The UN Climate Change Confererence [COP 15] starts today, and continues on till the 18th December. Delegates from 192 countries will be gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark to discuss how we, as a global community can cut down on carbon emissions. It would seem that many countries participating in the conference are very keen in announcing their intentions of curbing their greenhouse emissions.
Some of the main issues that will be discussed include:
* Curbing greenhouse gas emission – finding appropriate targets, in particular for developed countries
* Nationally appropriate mitigation actions of developing countries
* A carbon trading scheme aimed at ending the destruction of the world’s forests by 2030
Bioversity and the CGIAR will be actively participating at Copenhagen, through events and exhibitions involving individual Centers as well as collective efforts through the new Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Challenge Program. Three key events for the CGIAR include:
* Bioversity International in collaboration the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) will convene an official high-level Side Event titled “Building the global biodiversity informatics commons for climate change adaptation.” The event will be held on Tuesday, 8 December 2009 from 20h00 to 21h30 in the Dan Turell Room, Bella Center, Copenhagen. It will focus on the importance of international sharing and exchange of biodiversity information, in particular for improved decision-making in climate change adaptation efforts and managing the impacts on agriculture and food security. Invitation is open to all registered COP15 delegates.
* Agriculture and Rural Development Day (ARDD) on Saturday, December 12. ARDD will focus on “the road after Copenhagen: priority strategies and actions for ensuring food security and rural development in the face of climate change.” ARDD is sponsored by a large consortium of organizations, which includes the CGIAR, the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers and the CCAFS Challenge Program.
* Forest Day 3 on Sunday, December 13. This event is hosted by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and the Government of Denmark. The event will build on the success of Forest Days 1 and 2 in helping to ensure that forests remain high on the agenda for a future climate agreement. If you’re interested in seeing all the CGIAR events at COP 15 please follow this link.
Also why not be part of the process, and cast your vote for the Earth at the Earth Hour website. Vote Earth!
