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Message from Our Chief Mentor
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued a preliminary statement in November, 2016 on the status of global climate change, which is to be confirmed early this year. According to this statement, it was asserted that 2016 will be the hottest year on record with global temperatures even higher than the record breaking temperatures in 2015. It was contended that 2016’s global temperatures are approximately 1.2 degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial levels. Long term climate change indicators were also found to be record breaking, with concentrations of major greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reaching new records. Arctic sea ice remained at very low levels, especially during early 2016 and the October refreezing period. It was found that the Greenland ice sheets showed significant and early melting. The WMO statement also found that the deadliest event in 2016 had been Hurricane Matthew, which was Haiti’s worst humanitarian emergency since the 2016 earthquake. And throughout the year extreme weather led to considerable socio-economic losses in all regions of the world. There is perhaps a need to focus on both the Greenland as well as the Antarctic ice sheets, on which I would request our readers to watch this video. Dr. R. K. Pachauri Chief Mentor |
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Presentation to Asociación Dominicana de Profesores (ADP)
The Asociación Dominicana de Profesores (ADP) is a large body of academics in the Dominican Republic. The POP Movement team made a presentation to them on the request of this body. This was the first step in mobilizing academia drawn from various disciplines in that country for imparting knowledge on climate change to the students’ community in the Dominican Republic. This initial presentation will now be followed with a program for developing and introducing teaching on climate change in both the universities as well as the schools of the Dominican Republic. Assistance by way of preparing and providing training material to the association of professors will be the responsibility of the POP Movement.
Presentation to Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)
The Autonomous University of Santo Domingo is the oldest university in the Americas, having been established in 1538. An event was organized by the medical faculty of the University with the support and presence of the Rector of the University, Professor Ivan Grullon Fernández , in which a presentation was made to a record number of professors and students on the science of climate change, and actions that are required to deal with this challenge and the role of the POP Movement in facilitating efforts in that direction.
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Presentation to Federación Dominicana de Distrito Municipales (FEDODIM)
Presentation to the municipalities of the Dominican Republic – The municipalities of the Dominican Republic -- known as the Federación Dominicana de Distrito Municipales (FEDODIM) -- are responsible for a number of measures to protect the environment at the local level, oversee the establishment and operation of various schools, and organize civil society to deal with environmental problems in the jurisdiction of each municipality. The POP Movement made a presentation before the Federation of Municipalities in the country, and this will be followed up by action involving these municipal bodies across the country as part of the POP Movement. |
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Meeting with Solid Waste Management Group
Senior Mentor, Dr. Ash Pachauri and the POP Movement's colleague and associate in the Dominican Republic, Ms. Sara Gonsalez met with the Association of Sanitation and Recycling Foundations (AFUNSAREC) in Santo Domingo on January 25, 2017. The AFUNSAREC is formed by five solid waste management foundations in five informal settlements along the Ozama and Isabela Rivers in Santo Domingo.
As not-for-profit organizations, the community foundations provide tailored solid waste services in the informal settlements along the floodplains of the rivers. Among their aims is to generate the necessary consensus to implement a comprehensive master plan of solid waste management interventions for the rescue and sanitation of the Ozama and Isabela river basins. AFUNSAREC employs about 300 people who collect approximately 550 tons of solid waste a day. The POP Movement and AFUNSAREC discussed issues of solid waste services around the unplanned, informal settlements of the river banks. The precarious housing along the river banks is at great risk for flooding due to solid waste clogged drainage and waterways. In addition, the waste accumulations on the streets, around informal housing settlements, and in water bodies create huge environmental and public health risks. The POP Movement and the AFUNSAREC discussed ways to work together to engage young people in it’s solid waste management activities, and, thereby support the community. |
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Meeting with Instituto Tecnológico de Las Américas (ITLA)
The POP Movement visited the Institute of Technology of the Americas, which is a pan-American institution working on the hardware and software of information and communications technology.
The Rector of the University and senior faculty took the POP Movement leadership to various facilities in this institution to explain programs that are being carried out, at which students from many countries of the Americas participate. The leadership of the University agreed to implement the POP Movement in this University, for which Prof Pedro Pablo Castro was identified as the focal point. |
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ADP Press Conference
In a press conference organized by the ADP on January 26, a large number of representatives of the print and TV media from the Dominican Republic were present. Leaders of the ADP explained to them the importance of action on climate change and the need for education in this field in the country, given the vulnerability of the Dominican Republic to the impacts of climate change, and the choices it has in the use of different forms of energy, which would make mitigation of emissions of GHGs feasible.
Dr. R K Pachauri and Dr. Ash Pachauri participated in the press conference. A discussion took place on the Government's recent decision to set up coal-based power generation facilities in the country. It was explained to them that in a democratic system, governments have to take decisions which essentially serve the larger interest of society, and these have to often reconcile diverse objectives and interests. In the case of coal based power generation, it is entirely possible that in a few years that very facility could be converted to a concentrated solar system for generating steam, which would permit utilization of a large part of the assets installed in the coal-based thermal plant. Solar energy technology is evolving rapidly, and could become a totally viable alternative to burning of coal in thermal power plants, thus presenting viable opportunities for solar retrofits. |
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Visit to Mexico
The Chief Mentor of POP Movement visited Mexico during the period January 28 - 31 essentially to address the Energy Mexico 2017 Conference. In addition, meetings were held with the POP team in Mexico including Ms. Patricia Castro, Ms. Paola Rojas, Ms. Eleonora Isunza De Pech, Prof. Antonio Sarmiento Gálan and Mr. Rodolfo Madero. A meeting was also held with the Secretary for Economic Development of Mexico City, Mr. Salomón Chertorivski and Mr. Abraham Torres Andrade to plan the next steps for the exercise currently in hand to move Mexico City towards a clean energy and climate responsive future. The next phase of this effort will be organized with about two dozen selected students at the end of March for developing a roadmap for the City.
