Sustainable Energy

The text expected to be adopted at the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development is finally done. But does it contain the “Future We Want?” Many are looking forward to a set of proposed sustainable development goals, but the text does not contain any. The document only recognizes the importance of SDGs and offers a timetable on the creation of an “open working group” that will be responsible for drafting a proposed set of SDGs. The group, according to the text, will be created on or before the 67th session of the U.N. General Assembly. No new financial commitments were included in the draft document, much to the dismay of poor countries calling for a $30 billion annual pledge to promote sustainable development. But the text includes commitments to strengthen the role of the U.N. Environment Program and “invites” the General Assembly to “adopt a resolution” toward this goal. The draft document has also laid out a set of policies to govern a green economy, but these policies will likely be up for debate. No commitments were made on a number of hot issues, including technology transfer to developing countries. This final text, finished just hours before the official start of the conference (June 20), has raised eyebrows among environmental and anti-poverty organizations. Some have called it a “watered-down final draft,” the Guardian reports. “The approach that has been taken is to go for the lowest common denominator,” Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo said. “The trick here is to look very carefully at the UN-ese language being used. If they use the word voluntary, it means it is not going to happen.” On a more positive note, the presidents of six multilateral development banks released a joint statement on the eve of Rio+20, expressing their support for nine core green growth issues: climate change, sustainable cities, sustainable transport, oceans, food security, water, national capital and large-scale ecosystems, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Sustainable Energy For All initiative. The six did not provide any specific financial commitments. The six MDBs involves are the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank.

United Nations foundation

The text expected to be adopted at the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development is finally done. But does it contain the “Future We Want?” Many are looking forward to a set of proposed sustainable development goals, but the text does not contain any. The document only recognizes the importance of SDGs and offers a timetable on the creation of an “open working group” that will be responsible for drafting a proposed set of SDGs. The group, according to the text, will be created on or before the 67th session of the U.N. General Assembly. No new financial commitments were included in the draft document, much to the dismay of poor countries calling for a $30 billion annual pledge to promote sustainable development. But the text includes commitments to strengthen the role of the U.N. Environment Program and “invites” the General Assembly to “adopt a resolution” toward this goal. The draft document has also laid out a set of policies to govern a green economy, but these policies will likely be up for debate. No commitments were made on a number of hot issues, including technology transfer to developing countries. This final text, finished just hours before the official start of the conference (June 20), has raised eyebrows among environmental and anti-poverty organizations. Some have called it a “watered-down final draft,” the Guardian reports. “The approach that has been taken is to go for the lowest common denominator,” Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo said. “The trick here is to look very carefully at the UN-ese language being used. If they use the word voluntary, it means it is not going to happen.” On a more positive note, the presidents of six multilateral development banks released a joint statement on the eve of Rio+20, expressing their support for nine core green growth issues: climate change, sustainable cities, sustainable transport, oceans, food security, water, national capital and large-scale ecosystems, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Sustainable Energy For All initiative. The six did not provide any specific financial commitments. The six MDBs involves are the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank. Read more: As Rio+20 nears, another negotiation stalemate Sustainable development: What you need to know How to advance sustainable development Is Rio+20 on the road to failure? The road to Rio+20 Rio+20: The buzz so far Read more development aid news online, and subscribe to The Development Newswire to receive top international development headlines from the world’s leading donors, news sources and opinion leaders — emailed to you FREE every business day. Tags: Rio+20, United Nations, SDG, sustainable development, General Assembly, UNEP, green economy, water, food, energy, IDB, AfDB, ADB, EBRD, European Investment Bank, World Bank

How can Humans Improve Damaged Ecosystems

• Passing and implementing strict laws for industries and colonies. Those who are responsible for polluting air and water should be severely punished.
• Creating protected wildlife reserves. Certain species that are on the verge of extinction should be declared as 'protected species' by respective governments.
• Breeding certain species, and releasing them afterwards so that they can live in their own habitat. Preserving and creating proper habitats.
• Planting as many trees as possible. Reforestation or re-greening the damaged areas can help avoid desertification of land.
• Creating awareness by celebrating 'Earth Day', 'Green Day', 'Tree Day', etc.
• Eliminating foreign species can help native species of plants to grow.
• Cleaning the rivers, ponds and lakes.
• Avoiding use of plastic bags.
• Separating dry and wet garbage, composting, using wet garbage as manure.
• Avoiding use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
• Using innovative and different energy forms like solar energy, wind energy, etc.
• Limiting the use of vehicles by following the rule of carpool, taking stairs, walking or taking a bike ride whenever possible.
• Eating local products can help avoid wastage of gas and air pollution; as food products are transported by trucks, trains, ships or airplanes. They are processed with machines which require electricity to run.