In his remarks made at the Sustainability Academy themed “Unpacking Re-Source Democracy” and held on Friday, June 2, 2017 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), observers that the pulling away of the USA, the second largest greenhouse emitter, from the global climate space, as outrageous as it is, only confirms that power only respects primitive self-interest.
Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
Progress has been measured by how much humans are able to transform Nature and increasingly this has been seen to be directly related to how exploitative of Nature and how polluting a nation or corporate entity can be. Clearly, the environmental crises confronting the world are inseparable from the economic crisis.
The quest for materials and their transformation over the years have led to slavery, colonialism, autocracy and diverse socio-cultural corruption and manipulations. It has led to forceful dispossession of persons, communities and nations of their heritage through wars and other violent confrontations. This exploitative pathway, in which we have chiselled and drilled into the belly of the Earth, polluted our rivers and atmosphere, mowed down mountains, chopped down forests and poisoned our food systems, has taken humans further away from Nature over time.
Humankind’s quest for the control of Nature has led to the waging of unwinnable wars over natural forces and manifestations. Rising consumption and wastages have led to massive extinction of species and severe environmental changes – some of which may well be irreversible. Progress is largely measured by uniformity of products that yield to mass production, transportation and consumption. We seem to have forgotten that Nature thrives in diversities. This psychological and physical drifting from Nature is proving unsustainable as planetary boundaries and limits are being reached and exceeded.
The current global economic crisis will not go away as long as the current basis of relations stays. A capitalist economic system respects neither nature nor environment or peoples. It is based intrinsically on exploitative, competitive and non-regenerative relationships and cannot be sustained in perpetuity. When you don’t regenerate, you are not restorative and your actions are firmly planted on the path of degeneration. Even the accumulation of wealth by the one percent has reached its peak and the only way forward has to be down.
The current system denies reality. That is why the president of arguably the most powerful nation on Earth can wake up and exit from a global effort to fight a common challenge: climate change. That is when power trumps good sense. This myopic power denies science and even defies reasonable self-interest. Although the Paris Agreement is largely inadequate, the pulling away of the USA, the second largest greenhouse emitter, from the global climate space, as outrageous as it is, only confirms that power only respects primitive self-interest.
Sustainability is not just a measure of a thing being available or useable in perpetuity. It also connotes its staying recognisable in form and speaks of intergenerational justice and responsibilities.
Re-Source democracy calls for a re-turn to the source, a re-connection to Nature. It calls for a recovery of memory. It calls for a dream of our preferred future or even multiple futures. It calls for the recognition of the fact that humans are just one of the species on Planet Earth and that we are a part of a system whose survival depends on interrelationships and solidarity.
To ensure Re-Source democracy, we have to be immersed in the defence of life and staying in the battle line against inequality as well as political and social injustices. We have to build a future that promotes cooperative and collaborative behaviours. That is what creates shared abundance, the good life or eti uwem. Scarcity is promoted by competition and that breeds all sorts of social and environmental misbehaviours.
Nature is self-regenerating, but human and corporate activities have brought in disruptions of those circles and cycles of life. Examples include the utter degradation of our environment by oil spills, gas flares, toxic wastes, industrial effluents and the like. It includes the exploitation of re-sources without prior informed consent of citizens in the territories. We have to pause to ask what the Niger Delta will look like by the close of the century. What would be the situation of the far North if desertification is not checked? What would be the case of our territories if gully erosion and deforestation continue unabated?
Environmental degradation disrupts our linkages to Nature, shrivels our humanity and throws us into unhealthy rivalry and struggles for whatever goods remain. It alters our thought patterns and social relations. It makes the unacceptable appear attractive and even acceptable. How would anyone drink water that is visibly polluted or eat foods that are clearly known to be toxic? How would we accept these without major uprisings?
What would make Nigeria stay in the present unsuitable unitary national architecture fabricated by military adventurers to suit their command structure? How could we dream of building a democratic and federal nation on the basis of autocratic and dictatorial military scaffolds? More questions can be asked, but let us restrict ourselves to the way we have treated Nature’s gifts to our nation. The arrival of crude oil and petroleum resources literally poisoned and damaged our environment, economy, politics and socio-cultural relationships. Agriculture got ignored, manufacturing got side-lined and all eyes got riveted on US dollars flowing into the national pot. We became captives of voodoo economics. Do nothing, grab everything.
Re-Source Democracy requires that we train our eyes to see what Nature has presented to every community and to what extent the communities are involved in decisions that affect the exploitation, protection or use of the re-sources in their territories. It requires that no one gets killed or colonised simply because of such endowments. It requires that we question how what we have is utilised and on what basis. It is about our right to life, freedom from contamination and respect of the Rights of Mother Earth.
We have hopes that unpacking the concept of Re-Source Democracy will provide us with ideas on how to redirect the nation from divisive and exploitation pathways and provide the platforms for truly democratic relationships with each other and with Nature – one that is built on local knowledge and wisdom. It should help us cultivate mutual respects between the many groupings in our nation. It should above all help encourage us to handle the gifts of Nature with due deference.
The Environmental Rights Action, Amnesty International, and Friends of the Earth Europe on Friday, June 2, 2017 called for the immediate clean-up of Ogoniland in Nigeria, as it was stated should happen by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Land degradation from oil spill in Ogoniland, Nigeria
One year on from when the implementation of UNEPs report on Ogoniland was officially supposed to begin, the communities of the Niger Delta are still waiting for clean-up to start.
Since the current President, Muhammadu Buhari, was elected, the governing structures for the UNEP implementation have been put in place and a coordinator was appointed to lead HYPREP, the implementation agency.
