FAO urges Countries to Comply with the Global Chemical Conventions to cut back Soil Pollution and to Address Food Insecurity

Did you know that it takes thousands of years to form 1 cm of soil? Yet, it can be destroyed in almost no time at all. Unsustainable agriculture practices, urban infrastructures, pollution, erosion, climate change and other factors all contribute to the rapid degradation of our soils and to desertification. About 33 per cent of our lands are already degraded, and this increasing trend is putting in check the achievement of many global agreements.

Indeed, the 2017 World Soil Day is on the theme: ‘Caring for the planet starts from the ground’. Soil is a symbol of fertility. It is the origin of life. It is the basis for food production. According to a statement from Dr. Cristiana Paşca Palmer - the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity on the occasion of world soil day, ‘Soils are also home to a range of life forms, which are not, perhaps, as charismatic as bees or butterflies. However, soil biodiversity is also fundamental to keeping Mother Earth fertile and for nurturing life on our planet’.

As part of this day, the Food and Agriculture Organization and UN Environment organized a breakfast side event to honor it on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA3) taking place in Nairobi 4 – 6 December 2017.

Speaking at this event, Mette Wilkie - Director of the Ecosystems Division at UN Environment, warned that soil degradation costs are estimated at USD 68 billion per year as lost income. On the other hand while 1/3 of the global food is lost as waste, it needs to be properly recycled to replenish our soils, given that 95% of all global food supply comes from the soil.

Carlos Martina Novella - Deputy Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, noted that farmers continue to use chemicals that are known to be dangerous to the environment and much so to the soil. While 3 chemical conventions (Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions) are in place, the use of some outlawed chemicals still goes on, while others result in bioaccumulation in the food chain, due to their persistence in the environment (Persistent Organic pollutants) causing long-term public health and environmental disruptions that stride borders. Unfortunately these chemicals are still widely used in large quantities including in emergencies like in control of the army worm and desert locust invasions.

Mr. Vijay Kumar from the Small holder farmers cooperative – State of Andra Pradesh in India shared several useful experiences on conservation agriculture that has zero chemical application that has changed food productivity, communities incomes and general landscapes in that area. He noted that, ‘these positive experiences have been replicated elsewhere and have the potential to contribute to better farming that can reduce soil pollution across the world’. He added that farmers in Andra Pradesh have a saying: ‘soil is my mother; protection of soil is my duty to get food from my mother’.

At this occasion a Global soil Organic Carbon Map (involving 110 countries) was launched. Soil organic carbon is the carbon that remains in the soil after partial decomposition of any material produced by living organisms. It constitutes a key element of the global carbon cycle through atmosphere, vegetation, soil, rivers and ocean. It is the main component of soil organic matter and as such constitutes the fuel for any soil. Loss of this vital soil component negatively affects not only soil health and food production, but also exacerbates climate change as organic matter decomposes releasing carbon based green house gases to the atmosphere. The map notes that globally, the current estimate of carbon stock (up to 30 cm from the surface) is 680 billion tones.

'Pope Francis’s Laudato Si principles provides a transformative response to Climate Change'

A side event organized by CISDE, CAFOD, Trocaire, and Caritas Internationalis underscored Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’ (powerful message on our moral responsibility to care for creation) principles and held discussions regarding the extent to which they could be useful as a transformative response to the global climate change challenge. Panelists shared their experiences from Tuvalu, the Philippines and the United Nations.

Sharing Tuvalu’s experiences as a Pacific Island State, Prime Minister - Enele Sosene Sopoaga noted that the current severe human-induced events call for urgent action to cut back on use of fossil fuels and replace them with Renewable Energy options. He appealed to everyone who cares to heed to the Pope’s warning that is summed up in the encyclical. ‘There is no time to waste – drowning of people due to cyclones and other forms of disasters should be contained by our very equal response’, he added.

Tuvalu has always had to fight with extreme weather events like storm surges and floods. But as a consequence of climate change and sea level rise, the frequency and magnitude of these weather events are intensified. Even a very minor rise in the sea level would have "severely negative effects on atolls and low islands" (IPCC 2001, p. 856) and would increasingly threaten areas with inundation. Additionally, the effects of storm surges and floods are exacerbated due to the fact that natural break-waters, like coral reefs, are decreasing because of global warming.

Prime Minister Enele Sosene Sopoaga expressed fear for inaction since the Paris Agreement came into force. ‘There is a resurgence of very weak leadership, obstructionist approaches and cannibalizing the Paris Agreement while vulnerable communities are bring submerged’, he cautioned. He therefore warned that it is not moral enough to do more dialogue when emissions are still going high, but rather act – by reducing CO2 emissions from the atmosphere, and keeping fossil fuels in the ground.

