Celebrating our young Future Leaders and listening to their innovative solutions to the challenges of our time was my privilege during the Sustainable Brands conference held in Cape Town this weekend. Of course I had to resist the impulse of wanting to apologize to them all for leaving them such a complex world to sort out. This should never have happened and could have been … [Read more...]
Cape Town to host world-class brand and sustainability leaders
Sustainable Brands Cape Town announces its vibrant line-up of over 100 speakers who will lead the discussions into HOW to innovate your brand for sustainability NOW. The 4 day conference will be held at Century City Conference Centre from 14 - 17 May bringing local and global thought leaders together. Now a decade in development it is exciting to see the Sustainable … [Read more...]
Changing business, changing the world: first Sustainable Brands Conference in Cape Town
From May 14-17, Cape Town will host the very first Sustainable Brands Conference on African soil. The Sustainable Brands events were founded on the belief that unleashing the best of our human ingenuity and innovation can change the shape of business, and with it, the world. The desire is to spark new ideas by connecting people from different perspectives and disciplines … [Read more...]
Paris climate agreement the world’s greatest diplomatic success
In the final meeting of the Paris talks on climate change on Saturday night, the debating chamber was full and the atmosphere tense. Ministers from 196 countries sat behind their country nameplates, aides flocking them, with observers packed into the overflowing hall. John Kerry, the US secretary of state, talked animatedly with his officials, while China’s foreign minister … [Read more...]
Paris talks a fraud, says climate change founder James Hansen
Mere mention of the Paris climate talks is enough to make James Hansen grumpy. The former Nasa scientist, considered the father of global awareness of climate change, is a soft-spoken, almost diffident Iowan. But when he talks about the gathering of nearly 200 nations, his demeanour changes. All words, no action “It’s a fraud really, a fake,” he says, rubbing his head. “It’s … [Read more...]
More immediate steps needed for effective climate action
World governments finalized a global agreement today in Paris that lays a foundation for long-term efforts to fight climate change. More effort is needed to secure a path that would limit warming to 1.5C. This new agreement should be continuously strengthened and governments will need to go back home and deliver actions at all levels to close the emissions gap, resource the … [Read more...]
First ever security resolution to recognise important role of youth
The United Nations Security Council adopted an historic resolution on youth, peace and security, which for the first time in its history focuses entirely on the role of young men and women in peacebuilding and countering violent extremism. The resolution, sponsored by Jordan, represents an unprecedented acknowledgement of the urgent need to engage young peacebuilders in … [Read more...]
Paris climate deal: nearly 200 nations sign in end of fossil fuel era
Governments have signalled an end to the fossil fuel era, committing for the first time to a universal agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change at crunch UN talks in Paris. After 20 years of fraught meetings, including the past two weeks spent in an exhibition hall on the outskirts of Paris, negotiators from nearly … [Read more...]
Making peace with the earth
The tragedy of 13th November 2015 in Paris calls on all of humanity to respond to the escalating and vicious cycles of violence by creating virtuous circles of peace. The recent horrific attacks in Paris, Beirut and Egypt's Sinai peninsular make it all the more imperative that we came together in solidarity for the future of humanity and Mother Earth. Governments under … [Read more...]
Climate smart agriculture remains key to Africa’s Development
How will African farmers cope with climate change and become more resilient? How will they ensure food security? Collaboration by various stakeholders including governments, NGOs and research bodies is needed now to rapidly scale-up the African agricultural sector to improve food security and resilience to climate change,” says Estherine Fotabong, NEPAD Programmes Director, … [Read more...]
Climate coalition pushes for binding and ambitious deal in Paris
A coalition representing more than 100 countries, formed in secrecy six months ago, has emerged at key UN talks in Paris to push for a legally binding global and ambitious deal on climate change. The “high ambition coalition” speaks for the majority of the 195 countries at the crunch conference and consists of 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, the US and all of EU … [Read more...]
COP21: call for international treaty on rights of nature and communities
A new movement has been launched at COP21 in Paris to give legal effect to the rights of nature and communities. This would provide effective protection against the gross environmental damage and human rights violations that accompany extractive industries from mining to oil development and agri-business projects, and which underlie climate change, writes Hal Rhoades. A new … [Read more...]
The real divisions over climate change
As the world faces catastrophic climate change, the bigger fight is not just between “developed countries” and “developing countries” or between “big polluters” and “the people.” As usual, the deadlock in the on-going UN climate change summit here in Paris is being depicted by media, government officials, NGOs, and even activists as a reprise of the long-running struggle … [Read more...]