But, six years after publication of the UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, very little has happened to improve the situation, said the activists, even as they listed areas of concern to include:
Communities in Ogoniland are still waiting for clean-up and still waiting for the clean air, water, and land they need.
Only 1% of the promised funds have been made available: a reported $10m of the required $1billion budget has been transferred.
Some communities where UNEP found contaminated drinking water wells have never received any alternative source of drinking water.
Shell continues to use the discredited RENA clean-up process, despite UNEP’s clear recommendation that the process was ineffective and should be discontinued.
The company also says it has revisited 15 oil spill sites identified by UNEP, and carried out further remediation at 6 of those sites. But this is misleading because UNEP found contamination at more than 50 Shell locations.
Meanwhile an Amnesty International investigation found that heavy contamination remained at four oil spill sites identified by UNEP, despite the fact remediation work had been carried out by Shell.
“Six years after the UNEP report the communities of Ogoniland are still unacceptably waiting for action to clean up their land and water. Justice cannot be endlessly delayed, the Nigerian government needs to urgently ensure the plan is implemented immediately,” said Godwin Ojo, head of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria.
Meanwhile the oil industry continues discredited practices and fails to ensure Ogoniland is free of pollution, he stresses, alleging that Shell is using the government clean-up process as an excuse for not properly cleaning-up past pollution.
“Its responsibility is clear – it stops and cleans up it’s pollution now,” said the Amnesty International.
The UNEP report called for the implementation of emergency measures, the establishment of a $1 billion start-up fund and extensive clean-up of Ogoniland.
“It’s overdue that the start-up fund is immediately fully funded and the clean-up operation fully staffed. A clear priority should be the immediate delivery of all emergency and priority measures outlined in the UNEP report – no more delays, ’’ said Colin Roche, of the Friends of the Earth Europe.
The World Environment Day (WED), held annually on June 5, is the biggest event to celebrate and promote environmental awareness and sustainability across the globe. Established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1972, WED aims to raise global awareness and mobilise humans to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.
Jeff Ewing, CMD of Chevron Companies in Nigeria
This global event is not only the principal vehicle through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment, but it also gives a human perspective to environmental issues, empowers people to become active agents of sustainable development and advocates multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of the environment. From 1973, when the first WED was held, the event has always been marked with different campaign themes and discussions focusing on environmental stewardship.
“Connecting People to Nature”, the theme for WED Day 2017, implores everyone to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. According to the UN, the 2017 WED invites people to think about how they are part of nature and how intimately they depend on it. The UN notes that in recent decades, scientific advances as well as growing environmental problems such as global warming are helping the world to understand the countless ways in which natural systems support people’s prosperity and well-being.
Happily, some corporate bodies have made environmental stewardship part of their social investments. Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) – operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL (NNPC/CNL JV) – is one of such organisations. For over 50 years, CNL has remained an active agent of sustainable development and a strong advocate of partnerships in support of the environment.
Explaining CNL’s commitment to the environment, the Chairman/Managing Director, Jeff Ewing, noted that CNL is happy to be part of the solution to global environmental issues wherever the company operates through its sound environmental management policy that supports environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
According to him, CNL has in place a company-wide health, environment and safety guideline to ensure that its performance is world-class.
“In Nigeria, our Operational Excellence obliges us to deliver industry-leading performance in process safety, personal safety and health, environment, reliability and efficiency to achieve world-class performance. CNL has a record of responsible environmental stewardship everywhere it operates and has also established enduring partnerships with governments, non–governmental organisations, business organisations and communities. CNL has been supporting and sponsoring various programmes aimed at preserving the environment. These partnerships and efforts have been recognised and rewarded within and outside the country,” he remarked.
Nature Conservation and Education
CNL’s commitment to preserving the environment has left enduring landmarks in the landscape, including the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) – a centre of excellence in environmental research and education reserved as a sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula. This 78-hectare facility is the only one of its kind in the Lagos area and it was established by CNL in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in 1992. NCF is Nigeria’s foremost non-governmental organisation dedicated to environmental conservation and an affiliate of the World-Wide Fund for Nature. Support for the LCC best connects CNL’s activities to the theme of the WED 2017.
In 2005, CNL established a yearly postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation. In addition, CNL hosts the annual S. L. Edu Memorial Lecture to promote environmental management awareness. The company is also working with the NCF on the possibility of establishing the Niger Delta Conservation Centre.
Environmental Stewardship
CNL’s environmental stewardship process lays the foundation for sound environmental management through inclusion of the environment in decision making from the identification, assessment and management of environmental risks at project inception, to operations and through decommissioning. CNL recognises the importance of minimising its environmental footprints and conserving biodiversity. The NNPC/CNL JV strives continually to achieve world class environmental excellence by assessing and reducing its environmental footprints and any potential impact from its operations on the environment.
CNL, while working with relevant environmental protection agencies, has also developed and is implementing internal processes to identify, assesses, mitigate and manage potentially significant risk and impacts to human health and the environment (including natural resources) associated with its existing operations and capital projects, including emissions, releases and wastes in a consistent and systematic manner. The company effectively engages its stakeholders and obtains alignment on its projects and proposals.
Gas flare-out strategy
CNL has a strategic phase development for commercialisation of produced gas throughout its operations. Some of its key projects to reduce gas flaring include: Escravos Gas Project, West African Gas Pipeline Project, Escravos Gas-to-Liquids Project, Sonam Field Development Project, Abiteye and Makaraba Non-Associated Gas (NAG) Development projects, amongst others.
From 2008 to 2016, the NNPC/CNL JV reduced routine gas flaring by over 90% through sustained investments, demonstrating its strong commitment to elimination of routine flaring and beneficial utilisation of gas resources. The company remains an industry leader in growing supply of high quality gas to the domestic and regional markets, with a strong focus on operational excellence, environmental stewardship and enduring stakeholder partnerships.
