Responses to Article: "Public Backing is the Key to Political Action on Climate Change" by Yvo de Boer

I developed the response below while reading the Article by Yvo de Boer "Public Backing is Key to Political Action on Climate Change" - Published on 25th February 2013.

It has been noted that political forces do not necessarily think long term. I think that this sort of thinking becomes inherent as their lifespan in office is normally that short - either 4 or 5 years (country dependent). Therefore, they foresee change to be immediate through implementing a policy without considering necessary pre- and post-actions required to perpetuate towards the desired outcome. This makes mega-forces and their associated challenges - such as climate change, population growth, potable water scarcity, food security and ecosystem decline - are harder to remedy if policy and decision makers remain focused on short term economic and financial gains.

Focusing on the above, consensus about what needs to change should be sought deeper within the mindset of society. Therefore I agree with Mr de Boer when stated that we require long term "political focus, public support and international cooperation" to address these mega-forces.

The publication of reports, policies and legislative material will also not have substantive impacts on these challenges if society does not accept these inherent motivators to their actions. Therefore a pre-action to consider would be to establish behavioural change within the man vs. nature relationship.

I also agree with the 4 criteria for a successful agreement (or consensus) as set out by Mr de Boer. However, with regards to seeking leadership, industrialised countries do not always have the answer. Some countries and their leadership have the ideology that the 'west is the best' (referring to the westernised economy), but they forget that there are numerous examples of indigenous initiatives being implemented locally which are successful. Therefore, I suggest that leadership should be delivered on the premise of establishing concrete arguments and the correct motivation for meaningful support to the initiatives that will progress towards what is required.

At this point, I then think, "Why are all decisions regarding these risks that are worst experienced by vulnerable poor nations made by industrialised countries?." Localised mitigation initiatives are required to not only bring communities together but to also adjust their behaviour so that it is geared towards more sustainable practises

... What happened to the Bottom-Up approach?...

These sorts of materials (policies, legislation, etc) also offer substantial indicators to develop frameworks that are established and address the current and possibly foreseeable issues regarding climate change, potable water scarcity, etc. However, we retain institutional inertia through red tape, lack of political leadership/motivation and social cohesion. Therefore, these frameworks have not worked thus far.

Finally, regarding this article, I also agree with Mr de Boer when he states that "The only chance of success lies in the new definition of value to create broad band prosperity rather than wealth." We can no longer work within silos and exclusion. To really make the best of what we have, we need to fully and actually understand what we have.

UNEP Releases Their Latest Publication: The 3rd African Environmental Outlook

The 3rd African Environmental Outlook (AEO3), published by UNEP and commissioned by the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), recommends a bold statement for African environmental policy drivers. This would be to place the implementation of environmental and health initiatives at the top of their agenda's.

The report focuses mainly on the links between the environment and health, and how the environment contributes to major health impacts on livelihoods. The report also highlights indoor pollutants such as particular matter as a major impact on respiratory systems of the human body- as many African household still use wood as a resource for heating and cooking, these emissions remain in the immediate air for extended periods (without proper in house air circulation) and can be inhaled.

The Report also notes that although African countries have an array of good policies and strategies that concentrates on environmental change to implement, these initiatives are weekend by institutional inertia and the inability to implement due to lack of capacity. What the AEO3, as a framework for Policy Makers, intends on doing would be to produce measurements as to increase capacity, develop appropriate strategies and monitor the implementation and success of such policies.

H.E. Terezya Huvisa, Minister of State - Environment of the United Republic of Tanzania and President of AMCEN stated the following:

"As this report highlights, African governments are all too aware of the challenges facing the continent in terms of environmental impacts on human health. There are significant on-going efforts to combat these challenges, including putting in place many relevant policies," She Added: "However, these policies must be strongly implemented to have an impact, and enforcement mechanisms should be put in place and strengthened to reduce the negative consequences, ... If the recommendations in AEO-3 are followed, our citizens can look forward to healthier, and ultimately more productive, lives."

