COP15 - United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 2009

" 192 nations at UN climate conference in Copenhagen: The largest and most important UN climate change conference in history opened Monday, with diplomats from 192 nations warned that this could be the best, last chance for a deal to protect the world from calamitous global warming.

AP/Nanet Poulsen 07/12/2009 12:05 at www.en.cop15.dk/  "

Copenhagen is the location of a major international climate change conference between 7-15 December. It is taking place because the current agreement, the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 and the agreement in Copenhagen will replace it.

The conference is important because the world is already experiencing the affects of climate change and governments are keen to find a solution.  The main cause of climate change is burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas that create greenhouse gas emissions that warm the earth's surface.  People are affected by the increased temperatures as it causes rising sea levels, changes in rainfall patterns and other things that affect the survival of millions of people around the globe.

Copenhagen is the biggest climate change conference to happen.  The main aim is to halt the earth's temperature rise below 2 Celsius but for this to happen countries will have to make a dramatic decrease in their emissions, which will be costly for poorer countries that use less renewable energy . It will take many months and years for all the countries to agree on a deal but this has to be done before the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 . The EU has agreed a 20% reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, which may rise to 30%. 

The Words Explained A-Z

COP15
The conference is technically known as the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - often abbreviated as COP15.

CO2
CO2 is a gas, also known as carbon dioxide, which is formed by the burning of organic materials such as coal, oil, gas and wood. Humans and animals inhale oxygen and exhale CO2. Plants absorb CO2 and release oxygen. CO2 and water vapour (H2O) are the most important natural greenhouse gases.

Fossil fuels
Energy sources formed in the earth's crust from the remains (fossils) of plants and animals that lived on earth many millions of years ago. Coal, oil and natural gas are fossil fuels. Uranium - for nuclear power - is sometimes counted as a fossil fuel, even though it is not formed from dead plants and animals, but is a naturally occurring element.

Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is the name given to a process occurring naturally that insulates the earth against the loss of heat into space. The greenhouse effect is necessary for life to exist on earth and is not a problem in itself. It is the increased greenhouse effect, which is the result of increased greenhouse gas emissions, that creates problems in the form of increased global warming. The greenhouse effect is not the same as the hole in the ozone layer, although CFC gases contribute to both phenomena.

Kyoto Protocol
Originated at the UNFCCC in 1997 and created targets for reducing emissions up until 2012.  This agreement only applied to a small number of countries and was more flexible allowing countries to trade their emissions. 

Renewable energy
Energy production based on sources of energy that do not run out, for example wind, water and solar power. The production of renewable energy does not in itself discharge greenhouse gases, but the production and the installation of plant, or other circumstances - for example the formation of methane in water reservoirs - can place a strain on the climate. This strain is however far smaller than when fossil fuels are used.

Links to useful websites;

Eco-Schools: Environment & Innovation Project about Climate Change: Let's Save Energy!    http://www.eco-schools.org/innovation2008/index.php

Eco-Schools: HSBC Eco-Schools Climate Initiative  

http://www.eco-schools.org/climateinitiative/

Eco-Schools in several countries                                                                                         

http://www.eco-schools.org/countries_contacts.php

FEE Donation Shop:                                                                                               

http://www.donationshop.org/vmchk.html

FEE TREE FUND:

http://www.fee-international.org/en/Menu/CO2+Offset

FEE - Foundation for Environmental Education  

http://www.fee-international.org/en

Official conference website                                                                              

www.en.cop15.dk/

Thank you Keep Britain Tidy for the article sent about COP15:

http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/ .

Green Tips for your Holidays by Eco-Schools around the world

Cyprus - CYMEPA

http://www.cymepa.org.cy/

 - When going shopping, don't forget to have always with you a reusable bag;

- Organise your shopping so that you avoid driving your car to the shopping centre many times;

- Decorate some empty wine glass bottles with Xmas wrapping paper, painting etc;

- You don't have to buy a new present to your friends.  Exchange books or toys etc that are in good condition and that you don't need anymore.

England - Keep Britain Tidy

www.keepbritaintidy.org/

- Make your own decorations from recycled materials

- Use an electronic Christmas card instead of lots of paper ones

- Reuse wrapping paper from last year or use newspaper instead (You could paint it or decorate it yourselves)

FEE - Foundation for Environmental Education

www.fee-international.org/en

- Give a very special present to the ones you love and at the same time support a great cause! Go to the FEE Donation shop ( http://www.donationshop.org/vmchk.html ) and find the best way of supporting environmental educations schools projects... from a minimum of 10 Euros!

FYR Macedonia - Civil association OXO

www.oxo.org.mk

- Ride a bike!

Riding a bike is cheap and excellent way of transport. It's fun for children and one of the unaffected ways for keeping good condition and health for all family. Put riding bicycle in your daily schedule this year!

- Recycle paper!

