in partnership with the world’s leading environmental NGO’s and coincides with the UN General Assembly Summit in New York on 22 September 2009.

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