Old Land Drill Sites
CNL took inventory of its old land drill sites that are not in use and embarked on priority restoration work to return the sites to their initial states, and revert the restored sites to their original owners.
Putting Back: Restoring the Mangrove
CNL continues to develop and implement sound conservation practices through mangrove restoration, utilising a combination of modern afforestation techniques, including natural recovery and direct planting of mangroves. CNL commenced the regeneration of the mangrove vegetation with a pilot scheme involving the planting of mangrove seedlings of different species at selected locations.
Recognitions
The Nigerian Government, in 1999, acknowledged these efforts when the then Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) presented the company with its Environmental Achievement Award, which was the first of such awards in the industry. Similarly, in 2001, the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) awarded CNL the Star Merit Award on Environment, in recognition of its contributions to the sustenance of the Nigerian ecology and its support for society’s activities. In 2016, the company was bestowed with the “Green Label Award” by NES in recognition of CNL’s laudable projects on sustainable development of the environment, good environmental management and conservation practices.
In addition, the NCF honoured the company with two awards – Sustained Support for Environmental Excellence and Conservation Leadership – in 2002 and 2010 respectively. In 2006, the Delta State Government honoured CNL with the Best Oil Company in Oil Spill Management Practices award, while the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria gave CNL a Corporate Good Environment Health Practice Award for the company’s “commitment to responsible environmental stewardship” in Nigeria.
Esimaje Brikinn, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, notes that, beyond the awards, CNL is ever willing to continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to safeguard the environment.
“We are continually working to improve our processes to reduce pollution and waste, conserve natural resources, and reduce potentially negative environmental impacts of our activities and operations,” he remarked.
The decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement signals that the Trump Administration is in total discord with both reality and the rest of the world, the Climate Action Network (CAN) has said.
US president, Donald Trump
According to the group, the first to suffer from “the injudicious decision” is the American people.
“This action is totally contrary to their best interests: their health, security, food supply, jobs and future.
“By turning its back on climate action, the Trump administration burdens the American people with rising costs and risks from pollution, environmental degradation and lost opportunities in a low-carbon economy and renewable energy jobs. None of this will make America great, in any way.
The overwhelming show of support from the international community in the past weeks, defending the Paris Accord, is a reminder that the world is wasting no time on laggards when it comes to climate action,” the group adds.
Leading international climate experts and advocates who are part of CAN have respectively commented on the announcement .
Jonathan Church, lawyer, ClientEarth: “Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement is an act of global environmental vandalism that has the potential to do great harm to current and future generations. Even without the US as a party, Paris still represents our best chance of avoiding severe and destabilising climate change. The rest of the world must continue to build on Paris to speed the transition to a cleaner, lower-carbon world. The direction of travel is clear, and climate action will continue globally and within the US, as states and businesses continue to drive progress. In the meantime the commitment of the UK, the EU and other leading nations is more important than ever.”
Wendel Trio, Director, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe: “As global temperatures hit record high every year now, the world is rightfully outraged by the decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement.
We welcome the strong statements from all other world leaders that their countries will not withdraw their commitments, goals, policies and actions related to climate change. Unlike the view of the current US administration, countries all over the world see the Paris Agreement as an engine for growth and jobs.The EU is already strengthening its alliances with countries like China and Canada, as well as those most affected by climate change. The EU needs to step up its game now, to trigger more climate action and smooth the way for scaling up the Paris climate pledges.”
Catherine Abreu, Executive Director, Climate Action Network Canada: “Canada has quickly established a track record of collaborating and working across differences to launch coherent climate strategies. Now is the moment for Canada to take that to the next level, and emerge on the world stage as a bold climate leader. Trump may be ready to abandon the benefits associated with climate action, including improved air quality and human health, job creation in emerging industries, and international influence. Yet it is clear that American states, communities, and businesses are not willing to make the same sacrifice. Canadian governments and citizens will continue to work with these entities and allies in Mexico to maintain North American momentum on climate action.”
Mohamed Adow, International Climate Lead, Christian Aid: “The historic Paris Agreement was achieved thanks in large part to US climate diplomacy, but it will succeed with or without the US, as the rest of the world remain committed to the low-carbon transition. The 20th Century was powered by fossil fuels and America dominated the world. The 21st Century will be powered by clean energy and Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement could mark the end of American supremacy.”
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, Oxfam International: “The world’s biggest historic emitter walking away from its climate change commitments is gravely unjust, but we must respond by redoubling our efforts. Those on the frontlines of climate change demand nothing less.”
Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director, US Climate Action Network: “Trump has no mandate from the US public to weaken the Paris Agreement, and should not be making big decisions while under investigation. This cowardly failure to lead will only make us stronger as a movement as we push harder for just and equitable climate action.”
Susann Scherbarth, climate justice and energy campaigner for Friends of the Earth Europe: “Trump has cast America adrift from the global community and the reality of climate change. The fossil fuel industry and climate change deniers have set up shop in the White House, and they’re putting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people on the line. This should be a trigger for increased action on climate in Europe, to end fossil fuel dependency by 2030.”
Erich Pica, Friends of the Earth U.S. President: “Donald Trump is on a mission to sacrifice our planet to the fossil fuel industry. By pulling out of the Paris Agreement, Trump has turned the United States into the world’s foremost climate villain.
“The rest of the world must move forward aggressively without the world’s leading historical contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Friends of the Earth U.S. calls on all nations to assert heavy economic and diplomatic pressure to compel the Trump Administration to take serious climate action to protect people and the planet.
The majority of Americans reject Trump’s extreme agenda and demand climate action. Today’s announcement only strengthens our resistance.”
