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Message from Our Chief Mentor
The 22nd Conference of the Parties (CoP22) was held in Marrakesh, Morocco, in November, 2016, and while those involved in preparation of this event and drafting the final statement at the end of the deliberations, have issued the usual statements hailing the significance of the CoP, to a large extent this was a non-event. For instance, on the subject of loss and damage, which has been under discussion beginning with CoP 19 held in Warsaw in 2021, the Marrakesh decision merely invited "constituted bodies under the Convention, as appropriate, as those bodies undertake their work, to continue or to initiate, as appropriate, the integration of efforts to avert, minimize and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change in particularly vulnerable developing countries, vulnerable populations and the ecosystems that they depend on;" These are words that are hardly different from what was articulated unequivocally as far back as the Rio Summit in 1992. And the question remains, Who are those that are liable for the loss and damage occurring due to the impacts of climate change across the world, and how are they discharging this liability?
CoP 22 goes on to state that, "The Marrakech Conference marks an important inflection point in our commitment to bring together the whole international community to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time." One wonders how many important inflection points one would have to pass before we see action in real terms to effectively tackle "one of the greatest challenges of our time." The focus now is on what is referred to as the facilitative dialogue to take place in 2018. Hence, there is little hope of coordinated global action under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) before 2018 at best. Hence, the results of any such action are hardly to be expected before 2025 or so. It would be relevant to remind us that as the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) stated, "Delaying additional mitigation to 2030 will substantially increase the challenges associated with limiting warming over the 21st century to below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels. It will require substantially higher rates of emissions reductions from 2030 to 2050; a much more rapid scale-up of low-carbon energy over this period; a larger reliance on CDR (carbon dioxide reduction) in the long term; and higher transitional and long-term economic impacts." The current delay would pass on the burden not only of the risks from the worsening impacts of climate change to coming generations but also the growing costs and complexities inherent in delayed mitigation actions, as the AR5 clearly warned us.
It is time that the youth of the world seize the moment and become leaders of urgent action under the POP Movement.
Dr. R. K. Pachauri
Chief Mentor
The 22nd Conference of the Parties (CoP22) was held in Marrakesh, Morocco, in November, 2016, and while those involved in preparation of this event and drafting the final statement at the end of the deliberations, have issued the usual statements hailing the significance of the CoP, to a large extent this was a non-event. For instance, on the subject of loss and damage, which has been under discussion beginning with CoP 19 held in Warsaw in 2021, the Marrakesh decision merely invited "constituted bodies under the Convention, as appropriate, as those bodies undertake their work, to continue or to initiate, as appropriate, the integration of efforts to avert, minimize and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change in particularly vulnerable developing countries, vulnerable populations and the ecosystems that they depend on;" These are words that are hardly different from what was articulated unequivocally as far back as the Rio Summit in 1992. And the question remains, Who are those that are liable for the loss and damage occurring due to the impacts of climate change across the world, and how are they discharging this liability?
CoP 22 goes on to state that, "The Marrakech Conference marks an important inflection point in our commitment to bring together the whole international community to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time." One wonders how many important inflection points one would have to pass before we see action in real terms to effectively tackle "one of the greatest challenges of our time." The focus now is on what is referred to as the facilitative dialogue to take place in 2018. Hence, there is little hope of coordinated global action under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) before 2018 at best. Hence, the results of any such action are hardly to be expected before 2025 or so. It would be relevant to remind us that as the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) stated, "Delaying additional mitigation to 2030 will substantially increase the challenges associated with limiting warming over the 21st century to below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels. It will require substantially higher rates of emissions reductions from 2030 to 2050; a much more rapid scale-up of low-carbon energy over this period; a larger reliance on CDR (carbon dioxide reduction) in the long term; and higher transitional and long-term economic impacts." The current delay would pass on the burden not only of the risks from the worsening impacts of climate change to coming generations but also the growing costs and complexities inherent in delayed mitigation actions, as the AR5 clearly warned us.
It is time that the youth of the world seize the moment and become leaders of urgent action under the POP Movement.
