7 February 2010
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Quote of the Day
Copenhagen was a breakdown, not pre-structured or undertaken in good faith."
Prof Jeffrey D Sachs
Quote of the Day
Empty promises of aid to poor countries that are not honoured have zero value."
Prof Jeffrey D Sachs
Quote of the Day
In our common efforts, we cannot start from zero."
HE Mr J R E Quesada
Quote of the Day
The role of civil society is to put the Junoon (passion) back into the battle against climate change."
Mr Carl Pope
Quote of the Day
The impacts of climate change have begun, and we have lost years and years of precious time due to irresponsible leaders."
Mr Bittu Sahgal
Quote of the Day
We, in the US, have no business to build coal-based power plants today."
Ms Anjali Jaiswal
Quote of the Day
We cannot continue with business as usual. We have a responsibility beyond our own timeline."
Prof Walter Erdelen
Quote of the Day
There is no need for despair - the message has gone to civil society on the need for action."
Mr Suman K Bery
Quote of the Day
We need books like 'Eco-footprint for Dummies' to teach us how to reduce our personal ecological footprints in our daily lives."
Mr Rick Mayo-Smith
Quote of the Day
We must practice what we preach."
Dr Ursula Schaefer-Preuss
Quote of the Day
We have to share the burden, otherwise we will share the consequences."
Mr John Kerry
Quote of the Day
We have not created the world, but we received it."
Rt Hon John Gummer
Quote of the Day
We are not taking about future but reality. We are already suffering, losing territory everyday and that our survival is threatened."
HE Ms M P E Lloyd
Quote of the Day
Copenhagen Accord was valuable but we must assist the multilateral process."
Mr Shyam Saran
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Mobilizing Civil Society
Speakers
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He mentioned that civil society had reasons to be proud for bringing the issue of climate change on the map. Local politicians are experiencing pressure from their constituencies for taking action on climate change. |
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He touched upon a number of crucial issues - water and climate change; governance in environmental affairs; ethical obligation towards the next generation; the science behind climate change and the need to communicate it to decision makers and general public; capacity building, costing, mainstreaming, and networking, including meta-networking. |
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He emphasized the need to look at our own personal actions and their impacts. He welcomed the setting up of carbon funds as a practical solution, as well as the sustainable infrastructural fund in Vietnam. He also cited the example of Vietnam as an emerging market, where forest cover had increased considerably and the country had been ranked fifth on the Happiness Index. |
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| Mr Suman K Bery Director
General, National Council of Applied Economic Research |
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Prof Walter Erdelen Assistant Director General, Natural Sciences, UNESCO |
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Mr Rick Mayo-Smith Co-Chairman, Indochina Capital, Vietnam |
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He said that reducing the carbon footprint should not be looked at as a burden or sacrifice but more as an opportunity. He cited the example of solar lanterns which could transform a billion lives. |
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He stressed on the need to invest in climate-friendly infrastructure and on improving capacities to be institutional partners with civil society organizations. |
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He stressed on the need to mobilize and be responsible towards the younger generation and their future. He also proposed that the Indian government should raise a group of 20-30 million ‘eco-farmers’ who would work on degenerated, barren lands. This would not only restore to life the forests, wetlands, and corals, but also provide employment to people. |
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| Mr Carl Pope Executive Director, Sierra Club, USA |
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Dr Ursula Schaefer-Preuss Vice-President, Knowledge and Management and Sustainable Development, ADB |
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Mr Bittu Sahgal Environmentalist and Editor, Sanctuary Asia and Sanctuary Cub Magazines, India |
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The session focused on the role of civil society in mobilizing action on the issue of climate change. It was moderated by Dr Larry Brilliant, President, The Skoll Urgent Threats Fund, USA, who began with a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, who once remarked on Western Civilization, that it would be a good idea. Dr Brilliant said that the same could be said about civil society. The distinguished panelist briefly touched upon various issues related to the crucial role of civil society. 