As for the above statement, we can only hope.

The report thus suggests key messages and policy recommendations. Furthermore, a section is dedicated to understanding the state of the environment within the context of environmental impacts on human health. The environmental factors looked at within this section includes:

• Air quality
• Biodiversity
• Chemicals and Waste
• Climate change
• Freshwater and Sanitation
• Land

You can read about this press release further on the UNEP website here.

Release of the TEEB: Water and Wetlands Report

Water Flow Habitat (of the Ramsar Convention) and the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and other partners (IEEP, IUCN, UFZ, FOEN, GEN)have released a report entitled: "The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for Water and Wetlands". The report gives insight into the importance of water related services from the ecosystem - locally and on a wider scale. Therefore, it can be said that the report is about the interface between "Water - Wetlands - Ecosystem Services".



Source: Screen Shot of Report


The report was launched at the on the 1st February 2013 at the International Environment House, Geneva - With a presentation introducing the TEEB Report by Patrick ten Brink, which highlights benefits of wetlands, with economic benefits and including lessons learnt into decision making. The presentation concludes with certain recommendations that includes restoration, indigenous knowledge, poverty alleviation and transition management. Ramsar also sees the launch of this report as an opportunity further their endeavours to increase public awareness on the values and benefits of wetlands.

Furthermore, the United Nations have dubbed this year as the International Year of Water Cooperation, they have also dedicated a website with Campaign Material and related reports.

Source: UN Water

For more information about the Report and other documentations - please follow the links below.

• More about the Report
• Press Release
• Launch Agenda
• Launch Presentation by Patrick ten Brink

Another Handbook on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa

I am kind of two sided with regards to promoting more handbooks on climate change - do yourself a favour and search that in quotes - on my side Google shows 52 000 results.

But non the less, this handbook (Produced by the UNDP - African Adaptation Programme) looks at the skills and the methodologies adopted and needed in African countries within 2012.

The handbook is divided into two parts - first is a refresher on key concepts and the second concentrates on the tools and skills required for the capitalisation of climate change adaptation experiences.

Source: African Adaptation Programme



Generating More Income from Intercropping

According to a study done by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and other partner organisations, it stated that farmers in Uganda receive 50% more from intecropping banana and coffee than growing coffee alone. The study was conducted across 30 districts of Uganda.

Not only has this type intecropping assisted these farmers economically, but another study indicates that it may also assist them with coping mechanisms against climate change. With possible temperature increase and erratic rainfall due to the impacts of climate change, the yield of Ugandan coffee crops could drastically reduce. Coffee grains such as Robusta and Arabica need to be grown at altitudes that are climate specific to there species, which are typically 1500 and 1400 meters respectively.

Using climate models, the study indicated that there will be a huge drop in locations and areas suitable for Arabica coffee with loses of up to US$100m that threatens not only foreign revenue but also the livelihoods of local farmers and their dependents. Therefore, if farmers and assisting organisations do not implement interventions (such as utilising traditional varieties and limited water), areas below the 1300 - 1700 meters mark may become totally unsuitable for crop production.

Some of the positives of intercroppng banana and coffee are outlined below:

1. Shade of the taller banana tree creates a canopy and reduces temperature on coffee crops,
2. The canopy, roots and mulch from the banana tree also reduces and prevents soil erosion and degradation of the hilly Ugandan landscape,
3. Finally, intecropping captures carbon dioxide through banana trees mulch and mitigates climate change.

However,  although these positives have been pointed out there are still other negatives that needs to be considered such as species competition. A quote from Van Asten points this out below:

"The downside of adding shade or shade crops to a coffee system is that it increases competition among the different plants for water, nutrients, and light. This competition needs to be managed by using good agronomic practices such as integrating fertilizers and organic nutrient inputs, managing plant density and canopy cover appropriately, and practicing good soil and water conservation to adapt successfully to climate change"

For more information and other resources follow the link to the press release on the CGAIR website.