Dr. R. K. Pachauri
Chief Mentor
Meeting with Señor Danilo Medina Sánchez, President of the Dominican Republic
On December 1, 2016, the POP team met the President of the Dominican Republic (DR), HE Señor Danilo Medina Sánchez. Others present during the meeting were from the Fundación Propa-Gas, Señora Pirigua Bonetti and Señora Lisette Fernandez; the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Señor Francisco Domínguez Brito; and the Climate Change Advisor to the President, Señor Omar Ramirez Tejada. President Danilo was very appreciative of the POP initiative in his country and highlighted the vulnerability of his nation to the impacts of climate change. He explained the conditions and the constraints under which he had to take a decision to set up coal-based power generation facilities in the country. The POP team explained to him the prospects of solar thermal power generation costs coming down in the future, which might enable an economically viable switchover to solar based steam generation in the future in the same facilities that may use coal currently. A lively discussion took place on the subject, and the 45 minute long meeting ended with an expression of full support for the POP Movement from the President of the DR.
The POP Movement is Granted Tax Exemption
It is most gratifying that the POP Movement, Inc. established earlier this year as a not-for-profit organization under the laws of the state of Connecticut in the US, has been granted Section 501 (c) (3) status that qualifies any donation provided to this entity in the US for full exemption of income tax. What is particularly encouraging is the fact that this tax exempt status assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) came through smoothly and in very good time, which perhaps acknowledges the value of the POP Movement to US society at large. Recent political developments in that country and elsewhere only lend greater value to action on the ground led by the youth of the world, whose future is at stake due to the projected impacts and risks associated with climate change, which will become progressively more serious if we fail to act.
Training with Fundación Propo-Gas, Dominican Republic
The POP Movement team had designed and prepared a training program on climate change for the staff of the Fundación Propa-Gas. The Foundation, led by the dynamic Señora Pirigua Bonetti, has a highly effective team of dedicated professionals who are carrying out a set of remarkable activities across the Dominican Republic in the fields of environmental education for children and protection of natural resources, ranging from the coral reefs under the sea and forest cover on the ground.
The POP Movement team had designed and prepared a training program on climate change for the staff of the Fundación Propa-Gas. The Foundation, led by the dynamic Señora Pirigua Bonetti, has a highly effective team of dedicated professionals who are carrying out a set of remarkable activities across the Dominican Republic in the fields of environmental education for children and protection of natural resources, ranging from the coral reefs under the sea and forest cover on the ground.
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Meeting with Señora Melba Grullón,
President of Fundación Sur Futuro
Fundación Sur Futuro, led by Señora Melba Segura de Grullón, is doing an extensive amount of work in the fields of environmental education for school children and providing technical help for small farmers, particularly in the southern part of the Dominican Republic. The farming community in the country is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A detailed presentation was made on the POP Movement and discussion took place on the occasion on how the POP Movement and the Foundation could work together in the Dominican Republic.
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Discussions with Señor Francisco Dominguez Brito, DR Minister of Environment and Natural Resources
A presentation on the POP Movement was made before the Minister and senior staff of the Ministry. A detailed discussion took place on the environment and natural resources in the Dominican Republic, and the Minister expressed his appreciation of the POP Movement, and offered his full support in its implementation in the Dominican Republic.
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Meeting with Señor Ernesto Reyna, Vice President of the National Council on Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism
The National Council is the focal point in the DR for national action in the field of climate change and international activities and negotiations. The President of the Republic is the Chairman of the Council, which ensures its inputs at the highest levels of the Government. At the end of a presentation before the Vice President and senior staff of the Council, Señor Ernesto Reyna offered full support for the POP Movement in the DR.
The National Council is the focal point in the DR for national action in the field of climate change and international activities and negotiations. The President of the Republic is the Chairman of the Council, which ensures its inputs at the highest levels of the Government. At the end of a presentation before the Vice President and senior staff of the Council, Señor Ernesto Reyna offered full support for the POP Movement in the DR.
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Meeting with the Founding Members of the Dominican Coral Network, RAD
The RAD is a body of persons representing various organizations drawn from civil society, the private sector and concerned citizens to protect the coral reefs in the coastal areas of the DR. A presentation was made before this group on how climate change is impacting on coral reefs across the globe and specifically in the DR. The POP Movement could assist ongoing efforts in this area.
