Climate Change: A Global Challenge by Liz Rihoy

Outline for the presentation Introduction: Chinese Children’s Painting Competition 2008 and 2009 Climate change: a global challenge Actions on climate change UNEP and climate change Environmental Education

Chinese Children’s Painting Competition on climate change 1st painting competition on climate change: “What can we do to make our earth cool down?” An unpredicted 1.5 million Chinese children participated A signal of the country’s growing awareness of environmental issues 620 paintings selected for prizes

Chinese Children’s Painting Competition on climate change The top 3 winners participated in the UNEP Tunza International Children’s Conference in Stavanger, Norway in June 2008 The top 20 winners were invited to Nairobi, to receive their prizes from UNEP’s Executive Director, Mr. Achim Steiner and to participate in children’s community activities in Kenya Three of the 20 winners were sponsored by UNEP to attend the Tunza International Children's Conference held in Stavanger, Norway from 17 to 21 June 2008. This conference was attended by 1,000 participants from 104 countries. They had the opportunity to learn more about the environment, share their experiences on various issues and make new friends!

2nd Chinese children’s painting competition on climate change The theme of the second competition is once again climate change, because: It is one of the world’s greatest problems The impact on young people is most severe According to leading scientists: the main cause of climate change is human activities If we are causing the problem, we should be helping to fix it WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE? Earth’s climate is changing. Greenhouse gases are accumulating. Human activities are the cause.Further Resources »The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) »Summary for Policymakers of the Synthesis Report of the IPCC Fourth Assessment ReportThe build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) threatens to set the Earth inexorably on the path to a unpredictably different climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says many parts of the planet will be warmer. Droughts, floods and other forms of extreme weather will become more frequent, threatening food supplies. Plants and animals which cannot adjust will die out. Sea levels are rising and will continue to do so, forcing hundreds of thousands of people in coastal zones to migrate. One of the main GHGs which humans are adding to the atmosphere, carbon dioxide (CO2), is increasing rapidly. Around 1750, about the start of the Industrial Revolution in Europe, there were 280 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere. Today the overall amount of GHGs has topped 390 ppm CO2e (parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent – all GHGs expressed as a common metric in relation to their warming potential) and the figure is rising by 1.5–2 ppm annually. Reputable scientists believe the Earth’s average temperature should not rise by more than 2°C over pre-industrial levels. Among others, the European Union indicated that this is essential to minimize the risk of what the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) calls dangerous climate change and keep the costs of adapting to a warmer world bearable. Scientists say there is a 50 per cent chance of keeping to 2°C if the total GHG concentration remains below 450 ppm.

Climate change: a Global challenge Temperatures are increasing in many parts of the planet This is caused by build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) Continued GHG emissions at or above current rates would cause further warming and change in our climatic system Most of the increase in average temperatures is due to increase in GHG concentrations mainly by produced by human beings Between 1970 and 2004, global GHG emissions by human activities have increased by 70% Certain gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, trap the sun’s heat and warm the air. GHG are produced mainly by burning fossil fuels (fuels made of carbon), like oil, coal and gas, and by cutting down forests, which causes about a fifth of the emissions.

Impact of climate change Increases in global average air and ocean temperatures Rising global average sea level Widespread melting of snow and ice Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Fourth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2007 (AR4)

Impact of climate change More frequent droughts, floods and other forms of extreme weather Food supplies will be at danger Many plants and animals will not survive Rising sea levels will force hundreds of thousands of people in coastal zones to migrate Human health: malnutrition, heat waves, floods, changed distribution of some disease vectors

Impact of climate change on children More than 46% of the world's population is below 25 years. Approximately 175 million children will be affected by climate change induced natural disasters every year over the next decade. Children are more likely than adults to perish during natural disasters or succumb to malnutrition, injuries or disease. Women and children account for more than 75% of displaced people following natural disasters. Source: UNEP website, Paint for the Planet – Key Facts About Children and Climate Change http://www.unep.org/paint4planet/facts.aspx

Actions on climate change Mitigation: Promoting low-carbon energy sources and technologies Promoting energy conservation and efficiency Reducing emissions from deforestation Adaptation: Integrating climate risks into policies and planning at different levels Addressing climate impacts in various sectors Building the capacity of communities to cope with climate change related problems - Clean, renewable sources of energy: wind, solar, hydro... - Energy efficiency, lots of practical steps we can all take in our everyday lives to reduce the waste of energy (will get back to this) - Stopping and reversing deforestation, the second biggest emitter of carbon dioxide

