Number of questions: [7]
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Posted on 16/07/2007 15:23:11 |
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Should we turn to vegetarianism in order to protect our environment?
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Jing Lin (from United States of America)
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Dear Jing,
Vegetarianism is a personal choice.
With regards to the links between food and sustainable development, there are many issues to consider. One is the area of unequal distribution of food on the planet, another one is the link between the quality of our food, our health and our environment, which includes agriculture practices. Other issues to consider are, among other, the reduction of food wastages as well as change of behaviour in developed countries to limit the consumption of non seasonal food. I would like to invite you to check our programme on education for sustainable consumption (http://www.uneptie.org/pc/sustain/youth/youthxchange.htm ), which is, among other issues, touching this topic.
With best regards,
Sylvie
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Posted on 16/07/2007 05:25:50 |
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What strategies do you propose for educating policy-makers in your area of specialization?
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Centre for Environment Education (from India)
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Dear all,
Thank you for your question.
The first strategy that is needed is communication and information on the environmental issues(with scientific evidence of the problem and the causes) and information on possible and effective solutions, highlighting the economic, social and environmental benefits. E.g. There is strong evidence on the depletion of natural resources and increasing levels of pollution. Demographic projections reveal that by the year 2050 the world population will be 9 million. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, two thirds of the natural resources and ecosystem services providing food, fiber, energy, water and climate stability are already being seriously degraded. This implies that the current patterns of consumption and production must change, and we need to decouple economic growth from environmental deterioration.
A second strategy is to identify effective policy tools to promote sustainable consumption and production (SCP); for example sustainable procurement, eco-efficiency, supply chain, education and awareness raising among other are keep programmes or tools that have shown to be effective in promoting sustainable consumption and production. UNEP DTIE is working actively in all these areas.
In terms of capacity building which is an important aspect of the work we do, UNEP has developed various manuals, tools kits and material to train policy makers and assist them in implementing such policies.
Another main area of our work aims at encouraging governments to develop and implement adequate regulatory and economic instruments to promote resource efficiency, environmental protection and promote Sustainable Consumption and Production.
Finally, another important strategy is to build partnerships and cooperation with different stakeholders, including business sectors, civil society, academia.
For more information, I would like to refer you to our website: http://www.unep.fr/pc/sustain/initiatives/home.htm
With best regards,
Sylvie
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Posted on 16/07/2007 04:52:23 |
Dear Madam,
Now global warming is being a very hot tipics in Environmental Field and I think it should be. Most of the developed countries are focusing on emmission trade rather than decreasing their emmission level. Do you think, it is the suitable way of solving the problem of Globle warming? And Europe is trying to find the best product technology by adopting Eco-Design Technology. How effectively it will work to achieve the targets?
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Dharma (from Nepal)
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Dear Dharma,
Thank you for your question.
Climate change is generally recognized as one of the major environmental problems facing the globe. The recent reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) capture scientific thinking and state that it is no longer relevant to discuss whether the climate is changing but rather how much change we are committed to and how fast this will occur. In addition, the panel emphasized that climate change, while a long term issue, needs to be considered as a medium term problem requiring short term action. To do so the panel says that a mix of strong policies, technology development and transfer of technologies using a broad range of policy and technical options. These elements make it clear that many actions involving many actors are needed and there is no one way to ‘solve the problem.’
UNEP is working to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency; support for expanded access to cleaner energy; application of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in new sectors and countries; and fostering the development of a broader carbon market. In addition, in response to the change that will happen, UNEP is promoting national capacity building efforts that reduce climate vulnerability; improving methods and assessment tools in order to advance the scientific understanding of climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation needs; and establishing links to disaster preparedness efforts.
Emissions trading is an important part of responding to climate change as well. However, a trading system only works when all members agree to put an absolute limit (“cap”/”ceiling”) on their annual emissions. In Europe for example, where an effective trading system is in place, the National Allocation Plans for Phase II, will result in an average cut of nearly 7% below the 2005 emission levels. Once a ceiling is set, companies have the choice between investing in emission reduction projects and/or technology to stay below the ceiling, or they can buy additional emission rights from other companies that pollute less than their quota. With economic growth, emission rights will become more and more expensive, thereby incentivizing companies to invest more and more in emission reduction technologies instead of buying increasingly expensive credits on the market. Emissions trading has great potential to be one of the most efficient economic mechanisms for reducing emissions on a global scale, and has shown very good results so far.
