November 2011 Highlights

In comparison to last semester's events, I've taken a full-spin on my priorities this month. I'm still not used to being back in an academic setting and it's taken so much of myself in trying to solely focus on school. I am looking forward to the end of this semester so I can finally be home with my family and my little girl. I hope she knows that all my hard work is due to the life that I want to provide for her. Here are this semester's highlights...

Columbia University 

Sustainability Management:
"Global Sustainability" Presentation

"Global Sustainability: A case for Collaboration" Presentation 

Our Sustainability Management class

with team: Lee Trotman, Derrek Clarke, Solomon Kleinman, and Harry Mclellan 

with Professor Steven Cohen, Executive Director of Columbia's Earth Institute (among many other things)

Here's a short video of the presentation


Columbia University 

Financing the Green Economy:

Renewable Energy in Developing Countries Presentation

with team: Ashley Claro, Sunsarae Smith, Shawne Cooke, and Steven Burke

Fairleigh Dickinson University 

"Global Youth Mobilization and Global Climate Politics"

 

Fairleigh Dickinson University's International Relations Club team who gave me this awesome shirt and clock! 

Esperanza Garcia Speaking at Fairleigh Dickinson University

Florida A&M University 

Environmental Law & Justice Symposium 

"Global Youth Mobilization and Global Climate Politics"

with the other speakers of the Environmental Law & Justice Symposium: Atty. Randall S. Abate; Florida A&M University College of Law, Itzchak Kornfeld, Esq.; University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Law, Dr. Svitlana Kravchenko; University of Oregon School of Law, Atty. John E. Bonine; University of Oregon, Dr. Albert Mumma; University of Nairobi Faculty of Law.

Program here: http://law.famu.edu/download/file/Program210611.pdf

With Atty. Carlton Waterhouse, Dr. Albert Mulma, and Atty. Randall Abate

http://law.famu.edu/download/file/Poster10611.pdf

UNCSD Rio + 20 

"The Future We Want"

with Tara DePorte; Executive Director, Mobilize US!, Ella Tamufor; Coordinator, Sustain Nigeria, Ambassador Ojiambo, President of the UN General Assembly High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, and Aimee Christensen; CEO of Christensen Global Strategies.

The next day Ella Tamufor and I had a meeting with Ambassador Ojiambo to discuss Rio+20 youth initiatives. 

Sha Zukang; Secretary General of UNCSD, Hon. Ban Ki-Moon; UN Secretary-General,  

Extremely proud of my good friend Ella Tamufor who spoke at the Rio+20 launch at the UN speaking on behalf of youth. Here she is with Kiyo-Akasaka, UN Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.

Happy to see my classmates and students in the Columbia program in the audience!

Yale & Columbia 

Passing physics & engineering at Yale Summer '11 (Thank God!)

Never always been the model student- always surprised to see when I pass my papers!

Getting accepted in Columbia's Master of Science Sustainability Management Program! Whew...  Surreal!

Ecohope's top readers by countries. Where is the love Africa & S.America? 

Rio+20: The Future We Want

The Future We Want - Launching a Global Conversation

The Future We Want

22 Nov 2011 - 22 Nov 2011
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, New York

Watch live here on Tuesday, 22 November, 10am EST.

Link to Webcast

In the lead-up to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) to take place in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is launching a global conversation on issues of sustainability and the future we want.

2012 UN Year for Sustainable Energy for All

Sustainable Energy for All UN General Assembly has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge, and opportunity the world faces today. Be it jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes , access to sustainable energy for all is essential for strengthening economies, protecting ecosystems and achieving equity.

In fact, more than 1.4 billion people worldwide have no access to electricity, and 1 billion more only have intermittent access. Some 2.5 billion people – almost half of humanity – rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made sustainable energy one of his five priorities that will guide his second 5-year term. Specifically, he will direct the United Nations to extend energy’s reach in order to combat endemic poverty. Universal access to energy, improved efficiency and enhanced deployment of renewable sources are ambitious goals, and the Secretary-General is leading a Sustainable Energy for All initiative to make them achievable.