Federico Brocchieri, Vice President, Italian Climate Network (ICN): “In a world where climate change impacts are affecting millions of people every day, President Trump’s decision to leave the Paris Agreement is shortsighted and against history. However, this will not stop the transition: from countries to cities, from businesses to citizens the world has taken a very clear path which must gradually lead to a full decarbonisation of the economy, in line with the targets set by science, to leave current and future generations a sustainable planet.
“We welcome statements from other countries as well as those from states and cities in the US, reaffirming their commitment to continue working to combat climate change and all inequalities arising from it.”
Jennifer Morgan, Greenpeace International Executive Director: “Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement will turn America from a global climate leader into a flat earth society of one. It is a morally-bankrupt decision that Trump will come to regret. Global climate action is not a legal or political debate, it is an inescapable obligation to protect people and planet.
“Trump is surrendering US global leadership to real world leaders who are seizing the momentum to protect their country and the climate by transforming their economies to clean energy. We are witnessing a seismic shift in the global order as Europe, China and others lead the way forward.
“Almost 200 countries committed to climate action in Paris and only one has decided to withdraw. This is how far out of step Trump is with the rest of the world. It is the changing of the global guard – as the US bows out, world leaders, CEOs and people across the world can and are moving forward into the future.”
Brandon Wu, Director of Policy and Campaigns, ActionAid USA: “Millions of people around the world are already forced to live with a climate crisis they didn’t cause. By taking this step, the Trump administration continues to put its fingers in its ears and turn its back on the rest of the world. All countries should see this U.S. administration for what it is – a mouthpiece for some of the world’s dirtiest industries – and must move forward without the U.S. for now, resisting all further attempts by Trump to undermine progress in the fight against climate change.”
Hans Verolme, Senior Strategic Adviser, Climate Advisers Network: “I’d like to say to the Trump Administration: If you leave, then leave. From now on the rest of the world will move forward. We don’t need you to interfere with the Paris Agreement.”
Denise Auclair, Interim Secretary General, CIDSE: “It is a particularly harsh response from the perspective of countries in the Global South that are striving to limit their own carbon emissions and are experiencing the worst impacts of climate change; these communities are witnessing destruction of their land, environment, and traditional practices in support of a global economy with limited benefits for them. This decision by the United States should be a signal to the other 194 signatories to redouble their efforts, strengthen their commitments, and reject the fossil-fuel-based economy that the Trump administration is pushing forward.”
Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN International): “In the face of a dangerous and failing Trump administration, and its withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Accord, the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network stands in solidarity with our partners, frontline communities and Indigenous peoples worldwide as we continue to organize ceaselessly and rise ever more boldly to end extraction of fossil fuels and the destruction of the planet for profit and power. Women worldwide are working everyday to protect our lands, waters, climate and children’s futures – and though the challenges and injustices we face are many – women will be undeterred in our action and advocacy for a just and livable world.”
Michelle Nunn, president and CEO, CARE USA: “U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will erode America’s standing in the world at a time when global cooperation is needed more than ever. Coming on the heels of a budget proposal that, if enacted, would increase suffering among the poorest and make the world a more dangerous place, the Trump Administration’s intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is another failure of U.S. leadership. Addressing climate change is critical to the continued progress to combat extreme poverty and to alleviate humanitarian crises. Walking away from the Paris Agreement now is a sign that America is prepared, not only to stand in isolation, but also to walk away from its partners, from its moral responsibility, and from the promise it owes to future generations of a healthy and safe planet.”
Farhana Yamin, Founder and CEO, Track 0: The Paris Agreement is a lifeline for small islands and vulnerable communities everywhere. President Trump’s decision to withdraw from Paris will not bring prosperity to the US. It will create further injustice for those who have contributed little to climate change.
Erika Lennon, Senior Attorney, Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL): “The Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is reckless, irresponsible, and unjust. Climate change is already wreaking havoc and demands action. This overwhelming recognition that climate action can no longer wait led to the rapid entry into force of the Paris Agreement, and the Trump Administration’s misguided decision does not change that. People, businesses, US cities and states, and countries around the world will keep moving forward to address the climate threat with or without this Administration.
“Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of Paris will not save the coal industry or fossil fuels, but instead will slow the urgent action that is needed and undermine the ability of the US to negotiate any international agreement, leaving it isolated and irrelevant. Mr. Trump may be out, but he doesn’t speak for the world. The rest of us are still in. The future demands nothing less.”
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, May 1, 2017 finally announced his long-awaited decision for the country to withdraw from the Paris Agreement during a Rose Garden address.
With coal miners gathered around him, Trump some months ago signed an Executive Order rolling back a temporary ban on mining coal and a stream protection rule imposed by the Obama administration
“In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect its citizens,” he said, “the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord.”
The process could be a lengthy one, as both Trump and White House energy policy adviser Michael Catanzaro said the administration would follow the steps for withdrawal laid out in the deal itself.
“We will initiate the process, which, all told, takes four years in total. But we’re going to make very clear to the world that we’re not going to be abiding by what the previous administration agreed to,” they stated.
Expectedly, the somewhat unpopular announcement has attracted widespread reaction – albeit bordering on global condemnation from stateholders.
But they appear to be defiant, as civil society representatives and social movement leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States vow to build people power to address the climate crisis.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said in a statement: “The Secretariat of the UNFCCC regrets the announcement by the President of the United States that his government will withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
“The Secretariat also notes the announced intention to renegotiate the modalities for the US participation in the agreement. In this regard, it stands ready to engage in dialogue with the United States government regarding the implications of this announcement.
“The Paris Agreement remains a historic treaty signed by 194 and ratified by 147 counties. Therefore it cannot be renegotiated based on the request of a single Party.
