Logan and Albert Conservation Association
At Copenhagen, the Australian Koala Foundation (AFK) argues two things:
1. Protecting the koala forests of Australia is an imperative step towards reducing greenhouse emissions in Australia and,
2. AKF science shows it will be impossible to replace the carbon in those forests if they are destroyed.
You can watch the video footage at www.climatetalks.tv.
This link will take you the page with free material to broadcast and online news usage.
From Deborah's diary...
When I return to Australia I want to speak with my Board because I believe even though we know the koala forests are filled with carbon, what must never be lost is just the fundamental respect we have to have for the forests of the world. I believe this is what HRH Prince Charles will be speaking about tomorrow and I must never forget this.
I spoke with one of the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) negotiators, and she told me that mostly the delegates writing the legislation for REDD are bureacrats from countries all over the world - many of whom have never seen a koala, a forest or any sort of animal. They have been 'educated' by these hardworking NGO's that I have come to respect very much, but they tend to focus on the 'additionality' or 'co-benefits', which means that there might be an animal in there, or some benefit to a local tribe (the lack of respect for the indigenous people of the world just keeps coming through time and time again), but of course all of this still does not apply to Australia. They remind me of the paper shufflers I have met in every Government Department in Australia. Remind me to tell you about the latest letter I received from the Queensland Government by the way.
The whole process is soul-less. It concerns me greatly. I believe it could be so much simpler:
1. Map what we have.
2. Protect the biodiversity that is fundamental to us as a planet.
3. Protect the rivers so we have clean water.
4. Clean up the mess we have created.
5. Plant more trees
6. Grow more vegetables.
7. Provide a future for our children.
I honestly haven't seen anything as simple as this, except from the indigenous people who are here and, like the koala, don't seem to be heard.
"Please Help the World", film from the opening ceremony of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 (COP15) in Copenhagen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Shown on December 7, 2009 at COP15.
The eyes and ears of the world are on Copenhagen this month and also on the major polluting high greenhouse gas emitting countries. Will our leaders have the political will to commit to a real deal, or will there be more greenwash and political spin? Over 11,000,000,000 have signed a digital petition asking for genuine actions and climate justice.
What are we as Australians going to do to help those whose homes will be underwater?
What are we as Australians going to do to protect the remaining biodiversity of our country?
What are we as Australians going to do reduce the volume of greenhouse gases we produce PER PERSON in Australia?
How are we going to respond if Prime Minister Rudd does not make a genuine committment on behalf of Australia and its citizens?
SEND YOUR GREETINGS.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference will take place at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between December 7 and December 18, 2009. The conference includes the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 15) and the 5th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 5). According to the Bali roadmap, a framework for climate change mitigation beyond 2012 is to be agreed there