This initiative will call for private sector and national commitments and attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation. The goal is to meet three objectives by 2030:

• Ensuring universal access to modern energy services.
• Doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
• Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

In recognition of the importance of energy access for sustainable economic development and supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

Also, as part of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, the United Nations Foundation has launched a new global Energy Access Practitioner Network. This group will bring together practitioners from the private sector and civil society working on the delivery of energy services and solutions related to electrification in a range of developing country contexts to develop a more integrated approach to energy access planning and execution in support of the Sustainable Energy for All Target to achieve universal energy access by 2030. The Network will focus on both household and community level electrification for productive purposes, incorporating specific market-based applications for health, agriculture, education, small business, communities and household solutions.

Ensure universal access to energy

Access to energy transforms lives. Sustainable energy affords new opportunities for the poorest to escape the worst impacts of poverty. It provides people the means to generate income, provide health care services, improve education, and protect the environment. Lack of access to energy hinders development and poses risks to human health and safety. For example, smoke from polluting and inefficient cooking, lighting, and heating devices kills nearly two million people prematurely every year, primarily women and children, and causes a range of chronic illnesses (for more information visit: www.cleancookstoves.org).

Reduce global energy intensity

Efficient and renewable sources of energy are often the best and most cost-effective option for providing access to energy. The use of energy-efficient products reduces the amount of energy that must be supplied for lighting and other needs. Similarly, more efficient distribution and use of energy could free up power that is now lost or wasted, as well as capital to invest in additional energy supply or economic development.

Increase renewable energy use

Energy sources such as wind and solar can provide energy without negative impacts to the environment, reach remote rural areas particularly via distributed generation and the use of mini-grids, and generate employment. At present, renewable energy sources provide 19 per cent of global energy consumption. If supported by strong enabling policies, renewable energy could supply more than three quarters of the world's energy by 2050. Small-scale renewable technologies could reach a large number of people currently without access to energy.

UN Alliance of Civilizations Online Youth Consultation

The International Youth Council Join this exciting youth forum where the reports & recommendations will be made to heads of State and public-private sector leaders this December! Launch of Online Youth Consultation Leading up to the 4th UNAOC Forum in Doha in December The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the International Youth Council (IYC) and the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF) have partnered up to hold an online youth consultation regarding the three themes of the upcoming UNAOC’s 4th Annual Forum to be held in Doha, Qatar this December. This 4th UNAOC Forum in Qatar will bring together over 2,000 participants, including political and corporate leaders, civil society activists, youth groups, faith communities, research centers, foundations and journalists, will come together to agree on joint actions to improve relations across cultures, combat prejudice and build lasting peace. The three themes of this 4th UNAOC Forum are: • Theme 1: How Does Cultural Diversity Matter to Development? The missing link • Theme 2: Promoting Trust and Tolerance to Advance Development Goals • Theme 3: New Strategies for Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding & Cooperation We are inviting youth partners from all around the world to share their viewpoints on these 3 themes from November 10 to November 30, 2011, on the “Community” section of the UNAOC Youth Website. Please note that you need to register on the UNAOC Youth Website before posting any comment. For each of these three themes, a panel of youth leaders and academics developed three specific sub-questions. The goal for the consultation regarding these nine questions is to yield concrete, focused and pertinent recommendations for the Youth Event at the Doha Forum. For each question, you can count on the support of two youth co-moderators chosen through a selective application process. These youth co-moderators will be easily identifiable on the UNAOC Youth Website. The most helpful and poignant viewpoints from this consultation process will be shared with the youth participants who will then interact directly with world leaders at the Doha Forum. We want to work with you to ensure the voices and viewpoints of youth partners around the world be noted and heard at the Doha Forum! We look forward to hearing from you before November 30 on the Community section of the UNAOC Youth Website atwww.unaocyouth.org/community! Isabelle Legare (UNAOC), Jamie Ansorge (IYC) and Yin-Chu Jou (FAF) For more information about this online consultation, please contact Isabelle Legare, Youth Program Manager for the UNAOC atisabellel@unops.org. Visit The International Youth Council at: http://www.internationalyouthcouncil.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Speaking at Fairleigh Dickinson University

