"Alliance representing more than 100 countries, including US, shows developed and developing world can work together, says EU climate chief.... "A coalition representing more than 100 countries, formed in secrecy six months ago, has emerged at key UN talks in Paris to push for a legally binding global and ambitious deal on climate change. "The “high ambition coalition” speaks for the majority of the 195 countries at the crunch conference and consists of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific … Continue reading
Rob Hopkins reports from COP21 in Paris
Rob Hopkins, Findhorn Fellow and co-founder of Transition Town Totnes and the Transition Network, reports from COP21 in Paris.... "Today was the most thought-provoking day, at times viscerally so. The logo for COP21 says ‘Tous ensemble pour le climat’, or “all together for the climate” (see right). Yet today was a day when the battle lines felt clearly drawn, or rather the two extremes on display here came into stark, and alarming contrast. Out at Le Bourget, the negotations continue. Big … Continue reading
Bhutan most ‘carbon negative’ country in the world
"At this week’s Paris Climate Change Conference an underrated and unlikely champion of combating climate change was the little Himalayan nation of Bhutan." Read the full story.... Continue reading
UN climate conference: Empty shoes replace cancelled Paris march
"Nearly 150 global leaders are gathering in Paris amid tight security for a critical UN climate meeting. The conference, known as COP21, starts on Monday and will try to craft a long-term deal to limit carbon emissions. Meanwhile Parisians have been placing hundreds of pairs of shoes at the Place de la Republique in the French capital. Emma Ruby-Sachs of the Avaaz campaign group explained the reasons for the gesture." Read the full story and watch the video clip.... Continue reading
Women in Climate: Solutions on the Road to Paris and Beyond
What can we do right now to best deal with climate change? Emily Arasim, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network "Women’s voices must be at the forefront of conversations on climate change if we are to rebuild an equitable and healthy world. Women are critical stakeholders both because they experience climate impacts with disproportionate severity and because of the unique and critical insights, skills, and solutions that they bring to the table. Women are central to farming, water … Continue reading
Global climate marches to see unprecedented wave of people calling for more action ahead of Paris Climate Summit
"On November 28 and 29, hundreds of thousands of people around the world will take to the streets in more than 2000 events in 150 countries to turn up the heat on leaders heading to the Paris Climate Summit. "Frontline community representatives, unionists, faith leaders, and families will call on politicians to forge an ambitious new global climate agreement this December that speeds up the just transition from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy and protects vulnerable people from worsening … Continue reading
The planet’s future is in the balance. But a transformation is already under way.
"As the world prepares for the UN Paris climate summit, the world is at a tipping point. But a political and scientific revolution could yet save it.... "Remarkably, 2015 is the make-or-break year and all the signs are there that we are changing course – a great transformation is not only within sight, it is under way. Here’s why. First, world leaders met in New York recently to agree the sustainable development goals – applying equally to all nations. This is a paradigm shift in thinking; it … Continue reading
Legal Recognition of the Sacredness of the Earth: Rights of Nature
"Under Rights of Nature, the Earth and its ecosystems are viewed as living beings with rights. “The natural world is … an equal stakeholder in maintaining the wellbeing of the planet — an active participant that is worthy of our respect.” Nature is protected based on its intrinsic value instead of for its monetary value as a consumable resource. ".... in 2010, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature was founded by a group of 20 people, including Bill Twist, co-founder of the Pachamama … Continue reading
Paris 2015: Why COP21 matters, and why I’m going | Rob Hopkins
A positive take on the upcoming climate talks from Rob Hopkins, Findhorn Fellow and co-founder of Transition Town Totnes and of the Transition Network.... "On Monday we launch our new book '21 Stories of Transition' and today we begin our build up to COP21 in Paris which starts at the end of the month. Often our default setting as people who are motivated by climate change is to lobby, demonstrate and campaign to try to bring pressure to bear on those decision makers to make the best deal … Continue reading
At Vatican, Mayors Pledge Climate Change Fight
"VATICAN CITY — About 60 mayors from around the world gathered here on Tuesday and pledged to combat global warming and help the poor deal with its effects, at a conference swiftly organized by the Vatican barely a month after Pope Francis’ sweeping encyclical on the environment. "The two-day conference, which also focused on fighting forms of modern slavery, was not the first time that the Vatican had organized a meeting on the issue. But it was the first time that it specifically invited … Continue reading