YOUTH AND BIODIVERSITY

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Macoun Marsh Update- Canada

We are continuing to work with the University of Ottawa to research microbes.

Another Testate amoebae

Chickadees are beginning to approach us.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

“Water and Biodiversity”

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is pleased to announce the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May 2013 will be:

“Water and Biodiversity”

The theme was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. UNESCO has been chosen as the lead agency to promote the global celebrations and to help raise awareness on the critical issues facing water management.

Water sustains all life on Earth. It is vital for all people and ultimately determines our way of life. Providing and sustaining water for the needs of people around the world is already well recognized as a major challenge for sustainable development in most areas in both developed and developing countries. The ecosystems of our world, but particularly forests and wetlands, ensure that clean water is available to human communities. Water in turn underpins all ecosystem services.

Wetlands can help reduce risks from flooding. Restoring soils can reduce erosion and pollution and can increase water available for crops. Protected areas can assist in providing water to cities. These are but a few examples of how ecosystem management can help us solve water-related problems.

Water – the source of all Life on Earth - is a cross-cutting topic and requires partnerships for its management. Solutions to water management issues are included in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Targets.

The Secretariat will develop, in early 2013, a variety of outreach materials to help celebrate the day including a web page with key messages and a booklet on the theme

To assist in this preparation, I invite all Parties, non-governmental organizations and other organizations to provide their suggestions on ways to celebrate this day.

I further invite all to begin their preparations for celebrating IDB 2013. Suggested activities for the day, and updated news on the latest developments will be made be available on the designated IDB site at: http://www.cbd.int/idb/.

The text of this notification is also available on the CBD website at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/ntf-2012-138-idb-en.pdf

NEW F-GAS PROPOSAL ‘A MISSED OPPORTUNITY’

Ambitious draft proposals watered down & lacking ambition

LONDON: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has reacted with disappointment to the publication of the final proposal for the European Union’s Review of the F-Gas Regulation, citing weak measures and a lack of ambition.

The proposed revisions, which were released by the European Commission today, govern the use of climate-changing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants – super greenhouse gases many hundreds or thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Clare Perry, EIA Senior Campaigner, said: “We welcome the confirmation that Europe will begin phasing-out HFCs; however, the proposal is a missed opportunity and shows all the hallmarks of heavy industry lobbying. More ambitious draft proposals that were leaked previously have been watered down, bans have been removed and what have left is lacking in ambition.”

The new proposal contains a range of measures to reduce emissions of HFCs, including a cap and phase down of 79 per cent by 2030, and bans on use of HFCs in domestic, hermetically sealed commercial systems (usually small) and some other applications.

However, it also omits several key measures for which environmental campaign groups and many industry stakeholders have been calling, such as bans on the use of HFCs in new industrial and commercial refrigeration equipment. Studies conducted for the European Commission have shown that new equipment bans can be implemented in all the key sectors by 2020.

Alasdair Cameron, EIA Campaigner, said: “By failing to include ambitious bans, this new law will not achieve the emissions reductions required. The cap and phase down is weak and, without the back-up of bans in areas where we know safe and energy efficient alternatives are available, it will not provide the certainty that industry needs to invest in new technologies and will not reach the emissions reductions needed.

“The Commission has been unable to provide the necessary level of ambition and it will be up to the European Parliament and the Member States to do better in the coming months. It is clear that we need, and can have, stronger measures and we are confident that in the end they can be achieved.”

Currently, HFCs account for about 1-2 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but estimates suggest this will rise to up to 19 per cent by 2050 without action. HFCs are the only greenhouse gases on the rise in Europe.

Call for Nominations for Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) Inaugural Elections !

Please find below the Call for Nominations for Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) Inaugural Elections !