Neil Thorns (CAFOD) agreed that the Tuvalu Premier that the current ‘cannibalizing’ models of development need to change. He suggested the UNESCO’s Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change (2017). He particularly singled out the need to have climate action participatory at all levels through listening to all groups. In addition he called for the need for promoting equitable and just transition (that related to NDCs, Climate actions and plans.

Tetel Lauron (IBON International) noted that false solutions like bioenergy carbon capture, geoengineering with ethical and moral questions, as they tinker with natural systems, with unknown consequences. She called for a change of paradigm in support of the poor and theroi efforts to get out of poverty. ‘Pull those that are far ahead’ (in reference to Agenda 2030’s Leave No One Behind. This calls for building reconstructing structures that strengthen the powerless, redistribute resources and power based on gender, social and environmental considerations.

Jean Pascal (Advisor to the Fiji delegation and Scientist) called for increased political debates on climate actions / climate change issues in national parliaments and community meetings than it is currently. He reminded the meeting that through the Laudato Si the Pope speaks to more people across the world, not only Catholics.

Uganda CSOs urge Govt on vulnerable populations in the Climate Change Bill

Ahead of this Year's Climate negotiations in Bonn, Ugandan CSOs under the auspices of Climate Action Network Uganda and the Environmental and Natural Resource CSOs resolved that Government of Uganda should ensure that the Climate Change Bill addresses the needs and concerns of vulnerable communities, indigenous peoples and specifies the roles of civil society and the private sector in scaling-up efforts and support actions to reduce emissions and build resilience to the adverse effects of climate change

For the COP23 process, Ugandan CSOs call on parties to clarify on the features of the NDCs; provide information to facilitate clarity, transparency and understanding of the NDCs. The CMA should agree to have a minimum standard in the NDC with a new way of accounting for NDCs; urge Parties to consider establishing the Adaptation Benefit Mechanism as a component of the Framework for Non-Market Approaches (NMA) so as to pursue voluntary cooperation in the implementation of NDCs .

Read the full Uganda CSO statement for COP23 from here

Southern CSOs to showcase how NDCs and LEDs can advance climate solutions at COP23 in Bonn

The annual UN climate talks for 2017 will take place from 6 to 17 November at the World Conference Centre Bonn (Germany) under the Fijian Presidency. During this global meeting, Governments are expected to advance discussions on implementation of the Paris Agreement with efforts on developing guidelines on how the Agreement’s provisions will be implemented across a wide range of issues. These include Greenhouse Gas emission reductions, provision of climate finance, adaptation, capacity building and technology transfer.

According to IISD Reporting Services, among others, this meeting is expected to be technical in nature, focused on issues related to operationalizing the Paris Agreement, which is set for completion in 2018 at COP24. Among the many technical issues parties will discuss are: further guidance in relation to mitigation, including on the features of Nationally-Determined Contributions (NDCs), and in relation to adaptation communications; modalities, procedures, and guidelines for the enhanced transparency framework; matters related to the global stocktake; modalities and procedures for the committee to facilitate implementation and enhance compliance; matters related to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (cooperative approaches); modalities and procedures for the operation and use of a public registry, or registries; and other matters related to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Project Partners working under the Project to Promote Implementation of the Paris Agreement (PIPA) that comprise SusWatch Kenya, TaTEDO, and Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development (UCSD), SustainableEnergy and the International Forum for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE), have issued a policy brief titled: ‘The importance of a poverty reduction focus in the NDCs, transparency framework and global stocktake’. According to this policy brief, the Partners urgue that In the ongoing negotiations on the development of the “Paris Rule book”, it is important that the “rules” are set in order for the resulting NDCs and climate actions to mitigate climate change, build climate resilience, enhance sustainable development and reduce poverty in developing countries. This will increase popular support for the climate actions, and thereby the likelihood of their success.

The 3 PIPA Partners have also partnered up with others to organize a side event on Thursday November 9, 2017 from 16:45 to 18:15 in Room 4, Bonn Zone. In this side event, Partners will showcase village based solutions from South Asia and East Africa and how NDCs & LEDS can promote these solutions, how a good Paris Rulebook can facilitate this. Join us then!

