Make It Green Again

The Top Three Reasons Rio+20 Will Change the World

Though two months away, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development’s Earth Summit, better known as Rio+20, has already been labeled vital, momentous and historic. And while delegates, students and activists have yet to arrive in Brazil, we already know that Rio+20 has the potential to be a “big deal.” It all begs the question, can the people engaging in Rio+20, in-person or remotely, really change the world? My sage and inspiration for answering this question is Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Simply, Rio+20 is about being part of that thoughtful group committed to "getting it right" for future generations. The outcome and commitments of the Conference will affect us all, from the farmer in Iowa to the IT specialist in India, and whether you attend the conference or not, your voice can and needs to be heard.

The first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 wasn’t a quiet affair by any means. An estimated 172 governments (108 heads of state), 2,400 NGO representatives and 17,000 attendees of the parallel Global Forum participated in the original Earth Summit. Additionally, the 1992 conference yielded vital, momentous and historic gains, including Agenda 21 (the action plan supporting sustainable development goals through government engagement at all levels), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), from which all of our climate negotiations stem.

Rio+20 is estimated to eclipse the original Earth Summit in both size and breadth. The actual conference, which will take place June 20-22, will be preceded by over a week of civil society days and pre-conference events. In addition to buy-in from governments, industry and non-governmental organizations, Earth Summit 2.0 is posed to make an even bigger splash than the original.

Here are the top three reasons how Rio+20 can change the world:

3. Growing Green from the Ground Up
We usually look to our national leaders to make commitments on global policy; however, lack of consensus and cooperation has led to stalemate in negotiations. Rather than wait for a top-down climate regime, cities have emerged as the new leaders on climate change and sustainability. Local action is critical in our ability to meet global goals and cities have the authority to affect infrastructure, building and local development decisions in order to meet these goals. The current Rio+20 zero draft includes one paragraph on the role of cities:

“We commit to promote an integrated and holistic approach to planning and building sustainable cities through support to local authorities, efficient transportation and communication networks, greener buildings and an efficient human settlements and service delivery system, improved air and water quality, reduced waste, improved disaster preparedness and response and increased climate resilience.”

Though brief at this stage, I see this paragraph as a positive first step. We need to accelerate the development tools and resources to enable local governments to continue their inspiring work.

2. Empowering All to Shape the Future We Want
The themes of Rio+20—the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and the institutional framework for sustainable development—have universal importance and deserves the attention of all populations. The scope of climate change is not discriminatory, though its most adverse effects tend to affect vulnerable populations and regions. Rio+20 offers the chance to address climate change, sustainable development, poverty, world hunger and more in order to realize a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow.

The outcomes of Rio+20 affect every one of us. Like movements before us, we need to make Rio+20 the culmination of our fight for social equity, economic freedom and quality of life. We need to speak up and advocate for the future we want, but step one is to raise awareness and to educate our peers.

1. Unleashing a New Generation of Leadership
By leveraging the media tools of today, we all can engage in the 2012 Earth Summit. The profound equalizing effect of Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms has helped forge a next generation of leadership that will be on full display at Rio+20, inspiring engagement, amplifying the urgency for action and driving commitment. Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtags – #RioPlus20 and #FutureWeWant – and the handles – @UNEP and @UN_RioPlus20. Go even further and spread the word on Facebook. Don’t just write and call your leaders to act in Rio, organize and mobilize. Take the lead and unleash your own movement.

I genuinely believe that Rio+20 has the potential (excuse the cliché) to change the world. However, it requires the attention and interest of all of us. Let’s make Rio+40 a celebration of what we accomplish this June, not another attempt to address the same issues. Join me in fighting for the future we want.

Vote for Maggie to be the official blogger for World Environment Day in Rio! Click “Vote Now” on the UNEP website below her picture or at the end of the blog and enter the security code. Please share with friends and colleagues! Voting ends April 30th.

Earth Day 2012

Earth Walk 2012- Rio+20

Earth Walk 2012- Rio+20

We have almost 10 weeks remaining for the one of biggest and one of the most important summits in history of the United Nations Organizations. That's Rio+20 - which is our summit, the summit to decide the pathway of the planet. This is the summit which will put the foundation of the future we want to see and live, as well Rio+20 provides an opportunity to think globally and act locally to secure our common future. On the 1st of April 2012, as part of National Road To Rio+20 Campaign Sri Lanka, dozens of youth led organizations got together and organized the Earth Walk 2012. The walk commenced with 300+ energetic and diverse youth activists who gathered at the Police Park in Bambalapitiya and walked towards Vihara maha Devi Park in Town Hall, Colombo- Sri Lanka while expressing their views about the environment. The purpose of the walk was to create a different image about the Environment on the minds of the Youth, because it is  generally seen that youth as  a negative perceptions about the whole issue of saving the planet earth and the environment. We as youth leaders believe that if we want to initiate change, we should make the people believe that, there should be change and what would be consequences is not actions are not taken up now. This was the main idea behind in making posters, communicating to the public about the problems that we are facing today and the problems that are yet to come. We also communicated the need to change, and the need to take action. During the walk we wanted to create a better image about taking action, as it would motivate and empower the people in taking action. After the walk, there was a mural painting which was organized by the Academy of Design. The main theme of the mural painting was HELP. Planet Earth needs our help to survive and we should stop hurting it. Each hand print on that mural painting, resemble the support and the urgency of each individual to save our mother earth. We had a Green Fashion walk to promote sustainable cloth and green fashion designs as well. Mr Neshan Gunesekara from Weeramanthry International Centre for Peace Education and Research, Mr Kabilan a Youth Activist in the North and Mr Piyum Perera who is the chairman of National Youth Services Council inspired the gathering in speeches and live band show to added more beauty the Earth Walk.

 

“Young people all over the world are worried about the climatic changes which will affect their lives. They, more than anyone else, understand the urgency of finding solutions to our global environmental problems. Presently, the health and wellbeing of millions and millions of youth are at environmental risk. The links between the health of   our environment and the socio-economic challenges inspiring the youth to riot are getting clearer each day. Rio+20 is a chance to move away from business as usual and act to end poverty and to build a bridge the to a sustainable and happy future” said Sikander Sabeer, the founder of “National Road to Rio+20” Campaign Sri Lanka. To address the current burning issues bunch of Sri Lankan youth launched the 'National Road to Rio+20' campaign in October 2011.The national campaign is an initiative of Sikander Sabeer, Rehan Fernando, and Sahan Hattotuwa, who are serving as a the co-founders of National Road to Rio+20 campaign. The Earth Walk could not have being a success without the help of National Youth Services Council, Academy of Design and Colombo Operated Model United Nations 2012, and specially Youth for Greener Sri Lanka platform.

http://nrrsl.blogspot.com/

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Road-to-Rio20-Campaign-Sri-Lanka/

Earth Walk 2012