ECO Singapore Publicity Package For Schools

ECO Singapore Youth Delegation to the United Nations environmental challenge organisation (singapore)
Climate Change Conference known as ECO Singapore
Dear Sir/Madm, Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
My name is Lee Zhe Yu, a member of a local environmental NGO,
Charity Reg. No: 1739
Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore). We are sending an

official youth delegation to the United Nations Climate Change
Conference that will be held from December 7-18, 2009 in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
My purpose in writing this letter is to seek your help in disseminating

information to those in your institution. This is part of the public
engagement activities that we are having to raise awareness among
Singapore society about the urgency of climate change as a global
issue as well as what Copenhagen is all about. We believe that
individuals, with their respective roles in society have a major part to
play in finding solutions to this very serious issue.
We hope we can inspire people to make climate change a conscious

issue in their everyday lives as our actions have direct impacts. This
information package aims to do just that by highlighting some of the
essential points on climate change as well as the contentious issues that
will be discussed at Copenhagen. The package will generally be
structured in the following format:
a. Urgency of climate change

b. What is Copenhagen 2009 and what is at stake?
c. What we think is Singapore’s role
d. Our team’s core beliefs
e. Role of Youth
Also, our team will be blogging about our experience before, during
and after the conference. Feel free to visit us at
unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com and let those at your institution
know about it.
Feel free to email us at international.affairs@eco-singapore.org if you

want to contact us or have any queries.
Kindly sponsored by:
Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

ECOSPHERE, 87 Beach Road, Chye Sing Building, #06-01 Singapore 189695
http://www.eco-singapore.org I Tel: (65) 6333 5543 I Fax: (65) 6333 5537
Registered Address: 10 Anson Road, International Plaza, #15-14 Singapore 079903
The urgency of climate change Our Youth. Our Future.
Climate change is real, urgent and severe. In the past Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
few years, developments in climate science and increasing observable

occurrences of extreme weather events have brought climate change
to the forefront of the global agenda. The 4th Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has conclusively
demonstrated climate change is unequivocally human-induced.
Despite this, measures being implemented so far have been woefully
inadequate.
The impacts of climate change range from sea level rise, melting ice
caps and glaciers, biodiversity loss along with increased incidences of
drought and flooding. This in turn is already leading to more agricultural
shortfalls, endangered water security and the spread of vector-borne
diseases.1
Yet, climate change is no longer solely an environmental problem.

Rather, it is a challenge that spans the economic and geopolitical
horizons. Changes in earth’s atmosphere which increasingly destabilizes
the global climate will have a significant bearing on the future of food
scarcity, water stress, the prevalence and intensity of diseases and the
loss of homelands, natural wonders and livelihoods around the world. In
this regard, climate change will have a profound impact on human
rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights such as
1
UNFCCC report

the right to life, security, food, and health. At the same Our Youth. Our Future.
time, efforts to mitigate the causes and effects of climate Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
change are raising complex questions on the economic rights of nations

to prosper and improve the lives of their people.
There is not only an environmental imperative to act but also a moral,
social and even economic one as the world targets to support around 9
billion people in 2050.

Overview of the United Nations Framework Convention Our Youth. Our Future.
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002

The UNFCCC was established in 1992 as a result of the Rio Earth Summit
with the ultimate aim of “avoiding dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system” with an annual Conference of
Parties following up to craft global policies.
Participants to the conference are
1. The 192 national governments that have signed on to the
convention
2. Observer parties from over 700 organisations including those from
a. Business and industry
b. Indigenous people
c. Youth
d. Trade Unions
e. Environmental NGOs

What is at stake at Copenhagen 2009? Our Youth. Our Future.
This year is a landmark year for the Conference of Parties. Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
It is hoped that a new, fair and ambitious climate deal will emerge from
the conference.
The current CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is around 380 parts
per million (ppm), over 100 ppm from pre-industrial times. Irreversible
changes to our Earth’s biosphere may occur if we do not implement far
ranging measures
Key to a successful deal this year hinges on
1. Binding domestic emission reduction commitments by developed
countries
2. Provision of financial and technological support for mitigation and
adaptation in developing countries.
3. Expanding the scope of the carbon credit and carbon market schemes
4. Formalizing land use changes (forests and agriculture) into carbon
accounting. A binding agreement arising from COP 15 must take into
account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities,
owing to each country’s socio-economic circumstances and historical
contribution to climate change.

