Nairobi : Première conférence internationale sur l’Economie Bleue
Nairobi : Première conférence internationale sur l’Economie Bleue Le Kenya, le Canada et le Japon accueille à Nairobi, capitale du Kenya, la première conférence internationale sur l’Economie Bleue durable. Objectif : Exploiter le potentiel des océans, des mers, lacs et rivières pour améliorer les vies des femmes et des jeunes, et des autochtones vivant notamment dans les pays en voie de développement. Autre ambitions : Mettre en avant les dernières innovations scientifiques, et meilleures pratiques de conservation des eaux pour le bien être des générations futures et s’engager à agir concrètement avec des actions pratiques permettant une transition mondiale vers une économie bleue durable. Pas facile. Le concept d’économie bleue regroupe des activités commerciales liées à la mer, aux océans, aux lacs, aux rivières. Avec un risque : les changements climatiques et la destruction de l’environnement par les hommes. Comment obtenir une économie bleue durable ? Le comté de Homa Bay, situé dans la province de Nyanza, l’une des sept provinces du Kenya est connu pour son Port de Pêche. Pour Hamilton Orata, Vice-gouverneur , présent avant l’ouverture de la conférence, Homa Bay a un énorme potentiel de développement, mais doit faire face aux conséquences des changements climatiques, prendre en considération ses voisins et sensibiliser la population. Le Comté détient 60% du Lac Victoria et partage ses eaux avec avec l’Ouganda et la Tanzanie. Entretien. Comment votre population, notamment les femmes comprennent l’économie Bleue ? Ma population vit de l’Economie Bleue depuis toujours et c’est très important pour nous. Même si elle ne comprend pas tout ce qui implique l’économie bleue. Les hommes pêche et les femmes s’occupent de la vente. Elles ne vont jamais pêcher, par contre. Elles se chargent uniquement du commerce. Nous avons une population de 1,2 millions de personnes et la plupart d’entre elle, vivant autour du Lac, dépend de ses ressources. Qu’attendez-vous de cette conférence? Nous voulons que la pêche soit perçue comme une valeur ajoutée au développement économique de notre comté. Nous sommes une autorité locale, mais nous dépendons largement de l’Etat Central. Nous voulons utiliser nos ressources en profondeur en tenant compte des changements climatiques. Avec les changements climatiques, nos pratiques traditionnelles sont remises en cause: la météo traditionnelle n’est plus fiable et ne permet plus de gérer les cultures vivrières . Le rythme de pluies est différent. Il y a aussi de nombreux déchets dans le lac et c’est un réel défi auquel nous devons prêter attention. L’érosion est de plus en plus importante. Ce que nous vivons est grave et les trois pays doivent travailler ensemble pour obtenir une économie bleue durable. Nous n’avons pas utilisé le lac Victoria à son niveau optimal....
Africities-Monrovia City Mayor: “I am an inspiration for young people”
Africities-Monrovia City Mayor: “I am an inspiration for young people” Jefferson Koijee, City Mayor of Monrovia ( Liberia) is in Marrakech for Africities Summit. Mayor of Monrovia since February 2018, he was selected recently by a program of the European Union as an ambassador of the fight against climate change. His town was selected as one the 13 towns which will be supported financialy by the European Union for projects related to Energy. As a former activist and a young political leader, he is also helping the youth in his town to understand the food security challenges and solutions. Listen to the interview. By Houmi Ahamed-Mikidache JeffersonKoijee...
PRE COP 24 – A key preparatory meeting before COP24
PRE COP 24 – A key preparatory meeting before COP24 By Houmi Ahamed-Mikidache Following the calls for strong action by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the International Energy Agency’s latest report on rising emissions from the energy sector, a key preparatory meeting for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24) took place during two days in Krakow Poland. During this Pre-COP, Ministers from 35 countries met to prepare a successful outcome at COP24 according to the UNFCCC Communication department . Taking place in Katowice, Poland in December, COP24 is critical as countries are set to adopt a full and balanced set of guidelines that will tell the world how to implement the Paris Agreement transparently and fairly for all, warns the UNFCCC communication department. In addition to the implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement, COP24 will also see the high-level political phase of the Fiji-led Talanoa Dialogue, which aims to assess progress towards the temperature goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. Ministers had open and frank discussions at the Pre-COP, emphasizing the sense of urgency and underlining the need for a solid outcome at COP24, recalled the UNFCCC Communication department. Ministers discussed the key issues of the implementation guidelines, which include transparent action with respect to o adaptation to climate change impacts o ambitious emission reductions, o with strong means of implementation to support developing countries, in the form of technology cooperation, capacity building, and, especially financial support. But for the Least Developed countries’s chairman, Gebru Gembers, it is not a simple process. “The IPCC report has made even clearer the need for the Paris Rulebook to properly reflect the breadth of action required by all countries to achieve the Agreement’s 1.5°C goal”, he said earlier when the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its report. And he added: “Countries must deliver a robust Rulebook that will ensure adequate action to cut emissions, adapt to climate change and address loss and damage, and that support is provided to enable poorer countries to do the same.” For Gebru Gember, who is from Ethiopia, the IPCC report confirms that loss and damage resulting from climate change will only worsen with further warming with much greater losses at 2°C than at 1.5°C. And it urgent to find concrete solutions. “It is particularly vulnerable countries like the least developed countries that are worst affected by the devastating impacts of climate change and bear the greatest cost from the damage it causes, despite contributing the least to the problem. This injustice must be addressed by the international community through the provision of support for dealing with loss and damage,” he said. During the...