“The Paris Agreement is aimed at reducing risk to economies and lives everywhere, while building the foundation for a more prosperous, secure and sustainable world. It enjoys profound credibility, as it was forged by all nations and is supported by a growing wave of business, investors, cities, states, regions and citizens. We are committed to continue working with all governments and partners in their efforts to fast forward climate action at global and national levels.”
Al Gore, former U.S. Vice-President, and Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project, reacted: “Removing the United States from the Paris Agreement is a reckless and indefensible action. It undermines America’s standing in the world and threatens to damage humanity’s ability to solve the climate crisis in time.
“But disappointment is not despair.
“Make no mistake: if President Trump won’t lead, the American people will.
“Civic leaders, mayors, governors, CEOs, investors and the majority of the business community will take up this challenge. We are in the middle of a clean energy revolution that no single person or group can stop. President Trump’s decision is profoundly in conflict with what the majority of Americans want from our president; but no matter what he does, we will ensure that our inevitable transition to a clean energy economy continues.
“As proof, just look at how communities like Salt Lake City, Utah and Boulder, Colorado are committing to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity. Just last month, California set a new record for clean energy use in the state, and over the past several weeks and months, major corporations and businesses from around the world reaffirmed their commitment to clean energy, the Paris Agreement, and US leadership on climate. The momentum of clean energy and climate action only continues to build, and ignoring that reality is shortsighted and wrong.
“Now it’s up to us to pick up where the White House is leaving off. It’s up to us to keep this progress going full steam ahead. If you’re in the US, commit to pushing your local council or mayor to embrace renewable electricity in your community. If you’re outside the US, commit to pressuring your leaders to fulfill your country’s Paris Agreement pledge and keep the process moving.
“My friends, it’s time to fight like our world depends on it. Because it does. And because together we will win.”
German Federal Environment Minister, Barbara Hendricks, submitted: “I regret the President’s decision. The damage this causes to multilateral cooperation is even more severe than the damage done to international climate action. The unique thing about Paris is that it showcases the world’s determination to make a common effort to tackle one of the most serious global problems of our times. The Trump administration has now announced to pull out of this joint project. By leaving, the US administration is throwing away a precious opportunity for forward-looking development in the United States. This decision harms the United States itself most of all.
“Climate action will continue and will not be stopped by this decision. Large parts of the business sector in the US are already gearing themselves up for a greenhouse gas-neutral future. They recognise the immense economic opportunities which that future offers. They will not be moved away from their path by their President’s decision.
“As far as the implementation of the Paris Agreement is concerned, I remain optimistic, because on top of all this, the rest of the world backs the agreement. Over the past few weeks we have had many encouraging signals from Europe, China, Russia, India, Canada and many other countries. The rest of the world is closing ranks, the commitment to climate action has become even stronger. Trump has opted for the past, the rest of the world has chosen the future.
“Internationally speaking, however, the US is leaving us with a leadership vacuum. Over the years, the US has been a valuable ally on global climate action. Without the United States, the historic breakthrough in Paris would not have been possible. But the Paris Agreement will endure, even without the US. Others will lead the way and we Europeans will certainly be among them.”
Nnimmo Bassey, Chair of the Board of Directors, Global Greengrants Fund and Terry Odendahl, President and CEO: “We are outraged by Donald Trump’s shameful and immoral decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. This assault on the rights of people and nature to exist is steered by greed and a total disregard for the millions of families whose very lives are at stake.
“Whether Mr. Trump agrees with the science of climate change or not, the United States is located on Planet Earth and no nation is exempt from the impacts of global warming.
We stand in solidarity with partners around the world, and we call for resistance against unjust and polluting industries before more harm is done. We reaffirm our commitment to communities that are standing up to corporate greed while battling the rising impacts of global warming. They are where real progress will happen, with or without the Paris climate deal.
Mithika Mwenda, Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA): “With the plan by Trump to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, people power and international solidarity are the only hope we have of averting an unimaginable climate crisis which will fan the flames of every existing inequality and injustice. It will take all of us around the world, organising together, to hold the historic emitters like the U.S. under the watch of Donald Trump to account and ensure our governments also do their fair share of climate action in the next four years to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. Trump’s decision doesn’t change that.”
Lidy Nacpil, Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development: “The U.S. pull-out from the Paris Agreement should be strongly condemned and denounced by all peoples of the world. Not because the Paris Agreement is perfect, certainly not because the Paris Agreement will save the world from climate catastrophe. But because a U.S. pull-out reveals utter disregard for the fate of humanity in favor of continued hegemony of U.S. elites and big corporate interests. Not to mention a tyrannical refusal to accept scientific findings.”
Ben Schreiber, Friends of the Earth USA: “Climate change is not waiting for U.S. action and neither can the rest of the world. Trump has turned the U.S. into a rogue climate state and the world should use economic and diplomatic pressure to compel the U.S. to do its fair share. The majority of Americans do not support Trump and his fossil fuel agenda that puts corporate profits above people. The struggle to create real, deep change continues in the U.S. The resistance to Trump is strong and it is growing.”
Tadzio Mueller, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung: “Our justified outrage at Trump should not blind us to the destructive policies that he pursued before he got out of Paris, and that are still being pursued by many countries that remain parties to the Paris Agreement. Germany, for example, long feted as a champion of international climate politics, is not world leader in renewable energies, but in fact world leader in digging up and burning lignite, the dirtiest of all the fossil fuels. The struggle for climate justice remains one that must be fought at all levels: from the global, all the way to the local. Trump pulling out of Paris only reinforces the key message: if we want to protect the climate, we can’t wait for our governments to do so. We’ve got to do it ourselves.”
