Climate Change: A Global Challenge

Strategies for Building Community Resilience for

safe community environments disaster resilient societies.

Climate change: a Global challenge

Temperatures are increasing in many parts of the planet This is caused by build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) Continued GHG emissions at or above current rates would cause further warming and change in our climatic system Most of the increase in average temperatures is due to increase in GHG concentrations mainly by produced by human beings Between 1970 and 2004, global GHG emissions by human activities have increased by 70%
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Impact of climate change

Increases in global average air and ocean temperatures Rising global average sea level

Widespread melting of snow and ice

Impact of climate change

More frequent droughts, floods and other forms of extreme weather Food supplies will be at danger

Many plants and animals will not survive

Rising sea levels will force hundreds of thousands of people in coastal zones to migrate

Impact of climate change on children

More than 46% of the world's population is below 25 years. Approximately 175 million children will be affected by climate change induced natural disasters every year over the next decade. Children are more likely than adults to perish during natural disasters or succumb to malnutrition, injuries or disease. Women and children account for more than 75% of displaced people following natural disasters.

Actions on climate change

Mitigation: Promoting low-carbon energy sources and technologies Promoting energy conservation and efficiency Reducing emissions from deforestation

Adaptation:
Integrating climate risks into policies and planning at different levels Addressing climate impacts in various sectors Building the capacity of communities to cope with climate change related problems
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UNEP and climate change

UNEP has more than 20 years of experience working on climate change Climate change is one of the 6 thematic priorities of UNEPs Medium-Term Strategy (2009 to 2013) UNEP has scaled up its climate change activities with partners and stakeholders Cooperation with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Cooperation with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

UNEP and climate change

UNEP Medium-Term Strategy 2010-2013: To strengthen the ability of countries to integrate climate change responses into national development processes"

UNEP is helping governments to:

a) b) c) d) e) Ensure that climate change adaptation is integrated into development processes Make choices that lead to reduction in GHG emissions Improve the deployment and transfer of better and efficient technology Improve land use, reduce deforestation & land degradation increase carbon sequestration Ensure that policy-makers, civil society and private sector have access to climate change science and information
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UNEP and climate change

Mitigation
UNEP has launched a major worldwide tree planting campaign The Billion Tree Campaign. The goal is to encourage people, communities, business, industry, civil society organizations and governments to plant at least seven billion trees Worldwide by end of 2009. Currently 2.5 billion planted and 4.1 billion pledged
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UNEP and climate change

The Climate Neutral Network (CN Net)
UNEP has established CN Net to assist those interested in achieving big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to reach their goals. CN Net publicizes climate neutrality plans and achievements; CN Net acts as a network for those who aspire to climate neutrality CN Net brings developed and developing country participants together to green the development path and support the MDGs

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UNEP and climate change

Adaptation activities by UNEP
Hosts International consultation meetings on development of adaptation network; Runs adaptation training workshops; Provides technical notes for preparations of national programmes of action; Provides technical support to countries on data.
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UNEP and young people

UNEP has a long term strategy on the engagement and involvement of children in environmental issues called Tunza (Kiswahili for treat with care and affection) It started in 2003 and ends in 2008 The 2nd Tunza strategy will run from 2009 to 2014. Annual Tunza conferences for children and youth: where issues of climate change are discussed.
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Why environmental education?

Addressing environmental issues requires a citizenry that is
- informed and environmentally literate - willing to translate its knowledge into action

- Environmental education is fundamental!

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What is environmental education?

Teaching about how natural environments function Making people aware of environmental issues Promoting an understanding of the relationship between humans and their surrounding environment Desired outcomes: creating a concern for environmental issues evoking environmentally responsible behaviour promoting environment protecting activities

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What can teachers do?

Teachers are often identified as important agents of change in society - They play an important role in improving human capacity in environmental awareness, protection and problem-solving - Teachers require the knowledge, skills, on environmental awareness in order to include this in their school programme

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What can teachers impart to their students?

To turn off appliances, heating and air conditioning To turn off and unplug computer and other electronic devices To encourage the parents and relatives to change the light bulbs to energy efficient ones To recycle papers or reuse bottles, chopsticks and plastics To join or create an eco-club To plant trees To choose products that are environmentally friendly To walk, cycle or take a train or bus instead of the private car To try to use less. For example, to carry a cloth bag when going shopping instead of plastic bags To encourage family and friends to do these things To write to political leaders asking for cleaner cars, better public transport or renewable energy To participate in activities on climate change

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More information on http://www.unep.org/

THANK YOU!
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