Go GREEN and Stay COOL
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
Greening the Economy: Where has the social dimension gone?
On the occasion of the launch of Development 55.1 'Greening the economy',
Sarah Cook, Director of UNRISD, talks about the problems and
limitations of the green economy, its lack of a social dimension, and
her expectations for Rio +20.
Q.: What is the main message of this issue of Development, ‘Greening the economy’ produced in partnership with UNRISD?
A.: This
issue addresses possibilities and contestations around 'greening the
economy' as an approach to sustainable development. The concept of
‘green economy’ has emerged in recent years as a potential solution to
the interrelated social, economic and ecological crises – for some it
appears as the 'magic bullet' that will drive a new phase of green
growth. For many authors in this volume, however, current green economy
policies are built on the same mechanisms that created crises, and risk
reinforcing or exacerbating serious social inequalities and
exclusions.
The papers highlight in particular
the neglect of the conventional 'third pillar' of sustainable
development – the social dimensions. Through this ‘social’ lens, they
challenge key elements of current approaches to green economy – the
valuation and commoditization of nature and its management through
market-based trading mechanisms; the capacity of the current economic
system to generate necessary incentives for sustainable consumption and
production patterns; as well as the assumption that poverty eradication
and more equitable development will follow from low-carbon growth
provided compensatory or protective mechanisms are in place to address
any negative social consequences.
Instead, these papers offer critical
assessments of the opportunities, costs and benefits of such policies
for different populations and social groups. They convey a range of
voices and perspectives (from local perceptions to global debates)
around justice, equity and fairness, and point to the importance of
social policies and governance processes for ensuring an inclusive and
just green economy. Empirical studies show how certain groups are
impacted both by environmental change and by policy responses, but more
importantly reveal the practices and agendas being pursued among diverse
groups - women, small farmers, local communities, indigenous groups,
southern NGOs, at times in conjunction with governments or corporate
actors – which create alternative possible visions, approaches and
pathways to sustainability.
Q.:
In October 2011 UNRISD held the conference on 'Green Economy: Bringing
back the social dimension'. How can a Green Economy that takes into
account social and cultural aspects be achieved?
A.:
Any single answer or 'green print' would risk falling into the
conventional development trap: one approach or solution is not feasible
for such complex challenges. What the conference offered was a
refocusing of attention towards key but neglected areas of enquiry,
pointing to the limits of dominant frameworks and providing insights
gained from often marginalised forms of knowledge.
The conference brought together a
body of empirical analysis – from post-industrial to low income
countries across all regions of the world – showing how market
mechanisms have contradictory consequences (sometimes unforeseen but
often predictable) for the livelihoods and well-being of affected
populations. Through these analyses, the possibilities of alternative
approaches to a 'greener' economy were articulated – pathways not
reliant solely on market-based solutions, but rooted in local
livelihood, knowledge and value systems, and implying different roles
and consequences for states, markets, corporations, civil society and
communities.
Collectively the conference
participants raised fundamental questions: whose values, priorities and
interests are shaping the concept and policies of green economy, whose
knowledge counts, and how can diverse forms of livelihood and production
systems be incorporated into our search for global policy solutions.
Papers offered new thinking on issues such as the role of social policy,
regulation, participation and collective action in promoting a ‘green
and fair’ economy in different contexts. In terms of framing global
discussions, a strong case was made for legitimising a broader range of
social science knowledge within science and economics-dominated policy
debates on sustainable development. At the local and national policy
level, more inclusive and participatory processes of knowledge
generation and decision-making are needed to ensure policies reflect
local livelihood and value systems, and do not undermine existing
sustainable approaches to environmental stewardship.
Q.: What might be achieved at Rio+20?
A.: Rio+20
(together with the People’s Summit) provides the opportunity to refocus
world attention on the triple dimensions of sustainable development -
the challenges posed by economic and climate crises, as well by
increasingly unsustainable levels of inequality and rising demands for a
system that delivers social justice.
Rio+20 has strong prior statements
and principles about sustainable development, (notably Agenda 21) on
which to build. It may be unrealistic to expect a major breakthrough in
terms of consensus or commitments to implementation; but a constructive
and inclusive dialogue (including between governments and civil society)
can build the much needed political momentum - for more participatory
and consensus building processes, for the mobilisation of resources
needed for a sustainable future, and for the framing of new sustainable
development goals which reconnect issues of climate change and green
economy to rights, equity and the broader vision of sustainability.