As you note, there is also work under way (globally) targeting products to increase energy efficiency. Eco-design is one way companies can look at their products and design them to be more energy efficient from the drawing board. Governmental bodies can support these efforts by supporting labels, standards and sustainable procurement processes to this end. In a globalized economy, standards and labeling efforts can benefit from economies of scale, there by allowing participating countries to benefit from best practices. For example, focusing on efficient motor and lighting technologies, could encompass areas that account for 40 percent of worldwide electricity consumption. An estimated potential energy savings of up to 25 percent would correspond to about 900 million tons of CO2 avoided annually.
Another element to keep in mind about products is that usually their greatest negative environmental impacts occur during the use period. So engaging consumers (whether individual households or companies) on how best to use and dispose of the product over time is an important element as well.
The climate change issue is one that affects all stakeholders and will require responses on all our parts. Thank you again for your insightful question.
Best regards,
Sylvie Lemmet
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Posted on 16/07/2007 02:59:47 |
Hi Sylvie,
While not strictly a question - more a topic for discussion - I would like to get your views on how a 1st world nation like Australia should be approaching the aspect of dismantling (or if it should?) agriculture in marginal areas, how to over come the fear of terra nullius that exists within the Australian community and what if any examples there are on changing land use policy to encourage biodiversity management-farming rather than leverage people off the land through structural incentives?
thansk
tim
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Tim (from Australia)
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Dear Tim,
The issue you are raising is a very interesting one. When it comes to land use, UNEP has until now concentrated its work on issues such as desertification and soil management.
I am not familiar with the specificities of Australian agricultural policies, but I would like to invite you to visit our website (http://www.unep.org/themes/land/) to learn more about UNEP activities in land use. I would also like to mention the work that FAO is carrying out on sustainable agriculture practices that you might find useful.
With best regards,
Sylvie
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Posted on 15/07/2007 15:49:13 |
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MY NEIBOURER IS INSTALLING A TELECOM TOWER IN HIS FRONT YARD WHICH IS BESIDE MY YARD.AS I KNOW IT HAS HAZARDS TO HEALTH.CAN U PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT THE LAW TO PROTACT OURSELVES FROM THIS DANGEROUS ACT.MY HOUSE UPPER STORY IS DIRECTLY FACING THAT TOWER. ALSO PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SHOULD I DO TO TOP THIS ILLEGAL ACT.THANKS.
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JAMSHED ABBAS (from Pakistan)
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Dear Jamshed,
Thank you for your question. Since this is more an issue handled at the national level, I would like to suggest that you get in touch with the telecom and environment authorities in your country about the legal framework and the regulations in place to help you adress this issue.
With best regards,
Sylvie
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Posted on 15/07/2007 15:00:11 |
Good day, I believe I met Ms Sylvie Lemmet in Boca Raton Florida USA recently a,d spoke about becoming involved with the preservation of environments in Jamaica. Please provide me wuithe necessary information on how to become involved with the Billion tree program whic she mentioned to me. I appreciated meet her at the beach and look forward to hearing form her.
Mr. Dunn
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Joe Dunn (from Jamaica)
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Dear Mr Dunn,
I think you may have met one of my colleagues. However, thanks for your interest in UNEP and our billion tree campaign. The easiest way to become involved is to access the dedicated web site: http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/. Here you will find lots of information about how to make individual pledges and/or contacts for more information.
Furthermore, you might be interested to know that UNEP has an office in Jamaica. Kingston is home to the UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme. See http://www.cep.unep.org/
Best regards
Sylvie
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Posted on 15/07/2007 03:37:48 |
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Achievement of Sustainable development is our ultimate goal. It is fact that the world is divided into two parts developed and developnig world.Then both the types further has several cultural and religiouse divisions. Keeping in view of cultural and religious freedom of people we should design a global life style .People of developed world generally don't compromise with prosperity and that is the main contraint in achieving goal of SD. On the otherhand developing countries adopting the same practices of developed nations without any remedial measures based on techology.In my opinion a Global Life style is the only remedy .This new life style would be environmental friendly. It will include good practices of all religions and cultures. Say for example In Indian culture natural and cultural environment are two sides of a coin . We believe that we are governed by natural forces and we should follow them .
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Rakesh Trivedi (from India)
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Dear Rakesh,
Thank you for your contribution. UNEP is not promoting one global lifestyle, but is rather advocating for more sustainable lifestyles. We have developed specific programmes on this issue. I would like to refer you in particular to our programme on education for sustainable consumption (http://www.uneptie.org/pc/sustain/youth/youthxchange.htm )as well as to the international task force on sustainable lifestyles, led by Sweden, under the 10 year framework on sustainable consumption and production (http://www.uneptie.org/pc/sustain/10year/taskforce.htm) .
With best regards,
Sylvie
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