Climate Change Education | MBC Television

The sensitization of Climate change and its adverse impacts are taking place at the school level.Communications Officer for the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project at the Department of Sustainable Development, Lucius Doxerie tells us about the campaign to edify young minds on the need to take action to minimize the damage they can cause and the need to take advantage of opportunities that may arise.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: Civil Society Calls for a Global Response to Offset Refugee Pressure on Uganda’s Natural Resource Base

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality (SDG 15.3) is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels.

Based on the theme: “Land degradation and migration”, the 2017 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, examines the important link between land degradation and migration. Among others, environmental degradation, food insecurity and poverty are causes of migration and development challenges.  

According to the UNCCD Secretariat, in just 15 years, the number of international migrants worldwide has risen from 173 million in 2000 to 244 million in 2015.

Part of the drivers of land degradation is the rapid population growth rates from within and from outside Uganda’s borders, that demand for energy for cooking as well as land for agriculture expansion. Hence, while Uganda’s forest cover in 2015 was 11 percent, having declined from 24 percent in 1990; the major challenge for this decline of forest cover is de-forestation. Similarly, the wetland cover the national area of wetlands declined by 30 per cent between 1994 and 2008 before increasing between 2008 and 2014 from 26,307km2 to 26,315 km2.

According to Hilary Onek, Uganda’s Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, the country is host to over 1.2 million refugees, mainly South Sudanese, who have fled their country ever since conflict broke up in December 2013. From July 2016 through January 2017, more than 512,000 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Uganda at an average of 2,400 refugees per day. The influx reached 3,000 a day for several months, making Uganda the third-ranked refugee-hosting country in the world with close to one million refugees.

The Government of Uganda adopted the innovative approach of integrating refugee management and protection into its Second National Development Plan (NDPII) through the Settlement Transformative Agenda (STA), in accordance with the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. The STA aims to sustainably assist refugees and host communities by promoting socioeconomic development in refugee-hosting areas, supported by the United Nations through the Refugee and Host Population Empowerment (ReHope) initiative, which was developed in collaboration with the World Bank.

Despite these steps, refugee influx is presenting a clear and present danger of profound environmental damage to areas where they have settled, that are already poor, losing soil, entirely dependent on wood to cook and build, and reliant on economic activities that degrade natural resources, such as sand mining, which breaks down riverbanks, and charcoal, brick making and tobacco curing, which consume millions of trees a year.

As a result of the humanitarian concern, 50 National, Local and International Organizations in Uganda met in Gulu District, June 7 – 8, 2017 to discuss their role in refugee response. In their Gulu communique, the various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have noted that while Uganda is known to have one of the most progressive refugee policy, it is  one of the worst funded refugee hosting countries (funding gap stands at 85%), despite being third in ranking as a country hosting refugees globally.

Among other resolutions, the various CSOs resolved that programs that promote community level early disaster warning, recovery, community-based disaster risk management and joint contingency planning as well as develop strong local economies in frontline districts where refugees are resident be designed and implemented

They also resolved that local and national actors identify any unintended effects of humanitarian response at community level and develop appropriate approaches with duty bearers to mitigate effects on environment, local relations and other areas. 

Read the full Gulu Communique from here

World Environment Day 2017: Connecting People to Nature is a Global Call to Action for ALL!

This year’s World environment Day theme ‘Connecting People to Nature’ implores us to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. It really appeals to individuals and communities more than institutions. This is because it does not matter where one lives or works in an urban or rural, is an inhabitant of the developed or developing world, comes from an affluent or poor family background, young or old. We all have to connect to nature in one way or the other. In fact on close reflection, this theme is a call to action for all the global citizenry to come back to our senses and treat Mother Earth is a more humane way

In Uganda, the theme has been localised to: ‘Connect to nature, Appreciate Biodiversity’. The local theme which is also in tandem with the International Biodiversity Day 2017, calls upon all Ugandans to come close, reflect on the diversity of in the country or in a particular habitat or ecosystem in or close where they live. As noted above we all live in or close to nature even in assumed urban settings since our overall survival is controlled by nature – we have to drink, water, buy food need light and release waste into nature.

In the affluent communities in developed countries, countries in Transition, towns and cities, citizens are urged to bring a little bit of nature into their routine in order to take the edge off city life that is increasingly moderated by technology. This could include ideas like The International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism’s PassePorte Verde (Green Passport) initiative that provides tips to foster the adoption of responsible attitudes in tourism, showing how one’s behaviour can contribute towards conserving the environment and improving the quality of people’s lives.

Connecting to Nature for Survival

On the other hand, for Developing countries especially rural communities, the theme relates to securing one’s real survival, since their economies that are powerfully intertwined with nature. For example, Ugandan agriculture that provides occupation for over 72 percent of the total economically active population is almost completely dependent on rain-fed agriculture by small- and medium-scale farmers with a national average holding size of 1.1 hectares.