The Chief Mentor of POP Movement visited Mexico during the period January 28 - 31 essentially to address the Energy Mexico 2017 Conference. In addition, meetings were held with the POP team in Mexico including Ms. Patricia Castro, Ms. Paola Rojas, Ms. Eleonora Isunza De Pech, Prof. Antonio Sarmiento Gálan and Mr. Rodolfo Madero. A meeting was also held with the Secretary for Economic Development of Mexico City, Mr. Salomón Chertorivski and Mr. Abraham Torres Andrade to plan the next steps for the exercise currently in hand to move Mexico City towards a clean energy and climate responsive future. The next phase of this effort will be organized with about two dozen selected students at the end of March for developing a roadmap for the City.
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Bio Dynamic Farming
The POP Movement’s Youth Mentor, Heeta Lakhani attended a workshop on "Bio Dynamic Farming and Vegetable Production" at Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra, Ravipura, District Anand, Gujarat from the 13th to the 20th of December, 2016. Bio dynamic farming works on a holistic approach towards agriculture, keeping in mind the air, soil and environment around. With increasing risks of climate change, food security is a major concern for our growing population. Bio dynamic farming improves soil quality and increases crop yields without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It also helps in producing better quality crops and does not affect the agricultural runoff or impact the environment negatively. Heeta is now implementing some of these bio dynamic farming techniques at a farm in Dahanu. |
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Nat Geo Publication by Olivia Ries
The POP Movement is proud and privileged to carry its bright, young International Advisory Board member, Olivia Ries' interview with Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, published in the Nat Geo. Olivia Ries caught up with Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Youth Director of Earth Guardians and plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Obama administration for its failure to protect the environment. Xiuhtezcatl was recently honored as Young Superhero of the Earth by the Captain Planet Foundation in Atlanta. Here is Olivia's full interview with Xiuhtezcatl. |
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (left) and Olivia Ries (right)
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Youth Panel on Climate Change (YPCC)
About two years ago, I attended an event organized by the Rotary Club in Oslo where Dr. Rajendra Pachauri presented the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report. He explained the major threats of climate change and explained that Norway, like other countries, had a great responsibility when it came to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. I strongly agreed with what Dr. Pachauri had to say. I was only 13 years at the time, but [ersonally, I was doing my part to fight for Norway to cut its greenhouse gas emissions. At the end of the event the audience was invited to ask questions. I asked Dr. Pachauri if we could constitute a panel like the IPCC, but for children. I suggested that we could call it the CPCC (i.e., the Children's Panel on Climate Change). Dr. Pachauri agreed and suggested that I should take initiative to set it up. During these 2 years, Dr. Pachauri and I have been corresponding about the initiative. Now, 2 years later, I met with Dr. Pachauri again a couple of weeks ago. We decided to take the initiative further and beyond. We are looking at expanding the idea of the CPCC to become the YPCC (i.e., the Youth Panel on Climate Change) forming a panel for youth from all over the world so that the panel represent's young people globally and not just children from Norway. The reason for this idea is to create a place where youth from all over the world can show politicians and the scientists that it is our future and not theirs that is at risk. And, that we, the youth, are the ones that will inherit this earth and continue to live here after the current generation who rules the governments are long gone. I am looking forward to continuing work on this project and I hope that we will be able to create the international Youth Panel on Climate Change soon. Eliah Mathias Age: 15 Years |
Eliah Mathias
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Meeting in Guyana
The Chief Mentor, Dr. R K Pachauri traveled to Georgetown, Guyana and held meetings with former President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Shyam Nokta, former senior official in the Government. Discussions took place on activities planned under the World Sustainable Development Forum, of which Dr. Jagdeo is Patron in Chief and Dr. R K Pachauri the President.
A presentation was made to a group of leaders from the Progressive Youth Organisation of Guyana, who have undertaken to launch the POP Movement in Guyana. Ms. Saleesha Gafoor assumed responsibility for follow up on this intent, and would mobilize the youth in that country to implement the POP Movement.
The Chief Mentor, Dr. R K Pachauri traveled to Georgetown, Guyana and held meetings with former President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Mr. Shyam Nokta, former senior official in the Government. Discussions took place on activities planned under the World Sustainable Development Forum, of which Dr. Jagdeo is Patron in Chief and Dr. R K Pachauri the President.
A presentation was made to a group of leaders from the Progressive Youth Organisation of Guyana, who have undertaken to launch the POP Movement in Guyana. Ms. Saleesha Gafoor assumed responsibility for follow up on this intent, and would mobilize the youth in that country to implement the POP Movement.
OMG Invites Zoos and Schools to Create Unique 3D Art for Pangolins
We are very proud to share a link to our partner, OMG's recent article about their Pangolin Awareness Art Campaign.
We would like to thank our readers for spreading the word across schools and zoos to participate and help OMG launch this important campaign.
We are very proud to share a link to our partner, OMG's recent article about their Pangolin Awareness Art Campaign.
We would like to thank our readers for spreading the word across schools and zoos to participate and help OMG launch this important campaign.
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Source: One More Generation
POP Movement on An Interactive Map
Click the markers on the map to glance at the POP Movement's activities in different parts of the world