Our Core Beliefs Our Youth. Our Future.

Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
a. Climate science has advanced greatly in recent years, particularly
Charity Reg.with
No: 1739
regards to the findings of the 4th Assessment Report of the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These advances indicate
that without a reasonable doubt that anthropogenic interference with
the climate system may have irreversible deleterious impacts on the
Earth's biosphere and human civilization.
b. We therefore believe that climate change must be recognized as a

serious and extremely urgent issue, which is to be tackled with much
greater resolve. We also recognize that everyone is a stakeholder in
finding solutions to the climate crisis from individuals to trade unions,
youth, indigenous people, business community, local governments and
non-governmental organizations.
c. There is absolutely no excuses for inaction on the part of national

governments who bear the highest responsibility in ensuring a successful
deal in Copenhagen emerge. There is not only an environmental
imperative to act, but also a moral, social, and even economic one.
Therefore, it is necessary to take the view that the economy and the
environment are not mutually exclusive entities. We can safeguard our
atmosphere without compromising on the economic well-being of our
people and nation.
2. Policy direction at COP 15

In our view, an inclusive deal must consider
a. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and must be
ambitious, but fair to all, due to each nation's unique circumstances of
socio-economic circumstances.

b. Historical responsibility of developed countries which Our Youth. Our Future.

have emitted most greenhouse gases to date Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
c. Precautionary or do no harm principle as well as the right to
development
d. The fact that most of future emissions growth will take place in
developing countries
e. That real effects of climate change are already beginning to be seen
a. Emission Reduction targets

i. Developed countries commit to at least 30% reduction in
domestic emissions from 1990 levels by 2020 to limit
atmospheric CO2 eq to 350 ppm or a corresponding 1.5
degree Celsius rise.
ii. Newly Industrialized countries (NICs) to take on a binding
target of some sort
iii. Developing countries especially major ones (India and
China) deviate significantly from business as usual patterns
and allow emissions to peak in the coming decade
b. Financing and Technology
i. Significant amounts of money (USD 100 billion annually)
must be committed on a sustained basis by developed
countries to developing countries to aid in both
adaptation and mitigation of climate change
ii. Technology holds a major role in the climate change fight
and must be allowed to be disseminated with greater
ease without excessive restrictions due to intellectual
property rights.
c. Forests and land use

i. Net carbon fluxes that take place on land Our Youth. Our Future.
need to be accounted for as official Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
carbon emissions or reductions
ii. Any mechanism that will incentivize reductions in
deforestations must be environmentally effective, protect
property rights of locals and be sustainable in the long-
term.

What (we think) is Singapore’s role? Our Youth. Our Future.
With high per capita greenhouse gas emissions, Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
Singapore must act to mitigate its own emissions as a responsible

member of the global community. First of all, we must recognize that
environmental protection and economic growth are not mutually
exclusive goals and therefore a transition to a low-carbon economy
presents considerable opportunities to diversify our economy,
Practical steps that can be taken include:
1. Energy efficiency and conservation, which has massive mitigation
potential.
a. Through incentivizing behavioral changes or technological

means.
b. Promoted in all sectors, from electricity generation (smart

grid), transport and building design.
c. Has direct economic savings, in terms of energy and

electricity costs
2. Explore any viable source of alternative energy, be it wind, solar

or second generation biofuels.
3. Offsetting domestic emissions through afforestation projects in the

region.
4. Collaborating with the region with regards to capacity building.

a. Knowledge-building, technology transfer, Our Youth. Our Future.
information dissemination and sharing of best Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002

practices can help the region effectively adapt to and

mitigate climate change.
b. Effective measures to manage forests, which are effective

carbon sinks
Legislation on all these issues must be strongly considered. The

National Climate Change Committee must further its work by
involving more stakeholders, from academia and the general public
to industry and civil society to allow for greater collaboration and
action to achieve absolute emissions reductions.