Nigerian Olumide Idowu becomes Youth Lead Author For Global Environment Outlook
Nigerian Olumide Idowu becomes Youth Lead Author For Global Environment Outlook By Houmi Ahamed-Mikidache Olumide Idowu, a nigerian activist has been engaging youth in Nigeria and Africa in general for 10 years, with making their voice to be heard both “offline and online” . Last August, he was invited by the UN Environment office in Nairobi, Kenya to meet the UN Environment officials for proper integration and unveiling him as the Youth Author for Global Environment Outlook.He was selected based as a Youth Lead Author For Global Environment Outlook on his commitment towards climate actions. The Global Environment Outlook (GEO) is UN Environment’s flagship integrated environmental assessment published every 4-5 years. It is intended to report on the state of the global environment, the extent and effectiveness of existing policy responses in addressing major environmental challenges and the prospects or outlook for the environment over the foreseeable future. GEO for Youth The GEO for Youth product is produced by, and adapted for, a youth audience from 15 to 25 years old. It is meant to stimulate dialogue within the youth community on environmental themes and issues, as well as to educate and provide capacity building tools to foster active youth commitment for achieving sustainable development. Olumide will be carrying out the following assignment as the Lead Author for GEO4Youth · Take The Overall Responsibility For Coordinating And Drafting Assigned Sections To Given Deadlines. · Actively Participate In The Geo-6 Communities Of Practice (Cop) And Work Closely With The Secretariat Staff To Provide Oversight Of The Cop Content; · Provide Leadership At Authors Meetings To Deliver Drafts For Each Section Of The Report; · Ensure That Manuscripts Are Completed To A High Standard, Collated And Delivered To The Secretariat In A Timely Manner And Conform To Un Environment-Provided Guidelines For Scientific Credibility; · Ensure That All Review Comments Are Dealt With According To Un Environment-Provided Specific Guidelines; · Develop Text That Is Scientifically And Technically Sound, And Socio-Economically Relevant Incorporating Contributions By A Wide Variety Of Experts And In Line With The Main Assessment; · Ensure That Any Crosscutting Scientific Or Technical Issues, Which May Involve Several Sections Of The Geo-6 For Youth Are Addressed In A Complete And Coherent Manner; · Take Responsibility For Referring To The Secretariat Any Scientific Credibility Issues, Such As Uncertainties And Use Of Grey Literature · Provide Oversight Of Educational And Advocacy Innovative Products In Support To The Main Assessment · Identifying Outreach Opportunities For The Geo For...
Blue Economy: NGOS call to speed controls on ships- (#MEPC73)
Blue Economy: NGOS call to speed controls on ships- (#MEPC73) 10 Non Governmental Organizations (WWF, Whale and Dolphin Conservation , Environmental Investigation Agency, Seas at Risk…) call the International Maritime Organization to speed controls on ships, ahead of the 73 session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee which be held in London today until October 26th. Open letter to Mr Hideaki Saito, Chair, Marine Environment Protection Committee, International Maritime Organization. We the undersigned organizations wish to express our support for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in considering speed measures for shipping at its Marine Environment Policy Committee meeting (MEPC 73) starting October 22 in London. Speed controls on ships, determined and implemented by the IMO, would have multiple benefits. On climate change, managing the speed of ships, as is done in other transport sectors, would be a useful policy lever in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, with associated benefits for marine life. Air pollution, whether of SOx, NOx, particulate matter, or black carbon, could similarly be reduced. For whales and dolphins, slower ship speeds could reduce underwater noise pollution, and reduce incidents of whale strikes. For these reasons we urge IMO delegates to give the speed proposal due consideration, and decide on a timeline for an impact study before a decision on adoption. Speed could be a valuable tool in the IMO’s toolbox, for the climate, human health, and marine life....