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), an international legally binding treaty which has three main goals (1) conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity); (2) sustainable use of its components; and (3) fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources, encourages the participation of civil society, including official Major Groups such as the Children and Youth, in its processes. In the years leading up to tenth Conference of the Parties of the CBD (COP10) young people from around the world who were passionate about biodiversity issues felt the need to create an organized network in order to ensure active participation and involvement in the CBD. At COP10 youth officially presented Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) concept and gained the support of the Secretariat. GYBN mission is to raise global awareness among young people of the values of biodiversity and connect individuals and youth organizations in order to build a global coalition to halt the loss of biodiversity. After its start, an Interim Steering Committee was formed with the aim of establishing a relationship with the Secretariat and mobilizing their peers. This committee initially focused on establishing a relationship with the Secretariat and mobilizing their peers. The Committee also focused on using online means to connect youth, and organized the GYBN Kick-Off Conference held in Berlin, Germany, in 2012.

GYBN’s interim Steering Committee is now at the end of its mandate, and is calling for self-nominations of young people from all over the world who are able to commit to two years’ voluntary service for the following elected positions a) two (2) Focal Points and b) eight to fifteen (8-15) Steering Committee members and in keeping with the mandates described below:

A. Two (2) Focal Points

Mandate of the Focal Points:

- Promote the UN Guide of Participation to members who are attending CBD meetings;

- Facilitate the engagement of members of the network in events, meetings, activities and negotiations under the CBD and other intergovernmental processes;

- Maintain effective communication channels between the CBD Secretariat or other institutions; and the members, disseminating relevant information when appropriate

- Attend the COP taking place during the given term and actively seek adequate support with the assistance of the Steering Committee as necessary;

- Attend, to the best of their ability, CBD intercessional meetings;

- Identify interim Focal Point(s) to attend CBD intercessional meetings if they are not able to, and ensure these interim focal points are properly prepared for these meetings;

- Liaise with the CBD Secretariat at CBD negotiation sessions on a daily basis if necessary;

- Make emails from the CBD Secretariat or other institutions accessible to youth by translating the information into youth friendly language;

- Direct specific matters to the appropriate Working Groups if applicable;

- Encourage that the network meets deadlines in responding to requests for input and participation, from the CBD Secretariat or other institutions;

- Avoid rapid decisions and tasks that do not take into account the input necessary for transparency and effective participation from the network;

- Maintain a democratic, inclusive and participatory spirit in working with the network;

- Collaborate closely with the Steering Committee and working groups;

- Maintain transparency by regularly updating and informing the network on their work;

- Establish a trusting relationship between themselves and all members of the network, as well as with other bodies working or interested in working with GYBN.

Focal Point Criteria:

A candidate for a GYBN Focal Point position should:

- Possess good understanding of CBD processes;

- Possess good understanding of GYBN Statute and decision-making processes;

- Be supported by their organization of origin;

- Be able to commit to a two-year term;

- Have demonstrated leadership skills;

- Be able to attend the COP (Conference Of Parties) held during their term; availability during intersessional meetings is a plus;

- Ensure that the Focal Point role is prioritized during the COP;

- Have excellent English conversational, writing, and reading skills; skill in other United Nations official languages is a plus;

- Have excellent communication skills;

- Be self-motivated;

- Be of an age between 18 and 28 years (at the time of the election);

- Have reliable internet access to be able to work and maintain effective communication;

- Be able to promote the values of GYBN and its Code of conduct;

- Be committed to promoting youth empowerment and participation within the CBD process;

- Be committed to maintaining an inclusive, transparent, and representative mandate within GYBN processes;

- Be committed to maintaining a strong and positive relationship with the Secretariat;

- Have previous experience in facilitating youth activism and be able to work with a diverse group of people sharing different cultural, educational and professional backgrounds.