Sreedhar Ramamurthi, Environics India: “Thanks to historic U.S. pollution, we are already suffering the consequences of a rapidly warming world with droughts, fires, and floods wreaking havoc with livelihoods and lives, even displacing whole communities. Trump wants to add to that historic pollution and condemn present and future generations in the global south to further suffering and death. We cannot allow this, there must be forceful political, legal, and economic consequences levied against the U.S. Trump must realise that in the case of climate, nature has the trump card and not him and his cronies!”
Rachel Smolker, BiofuelWatch USA: “I am ashamed of my country’s persistent role in undermining efforts to create a strong and binding agreement, now culminating in Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Here in the U.S. climate justice activists are scrambling hard to find a path forward from within. We hope our allies will let their voices be heard at U.S. embassies – to both isolate Donald Trump and his ilk – and apply pressure on the U.S. to step up and take responsibility for real and equitable solutions to the escalating climate catastrophe.”
Antonio Zambrano Allende, Movimiento Ciudadano frente al Cambio Climático (MOCICC): “As climate justice movements we stand in solidarity with frontline communities and environmental defenders in the U.S. who have been struggling to ensure the U.S. government takes action on climate change since long before the Paris Agreement. In that spirit of solidarity we call on people everywhere to show up wherever Mr. Trump goes to tell him that his hatred and fear are not welcome in our countries, while we continue to force our own governments to keep fossil fuels in the ground and ensure a just transition for workers.”
Angela Adrar, Climate Justice Alliance USA: “The Climate Justice Alliance has historically struggled to assure that Indigenous people, women, human rights and a Just Transition are at the forefront of international climate agreements. The shortcomings of the Paris Accord – and Trump’s erroneous and embarrassing decision to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement – proves more than ever that communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis are the ones to lead us toward a renewable and regenerative future. We will continue to organize for climate justice and stand in solidarity with our international allies who are fighting for survival, resisting extraction, and creating solutions from the ground up.”
Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, member of the Advisory Council on Global Change for the German government, and chair of the High Level Panel on Decarbonisation Pathways for the European Commission: “It will not substantially hamper global climate progress if the USA really quit the Paris Agreement, but it will hurt the American economy and society alike. China and Europe have become world leaders on the path towards green development already and will strengthen their position if the US slips back at the national level. Innovative states such as California, the world’s sixth largest economy, will keep going for climate action, however. The Washington people around Trump hide in the trenches of the past instead of building the future. They fail to recognize that the climate wars are over, while the race for sustainable prosperity is on.”
Paul Shrivastava, Chief Sustainability Officer, Penn State University, and Director, Sustainability Institute, USA, former Executive Director of Future Earth: “As one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases in the world, the U.S. has moral and strategic responsibility to lead the world towards a low-carbon global economy by vigorously implementing the Paris Agreement. Such leadership offers the added advantage of making the U.S. economy and companies more energy and carbon efficient, and consequently more competitive.”
Rob Jackson, Stanford University, USA, Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Global Carbon Project: “Scrapping the Paris agreement is myopic and hurts more than the environment. It undercuts U.S. leadership and will make our products harder to sell in the global market. A low-carbon world is creating jobs, improving air and water quality and saving lives.”
Josh Tewksbury, Director of the Colorado Global Hub of Future Earth, University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University, USA: “In the Paris Agreement, the United States has committed to a series of actions that will stimulate the fastest growing sectors of our economy, reduce the need for burdensome regulation and give us a leadership role in defining the future. The United States has always been a nation that leads by example. We should continue on this path and will be a stronger nation because of it.”
Wendy Broadgate, Director of the Sweden Global Hub of Future Earth: “Climate change affects everyone, including the American people. The facts are clear: Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris agreement attempts to threaten global cooperation but will not stop the transition already underway. It will instead isolate the U.S. from the enormous growth in business opportunities that will come from decarbonizing our economies.”
Susanne Moser, Director of Susanne Moser Research & Consulting, Social Science Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Woods Institute for the Environment, USA: “Trump supporters voted for an America that is a great place to live, to raise a family, to find meaningful work and see one’s grandchildren have a better future. They did not vote to have floods wash away their dreams, droughts wither their livelihoods, wildfires to make their homes go up in smoke, rising seas inundate their communities and dirty air give their children asthma. Their legitimate needs and hopeful desires are being misused, not to make America great again, but to make America – and everyone else – suffer greatly.”
Robert Richmond, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA: “Anything short of full engagement with and support for the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC by the United States would be ultimately damaging to our economy and the quality of life of all who inhabit the earth. The impacts of failed U.S. leadership on climate change would range from declines in agriculture and food security to losses in coastal protection and fisheries, and would place a terrible burden on our children and future generations who would pay a very high price for such a short-sighted response to a problem for which the science is clear. It’s time many of our elected officials replaced a false ideology with a strong dose of reality.”
Robert Kopp, Rutgers University, USA: “Every ton of carbon dioxide we emit moves the global thermostat up a notch, posing increasing risks to human health and welfare. In order to stabilize the climate, we must meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of bringing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero in the second half of this century. Paris’ framework of bottom-up national commitments, ratcheting up over time, is an important path toward this goal, and it is foolish for the U.S. to cede its leadership role in this framework to China and Europe.”
Frank Biermann, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, Chair of the Earth System Governance Project, a global research project of Future Earth: “The bottom line of global warming is clear: No country is an island. Walls don’t help. Ignorance is no solution. If the United States withdraws from global climate collaboration, all other nations need to collectively protect our common future.”
Karen O’Brien, University of Oslo, Norway: “The potential U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a threat to human security. Yes, national security is a concern for some, but human security is a concern for all. Global sustainability is critical to both national and human security – and so are continued interactions between science and policy through the Paris Agreement.”