UNEP and climate change UNEP has more than 20 years of experience working on climate change Climate change is one of the 6 thematic priorities of UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (2009 to 2013) UNEP has scaled up its climate change activities with partners and stakeholders Cooperation with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Cooperation with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) UNEP has more than twenty years of experience working on climate change. UNEP helped establish the IPCC with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the 1980s and conducted assessments of the scientific understanding of climate change in preparation for the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). UNEP also supported the negotiation of the UNFCCC, which entered into force in 1994. Beyond its support for science and legal mechanisms, UNEP’s work has concentrated on efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, mainly by promoting renewable energy and improved energy efficiency, and spurring development of a carbon market. UNEP has also been active in efforts to reduce the risks of, and improve society’s resilience to, climate change, notably through its support to the development of National Adaptation Programmes of Action. Climate change has been selected as one of the 6 thematic priorities of UNEP work up to 2013 (because of Medium-Term Strategy). From this it follows that UNEP is now going to significantly scale up its climate activities where it can add more value, working in partnership with its major partners and stakeholders, which of course also include youth groups and organizations.

UNEP and climate change UNEP Medium-Term Strategy 2010-2013: “To strengthen the ability of countries to integrate climate change responses into national development processes" UNEP is helping governments to: Ensure that climate change adaptation is integrated into development processes Make choices that lead to reduction in GHG emissions Improve the deployment and transfer of better and efficient technology Improve land use, reduce deforestation & land degradation – increase carbon sequestration Ensure that policy-makers, civil society and private sector have access to climate change science and information The UNEP objective for the climate change thematic priority is “to strengthen the ability of countries to integrate climate change responses into national development processes.” The UNEP expected accomplishments in the area of climate change are identified in the Medium-Term Strategy as follows: (a) Adaptation planning, financing and cost-effective preventative actions are increasingly incorporated into national development processes that are supported by scientific information, integrated climate impact assessments and local climate data; (b) Countries make sound policy, technology, and investment choices that lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and potential co-benefits, with a focus on clean and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and energy conservation; (c) Improved technologies are deployed and obsolescent technologies phased out, financed through private and public sources including the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); (d) Increased carbon sequestration occurs through improved land use, reduced deforestation and reduced land degradation; (e) Country policy-makers and negotiators, civil society and the private sector have access to relevant climate change science and information for decision-making.

UNEP and climate change Mitigation UNEP has launched a major worldwide tree planting campaign – The Billion Tree Campaign. The goal is to encourage people, communities, business, industry, civil society organizations and governments to plant at least seven billion trees Worldwide by end of 2009. Currently 2.5 billion planted and 4.1 billion pledged

UNEP and climate change The Climate Neutral Network (CN Net) UNEP has established CN Net to assist those interested in achieving big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to reach their goals. CN Net publicizes climate neutrality plans and achievements; CN Net acts as a network for those who aspire to climate neutrality CN Net brings developed and developing country participants together to green the development path and support the MDGs

UNEP and climate change Outreach and communication UNite to combat climate change campaign -A UN wide campaign to support the call for a definitive agreement on a comprehensive Global Climate regime for the period after 2012, when Kyoto Protocol expires

UNEP and climate change Adaptation activities by UNEP Hosts International consultation meetings on development of adaptation network; Runs adaptation training workshops; Provides technical notes for preparations of national programmes of action; Provides technical support to countries on data.

UNEP and young people UNEP has a long term strategy on the engagement and involvement of children in environmental issues called Tunza (Kiswahili for treat with care and affection) It started in 2003 and ends in 2008 The 2nd Tunza strategy will run from 2009 to 2014

UNEP and young people Annual Tunza conferences for children and youth where issues of climate change are discussed. Next children’s conference will be in Korea in 2009 and will culminate in a children’s statement on climate change to be presented to the climate change meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009 International Children’s Painting Competition – exhibition and auction Tunza publications: magazines and children’s series on climate change Interactive website Ozzy Ozone Campaign – awareness and actions on ozone depleting substances

Global organizations and climate change World Conservation Union – IUCN Coordinating climate change work across IUCN's 12 major programmes, 10 regions, 6 Commissions and member organizations In China, building capacity to assume a leadership role in global conservation Working to include biodiversity concerns in adaptation and mitigation polices and practice, as well as furthering natural resource management strategies that help species and humans adapt to the impacts of climate change Climate and Energy Greenpeace is committed to halting climate change caused by burning coal, oil and gas.