At the national level, wildlife which is part of nature commands 90% of the tourism in Uganda due to its 10 unique National Parks, 12 Wetlands of International Importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, among other attractions. In turn, this sector is leading foreign exchange earner to the Ugandan economy where visitor exports generate USD 1.35bn (23.5% of total exports) in 2015. In fact, tourism contribution to GDP increased to Uganda Shs 7.3 trillion in 2015 from Uganda Shs 6.3 trillion in 2014 representing a 14percent growth (MTTI, 2017).

Connecting to Nature: State of the World Plants (2017) that we take for granted

Just in time for the World Environment Day 2017, the Royal Botanic Gardens – Kew has published the Second State of the World’s Plants (2017). This report stresses the fact that detailed knowledge of plants is fundamental to human life on Earth. Plants underpin all aspects of our everyday life — from the food that we eat, to the clothes that we wear, the materials we use, the air we breathe, the medicines we take and much more. These essential services provided by plants are far too often taken for granted.

As an example, the State of the World Plants (2017) report highlights an astounding and unexpected new tree species (Barleria mirabilis) found in Tanzania. This is from a major tropical family of herbs and shrubs (the Acanthaceae).  Plant leaves in Acanthaceae are used externally for wounds, while some research has indicated that Acanthaceae possess antifungal, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, antioxidant, insecticidal, immunomodulatory, anti-platelet aggregation and anti-viral potential.

Generally, wild and domesticated plants serve an important role to us as humans. The State of the World Plants (2017) underlines the fact that 80% of the food derived from plants comes from 17 plant families.  For example, among the most important discovered species with potential for new food sources were 11 new Brazilian species of Manihot, representing a 10% increase in the known number of species that are relatives of the important food plant Manihot esculenta. This plant is known variously as cassava, garri, manioc or tapioca and is a staple food for millions of people in the tropics (including Uganda), where Nigeria is the largest producer. Third in global importance after maize and rice, manioc offers more food security than cereals because tubers can be left in the ground until needed, can be harvested at any season and contain sufficient cyanide to deter crop pests.

Existing Citizen ‘Spaces’ to Hold those in Contravention

In a bid to perform its oversight and representative role, Uganda parliament adopted a number of oversight mechanisms. These include the Prime Minister’s time. This mechanism as referred to under Rule 34 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament is time designated every Wednesday starting at 3 pm of the sitting of Parliament and it lasts for 45 minutes unless the Speaker in exceptional cases exercises his or her discretion to extend. During this session, members are free to ask any (one) question on any matter with the exception of the leader of opposition who is allowed to ask more than one question. The Prime Minister is expected to respond instantly though not often. In this case, citizens are free to channel their questions to the Prime Minister through their elected Members of Parliament on a regular basis. This remains to be an opportunity that has not been used well, apparently Members of Parliament ask long blurry questions that take all the time and deny other members a chance to (relevantly) ask.

At a higher level given the interconnected world, in order to connect to nature without any encumbrances, there needs to be a citizen-driven accountability for sustainable development that gives affected people a greater voice. This is particularly important when an International Financing Institution (IFI) project imperils, or results in harm to people or the environment. Independent Accountability Mechanisms  which reflect the principle of  ‘citizen-driven accountability’ promise to provide greater voice and rights of recourse to people through independently administered channel to bring their grievances to the highest levels of IFI decision-making.

The World Bank’s Inspection Panel is an independent complaints mechanism for people and communities who believe that they have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected by a World Bank-funded project. The Board of Executive Directors created the Inspection Panel in 1993 to ensure that people have access to an independent body to express their concerns and seek recourse. The Panel is an impartial fact-finding body, independent from the World Bank management and staff, reporting directly to the Board. The Inspection Panel process aims to promote accountability at the World Bank, give affected people a greater voice in activities supported by the World Bank that affect their rights and interests, and foster redress when warranted. So, in response to complaints from project-affected people, we have a mandate to review projects funded by the World Bank, through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA). The Panel assesses allegations of harm to people or the environment and reviews whether the Bank followed its operational policies and procedures.