Melissa Leach, Director of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, UK: “America has long been a fount of great scientific ideas, advances and innovations, contributing to progress in its own economy and in the world. It has led in tackling some of the major challenges of our day. But these values and this position on the world stage are deeply threatened by new waves of policy to deny and hide scientific evidence, such as around climate change, and to shirk global leadership on the climate change challenge. If President Trump turns America from a welcoming to a hostile place for science and life and planet saving policy, everyone will lose.”
Chidi Osuagwu, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria: “Nations can do the best they can to secure their borders and uplift their economies. Climate change and environmental disasters recognize neither borders, nor respect mighty economies.”
Asher Minns, head of communication for Future Earth Europe, University of East Anglia, UK: “The U.S. will be missed from the rest of the world’s battle against climate change. Withdrawing from the world seems to me un-American and disadvantages its own people, current and future jobs and health, especially if withdrawing goes hand-in-glove with a renewed U.S. quest for coal.”
A call has been made by the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr Mustapha Maihaji, for gender perspective to be adopted in disaster management policies in Nigeria.
Participants at the NEMA organised and UNDP supported Expert Review Workshop in a group photograph at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos, Plateau State
Making this call on Thursday, June 1, 2017 in his address at the commencement of the two-day NEMA organised and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supported Expert Review Workshop at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos, Plateau State, Maihaji, who spoke through the NEMA Zonal Coordinator North Central, Mallam Abdusalam Mohammed, noted that doing so would result in a smarter outcome of disaster management in the country.
“Our interventions shall strike the right balance between men and women by providing them with the same opportunities to ensure equality of outcome and will undoubtedly contribute to the realisation of social and economic empowerment for all, especially those affected by disaster,” he said.
He stressed that their interventions take the strategic needs of both men and women in view of the fact that gender-equality agenda is not just about improving the situation of women; rather, it is about redressing inequalities between men and women.
Earlier, Director General, Plateau State Peace Building Bureau, Dr Joseph Laiman, who was represented by Mrs Lantana Abdullahi, hailed NEMA’s role in spearheading the policy on gender mainstreaming in disaster management, adding that when it comes to issues of gender, the Bureau is particular in showing interest.
To this end, he said they support NEMA’s review of disaster management policy to include gender mainstreaming and will do same for its re-validation.
“We are interested in this policy and hope that it will help us in Plateau to manage disaster properly,” he added.
In an interview with EnviroNews, immediate past Secretary to the State Government Plateau State and Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Jos, Prof. Shedrack Best, enthused that the workshop is an ideal attempt to get an instrument in place that will assist NEMA in mainstreaming gender in service delivery.
Prof. Best, who maintained that, globally, there are efforts to make sure that gender mainstreaming is part of any area of development, stated that the effort would help NEMA key into a situation of genderising its operations and building a gender component into its system so as to strengthen the way it works.
“With the commitment exhibited on the part of NEMA, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the media and other advocacy groups should keep a tab on this policy to see that it is not kept in the cupboard,” he stressed.
The occasion featured a technical session with two presentations: “An Overview of NEMA’s Efforts in Mainstreaming Gender in Disaster in Risk Management” presented by NEMA’s Mrs Asmau Leo and “Overview of the Draft Gender in Disaster Management Policy” presented by a consultant, Prof. Funmilayo Para-Mallam, respectively.
A discovery made 13,000 feet up in the Andes Mountains may forever alter the global energy industry, scientists have said.
The OBL
The mysterious crystal-like materials, which locals call the “Oro Blanco” (translated to mean White Gold), is said to be is 1,693 times more powerful than gasoline (or petrol) that runs the car.
MIT researchers, Forbes, and The Daily Mail call it energy’s “Holy Grail”; they believe unlocking the crystal fuel’s potential is akin to discovering “The Holy Grail.”
Goldman Sachs, on the other hand, refers to the superfuel as “The new gasoline.” The organisation predicts it will eventually “replace gasoline as the primary source of transportation fuel.”
Oro Blanco, which is commonly referred to as “OBL”, is said to have the potential to burn considerably lesser compared to petrol. Infact, scientists say that, with a full tank, a motorist can drive some 42,325 miles before having to stop at that same gas station again.
“That’s like driving from New York City to Los Angeles and back seven times on a single gallon,” says Mike Ward, Publisher, Money Morning.
He adds: “It can light and heat your home, run factories, propel space ships, and it can even power the entire U.S. electrical grid.”
Already, a campaign by financial managers has begun, seeking investors to buy into the much vaunted product with a promise of high return on investment.
“To truly reap the benefits and rewards of investing in OBL, you must act quickly to stake your claim before the mainstream media blows this story open and ordinary investors become privy to this opportunity.
“Historically, those who invested early in new energy sources made fortunes that allowed them total financial freedom,” urges Ward.
He adds: “We are talking about staggering generational wealth, the kind that could make your family mega-rich today – and keep it that way 100 years from now.”
The city of Katowice was on Thursday, June 1, 2017 announced by the Government of Poland as the venue for the 2018 24th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), or “COP24”.
Polish Environment Minister, Prof. Jan Szysko,with Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, announces the venue of COP14, which holds in Poland for the third time in 10 years
Poland was chosen as the upcoming President by the Eastern European Group, whose turn it is to host the conference following Asia-Pacific in 2017.
Several potential locations were considered by the Polish authorities as the host city for the event – which will be the fourth time that Poland has presided over a UN climate change conference.
Two previous Conferences of the Parties (COPs) were held in Poland – COP14 in Poznań, in 2008, and COP19 in Warsaw, in 2013. Poland also presided over COP5 in Bonn in 1999.
Polish Environment Minister Prof. Jan Szysko on Thursday chose the occasion of a visit to Poland by Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, to announce that the southwestern city of Katowice has been given the green light.