Rio also presents an opportunity to
move beyond north-south or developed-developing dichotomies, to start
the reframing of a global agenda around shared challenges and common
goals while respecting varied needs and responsibilities of different
countries and communities, and to strengthen the global institutional
architecture. Any collective process clearly needs to grapple centrally
with diverse social, gendered and ecological contexts, and thus the
inevitably unequal consequences of any market-based approaches.
Broader civil society engagement
provides an opportunity for mobilisation to raise awareness about the
alternatives for action and policy not only at the level of states and
policy makers, but also in addressing the expectations of all of us as
individual consumers.
Interview by Laura Fano Morrissey
Sarah Cook took up the position of Director of UNRISD
in November 2009. She moved to UNRISD from the Institute of Development
Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex, UK, where she had been a
Research Fellow since 1996. She also worked for the Ford Foundation as
Programme Officer for Governance and Public Policy from 2000-2005.
(Source UNRISD)
SOURCE-http://www.sidint.net/node/9930
Friday, March 29, 2013
BIOGAS PRODUCTION: A COOL WAY TO GO GREEN
Biogas are produces in digesters and made from
organic sources such as poultry dropping, pig and cattle droppings, water
hyacinths and a host of others. Biogas plays an important role in farming and our environment as a whole as it reduces
health risks, control of pollution and at the same time adds value to the
livestock excreta through it use in production of biogas and improved nutrient
status of the effluent as fertilizer for fish ponds and crop land.
BIODIGESTERS
Biodigesters are used in production of biogas. Biodigesters convert organic wastes,
mainly manure, into a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer and biogas (methane), a
renewal source of electrical and heat energy. In addition to providing fuel, it
offers an environmentally friendly way of treating waste. As waste is processed
in a biodigester, it is sterilized by methane-producing bacteria and the
high-methane environment; over 90% of protozoa, cysts and disease-causing
bacteria, such as E. coli, are killed. The effluent that remains after gas
production is a high quality organic fertilizer that can be safely used on food
crops. Liquid fertilizer has a higher nutritional value than feedstock
initially put in. Quality of crops improves dramatically after one year of
using biodigester fertilizer. A biodigester is normally made out of concrete,
metal or any other material that permits the anaerobic fermentation of organic
materials.
ADVANTAGES
OF THIS TECHNOLOGY
• Provide clean and renewal energy.
Families use less firewood, decreasing deforestation, save money and have
accessible fuel
• Reduce greenhouse gas emission.
The combustion of biogas produces lower greenhouse gas emission than typical
methane emission from a waste
• Reduce contamination of surface
water, groundwater and other resources
• Reduce odours and pathogens
• Convert waste into high quality
organic fertilizer. Families can obtain improved crop yields and save money
Lot of farmers in Uganda, Rwanda, India, Benin
have uses the biogas technology effectively. And others can take a clue from
it.
Learn more at “Go GREEN and Stay COOL”
Engaging Youth in Agricultural Development
Whatever we do has an impact on the planet, it could be good or bad. However as an individual we have the power to control most of our choices from where we live to what you buy or eat, to light our home, to how you shop or vote. We need to start reaping the benefits of going green by conserving our forests and wildlife and engage in agriculture. Today I dedicate this blogpost to agriculture, particularly Youth in Agriculture.
Agriculture has the potential to change the way we eat and farm, and to revolutionize our relationship with the food on our planet. This sector is recognized as the most effective means to reduce poverty, especially in developing countries. Agriculture is identified as one of the four economic pillars. As pockets of poverty are concentrated in rural areas, achieving the MDG target of reducing the incidence of poverty by 50 % by 2015 will depend largely on poverty reduction in rural areas where agriculture is a major economic activity.
Youth can serve as an important focus group for rural development, especially in areas where the level of social capital is low and when institutional quality is poor. Focusing on the youth it is important to note that it stimulates sustainable agricultural development, which can improve social capital, reduce risk and stimulate economic growth.
In my young life, having been involved in international affairs and development, I have had the honor to engage with YPARD and meet young professionals in Agriculture from around the world. I have a dream to raise the importance of the need for more agricultural leaders and i believe many solutions to development issues will not be efficient without youth to make a positive impact on the environment and our community.
I have made this short video to encourage young people to make a lasting difference in Agriculture. We have enormous potential, fresh ideas, capacity that is often at the core of growth and rural development. We are the greatest generation, this is our moment, and this is our time! Together, we will transform the world, towards a better future.
CALL for ACTION: Climate Change Impacts in Asia`s Agriculture
Many people ask me about Climate Change, when they ask, they know it has something to do with pollution, car exhaust and changing weather. There is lot of information floating around this topic.
