Jessie James L. Marcellones, from the Philippines, was elected to the Tunza Youth Advisory Council of UNEP on 31 August 2007.
He is a member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and is a Bayer Young Environmental Envoy- Philippines, whom he helps to implement environmental protection activities among the people living in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Hence, he has organized tree planting campaign, information and educational drive, and youth forums, not just locally but internationally.
In the year 2003 and 2006, Jessie James participated in National and International Scout Jamborees where he was involved in discussions about the environment and had a first-hand experience in environmental activities: tree planting, tree parenting, etc.
He wants to be involved in the formation of an effective network in order to work hand in hand with other countries especially in the implementation of the environmental projects.
Jessie James was born on 17 November 1986. He loves playing basketball, table tennis, and soccer.
Wow! Great!
Children and Youth Statement
to the 25th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum, Nairobi, Kenya 16-20 February 2009
We, the UNEP Tunza Youth Advisory Council together with regional and indigenous youth representatives, present this statement on behalf of young people of the world, to the 25th Session of the UNEP Governing Council and Global Ministerial Environment Forum.
Children and youth, of unprecedented numbers, are engaged more than ever before. Worldwide young people are organized at the grassroots level, networking across borders, and making ourselves heard in environmental policy and decision-making processes. We remain committed to human development, and a collective approach to the struggle for a healthy planet and a sustainable global culture. We are conscious that ecological degradation disproportionately affects those oppressed by existing systems of power, and that we must work to address this.
We call upon governments, within this process, to acknowledge the special needs of marginalized groups, such as indigenous communities and disabled people, and the critical role they have to play at the national and international level.
We encourage governments to reconnect with children and youth as an important strategic group for environmental policy design and implementation. Specifically, young people must be further empowered to take part in national and international consultation and decision-making processes.
We note with deep concern that access to information, technology, and resources is not equitably distributed among children and youth geographically, especially between rural and urban settings. Governments should take action to allocate financial and technological resources broadly to ensure that young people everywhere have equal opportunities to actively shape their communities.
We demand governments to commit to a strong post-2012 climate regime in Copenhagen COP15, that will safeguard the survival of all countries and peoples. Right now the most vulnerable among us are not protected, nor are their voices sufficiently heard. Survival is not negotiable and it must form the baseline of any agreement.
We urge governments and the UN to recognize young people as an important stakeholder and a critical partner within the decision-making process leading up to the Copenhagen climate negotiations and beyond. This can be done through intensive consultation, sponsorship of youth participation, and support of children and youth lead projects. We also strongly suggest governments include youth on national delegations at international meetings, including Copenhagen. We, the young people of today, will inherit the world shaped by the outcomes of COP15. However, we do not want to be seen as victims, but as actors for change.
We urge governments to make green technology accessible and designed in such a way that it will respond to social and environmental needs worldwide. This must be done in harmonious relationship with the environment, tapping the knowledge of our ancestral cultures and traditional practices and values. While appreciating the merits of globalization and recognizing the importance of local initiatives in poverty reduction, we encourage governments to work for the creation of green jobs in the transition towards a green economy.
We ask governments to support, recognize, fund and implement the UNEP Tunza Strategy, starting in discussion today. The new strategy aims to involve young people in the environmental field,
facilitate the participation of young people in decision-making processes and train youth leaders to enhance their capacity to better implement the six subprogrammes of the UNEP Programme of Work.
Young people are important stakeholders in environmental decision-making processes. We are consumers, producers, victims, and beneficiaries. We are brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. We will be the ones who live in the world shaped by your decisions. Let us now work together for our common future.
Please join us.
Thank you.
GREEN IS THE NEW BIG DEAL.
Ligtas Hangin
Save the Air, Make Air Safe
A Campaign Proposal for the Philippines
What’s a campaign?
A “campaign” may be defined as a series of organized and sustained awareness raising activities accompanied by a call to action. They can be political (Obama-Biden), economic (Philippines 2000, Make Poverty History), or social (Human Rights Now, One, 350). For 2009, we propose that the CAI-Asia Center, the Partnership for Clean Air, and partners in government, civil society and private sector, coordinate their respective activities under a unified slogan to bring air pollution back into the public agenda. This campaign, dubbed “Ligtas Hangin” with have a simple logo (still to be designed). We propose that the activities planned for the 10th year anniversary of the Clean Air Act kick off the Ligtas Hangin campaign for 2009. “Ligtas Hangin” is not a new organization or initiative; it is a common slogan that can be adopted by any organization fighting to get clean air in the Philippines.
Why Ligtas Hangin?
Ten years ago when PCA was formed, they launched a “Save the Air” campaign which has since become part of the PCA logo. Now, a decade later, it seems appropriate to give the slogan a more national (and organizationally neutral) flavor. The Filipino phrase “ligtas hangin” embodies multiple shades of meaning that cannot be as succinctly expressed in English. It can mean “save the air,” “safe air,” “rescue the air,” or “free the air.” By adopting the phrase “Save the Air, Keep Air Safe” we not only allow foreigners to understand what Ligtas Hangin means, we also provide an easy to remember call to action, something that different activities by different organizations can rally around. As far as we are aware, the phrase “ligtas hangin” has never been used in any national level campaign.
What are the main objectives of Ligtas Hangin?