Don't throw the paper that is once used, collect it and recycle it. Give your friend a present from recycled paper for this Christmas. With this small move, you are saving a lot of trees and forest and you are doing a lot of goods to our planet Earth.

- Plant a tree!

Everyone can plant a tree in his garden or in school, it's easy! Make the plating tree became a habit of yours, choose one day in this year when you can plant your tree. This way you are making new homes for birds and animals and you are making our planet Earth greener. Every tree and every leaf offers you a cleaner air.

Latvia - FEE Latvia

http://www.videsfonds.lv/

- Go out and feed the birds and animals with healthy natural treats in the gardens, fields and forests to make them happy on Christmas day! Don't forget your pets, too

- Avoid the last minute supermarket dash - head for your local farmer's market or farm shop instead to stock up on food for the festive season;

- A weekly veg box makes life easier and saves you lugging round bags of potatoes and carrots. It also saves you a potential drive to the market - a big chunk of your food-related emissions. The Soil Association has compiled a UK-wide organic box scheme directory;

- Go for a free range, preferably organic, turkey - order from your local butcher in advance - or get an organic one delivered to your door from an organic online butcher;

- For meat free Christmas ideas, the Vegetarian Society, Viva and the Vegan Society have recipes for soups, nut roasts, pies, stuffings and puds;

- For fresh, green seasoning keep pots of evergreen herbs growing close to the kitchen. Herbs that can survive the winter outside include rosemary (add sprigs to soups, casseroles or sprinkle over roast potatoes or meat); sage (a delicious addition to stuffing and nut roasts) and parsley (a favourite for sauces and soups);

- Get the party going with organic wine, beer, cider and spirits and know that your hangover will be that little bit healthier (no, we're not kidding: find out whyhere);

-  Rent a living Christmas tree from the ChristmasTreeMan.co.uk. It'll be delivered to your door in a pot (to keep the tree alive) and some feed to keep the tree healthy. When Christmas is over your tree will be collected and returned to the ground;

- Have a live Christmas tree in a pot that you can take outside to the garden and use next year. If replanting isn't an option and you buy a cut tree then don't throw it out with the rubbish. Most local councils run Christmas tree recycling schemes, or try www.letsrecycle.com;

- If you live in or near London, buy your tree from the Christmas Forest, an independent 'tree-tailer' that sells trees at seven sites around the city. Trees are sustainably sourced - every tree cut is replaced by a new one, mostly in the UK to minimize tree miles. For each tree sold, another is planted in on the Forests for Food project in Ethiopia through Tree Aid.

Scotland - Eco-Schools Scotland      

www.ecoschoolsscotland.org/

- Send e-cards or letters instead of Christmas cards;

- Give baking as gifts instead of disposable items;

- Make cloth bags to wrap gifts in instead of paper and enjoy receiving them back next year with a gift inside!  (Catriona Rae and her mother have been posting each other back and forth the same small gift box for about the last 10 years!)

- A living tree in a pot - and reuse it year after year until it gets too big - then plant it in your school grounds;

- Source local food for your Christmas meal - prefereably organic or at the very least, free-range.

The Netherlands - SME Advies

http://www.eco-schools.nl/

- Use led-lights and a time switch for your Christmas tree;

- Make new candles from the remains of old candles;

- Prepare a vegetarian meal for your Christmas dinner (and don't buy too much food that will end up in the bin).

Wales - Keep Wales Tidy

www.keepwalestidy.org/

- Break up and use branches and the trunk from your Christmas trees to use as log piles to attract minibeasts;

- Don't forget the rechargeable batteries or even wind up chargers!

- Give a gift that's different - adopt an animal such as a turtle or dolphin (from WWF) or even a tree from the Woodland Trust.

Have an excellent green holidays!!

Ana Rosado, Estela Gonçalves Pereira and Henny Kromhout

Eco-Schools International Coordination              

http://www.eco-schools.org/

FEE - Foundation for Environmental Education      

www.fee-international.org/en

19th International Childrens Painting Competition on the Environment

The International Children's Painting Competition on the Environment is organized every year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It has been held since 1991 and has received more than 2.4 million entries from children in over 100 countries.

The theme for the 2010 competition is Biodiversity and it will focus on our beautiful earth, full of different life forms and what can we do to protect it.

The children's paintings will focus on concrete actions to preserve biodiversity such as tree planting, marine and animal conservation, restoration of coral reefs etc

The competition was launched on 20 August 2009. Children all over the world are invited to submit their paintings to the UNEP office in their regions.

For more information please see

http://www.unep.org/tunza/Events/19thPaintingCompetition/tabid/1328/language/en-US/Default.aspx

The 2009 IEE Call for Proposals is open!

At a time when the world leaders are exploring the options for restoring consumers' confidence and giving new stimulus to the global economy, here is a tangible opportunity for forward-looking organisations in the EU to create new jobs and help to tackle climate change.