YOU ARE INVITED! (For those of you in New Jersey and interested)


I am speaking at Fairleigh Dickinson University on November 10 at 8 PM. FDU is the the first university in the world to be granted special consultative status by ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council). It's exciting to be hosted by the International Relations Club to talk about the UN Millennium Development Goals & International Climate Politics and how our young generation are mobilizing, impacting, and influencing the process!


Esperanza Garcia Speaking at Fairleigh Dickinson University




Esperanza Garcia is invited to speak at international conferences, including the UN, on the importance of young people’s engagement in global affairs and environmental sustainability. The topic she presents on "Youth Mobilization and Global Climate Politics" tells the story of how our young generation is mobilizing all over the world to find solutions of the greatest challenges our time. In this talk, she will highlight how young people are engaging themselves in international affairs and international climate negotiations and how their participation are impacting the progress of these events. She also gives examples on how the international experience of these young leaders inspire and motivate them in making a difference in their own communities and home-country.

Agenda:
- Global Youth Mobilization & UN Millennium Development Goals: International Youth Council
- Youth engagement & UNFCCC: International Youth Climate Movement & Global Climate Politics
- Local Youth mobilization: Philippine Youth Climate Movement & International Youth Council Chapters

FAMU Environmental Law & Justice Symposium

Environmental Law & Justice Symposium

http://law.famu.edu/download/file/Poster10611.pdf

“Green Justice for All:

International and Comparative Dimensions of Environmental Justice"

November 3-4, 2011

 

What: “Green Justice for All: International and Comparative Dimensions of Environmental Justice” -the second annual Florida A&M University (FAMU) Environmental Law and Justice Symposium, hosted by the Florida A&M University’s Environment, Development & Justice Program and Center for International Law and Justice at the College of Law, and School of the Environment.

When:  Thursday, November 3, 2011; Registration begins at 4:30 p.m.
Friday, November 4, 2011; Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Where:  FAMU College of Law (201 Beggs Avenue).

Who: The symposium will feature the following speakers and events: 

• Dr. Albert Mumma, Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi Faculty of Law, Kenya – Distinguished Lecturer for Thursday;
• Carlton Waterhouse, Associate Professor of Law, Indiana University School of Law – Opening Keynote for Friday;
• Climbing Poetree (www.climbingpoetree.com), Environmental and Social Justice-Based Performers – Friday Luncheon Keynote Presentation;
• Esperanza Garcia, Climate Change Negotiation Delegate, Youth Climate Movement Organizer, Philippines – Friday Closing Keynote

Why: The Environmental Law and Justice Symposium will feature an overview of the latest international, national, regional, state and local developments in environmental justice.  The panelists and moderators for the symposium are also leaders in the environmental law and justice field from government, academia, private practice and nonprofit organizations.  Attendees can anticipate the symposium to address domestic and international dimensions of environmental justice.  The event is $50 for general attendees seeking CLE credit; $35 for FAMU alumni and members of the Environmental and Land Use Law Section (ELULS) of the Florida Bar; $25 for the general public not seeking CLE credit; and $10 for general students.  Eligible attendees will receive 7.0 Florida Bar CLE Credit hours and 3.5 State/Federal Government Administrative Practice Certification.  