Global organizations and climate change WWF, the World Wide Fund for Nature: Actively working with governments, research institutes, NGOs and private enterprises to increase awareness and capacity of climate change negotiation at various levels Contributing to the Chinese government’s climate change related decisions Enhancing other countries understanding of China’s climate change policies and actions Exploring and facilitating low-carbon economy development in China In China, WWF is actively working with governments, research institutes, NGOs and private enterprises to increase the awareness and capacity of climate change negotiation at various levels, so as to help China play an active role in post-2012 negotiation. Through the ongoing project ¡°SNAPP 2012 ¨C Supporting National Assessments of Post-2012 Proposals for Climate Protection and Sustainable Development¡±, a steering committee was set up. This committee is composed of some key governors, research institutes, and industry representatives. As a consequence of this project, key issues have been studied, such as on embedded energy, technology cooperation & transfer and the post-Kyoto regime effects on China. The outcomes of this project will be published at the 13th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations¡¯ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and at other relevant meetings. WWF¡¯s aim is that, in addition to contributing to the Chinese government¡¯s climate change-related decisions, the SNAPP project will enhance other countries¡¯ understanding of China¡¯s climate change policies and actions. Based on the platform and partnership on climate change, WWF will continuously seek more comprehensive cooperation with wider partners on energy and trade related issues, so as to explore and facilitate low-carbon economy development in China as contribution to global climate change combat.

Global organizations and climate change Connect2earth: Connect2earth is a global green online community, launched by WWF and IUCN. Videos, images and text on climate change can be uploaded on to Connect2earth website and the best entries are awarded prizes Greenpeace: Climate change is a priority issue for Greenpeace Challenges governments to take action to halt climate change Inspires people to join the energy revolution by reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable energy What is WWF Passport? No ordinary website because you can do extraordinary things! WWF Passport is your licence to campaign for the environment. Passport provides concise calls to action on important issues such as endangered species, global warming, and forest protection. The whole idea behind Passport is that it makes it easier for people who are short on time to have a big say on critical issues. How does Passport work? You participate in Passport from your desktop. Through our campaigns you can send e-mails, petitions or faxes to decision-makers at no cost to you. With some campaigns, you can edit and print a letter to post to targets who are more responsive to mail. Other campaigns let you send an e-mail or letter to our conservation staff in the field, showing your support for their invaluable work. And some campaigns let you make a personal commitment, such as buy FSC-certified wood or switch to renewable energy. There are many options for taking action!   When you join Passport, we notify you via e-mail when there’s an urgent call to action or an important environmental decision to be made. And, you can edit your message to greatly increase your impact.   Aside from the fact that you will be having a very real impact in helping to conserve this planet, Passport will recognise and reward your conservation efforts.   Each time you take an action a stamp will appear in  your own virtual passport. Different actions are rewarded with different types of stamps; each one carrying a different value depending on the effort which the action requires. For example, sending an e-mail earns you a stamp worth 4 points, while sending a letter earns you a stamp worth 6 points.   All this adds up. When you first start campaigning with Passport, you are a Level 1 Campaigner. When your points tally goes above 100, you will officially be known as a Level 2 Campaigner. Earn over 200 points and you will be a Level 3 Campaigner, and so on. There’s not limit to the level you can attain! So that this doesn't remain just a virtual reward, you can print out an official certificate of thanks which displays your campaign status (you'll also find this on the same page as  your virtual Passport).   On this same page there is a link to a special Passport rewards module, where you can download unique screensavers, wallpapers and web-banners.

Why environmental education? Addressing environmental issues requires a citizenry that is - informed and environmentally literate - willing to translate its knowledge into action - Environmental education is fundamental!

What is environmental education? Teaching about how natural environments function Making people aware of environmental issues Promoting an understanding of the relationship between humans and their surrounding environment Desired outcomes: creating a concern for environmental issues evoking environmentally responsible behaviour promoting environment protecting activities

What can teachers do? Teachers are often identified as important agents of change in society - They play an important role in improving human capacity in environmental awareness, protection and problem-solving - Teachers require the knowledge, skills, on environmental awareness in order to include this in their school programme

What can teachers impart to their students? To turn off appliances, heating and air conditioning To turn of and unplug computer and other electronic devices To encourage the parents and relatives to change the light bulbs to energy efficient ones To recycle papers or reuse bottles, chopsticks and plastics To join or create an eco-club To plant trees To choose products that are environmentally friendly To walk, cycle or take a train or bus instead of the private car To try to use less. For example, to carry a cloth bag when going shopping instead of plastic bags To encourage family and friends to do these things To write to political leaders asking for cleaner cars, better public transport or renewable energy To participate in activities on climate change

For more information on the Tunza programme visit: www.unep.org/Tunza

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! 谢谢