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Meeting with the President of the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic (ACRD) and Representatives of Universities
The Science Academy of the DR is one of the oldest such bodies in the world, and its headquarters are located in a beautiful 500 - year old building in the historic old part of Santo Domingo. The meeting held under the initiative of its President, Dr. Lic. Milciades Mejía and Señora Pirigua Bonetti, was attended by leaders of civil society, heads of universities in the country and some government officials. The gathering represented the scientific leadership of the country, before whom a presentation was made on the rationale and thrust of the POP Movement. There was uniform expression of support on the part of all those present, and a commitment to get involved in the activities of the POP Movement in the DR . |
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Meetings in Montenegro
Our Chief Mentor was in Montenegro in early November. This is a small and beautiful country with high dependence on seasonal tourism for a major part of its income. Dr. R K Pachauri visited the seaside resort town of Bar, where he met the Mayor of the city and discussed measures to ensure a move to sustainable tourism, including the possible establishment of a Centre for Sustainable Tourism in that location through the initiative of the Mayor. In Podgorica, the capital of the country, he was invited as a guest of honor for the annual get together of the Chamber of Engineers of Montenegro. In May of this year, when Dr. R K Pachauri had visited Podgorica, he had spent time at the University of Donja Gorica (UDG), a recently established private institution. On that occasion in an interactive session with the faculty he had suggested the establishment of a Centre for Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy. The Rector of the University, Dr. Veselin Vukotic, moved quickly on that suggestion, and that Centre is now a reality. On his trip in November, 2016, our Chief Mentor held a discussion session with faculty involved in the newly established Centre, delivered a lecture for faculty and students which was very well attended and also made a presentation and participated in a conference organized on the occasion on the subject of climate change and sustainable development. The Rector of the University also agreed to the suggestion for launching the POP Movement in UDG involving the students. Ms. Milena Mijuscovic, a PhD student at the University has assumed responsibility for initiating activity there as part of the POP Movement, and a dialogue between her and us is on for giving shape to this intent. |
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Visit to Los Haitises National Park
On November 22, 2016, Dr. Ash Pachauri, Senior Mentor of the POP Movement visited the Los Haitises National Park located on the remote northeast coast of the Dominican Republic that was established in 1976. Hosted by the Fundacion Propo-Gas team of experts, he visited the La Linea and La Arena caves, residing deep within the mangrove forest, which have traces of indigenous art left by the Taino Indians. He also visited the habitat of the endangered Gavilán (Buteo ridgwayi) hawk of Hispaniola. The Fundacion Propo-Gas together with the Peregrine Fund and the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation have carried out a conservation project on the Gavilán of Hispaniola, which includes monitoring activities, reintroduction and awareness for the conservation of this critically endangered species, which is only found in Los Haitises National Park, a unique natural habitat of the hawk. |
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POP at Youth Summit, Stadtbergen, Germany
Our Youth Mentor, Heeta Lakhani attended Plant-for-the-Planet’s Youth Summit held in Stadtbergen, Germany from October 30 to November 2. Around 60 young people between the ages of 13 and 25 attended the Summit and about 14 speakers addressed the global youth present either in person, by Skype, or via pre-recorded videos. The goal of the Summit was to promote youth leadership for climate change action among the 60 Climate Justice Ambassadors -- as Plant-for-the-Planet call them -- who attended. The POP Movement's, Chief Mentor, Dr. Pachauri addressed the audience by Skype on October 31, following which Heeta Lakhani introduced the POP Movement in detail and invited youth participation and engagement with the Movement. Several participants, especially from Africa expressed an interest in working on local chapters of the Movement in their respective countries. As part of the Summit's closing, a "Home Evening" was organized to celebrate cultural exchange among the participants. Heeta performed the Bharatnatyam, which was much appreciated, representing a traditional classical dance form from India. |
POP at COY12 and COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco
Heeta Lakhani, Youth Mentor and Bindu Bhandari, our partner attended the COP22 and the 12th Conference of Youth (COY12) held in Marrakech, Morocco in November, 2016. They participated in various youth events representing the POP Movement and spreading word about the Movement among delegates at the conference. Heeta engaged in Plant-for-the-Planet's tree planting action at COP22. As part of their initiative, she also distributed "Change Chocolates" every morning to delegates attending the conference. Each chocolate bar contained a message by youth to delegates encouraging change. Finally, Heeta also took part in the Youth Flash Mob organized by the International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges, which emphasized the importance of youth inclusion and called for increased resources to support youth-led action on climate change. The Youth Flash Mob was celebrated as part of the COP22's "Young and Future Generations Day" on Nov 10, 2016. |
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Visit to Museo Infantil Trampolin
Dr. Ash Pachauri, Senior Mentor of the POP Movement visited the Trampolin Museum in Santo Domingo on November 23, 2016. Trampolin is a children's museum and an educational and cultural project conceived and sponsored by the office of the former first lady, Señora Rosa Gomez de Mejia, in order to give all children in the country the opportunity to access a space where they can acquire knowledge, identify with the Dominican culture, rescue their identity and patriotic values, raise awareness about environmental care among others, in a fun and modern way. Hosted by the Director of the Museum Señora Nancy Handal de Meija and Señora Bonetti, President of the Fundacion Propo-Gas, Dr. Ash Pachauri toured the museum and the museum’s “Nature, Value, and Balance” Hall of the Propo-Gas Fundacion, which promotes the concept of the balance between nature and its relationship with human life and sustainability. The Hall highlights biodiversity and sustainable development, while exposing visitors to a range of disciplines and fields of knowledge. |
Source: DondeUbico
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Nat Geo Publication on the POP Movement by Olivia Ries
The POP Movement is proud and privileged to carry this article, published in the National Geographic magazine. This brilliant contribution has been authored by our gifted young member of the POP Movement's International Advisory Board, Olivia Ries. Olivia has been a leader of action to protect the environment since the age when most children are happy and contented to spend time with their toys. Her soul has been stirred by the destruction of nature's bounty that we see all around us, and this unique fourteen year old young lady has written about climate change in this article, for which I was privileged to provide her with inputs that she has highlighted far more than required. Our readers would surely enjoy the words, thoughts and feelings conveyed by Olivia in this extremely well written piece.