B. Eight to fifteen (8-15) Steering Committee members

Mandate of the Steering Committee:

- Maintain a democratic, inclusive and participatory spirit in working with the network;

- Ensure network compliance with the GYBN mandate and code of conduct;

- Support and oversee the work of the Focal Points, and if needed, to specifically support Focal Points in their interactions with the CBD Secretariat;

- Seek approval and/or consensus from members before making any major decisions;

- Facilitate the collaboration between the Group of External Advisors and the network;

- Be able to join a one-month online training session at the beginning of their term;

- Facilitate the organization of all nomination and election processes within the network;

- Train newly elected committee members at the end of their term;

- Operate strategically and efficiently;

- Meet online at least once every month to coordinate network’s activities and action plans;

- Ensure that open and effective methods of communication are maintained;

- Ensure the virtual participation of members in network activities and meetings when possible;

- Coordinate and moderate the GYBN general mailing list and the working groups mailing lists;

- Identify opportunities and partnerships for training and capacity-building for the network;

- Facilitate fundraising efforts, and make funding decisions in a transparent, accountable, and effective way;

- Support the network in organizing a biannual Global Youth Biodiversity Summit (GYBS)

- Ensure that the network develops an Annual Plan of Action and implements it as successfully as possible;

- Ensure that an annual evaluation of the network takes place, and is submitted to members for review and feedback;

- Facilitate the election of the Focal Points through a transparent review and short listing of nominees;

- Facilitate the review process of the Focal Point mandate by the members;

- Encourage celebration of network achievements and accomplishments;

- Have previous experience in facilitating youth activism and be able to work with a diverse group of people sharing different cultural, educational and professional backgrounds.

Steering Committee Members Criteria:

A candidate for GYBN Steering Committee should:

- Possess good understanding of CBD processes;

- Have previous experience of participating in GYBN activities, virtual or otherwise;

- Possess good understanding of GYBN Statute and decision-making processes;

- Be able to commit to a two-year term;

- Be supported by their organization of origin;

- Have excellent English conversational, writing, and reading skills; skill in other United Nations official languages is a plus;

- Have demonstrated leadership skills;

- Have excellent communication skills;

- Have demonstrated ability to work well in a team;

- Be self-motivated;

- Be committed to maintaining a strong and positive relationship with the Secretariat;

- Be of an age between 18 and 28 years (at the time of the election);

- Have reliable internet access to be able to work and maintain effective communication;

- Be able to promote the values of GYBN and its Code of conduct;

- Availability for in-term participation in the COP and intersessional meetings is a plus;

- Be committed to promoting youth empowerment and participation within the CBD process;

- Be committed to maintaining an inclusive, transparent, and representative mandate within GYBN processes.

Note that North-South representation is ensured during the election, while gender balance is highly recommended. In order to ensure the aforementioned equal representation, there will specifically be one Focal Point coming from the Global North and one coming from the Global South. The Steering Committee members will also include such representations as mentioned.

In order to apply, please briefly answer (100 to 150 words per answer) to all required questions and submit them to the Election Committee by Saturday 10^th November 2012 at midnight GMT via the online form at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dFFvVHd3VGNjN3duU3ZZQThoV0xpRVE6MQ along with the required documents which include a) a Small Digital Photograph, b) a Short Biography of 200 words about you, your work and also your motivation to apply for the position, as well as c) a Letter of Endorsement or Reference from your current organization or institution. Make sure to save the documents in this format: Position (FP or ISC)_Full name_Name of the document_Country Note that your biography will be used on the online voting form next to your photo so that people voting could get to know you a little bit more.

Nominations must be received by Saturday 10^th November 2012 at midnight GMT. Please note that incomplete or late nominations will not be considered. Due to the expected high number of nominations, we cannot inform each applicant about the receipt of their nominations. Online voting for both positions will be open from 19^th to 25^th November. We will send an email to all applicants about how to vote when voting opens.

If you have any question, concern or inquiry about the elections only, please feel free to contact the Election Committee us at gybnsteeringcommittee@gmail.com Also make sure to read the attached GYBN Statute to know more about the network and the role of the elected positions.

We wish you all the best with your applications,

GYBN Interim Steering Committee and the Election Committee

Join our international mailing list: https://listi.jpberlin.de/mailman/listinfo/gybn

Read about our activities on our official website: http://gybn.org/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GYBN_CBD (@GYBN_CBD)

Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thegybn

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

RSPO FAILS TO ACT AS MUARA TAE IS DESTROYED- International body’s credibility called into question

LONDON: The credibility of the international Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has been called into question over its failure to act against a company bulldozing ancestral forests and perpetrating human rights abuses in Indonesia.