Ms. Espinosa said: “I would to like to thank the Government of Poland for agreeing to host COP24 as part of the Eastern European Group and look forward to working with Minister Jan Szysko and his team to make the conference a success on all fronts.”
“2018 will be another important year for international climate diplomacy as nations move forward to implement the Paris Climate Change Agreement – indeed 2018 is when governments are expected to reach some key milestones,” she said.
“These range from finalising the guidelines for fully operationalising the agreement to taking stock of how countries are doing collectively in terms of being on track to realise Paris’s aims and ambitions over the coming years and decades,” added Ms. Espinosa.
Ms. Espinosa was on Thursday shown a research centre in Toruń where the Government of Poland is scientifically monitoring how forests absorb carbon. Forest protection is a key part of efforts to address climate change.
“Better managing, conserving and expanding of forests is going to play a crucial role in meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Indeed, we will need to see transitions across all sectors and all economies if the full potential of the Agreement is to be realised over the 21st century,” she added.
Ms. Espinosa said she looked forward to joining with the people of Poland to realise a successful conference that pushes forward the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The Government of Slovakia on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 54th future Party to the Minamata Convention.
Andrej Kiska, President of Slovakia
This is coming about a week after the twin island nation of St Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 and making it the 53rd Party to the global treaty on Mercury.
The Minamata Convention has already entered into force, thanks to the landmark rash of ratifications on Thursday, May 18, 2017 that triggered the Convention on Mercury into force, having garnered the required 50 ratifications.
On that day, the EU and seven of its member States – Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden – deposited their instruments of ratification at the UN Headquarters in New York, bringing to 51 that day the number of future Parties.
As a result, on August 16 2017, the Convention, which aims at protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds, will become legally binding for all its Parties.
The 1st Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP1) will gather governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations from around the world in Geneva from September 24 to 29, 2017.
The Minamata Convention is said to be the first new global Convention on environment and health adopted for close to a decade. It addresses the entire life cycle of mercury, considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 chemicals of major health concern, which threatens the environment and health of millions.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 invited ministers, Chief officers, directors and expert officers to discuss the content of the draft plan for Kalobeyei Refugee Resettlement in Kenya, including potential issues and development projects leading up to implementing the settlement development.
Turkana County Chief Planner presenting the draft Advisory Local Physical Development Plan for the Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement in Kenya
Mr. Mark Ewoi Ewesit, Chief Officer from The Ministry of Lands, Shelter and Urban Development, and Mr. Yo Ito, representative from the Government of Japan, opened the workshop, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the UN-Habitat, the County Government and refugee and host communities and the importance of urban strategies requesting specific regulations to allow for a comprehensive, integrated and sustainable settlement development.
In 2016, supported by the Government of Japan, UN-Habitat had joined in the implementation of Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (KISEDP), the Turkana-based initiative chaired by UNHCR, which seeks to facilitate collaboration and coordination between the Kenyan Government, UN agencies, development actors, private sector and civil society to build sustainable services and economic opportunities in Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement.
Given the circumstances of continuous influx of refugees, Turkana County sought alternative approach to hosting refugees that can leverage the opportunities related to refugee settlements ability to stimulate sustainable growth. UN-Habitat in partnership with UNHCR, Turkana County Government and other partners prepared an integrated spatial plan for the Kalobeyei Settlement, aimed at demonstrating sustainable approaches to human settlement development.
The Spatial Plan, which has been formulated through a participatory process over a period of one year, is to be submitted to the County Government of Turkana, both as part of the collaboration process and also as part of the requisite plan approval process.
The Spatial Plan is setting the setting a spatial framework for coordinating programmes and projects for the other components/sub-components, towards the coordinated implementation under development and humanitarian interventions. The spatial plan has been developed based on a comprehensive socio-economic and mapping analysis conducted by UN-Habitat, as well as on a deeply participatory process involving refugee and host communities, local experts, international humanitarian and development organisations based on the ground and nevertheless continuous support and contribution from expert officers in different ministers in Turkana and the county legislature.
The workshop was structured in order to offer the ministries a clear presentation of the Spatial Plan guidelines and to ensure ownership of the County towards the Kalobeyei Settlement implementation. As Turkana natives are traditionally pastoralists, one of the main concerns was also the integration of locals into the new settlement, and to enhance their livelihoods in the growing economy. Further factors for consideration include greater emphasis on water provision, and provision of adequate technologies in terms of infrastructure and sanitation. The discussion approached also the relation between Kalobeyei Settlement and the Lodwar-Lokichogio Highway, which as part of a regional potential economic development scheme for future investment projects.
In terms of financial aspects, discussions on possible development directions were conducted with an emphasis on developing cost estimate that will be used as the entry point for promoting a financially and economic sustainable settlement. Potential partnership policies between the government and private sectors can also seek to enhance and capture development and construction costs, providing return of investments for both parties.
A session on the Kenyan legislative framework for community land and on the current land status of the settlement was also conducted. It focused on the current tenure of the settlement and on the possible scenarios to both protect the interests of the host community and ensure the long term sustainability of the settlement.
With acknowledgements to UN-Habitat expertise in urban planning and design, the Turkana County Government has expressed their confidence that once approved; the Spatial Plan can be implemented in lines with the County Development Plans, calling for UN-Habitat to support further social cohesion between refugee and host communities in Kalobeyei and neighboring settlements.
Honorary Members and staff of the Planning Committee of the County Assembly have previously conducted a validation of the draft Advisory Local Physical Development Plan for the Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement, promoting a positive overall feedback for the settlement development guidelines drafted by UN-Habitat. Experts from the UN-Habitat, key officers from the County Government are working towards achieving sustainable solutions for the settlement, and this workshop has set the basis for feasible implementation governed by the local authority.
