By Sr. Marian Harte, DC This year’s Conference held in Bonn, Germany with its theme of “Sustainable Societies/Responsive Citizens" attracted many NGOs, all interested in sustainable development with a lot of attention given to volunteers as it was the 10th Anniversary of Volunteerism. There were many events held over the 3-days from NGO Workshops, Round Table Discussions as well as many youth events, exhibitions, interactive dialogue and net-working. Representatives from Media and Academia were very much part of this Conference. It gave participants an opportunity to engage in sharing their experiences and articulate perspectives on how to enhance their activities in the promotion of sustainable societies. I felt privileged to engage in this conference and have learned so much about connecting the “DOTS” between protecting the planet and giving people a chance of a better life. Read More  Add Comment  By Sr. Margaret O’Dwyer, DC The Cook Islands are diligently planning to protect their “enua” (lands) and “moana” (ocean) from effects of global warming and climate change, even though they bear minimal responsibility for causing them. “Big countries are into mitigation, but adaptation is our only choice,” said Deyna Marsh, Education and Awareness Coordinator for the Cook Islands National Environment Services. “Changes are already happening. Sea levels are rising all around the Pacific. If nothing is done now, we will lose our Islands, our traditions, our culture. Buildings and infrastructure on the foreshore will be lost or damaged, and both food security and the health of the people will be affected.” A workshop held in Rarotonga, February 28 to March 4, produced a Cook Islands Climate Change Adaptation Plan. When the Plan is approved by managers of the Kyoto Protocol Climate Change Adaptation Fund, the Cook Islands could receive $5million in support. Read More World Environment Day 06/15/2011
World Environment Day World Environment Day (WED) celebration began in 1972. It has grown to become one of the main ways through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages both political attention and action by individuals and communities. Through WED, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is trying to personalize environmental issues and motivate persons across the planet to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustaining the planet for all persons and future generations to come. UNEP’s website (Spanish or French) offers many ways to be involved in sustaining the environment. Forests: Nature At Your Service WEP’s focus this year is: forests. Alarming deforestation has brought forests to international attention. Every year, 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed, which is equal to the size of Portugal. They are the green lungs of the earth, vital to the survival of people everywhere -- all seven billion of us. Forests feed our rivers, are essential to supplying the water for nearly 50% of our largest cities, and create and maintain soil fertility. Read more Your Turn Here at the UN, we need to hear your experiences. This helps us to keep in our sights what is the reality in different parts of the world. YOUR experiences, insights and questions are needed and welcome. Questions: 1. What are the concerns about the forests in your area? 2. What is being done to increase and preserve the forests where you live? Who is leading the work? Who is doing the work? Click "add comment" to leave your thoughts. |
