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Coalition in Germany now advocates for a global Tobin Tax
Our once as utopian dubbed vision is being integrated into mainstream politics. After years of political headwind, our visions are finally experiencing tailwind. Even as some issues are being widely ignored during the federal election campaign, it is a huge success on the behalf of our initiative and many like-minded people that Per Steinbrück, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Angela Merkel now support the call for a global tax on financial transactions. In their broadcasted election debate on 13 September Merkel and Steinmaier repeated their call to action and current Chancellor Merkel additionally promoted a global tax on kerosene.
These calls that were initiated by attac and have been made socially acceptable, amonst others, by the Global Marshall Plan Initiative are now being incorporated into mainstream election debate. An extensive thank you thus to all supporters of the Global Marshall Plan Initiative who worked cease to turn this utopian vision into reality. Of course we all need to continue our lobbying but we now see that the last six years of work have started to pay off.
See also: Gute Nachrichten zur Finanztransaktionssteuer aus Österreich
A UN report said
GENEVA — Developing nations need a 600-billion-dollar "Marshall Plan" annually to tackle climate change with support from rich nations on a scale not seen outside wartime recovery, a UN report said Tuesday.
The World Economic and Social Survey called for a "Global Sustainable New Deal" to overcome the "woefully inadequate" estimate of 21 billion dollars currently set aside internationally to adapt to and cope with climate change.
Touching on a core stumbling block in global climate talks, the report said that poor nations needed a huge investment programme from rich nations to shift to clean energy, and to adapt to the weather changes and damage wrought by global warming.
The transformation would require "a level of international support and solidarity rarely mustered outside a wartime setting," according to the survey by the UN's department of economic and social affairs.
"What we're arguing for given the kind of money we're talking about is a new Marshall Plan to tackle climate change and development," said author Richard Kozul-Wright.
"The ballpark figure in this report is one percent of world GDP, something in the order currently of 500 billion to 600 billion dollars (419 billion euros) annually is what developing countries will need in terms of international support to make this kind of shift sooner rather than later," the UN economist told journalists.
World leaders will meet in the Danish capital Copenhagen in December in a bid to seal a new international accord against climate change, aimed primarily at setting new emissions cuts and drawing developing nations into the deal.
But industralised, emerging and developing nations are at loggerheads in the negotiations, including over the issue of additional funding to help poor countries mitigate and adapt to global warming.
The latest UN figure is well above previous estimates.
"The kind of adjustments required have been seriously underestimated," said Kozul-Wright, calling for more "leadership" from high polluting rich nations and "much more frank and open discussions about burden sharing at the international level."
The report acknowledged that the required public investment push for climate action was "substantial and daunting," but pointed to the trillion dollar support given to banks and the financial system over the past year.
"This is a systemic threat," said the senior UN economist.
The report warned that incremental, market-based solutions such as emissions trading were not enough.
Instead they needed to find a way to pursue high economic growth as well as low emissions simultaneously, rather than to stifle industrial activity in order to cut energy use.
Investment within the next decade followed by rapid growth would sustain a wholesale transition to clean energy in poor nations and gradually help them to stand alone in coping with changing weather patterns, it added.
The report endorsed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: "The idea of freezing the current level of global inequality over the next half century or more, as the world goes about trying to solve the climate problem, is economically, politically and ethically unacceptable."
It pointed out that while the world needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 80 percent over 1990 levels by 2050, the energy generating capacity of developing countries was projected to be double that of their developed counterparts.
The report firmly laid the burden for current cuts on wealthy nations, noting that carbon emissions from China's booming economy were equivalent to those of the United States before World War I.
Source: google.com
Teaser picture: climateprediction.net, bbc.co.uk/climatechange
Essay by Zeki Ergas
A writer, scholar activist and long-tim supporter of the Global Marshall Plan, Dr. Zeki Ergas is the General Secretary of the Suisse Romand Centre of P.E.N. International and a member of that organisation’s Writers for Peace Committee. He has written extensively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Here is his most recent piece:
Yes, it can. Can it be stopped from happening? Yes, but it will require a fundamental change in mentalities, which will necessitate a full and complete mobilisation and commitment of all the constructive forces in Israel and in the Jewish Diaspora, especially in the United States. The only way Israel can escape destruction in the long run is to accept, fully and without reservations, the idea that the fates, or destinies, of the Israeli and Palestinian nations or peoples are linked or tied together. Thus, in the long run, either they will succeed together, or they will fail together. That failure will have catastrophic consequences for the rest of the Middle East. Success could be a possibility now because owing, in large part, to the involvement of the Obama administration, there is a large window of opportunity now. Timing is also right because the world itself is going through a transitional period, which will probably last several decades, in which the old paradigm based on unlimited growth and extreme and excessive profits for a small oligarchic elite will come to an end, to be replaced by a new paradigm based on human rights and an equal, just and sustainable redistribution of wealth and resources. The survival of the planet itself will depend on this transformation.