First Resources Ltd has submitted documents to the RSPO falsely claiming that its subsidiary PT Borneo Surya Mining Jaya (PT Borneo) obtained the consent of local communities for an oil palm plantation on their land in Kutai Barat, East Kalimantan. The documents also claim PT Borneo did not begin operating before conducting Social and Environmental Impact Assessments in line with its obligations as an RSPO member.

But at the same time, PT Borneo was bulldozing farmland and forests belonging to the indigenous community of Muara Tae, assisted by the intimidation of armed police brought in to protect the company.

The London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) today called the RSPO’s failure to act a disgrace and released a new film, Manufacturing Consent, featuring evidence and first-hand testimony of PT Borneo’s abuses in Muara Tae.

EIA submitted a comprehensive complaint to the RSPO on October 17, outlining First Resources’ breaches of the body’s Principles and Criteria and New Planting Procedure.

According to its own guidelines, the RSPO should have determined whether the complaint was legitimate within two weeks of its submission to its Grievance Panel.

Accepting the complaint as legitimate would have obligated First Resources to cease operating in Muara Tae until the dispute was resolved. However, the RSPO secretariat has to date not done so and has repeatedly failed to inform EIA of the deadline for its decision, three weeks after receiving the complaint.

Masrani, the Petinggi (village head) of Muara Tae, attended the RSPO’s annual roundtable in Singapore last week. At the meeting, both Bambang Dwi Laksono, Corporate Head of Sustainability at First Resources, and Ravin Krishnan, RSPO complaints coordinator, encouraged the community to enter into dialogue with the company.

However, in meetings with First Resources during the past two years, the community has repeatedly rejected the proposed plantation, a view which has been entirely ignored. Indeed, while offering the prospect of dialogue to Masrani in Singapore, First Resources was simultaneously preparing to bulldoze his father’s land.

The film Manufacturing Consent, demonstrates how the community has consistently rejected the overtures of First Resources; the testimony provides prima facie evidence that First Resources made false and misleading claims in documents submitted to the RSPO.

Manufacturing Consent also lays bare the impact that First Resources’ land-grab is having on the lives of the people of Muara Tae.

Faith Doherty, Head of Forests Campaign at EIA, said: “It’s disgraceful that the RSPO has failed to take any meaningful action and farcical that it believes First Resources can be trusted to carry out fair negotiations with the community while it has been utterly disingenuous with the RSPO itself. What sort of dialogue are they expected to have in the presence of armed police?

“The fact that First Resources has the audacity to submit phony documents, carry on destroying community forests without a shred of consent and then turn up at the RSPO roundtable poses some very serious questions about the credibility of the RSPO. Clearly, First Resources doesn’t hold its grievance process in very high regard.”

Manufacturing Consent includes testimony from a number of villagers in Muara Tae:

Petrus Asuy, Muara Tae elder and customary landowner: “PT Borneo Surya Mining Jaya is destroying forests, depriving the rights of the indigenous peoples of Muara Tae, bringing BRIMOB [riot police] to intimidate people so they don’t defend their land. And they have violated our human rights, particularly by damaging the environment. Damaging the sources of spring water for the rivers that flow to Muara Tae and destroying the forest wood and traditional medicines that have been maintained by the community of Muara Tae.”

Andreas Singko, Muara Tae elder and customary landowner: “When Borneo Mining Jaya came to the village we all, in the name of the community, refused. Because the land was for us for farming, no more than that. And the forest that remains we will maintain, replanting forests so that they grow. So we are not ready to accept the presence of PT Borneo Mining Jaya.”

Pak Doh, Muara Tae customary landowner: “My land was seized by the company. I have never sold or handed over the land. I really love my land. This is a traditional society that does not know the kind of work offered by the company. I'm just living out of making fields, no other job. That’s what supports my children and my grandchildren.”