What You Can Do Our Youth. Our Future.
We feel that it is essential for every individual to be Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002
stakeholders. You can begin with adopting certain green habits, simple
ones that include
1. Being conscious of what you use and throw
2. Taking public transport
3. Reducing meat consumption
4. Adopting a less materialist lifestyle
5. Being energy efficient
In addition, you could read up on the latest developments in terms of

climate change science and policy, recognizing the pertinence of the
issue and the necessity of different actors to take responsibility in this
continuing fight.
Most importantly, you should spread the message of climate change to
your peers and friends to inspire them to take action. Significant
mitigation of the problem can be achieved through the united effort of
individuals as ultimately; our collective consumption habits can
determine our economic and environmental future. Climate change
could also be given more attention on the national agenda if public
concern on the issue substantially increases.

The importance of youth in the flight against climate Our Youth. Our Future.
change Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002

Youth have a pivotal role to play in this fight against climate change
a. They will bear the brunt of the consequences (positive or
negative) of climate change policies that will be enacted at
Copenhagen and beyond
b. With information technology and social media ever increasing,

access to climate change developments and methods to
catalyze change will only develop tremendously
c. Knowledgeable, energized and capable young people can be

empowered to tackle this massive challenge which will lead to
sustainable development for all.
Links for more information

1. www.cop15.dk –official website for the event
2. www.unfccc.int –a wealth of information concerning history of
climate change and international policy negotiations
3. unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com –our blog!


ECO Singapore Publicity Package For Schools

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ECO Singapore Youth Delegation to the United Nations environmental challenge organisation (singapore)

Climate Change Conference known as ECO Singapore

Dear Sir/Madm, Our Youth. Our Future.

Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore). We are sending an

My purpose in writing this letter is to seek your help in disseminating

We hope we can inspire people to make climate change a conscious

a. Urgency of climate change

Feel free to email us at international.affairs@eco-singapore.org if you

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

The urgency of climate change Our Youth. Our Future.

few years, developments in climate science and increasing observable

Yet, climate change is no longer solely an environmental problem.

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

change are raising complex questions on the economic rights of nations

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002

2. Observer parties from over 700 organisations including those from

a. Business and industry

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

What is at stake at Copenhagen 2009? Our Youth. Our Future.

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

Our Core Beliefs Our Youth. Our Future.

regards to the findings of the 4th Assessment Report of the

b. We therefore believe that climate change must be recognized as a

c. There is absolutely no excuses for inaction on the part of national

2. Policy direction at COP 15

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

b. Historical responsibility of developed countries which Our Youth. Our Future.

a. Emission Reduction targets

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

What (we think) is Singapore’s role? Our Youth. Our Future.

Singapore must act to mitigate its own emissions as a responsible

a. Through incentivizing behavioral changes or technological

b. Promoted in all sectors, from electricity generation (smart

c. Has direct economic savings, in terms of energy and

2. Explore any viable source of alternative energy, be it wind, solar

3. Offsetting domestic emissions through afforestation projects in the

4. Collaborating with the region with regards to capacity building.

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

a. Knowledge-building, technology transfer, Our Youth. Our Future.

information dissemination and sharing of best Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002

practices can help the region effectively adapt to and

b. Effective measures to manage forests, which are effective

Legislation on all these issues must be strongly considered. The

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

What You Can Do Our Youth. Our Future.

In addition, you could read up on the latest developments in terms of

Kindly sponsored by:

Follow our progress @ unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com

change Society Reg. No: ROS326/2002

b. With information technology and social media ever increasing,