Challenges of emerging economies

Sustainable Science

One month ago we concluded the global challenges achieving sustainability congress it gave us opportunities to master besides taking a second look at challenges in North and emerging economies. Not to forget low development countries. Each planetary boundary is faced with grim issues. Surplus energy supply, making cities livable, population explosion and food insecurity.

Business cluster in advanced economies are scared for a dive downwards as result of flying passengers unpronounced competition rising from carbon emissions offsets propelled by efficient virtual village. The numbers on up take of technology information is on upward trend in emerging economies. The M-pesa success in Kenya has proved how technology can empower masses into economic emancipation. On other hand these nations have a population facing starvation and undecreasing figures of stunted children. The little food harvested is secretly lost term it post-harvest loss due to lack of proactive systems. While somewhere on this planet food is wasted, an estimated of 30% of produce, contributing to 11% carbon emissions.

We cannot ignore the role of science in providing significant data for approaches of a circular economy or how to useful balance social, natural, spiritual capitals among others. South nations have faced scientists who are locked in their planetary boundary, politicians who are slow to support any new idea and if they do you are lucky if it becomes world’s best practice. The civil societies have stressed same new wine in old wine-skins. We need current data that will guide practical action and awaken our politician. For this reason I will not point fingers at the capitalists’ business society. No one has held them accountable on their processes of Africa consumes or challenged them to improve production for sustainable societies.

Have we not witnessed Africa democracy change spring through urban centres spiral into the bundus. Name anything, mobile users, internet fashion etc. This vantage centres continued to attract more humans with over seven billion on this planet half of it dwells in cities. Africa’s outlook we are still rural, however, in next sixteen years it will be fastest growing populous continent besides China and India countries. The sixty per cent of its population will be in cities. This will put strain on rural fields that will be under adverse climate change impacts.

As central governments devolve or some argue for managed retreat to rural areas this will cut & paste current cities problems into incapacitated rural township centres. If you do not service your car engine it will cost your hard earned dime. Cities are engines of emerging economies. For instance Nairobi claims directly and indirectly 50% of Kenya’s GDP. Let us not re-invent the wheel of how ideas flow into the veins of Africa. Join with us to inject into these veins message of sustainable cities. Green economy; renewable energy adoption, integrated waste management, efficient buildings, cleaner technologies and social inclusion or justice.

On second thought what if we all owned electric cars with efficient power supply, will we drive unending? Now we head to COP20 in Lima, Peru.

COP 19 – What is 4 Kenya?

Warsaw is Over

For the past two weeks policy makers, scientists, activists, ministers, diplomats and presidents gathered in Warsaw, Poland. A total of two weeks of talks and 36 hours of continuous negotiations, ministers and diplomats reached a comprise to the next phase of Climate Change by late hours of Saturday.

Even with mother nature had already given a warning of its’ misuse by humans. The Typhoon Haiyan hit Philippines early days of the conference did not move the major polluters for the planet and little was left for poor nations. Congrats to Yeb Sano for a moving speech at COP19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAuqtNR7xcQ. The Warsaw conference –COP 19 narrowed its focus to defining a clearer path for the final two years of the so-called Durban Platform negotiations held in South Africa.

Loss and damage

Due to Typhoon Haiyan, Tsunami and El nino in developing countries such Kenya, Philippines among others, the was greater attention to “loss and damage” resulting from extreme events and slow-onset impacts. Parties agreed at COP 19 to reach a decision in Warsaw on “institutional arrangements” addressing loss and damage.

Finance

The COP successful concluded arrangements with, and provided initial guidance to, the new Green Climate Fund launched in Cancún.

REDD+

To address a set of issues relating to deforestation and other emissions-generating forest practices a call for increased funding was made. Norway, the UK, and the United States pledged a total of $280 million for REDD+ efforts.

Following is a summary of key outcomes (for decision texts, see http://unfccc.int/2860.php#decisions).

Future Meetings – Hope for Kenya

COP 20 will be held December 1-14 in Lima. COP 21 will be held November 30-December 11, 2015, in Paris.

Durban to Doha COP18

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Durban in South Africa & Doha in Qatar, these cities have ONE thing in common. Over six thousand kilometers apart, South and North of Equator. November/December but different years they play hosts to major global discussions.

Durban a South Africa city was useful in climate talks for 2011 (COP17). It is an extraordinary city, the most culturally diverse, with a rich and colourful history. It also the biggest and busiest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The attraction of the city leaves everyone feeling home. This is why it is known as the friendliest city in South Africa. This highly due to great warmth and openness of its people and  laid-back lifestyle that everyone here enjoys.

COP 17 concluded with participants voting for universal legal approach to climate change. Unlike, Bali or Cancun Agreement there is not much to pride of  from South Africa. On a continent where 12% of world’s population live and highly impacted by climate change.

Now, Doha opened it is doors to same or new guests to discuss issues of climate. The theme draws you into out-of-the-box thinking – 7 Billion One Challenge. Will most participants focus to give the world a clear direction or it will be in selfish interests. The Least Developing Countries think of 3% contribution while G-8 at 43% of environmental footprint. The least producers suffer more while largest economy countries suffer least. 

It is time everyone ratified Kyoto protocol and make planet earth a better place. Both cities should not only go down in history after 2022 to have hosted FIFA World Cup but laid solid pillars for environmental governance. Our call is let this be not a pre-world cup tour but a strong green step into a sustainable planet.

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