Pak Masrani, Village Leader of Muara Tae: “Any company that enters an area should adhere to the principles of FPIC [Free, Prior and Informed Consent]. That is, they should only enter with the consent of the community and without coercion, and the community should be given sufficient information by the company.

“But PT Borneo Surya Mining Jaya’s entry into the village of Muara Tae does not comply with the principles of FPIC. Because they did not enter with the consent of the community. They forced entry, demolishing the community territory forcibly. Even though the people resisted them, they remain displaced. They have ignored the rejection by the villagers of Muara Tae.”

Sunday, November 4, 2012

High-profile conference on Neglected and Underutilized Species

We have received an invitation from the CBD-Secretariat to nominate a GYBN representative to represent us and speak at a High-profile conference on Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) from 10-13 December 2012, organized by FAO in Córdoba, Spain. The CBD is collaborating strongly with FAO through ‘’YUNGA” initiative (Youth and United Nations Global Alliance). GYBN have been asked to identify and nominate an official youth representative, preferably someone based in Europe, who will have all his/her travel and accommodation costs covered to participate in the Conference.

Through this representation, GYBN would like to bring the voice of a young person to represent future generations and speak on their behalf to the policy makers participating to this international debate. He/she should bring the perspective of the younger ones on why Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) are important and what we should be doing to safeguard and promote these valuable resources. This intervention of GYBN representative may be happening at the very end of the Conference.

We are now calling for self-nominations in order to identify our representative and speaker at that important conference. Please note that the CBD Secretariat has expressed a preference for someone based in Europe – however this would perhaps not be essential – Also note that the nominee must be someone who has a strong background in Biology and is specifically knowledgeable on Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) and who have shown strong commitment in supporting GYBN work. The person will also need to be able to represent GYBN in accordance with our Statute and Code of Conduct.

Please also note that, in accordance with GYBN Statute in its Representation during official meetings section, ''Priority will be given to GYBN representatives with particular expertise in the topic being discussed at the meeting or workshop. Representatives are responsible for […] reporting back to the network.'' This also means the nominee will commit to report back on the Conference to GBYN afterwards.

If you are interested to attend the above mentioned Conference in Spain, think you are a suitable candidate to represent GYBN please apply as soon as possible and by Sunday 4^th November 2012 at midnight (11:59 pm) GMT. We will then inform the selected nominee by Tuesday 6^th November. He/she will need to be available for an online preparation meeting to be held the weeks before the Conference. More details will be shared with that person. Please briefly answer to all required questions below in order to apply:

1) Full name

2) Age

3) Nationality and Current address

4) Name of your organization, institution, university or other affiliation

5) Are you an active member with GBYN? Please briefly describe.

6) Are you available for the Conference duration and do you need assistance in visa to participate?

7) Do you commit to report back to GYBN after the Conference if selected and are you able to write the speech you will deliver with GYBN support?

8) Do you possess specific knowledge on Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)? Please answer in 100 words maximum.

9) How to you see the role of young people in addressing food security, agriculture and agrobiodiversity? Please answer in 100 words maximum.

10) Why do you think global youth should care about Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)? Please answer in 100 words maximum.

11) Is there any other information that you think positively affects your candidacy for this position (link, website, short biography, documents, etc)? If yes please describe.

Please do not attach extra documents to your nomination. Only links inside your answers will be considered. Do not forget to apply as soon as possible and by Sunday 4^th November 2012 at midnight (11:59 pm) GMT. Send answers to questions above as attachment with an email file (Word.doc or Pdf only) to GYBN Interim Steering Committee at gybninfo@gmail.com We will then inform the selected nominee by Tuesday 6^th November. He/she will need to be available for an online preparation meeting to be held the weeks before the Conference. Due to the expected higher number self-nominations, we cannot inform each applicant about the outcome of their self-nominations. However we will inform GYBN international mailing list about the results.