The 2009 call for proposals under the Intelligent Energy - Europe programme is open, with a deadline for submission on 25 June, 2009 at 17:00 (Brussels time).

With some € 65 million available for actions in the area of energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy-efficient transport, this may be the opportunity to have your next European project funded. Grants awarded under this scheme may cover up to 75% of the eligible project costs.

Sounds interesting? Then take the time to go through the call documentation on our website and remember:  this is a highly competitive process, so only the best proposals will succeed! http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/call_for_proposals/index_en.htm

The EACI press release announcing the call is available on: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/doc/2009_IEE_pr.pdf

INCHES Launches International Film Competition Amsterdam January, 2009

INCHES Launches International Film Competition Amsterdam January, 2009 - Professionals and amateurs alike are today being urged to get their cameras ready for the world's first environmental health film competition.

As part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations starting from autumn 2008, the International Network on Children's Health, Environment and Safety (INCHES) is launching an International Film Competition on Health and Environment, sponsored by several organisations.

The competition, called "Focus on Children in a Healthy Environment" and centred on the themes "Climate" and "Environmental Health" will run until 1 September, 2009 and is open to all nationalities and ages.

Several cashprizes of 5000 euros will be awarded to the winners of both categories. There are also separate cash prizes for films up to 5 minutes of duration and up to 15 minutes.

Peter van den Hazel, INCHES' chair of the board, said: "The last decade has shown highly successful activities in the children's environmental health field, generating huge interest on children's environmental health. The new technologies of showing films on the internet gives us possibilities to reach out to more young people and increase significant public awareness of environmental health issues globally. We are again extremely grateful to those organizations who will be promoting this important event."

To restore Planet Earth and its children back to health requires sound science, health assessments and child specific policies, suggested Mr.van den Hazel. "I hope the films submitted for this competition will help catalyze the political and social changes needed to reach our goals and targets on issues from saving children from hazardous environmental situations, such as poor water quality and sanitation, air pollution, waste and poverty reduction," he said.

Full details of the competition's rules and regulations; information on how to submit films and an application form can be read and downloaded at www.inchesnetwork.net/filmcompetition.html

INCHES was established by a group of organizations including representatives of NGO's, universities, World Health Organization, U.S Environment Agency and the European Environment Agency in 1998 in Amsterdam at the first International Conference on Children's Environmental Health. Since the conference in Amsterdam there were international conferences in Washington (2001), London (2004), Vienna (2007) and the next conference will take place in Bangalore, India in 2010.

INCHES mission is to create a healthier environment for children around the world by exchanging information, promoting research and training professionals.

Information on the competittion, can be found at www.INCHESnetwork.net/filmcompetition.html

For More Information Please Contact Peter van den Hazel, Chair of INCHES's Board, on Tel: +31 652513669, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text23442 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Seminar "Strategies for Increasing and Improving Global Education"

21 – 22 March 2009 – Budapest, Hungary

Each year the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe hosts this seminar in preparation for the annual Global Education Week, which takes place in the third week of November. The purpose of the Seminar is to provide a meeting space for national Global Education Week co-ordinators, and to share national strategies for increasing and improving Global Education through the Global Education Week.

Representatives of the 12 new EU member States – Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia – will be invited for the launching event of the new NSC-EU Joint Management Agreement activity dealing with the promotion of development education in the new EU member States, held 23-24 March (please see attached information note about NSC 2009 programme of activities). A separate invitation related to this event has been sent to the GEW national contacts from the 12 new EU member States.

ICLEI World Congress 2009 “Connecting Leaders: Advancing Local Action for Sustainability”

14 - 18 June 2009 – Edmonton, Canada

An event that will give you the opportunity to join mayors, councillors and senior officials of local governments, as well as their leading partners in science, business, NGOs and media to discuss future strategies for resource efficient cities and towns, resilient to the environmental challenges of the future.

For more information, please visit www.iclei.org/worldcongress2009 and subscribe to the mailing list, or write to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

RESBOAT

RESBOAT is an FP6 project that aims to promote RES related EC projects and their results by organising a conference series on a boat on the river Danube 23-27 March 2009. The participation is free of charge and only requires registration at www.resboat.org .

The conference provides you an excellent opportunity to update yourself on current RES policies and their implementation, create network with potential RES business partners and disseminate your project results. We can also offer free promotional opportunities for your organisation on the boat or through the "Virtual Boat".

You can take part on the individual events or on the whole conference series.

Conference topics:

- March 23, 2009 Monday - Vienna, Austria (Renewable electricity technologies)

- March 24, 2009 Tuesday - Bratislava, Slovakia (Polygeneration)

- March 25, 2009 Wednesday - Budapest, Hungary (Eco-buildings)

- March 26, 2009 Thursday - Vukovar, Croatia (Biofuels)

- March 27, 2009 Friday - Belgrade, Serbia (Renewable heating and cooling technologies)