In Uganda, complainants, who asked for confidentiality, raised concerns about potential social and environmental harm caused by the construction of the Isimba Dam reservoir and the consequent flooding of the Kalagala Offset Area. While the World Bank is not financing the dam, the complainants alleged the flooding will undermine the management of protected natural resources in the KOA, which is a requirement of an indemnity agreement between the International Development Association and the government of Uganda as part of the Bujagali project. The Panel registered both complaints in September 2016, and informed the Board that since they raised similar issues the Panel would process them jointly. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on April 4, 2017, approved the Inspection Panel’s recommendation to defer by up to 12 months its decision on whether an investigation is warranted into two projects regarding the Kalagala Offset Area (KOA) in Uganda.

In another case, United Nations development program (UNDP), deployed a team of experts to Kalangala district to carry out investigations on alleged human rights violation by BIDCO Palm Oil Company by farmers under Bugala Farmers Association. This call to action is because of the farmers’ petition to the office in November last year to investigate an agreement signed between Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL) and Business Call to Action (BCtA), arguing, it was erroneous for BCtA to go into partnership with OPUL.

Similarly letter to the Editor might look a small citizen action, but these few words (for example The Daily Monitor’s ‘Letter of the Day’) and pictures (for example The New Vision’s ‘Point of View’ in the letters section) normally catch attention of the general public and busy readers (policy and decision-makers), as they quickly peruse through these dailies. Therefore, responsible Ugandan citizens should regularly contribute to these public ‘spaces’ by raising text and pictorial cases of environmental abuse, good stories / case worth scaling up, among others.

Connecting to Nature: Recent Global Calls to Citizens

The Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis On Care for Our Common Future

Pope Francis’ Encyclical (Laudato Si) released in June 2015, is a worldwide wake up call to help humanity understand the destruction that man is rendering to the environment and his fellow man. While addressing the environment directly, the document’s scope is broader in many ways as it looks at not only man’s effect on the environment, but also the many philosophical, theological, and cultural causes that threaten the relationships of man to nature and man to each other in various circumstances.

From the outset, Pope Francis states the goal of the document: “In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home”.

Normally, papal documents are addressed to the bishops of the Church or the lay faithful. But, similar to Pope Saint John XXIII’s Pacem in Terris, Pope Francis addresses his message to ALL people.

Pope Francis warns that: “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth”.

The Earth Charter: A Global Vision of Hope and a Call to Action.

The Earth Charter is an ethical framework for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations. It is a vision of hope and a call to action.

The Earth Charter was finalized and then launched as a people’s charter on 29 June, 2000 by the Earth Charter Commission, an independent international entity, in a ceremony at the Peace Palace, in The Hague. It is now available in 53 languages including Kiswahili and Kirundi

The Earth Charter is centrally concerned with the transition to sustainable ways of living and sustainable human development. Ecological integrity is one major theme. However, the Earth Charter recognizes that the goals of ecological protection, the eradication of poverty, equitable economic development, and respect for human rights, democracy, and peace are interdependent and indivisible. It provides, therefore, a new, inclusive, integrated ethical framework to guide the transition to a sustainable future. The legitimacy of the document has been further enhanced by its endorsement by over 6,000 organizations, including many governments and international organizations.

Law of Mother Earth: Ugandan Inspiration From Bolivia

Like Uganda, the Bolivian economy does rely heavily on natural resource export activity, earning a significant part of its foreign exchange thereby.

In December 2010, in response to an understanding of the impacts of climate change on the nation’s economic and community health, Bolivia’s National Congress voted to support an act to protect the well-being of its citizens by protecting the natural world—its resources, sustainability, and value—as essential to the common good. The act was supported by Bolivian President Evo Morales

This Law of Mother Earth is guided by six binding principles: Harmony: Human activities, within the framework of plurality and diversity, should achieve a dynamic balance with the cycles and processes inherent in Mother Earth;  Collective Good: The interests of society, within the framework of the rights of Mother Earth, prevail in all human activities and any acquired right; Guarantee of Regeneration: The state, at its various levels, and society, in harmony with the common interest, must ensure the necessary conditions in order that the diverse living systems of Mother Earth may absorb damage, adapt to shocks, and regenerate without significantly altering their structural and functional characteristics, recognizing that living systems are limited in their ability to regenerate, and that humans are limited in their ability to undo their actions; Respect and defend the rights of Mother Earth: The state and any individual or collective person must respect, protect and guarantee the rights of Mother Earth for the well-being of current and future generations; No Commercialism: Neither living systems nor processes that sustain them may be commercialized, nor serve anyone’s private property: Multiculturalism: The exercise of the rights of Mother Earth require the recognition, recovery, respect, protection, and dialogue of the diversity of feelings, values, knowledge, skills, practices, transcendence, science, technology and standards of all the culture of the world who seek to live in harmony with nature.