The POP Movement is proud and privileged to carry this article, published in the National Geographic magazine. This brilliant contribution has been authored by our gifted young member of the POP Movement's International Advisory Board, Olivia Ries. Olivia has been a leader of action to protect the environment since the age when most children are happy and contented to spend time with their toys. Her soul has been stirred by the destruction of nature's bounty that we see all around us, and this unique fourteen year old young lady has written about climate change in this article, for which I was privileged to provide her with inputs that she has highlighted far more than required. Our readers would surely enjoy the words, thoughts and feelings conveyed by Olivia in this extremely well written piece.
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Visit to the National Zoological Park, Santo Domingo
The National Zoological Park in Santo Domingo is an extremely well designed facility, which is apparently creating a high level of awareness among youth on the need for protection of natural resources and wild life. The Zoo runs a set of training activities for the youth in which the POP Movement could become a partner. |
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Tour of the Children and Youth Library of the Dominican Republic (BIJRD)
The POP team visited this unique library designed for the benefit of children, not only to provide them access to knowledge in various fields of human endeavor but also to inculcate values and beliefs which would make them ideal citizens of the world. The library is the creation and represents the vision of HE Señora Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, Vice President of the DR. Its upkeep and maintenance are a delight for the eyes of any visitor to this wonderful resource, and what is most impressive is the powerful message it provides to children on the value and essentiality of reverence for nature. The Fundación Propa-Gas provides substantial assistance to this facility, hosting interactive technology-based learning about the environment. The POP team visited the Fundación Propa-Gas sponsored Greta Park Room, which simulates a park surrounding and a space, which encourages playful education, while respecting for culture and social inclusion. It is hoped that the POP Movement would get involved in reaching out to the youth who visit the library in the future.
The POP team visited this unique library designed for the benefit of children, not only to provide them access to knowledge in various fields of human endeavor but also to inculcate values and beliefs which would make them ideal citizens of the world. The library is the creation and represents the vision of HE Señora Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, Vice President of the DR. Its upkeep and maintenance are a delight for the eyes of any visitor to this wonderful resource, and what is most impressive is the powerful message it provides to children on the value and essentiality of reverence for nature. The Fundación Propa-Gas provides substantial assistance to this facility, hosting interactive technology-based learning about the environment. The POP team visited the Fundación Propa-Gas sponsored Greta Park Room, which simulates a park surrounding and a space, which encourages playful education, while respecting for culture and social inclusion. It is hoped that the POP Movement would get involved in reaching out to the youth who visit the library in the future.
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Visit to Eco-School Model, Movearte in Santo Domingo
Movearte is a public school, recognized as a model eco-school, supported by the Government, but adopted by the Fundación Propa-Gas for help with a number of environmental activities. The school children in this institution are remarkably unhampered by the lack of financial resources, a feature that is common to many publicly funded schools. They are not only involved in a range of activities to protect the environment, such as extensive waste recycling and energy conservation, but they also grow vegetables on the premises through organic means, and market their produce to earn revenue for the school and learn the value of sustainable agriculture. The POP team found that even though the students were conscious of the problem of climate change they had no access to or familiarity with knowledge on what causes the problem and how human society may deal with it. This confirms the need for creating and disseminating appropriate teaching materials to school children on the subject of climate change, which would motivate them to take effective action to deal with this global challenge. |
Source: Eco Schools RD
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