For maximum impact, objectives need to be as simple as possible. We propose three:
• Communciate the problem: The public needs to understand the local and global impacts of air pollution, which includes acquiring important vocabulary … because you can’t have a dialogue without the right words. For example, we hope that “NOx” and “BRT” will one day be part of our everyday speech the way “lahar” and “iodized salt” did years ago. Also, we need to “personalize” the air pollution problem, that in many case we can point the finger at ourselves.
• Focus on solutions: In our view, the air pollution problem is simple; it’s the solutions that are complicated. We need to give people a menu of technology, policy and behavior options. And we need to equip them with a framework to appreciate how these solutions fit with one another.
• Grow the community: Action cannot happen without people. We need to cultivate an air community that goes beyond the usual network of practicioners and specialists. Undergrad students, young mothers, expats from non-environmental fields, Korean immigrants, religious leaders, human rights activists, musicians, artists, and balikbayans … they all have one thing in common: they breathe. If everyone can speak with one voice, decision makers will listen. Air does not discriminate.
What is required to be part of the Ligtas Hangin campaign?
Individuals or organizations that want to be part of the campaign need only to register their activity with the PCA. There are no membership or registration fees to join the Ligtas Hangin campaign, and it is not necessary that they formally join PCA (although this may be encouraged). Registration ensures that (a) we know what they are doing and (b) we don’t inadvertently associate our name with activities that are contrary to the intention and values of the campaign. In return, these organizations and individuals can use the Ligtas Hangin campaign logo in all their activity materials and website, join campaign meetings and workshops, and receive regular updates from the Ligtas Hangin network.
What are the criteria for joining Ligtas Hangin?
Individuals or organizations that
• recognize our common right to breath clean, healthy air;
• believe that open, transparent and peaceful dialogue can effect real change;
• appreciate the idea that win-win solutions do exist;
• commit to aligning their activities to support better air quality in the Philippines; and
• help promote the Ligtas Hangin campaign to others (“pass it forward”/”spread the word”).
Is Ligtas Hangin only for 2009 and only for the Philippines?
Ligtas Hangin will be launched in 2009, but will be sustained for years to come. The Philippines is the first country in a broader regional campaign strategy. In 2010, a similar multi-year campaign will be launched in another Asian country, and in every year after. The intention is to translate “Save the Air” in other languages: Nepali, Singhalese, Mandarin, Thai, etc. As momentum grows, it may be possible that more than one country will adopt the campaign in a single year (e.g., China in 2010 -> Thailand and Vietnam in 2011 -> Nepal, Sri Lanka, India in 2012, etc.)
What’s the goal of the campaign in the long term?
Change cannot occur overnight, as the past 10 years has shown. The Ligtas Hangin campaign is designed to help usher a broader clean air movement at the grassroots. We need to actively engage the youth sector and nurture a way of thinking that emphasizes solutions and not just problems. Ten years from now, they will be the decision makers.
What kind of activities can we do under Ligtas Hangin?
For 2009, the activities are part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Clean Air Act. Here are a few ideas:
(for brainstorm)
• Earth Day Concert (22 April)
• Digital photo contest (professional and amateur level)
• Film showing
• Short film contest (student film makers)
• PCA fundraising/membership drive
• Cleanest bus company award (well maintained engines, mimimal idling at stops, etc.)
• Bookmarks/calendars/T-shirts and other collaterals
• Campus talks
• Ribbon cutting of reactivated montioring stations (putting the past behind us) ??
• Coordinate with DOH events (e.g., asthma awareness week)
What can we expect to see in the coming weeks?
• Integrated campaign plan
• Designs for the Ligtas Hangin logo
• Advertisement / poster courtesy of BBDO-Guerrero
The word “TUNZA” means “to treat with care or affection” in Kiswahili (a sub-regional language of Eastern Africa). The overall TUNZA Concept is built around this theme. It is an initiative that is meant to develop activities in the areas of capacity building, environmental awareness, and information exchange, with a vision to foster a generation of environmentally conscious citizens, capable of positive action.
UNEP TUNZA
“We are the youth, the eyes, ears and conscience of our societies”. – Youth ’92, world youth statement and plan of action, San Jose, Costa Rica, 1992.
TUNZA shows the vigor and enthusiasm with which children and the youth from all over the world are working in order to create a better environment. It reflects the innovation, creativity and optimism of young people in taking action to safeguard the future of the environment that we all depend on.
Global Civil Society Forum
The Tenth Session of the Global Civil Society Forum will be held from 14-15 February 2009, prior to the 25th UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) scheduled for 16-20 February 2009, in Nairobi Kenya.
The objective of the GCSF is to provide a platform for exchange and consultation on key environmental issues to be addressed by the Member States during the GC25/GMEF, and to facilitate Major Groups’ contribution to the GC/GMEF and other international environmental fora.
Major Groups’ participation in and contribution to the GCSF-10 and 25th GC/GMEF were facilitated by a series of Regional Consultative Meetings which were held in November 2008
In the process leading to the 25th UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC.25/GMEF), and as per the rule 69 of the rules of procedures of the UNEP Governing Council, organizations accredited to UNEP receive the unedited working documents of the UNEP Governing Council sessions at the same time as the Committee of the Permanent Representatives (CPR), for their review and comments. This consultation with civil society prior to the Governing Council provides an opportunity for civil society to contribute to the discussions on the above mentioned thematic and policy issues.
VOTE EARTH
YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.
http://asiapacificyens.wordpress.com/