Read more
Teaser photo: © Bärbel Jobst / PIXELIO
Presenting "Stop Talking. Start Planting." in New York
New York, USA – 21 September, 2009 – While Heads of States are talking in the UN headquarters about climate change, the youth from around the world is taking action. "It is about our future. We cannot sit, listen and not act. Talking alone isn't going to stop the glaciers from melting. We demand politicians, fellow citizens, parents, businesses and other children: Stop talking. Start planting – for the sake of our common future," said 11-year-old Felix Finkbeiner from Germany during the presentation of the campaign in New York with the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP, Achim Steiner, and Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai.
In this unique campaign 132 children from already 56 countries pledge to plant 1 million trees, in the next 3 years, in each of their countries to help reduce the adverse effects of climate change. Today the children of India too declared to plant 1 million trees. They have adopted the motto "Stop talking. Start planting." Campaign activities include worldwide tree planting drives and awareness raising through taking photos of world leaders, VIPs and high profile figures with a child's hand over their mouths. So far over hundred VIPs including Nobel Peace Laureate Rajendra Pachauri, Prime Minister South Korea Han Seung-soo, Chinese pop star Wei Wei and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson have taken part in the campaign. The latest additions were supermodel Gisele Bündchen and HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco. The children are also invited to address the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2009 to present their views on the debate on climate change in a 3 minute speech.
Generally the children are already active in 56 countries where they are following the pledge of planting at least 1 million trees. "We are currently still trying to expand our worldwide network. We want to reach a truly global movement – and we are on the right track. In Germany the children will have planted the millionth tree by the end of this year. It all started with a class presentation I gave in grade 4 in January 2007 at my school near Munich when I shared my vision to plant a million trees in each country of the world with my class-mates", explained Felix, adding that Chinese pop star Wei Wei promised to soon present a special campaign song.
As a first call to action, the children aged between 10 and 14 are contacting their prime ministers and heads of state asking for action and their support by referring in personal letters to a two-page declaration that was written and approved by 800 children from 107 countries during the UNEP's International Children and Youth Conference in South Korea in August (www.plant-for-the-planet.org/press_release).
This declaration of the children and youth of the world, representing half of the world’s population, urge governments, civil society and individuals to stop talking and start planting. The children then go on to express their concerns about the future of the planet and call for radical measures to deal with climate change for future human health, job security and social development.
"We all know the problems. Now it’s time to act. Let’s waste no time and Stop talking. Start planting. Each time adults just talk and don’t act, it’s up to us, the children, to take matters into our own hands. Quite literally. As you can see, we aren’t just trying to save the world, we are trying to save our future too,” was the clear message Felix sent. The UN has heard the message and is supporting the campaign in the framework of their "Billion Tree Campaign".
More information:
Plant-for-the-Planet
Felix Finkbeiner
Kreuzeckstrasse 2, 82396 Paehl near Munich, Germany
Phone 0049 (0)8808 9345
Mobil 0049 (0)171 74 88 108
felix@plant-for-the-planet.org
www.plant-for-the-planet.org
www.sealthedeal2009.org
Maiken Hamaluba explains about ENO's activities
Maiken comes from Botswana and is also a member of UNEP's Tunza junior board, representing Africa.
She's just one of many children around the world contributing to the 205 million tree goal of the children of the world.
Updates from the media
Global Marshall Plan
09/28/2009 09:00 am (local time)
Brussels
Spring Alliance Conference
The overarching strategy of the European Union for the past four years can be summed up in two words: “growth and jobs”. As a result, EU policy has often prioritised economic expansion over the welfare of the people of Europe and the sustainability of our planet.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. 2009 will see a new European Commission, a newly-elected European Parliament and possibly the adoption of a new vision for the EU. The time to influence the strategic direction of EU, to ensure that it pursues simultaneously economic, environmental and social goals, is now. The Spring Alliance has been formed to do exactly that.
The Spring Alliance is managed by four leading European civil society organisations: the European Environmental Bureau, the European Trade Union Confederation, Social Platform and CONCORD. The Alliance itself is much broader than that: it is a network of members from all corners of civil society and beyond. Membership is open to social organisations, trade unions, environmental organisations, development NGOs, Fair Trade movement, anti-poverty campaigners, consumers organisations and representatives from the research and business community. These organisations contribute their expertise and support to making the agenda of the Spring Alliance a reality.
At the conference on September 28, 2009 the Spring Alliance Manifesto will be presented to European decision makers representing i.a. the European Commision, the European Parliament and the EU presidencies. The conference will be open to all stakeholders from civil society with an interest in the Spring Alliance and invites participants to take part in discussions on how to move the Spring Alliance Manifesto forwards.
