This year's June 5 World Environment Day (WED)celebrations will be hosted by Mexico, a reflection of the growing role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in the carbon markets, Writes Simba Nembaware
Mexico is also a leading partner in UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign. The country, with the support of its President and people, has spearheaded the pledging and planting of some 25 per cent of the trees under the campaign. Accounting for around 1.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country is demonstrating its commitment to climate change on several fronts.
The United Nations Environment Programme quoted Mexican President Felipe Calderon stating that the WED celebration will “further underline Mexico's determination to manage natural resources and deal with the most demanding challenge of the 21st century – climate change.”
Commemorated yearly on 5 June, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The day's agenda includes giving a human face to environmental issues through empowering people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promoting an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;and advocating partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.
Mexico, the host country, will organize a series of events in Quintana Roo, in the Yucatan Province. Highlights include a conference on the Green Economy with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mexico's Environment Secretary Juan Elvira Quesada, and Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
There will also be photo exhibits, an art competition, a Maya 'Healing the Earth' ceremony, and a Symphonic Visual Concert entitled 'The Shield of Nature' by the Philharmonic Choir and World Heritage Orchestra.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
SADC FOOD SECURITY IMPROVES - MINISTERS
SADC Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Food Security met recently in Johannesburg, South Africa to review progress on the regional food security situation, and -on the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and the Dar-es-Salaam Declaration Plan of Action on Agriculture and Food Security. Writes Simba Nembaware
Food Security Situation,Food Availability and Climate Change were some of the key areas reviewed.
Ministers noted that the regional food security situation had improved in 2009 compared to 2008 following favourable rains in the region that saw many states expecting better harvests. The meeting revealed that the region is still a net importer of milk and meat despite a significant increase in the production of animal products in 2008 compared to 2007. Similarly, the region has recorded a steady increase in fish production in recent years.
Commitment to the implementation of the Dar-es-salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security was reaffirmed by the ministers after a realisation that the implementation of this Declaration in the past 5 years had yielded positive results and has potential to contribute to improving the regional food security situation and nutrition at household level.
The Ministers noted progress made in increasing the availability and use of key agricultural inputs such as seed and fertilizer. They observed that in the past one year, negotiations on the development of a memorandum of understanding for implementing the harmonized seed regulatory system, which was approved in 2007 have been completed. The system aims at improving seed trade and availability of high quality seed to farmers in the region. This will complement the efforts of Member States in improving crop production and food security.
According to the SADC Report on the meeting, the three pillars of food security; food availability, food access and food safety are threatened by the effects of climate change. It says its impact on precipitation, temperature, and increased frequency of drought and floods is considered detrimental to the agricultural sector.
The Ministers therefore recognized the important role of research in adaptation to climate change, and the initiatives taken by their counterparts dealing with climate change in considering the development of the strategy for the region as a mechanism for adaptation to the phenomenon.
Food Security Situation,Food Availability and Climate Change were some of the key areas reviewed.
Ministers noted that the regional food security situation had improved in 2009 compared to 2008 following favourable rains in the region that saw many states expecting better harvests. The meeting revealed that the region is still a net importer of milk and meat despite a significant increase in the production of animal products in 2008 compared to 2007. Similarly, the region has recorded a steady increase in fish production in recent years.
Commitment to the implementation of the Dar-es-salaam Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security was reaffirmed by the ministers after a realisation that the implementation of this Declaration in the past 5 years had yielded positive results and has potential to contribute to improving the regional food security situation and nutrition at household level.
The Ministers noted progress made in increasing the availability and use of key agricultural inputs such as seed and fertilizer. They observed that in the past one year, negotiations on the development of a memorandum of understanding for implementing the harmonized seed regulatory system, which was approved in 2007 have been completed. The system aims at improving seed trade and availability of high quality seed to farmers in the region. This will complement the efforts of Member States in improving crop production and food security.
According to the SADC Report on the meeting, the three pillars of food security; food availability, food access and food safety are threatened by the effects of climate change. It says its impact on precipitation, temperature, and increased frequency of drought and floods is considered detrimental to the agricultural sector.
The Ministers therefore recognized the important role of research in adaptation to climate change, and the initiatives taken by their counterparts dealing with climate change in considering the development of the strategy for the region as a mechanism for adaptation to the phenomenon.
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