Climate change projections and impact assessments are highly uncertain, not just because no model is currently able to accurately capture every complex socio - economic - ecological interaction and their future pathways under different mitigation scenarios, but also because of the uncertainty of the mitigation paths that will be pursued. Moreover, none of the current systems are comprehensive nor do they foster comparability or integration of data across sources. Each national or international agency uses its own set of criteria to define its boundaries. It is important to note that assessing of climate change impacts needs to be analyzed at the more local level, incorporating country – specific characteristics.
Even if emissions from all sectors were reduced to zero, climate warming would continue for decades to come. In addition, climate change could become a significant constraint on economic development in developing countries that rely on agriculture for a substantial share of gross domestic production and employment. However, trying to understand the overall effect of climate change on different sectors can be difficult.
The aim of this blogpost is to highlight a significant impact on Asia`s agriculture and how it will influence agricultural production in the region.
Asia is the largest continent on Earth and spreads over four climatic zones (boreal, arid and semi-arid, tropical and temperate). Land and ecosystems are being degraded, threatening to undermine food security. The problem is expected to be severe in developing Asia where current information is poor, technological change has been slow, and the domestic economies depend heavily on agriculture.
More research is clearly needed to refine the estimates of impacts in this region and to identify potential adaptation options for farmers and governments.
Agriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change: higher temperatures eventually reduce yields of desirable crops while encouraging weed and pest proliferation. Changes in precipitation patterns increase the likelihood of short - run crop failures and long - run production declines. Developing countries in Asia are likely to face the highest reductions in agricultural potential in the world due to climate change. More than 60 % of the economically active population and their dependents – which amounts to 2.2 billion people – rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Currently, a set of studies is underway in both Africa and Latin America to determine climate change impacts and adaptation opportunities in those regions.
Therefore further empirical research needs to be done, in order to provide a more precise estimate to improve the accuracy of the analysis for Asia and what will happen to the region.
We welcome your ideas and comments
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HELPING THE NEXT GENERATION GO GREEN
One of the key in ensuring sustainability in our effort to create a green environment now and in the near future is to get the little ones know the reason behind having a suitable environment now and in the future to come.
A practical way to do this is to create school gardens in primary schools. A school garden can take any number of forms: a raised bed in a schoolyard or an EarthBox in a classroom, a section of community garden blocks from school or a rooftop greenhouse, a flower bed bordering the school building or lettuce growing in water in a classroom. It can be simple or elaborate, involve a small number of students or a whole school, as well as parents and community neighbors.
OBJECTIVE OF THE GREEN GARDENS
- To boost the interest of the kids in having a green surrounding from an early each.
- To teach team work through practical agriculture.
- To improve food production at the home front through the community as the children can replicate school gardens to backyard farms.
- To teach children how to handle food safely.
- Boost collaborative development in the kids.
- To teach basic management skills-control, organization.
- To provide an atmosphere for youths to discover the untapped revenue and resources in Agriculture
BENEFITS
· the green garden would be a good platform to learn
- better nutrition and education for the children since is easy to manage by the students, teachers and parents possibly
- the gardening would promote environmental, social and physical well being of the school community
- it foster a better understanding of how the natural world sustains us
- the children gets to learn new skills ; teachers find new ways to teach
- create awareness about the organization promoting the project and their partners
By and large, starting early in impacting on the younger generation goes a long way in preparing them for a better future.
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EAT GREEN! THINK GREEN! BE GREEN! SAVE GREEN! GO GREEN!
This week I will dedicate my blog to the sustainable diets for the future. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or meat eater, these are the foods that are good for you and good for our planet. It is incredible how much “going green” can be incorporated into your everyday eating habits. Every day I continue to be amazed at the strong connection between health and sustainability. Our food choices have so much to do with the environment, our communities and well being.
Do you know that “low carbon” diet can minimize the carbon footprint when it comes to food intake?
Major tenets of a low carbon diet include eating less industrial meat and dairy, eating less industrially produced food in general, eating food grown locally and seasonally, eating less processed and packaged foods and reducing waste form food by proper portion size, recycling and composting (Randy Hall, “Low Carbon Diet' Aims to Take Bite Out of Global Warming). A Carbon Diet is term that is used to describe making lifestyle and workplace changes for environmental sustainability. It encompasses travel, electricity, heating, food, and products and services. Basically “low carbon” diet refers to making choices about food that are more sustainable and reduce the impact on global warming. Our sustainable future is the right food choices, which are healthy and economically viable, with respect to farmers, workers and animals.
“Eat to live not live to eat”
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