Address:European Economic and Social Committee, Jacques Delors Building, 99 Rue Belliard, 1040 Brussels
Further information: www.springalliance.eu/ email: info@springalliance.eu
10/16/2009 - 10/18/2009
Worldwide
Join the global movement to end poverty.
In 2006, 23 million people stood up, in 2007 47 million people, last year 116 million people Stood Up and Took Action.
For the fourth year in a row, millions of people around the world will Stand Up and Take Action to show their support for the fight against poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This year Stand Up will take place against the backdrop of a deepening financial crisis and a slowing global economy.
It is a time of great challenge for development in general and the MDGs in particular. Already we are seeing the potentially devastating impact of this on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. We know that the current economic climate threatens to undo and possibly even reverse the very significant gains that have been made towards achieving the MDGs. With just six years left to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Goals, we cannot afford to let this happen.
The achievement of the MDGs must remain a priority on the global political and public agenda. In this environment, Stand Up is a vital opportunity to send a clear and urgent message to world leaders and decision makers and raise the political stakes. Our policy messages and actions must reflect the urgency of the situation and must be an instrument to convey the sense of our growing impatience and intolerance of excuses for and distractions from the implementation of policies and programmes that address the poorest and most vulnerable.
Join millions worldwide to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.
STAND UP and TAKE ACTION against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.
When?
October 16th, 17th, 18th, 2009: From 12 a.m. GMT (relevant local time) on the 16th October to 11.39 p.m. GMT (relevant local time) on the 18th October
More information at www.standagainstpoverty.org
10/24/2009
Worldwide
Get involved!
We're calling on people around the world to organize an action on October 24 incorporating the number 350 at an iconic place in their community, and then upload a photo of their event to 350.org website.
For more information, please consult 350.org.
11/04/2009
Visby, Sweden
A two-day workshop using a pattern laboratory approach
Practical information
Dates: Workshop 4–5 November; the core group will also meet on 6 November.
Venue: Gotland University, Visby, Sweden
Main conference language: English. Some support for Russian and Spanishspeaking
participants may be available.
The hosts
SWEDESD is the Swedish International Centre of ESD. One of its objectives is to have ESD practitioners and researchers examine in depth the elements of an effective SD pedagogy, to critically explore its boundaries and to experiment with new approaches and methods.
Global Action Plan (GAP) International is an NGO network that has worked with sustainable behaviour change since 1990. To accelerate learning, GAP has been developing the concept and practice of “Pattern Laboratory”. It goes beyond simply sharing “best practice”, and is a systematic approach to enabling practitioners to make their learning accessible to others by focusing on patterns of behaviour, and in particular on mental patterns that shape behaviour.
The workshop
This international workshop of practitioners and researchers will explore and synthesize what is known about an effective pedagogy for sustainable development, i.e. a pedagogy that has a transformative effect on individual and collective behaviour contributing to sustainability. It will provide a space to reflect on experience, and to develop new solutions in co-operation with other leadingedge researchers and practitioners. The workshop will build on recent ESD explorations, and will lay the basis for a new platform for learning and action for SD. It is expected that subsequent to the workshop some participants will organise similar workshops in their countries or regions, thus contributing to an ongoing process of learning and sharing within and between regions.
Participation
Participation is limited, and is by invitation. Each participant is expected to bring a case study. We aim for a balance between researchers and practitioners, between men and women, and between different regions and economic systems. There is no participation fee, accommodation and meals in Visby will be provided. Most participants will be expected to cover their own travel costs to and from Visby; a small fund is available for travel grants for a few participants. This announcement is directed specifically to people and groups known to have experience in the subject area. Feel free to circulate it within your own network.
If you would like to nominate a participant – yourself or someone else –
the next step is for your nominee to apply for an invitation, stating (in no more than half a page) why s/he would like to attend. A simple on-line form is provided for the purpose.
In the absence of web access, a file for printing can be requested from secretariat@globalactionplan.com.
More information
There is more information about the process before, during and after the conference.
If you would like to discuss the laboratory process, please contact Miriam Sannum, sannum@delta.telenordia.se You can get background notes concerning a pedagogy for sustainable development.
If you would like to discuss pedagogical research aspects, please contact Professor Olena Pometun, pometun@hotmail.com. You can get an introduction to the ‘pattern language’ concept.
If you would like to discuss pattern language, please contact Nadia McLaren, nmclaren@iprimus.com.au. We have also made some sample draft pattern descriptions available.
If you would like to discuss pattern descriptions, please contact Charlotte Carlsson, lotten.carlsson@gmail.com
...about SWEDESD
...about GAP
12/12/2009
Worldwide
More information will follow soon