Click here to Register for the 2011 Environmental Law and Justice Symposium

Click here to view the Environmental Law and Justice Symposium 2011 Poster

Click here to view the Environmental Law and Justice Symposium 2011 Program

Click here for the Environmental Law and Justice Symposium 2011 "Save the Date " 

Click here to view the Environmental Law and Justice Symposium 2011 Issue

Click here to view the Environmental Law and Justice Symposium 2010

 If you require additional information, please contact FAMU College of Law Associate Professor Randall Abate, event coordinator, atrandall.abate@famu.edu.

UNDP Equator Prize 2012: Call for Nominations

UNDP Equator Prize 2012: Call for Nominations

UNDP Equator Prize 2012: Call for Nominations

The Equator Initiative is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the UNDP Equator Prize 2012, which will recognize 25 outstanding local initiatives that are working to advance sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The 25 recipients of the Equator Prize 2012 will each receive $5,000 (USD), with 10 selected for special recognition and a total of $20,000 (USD). Representatives of winning communities will participate in the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), which will be held in Brazil in June 2012. Eligibility and Selection Criteria In order to be eligible for the Equator Prize 2012, nominees must: Have been in operation for at least 3 years Be a community-based or local group, operating in a rural area Be located within a country receiving support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), excluding countries with a high level of development Before submitting a nomination for the Equator Prize 2012, please review the complete list of eligible countries, eligibility requirements and selection criteria. **Please note that eligibility and selection criteria have been significantly broadened to accommodate a wider range of community-based initiatives, fields of work, and countries of operation. How to Nominate Nominations for the Equator Prize 2012 may be submitted directly by the initiative, by a partner organization, or by any third party that is familiar with the activities and achievements of the initiative. Nominations may be completed, saved and submitted using our online nomination system. Online nominations are encouraged and may be submitted in Arabic, Chinese, English, Tagalog, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Indonesian, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Thai, or Vietnamese.

Click here to nominate online

Completed nominations may be submitted via e-mail, fax or post to:Attention: Whitney Wilding
Equator Initiative
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
304 East 45th Street, Room 640
New York, NY 10017
Fax: +1 212 906-6642
Email: prize@equatorinitiative.org
Deadline
The nomination period for the Equator Prize 2012 will close on 31 October 2011.

LIVE NOW! Webcast on High-Level Global Sustainability Panel w/ UN General Assembly

Global Sustainability Panel Interactive Dialogue w/ UN General Assembly

LIVE NOW! Webcast: 20 Oct 11:00am-1:00pm EST

www.un.org/webcast

Members of the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability at their Fourth Meeting
held on 18-19 September 2011, United Nations Headquarters, New York

H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the UN General Assembly, will host an Interactive Dialogue of the General Assembly with the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP) on Thursday, 20 October 2011 from 11:00am-1:00pm at UNHQ in New York. This event will be web cast live at www.un.org/webcast. The web cast recording can also be viewed after the event from the UN web cast archive at the same web address.

Programme
11 – 11:15am Opening Remarks
• H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the General Assembly
• H.E. Mr.Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General 

11:15am – 12:50pm Moderated by H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the General Assembly
I. H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland and GSP Co-Chair 
II. H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa and GSP Co-Chair (by video)
III. H.E. Mr. Kevin Rudd, Foreign Minister of Australia (by video)
IV. H.E. Mrs. Luisa Diogo, former PM of Mozambique

12:50 – 1pm Closing Remarks
• H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland and Co-Chair of the Global Sustainability Panel 
• H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser , President of the General Assembly

The Interactive Dialogue with the Global Sustainability Panel offers an opportunity for Member States to hear some initial views of the Panel members on the work of the Panel so far as well as to share their suggestions. 

Background
The Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (GSP) is currently drafting its final report and will have its last meeting in November 2011, before handing the report to the Secretary-General in January 2012. Co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. Tarja Halonen, President of Finland, and H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, the GSP is looking into cross-cutting strategies to address the interconnected sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow. The final report will feed into relevant intergovernmental discussions such as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). 

For more information about the Global Sustainability Panel, including detailed reports about its prior meetings, please visit www.un.org/en/gsp as well ashttp://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article3257.