Adaptation and Sustainable Management for U.S. Forests

The second and last conference of today (Adaptation and Sustainable Management for U.S. Forests) was presented by Dave Cleaves (U.S. Forest Service). He talked about how the U.S. Forest Service is using to implement a new road map for climate change across all U.S. National Forests, providing a useful organizational structure for adaptation in forest ecosystems throughout the world.

APMR (Masonic Press Agency of Romania) inquired Mr. Cleaves about the policy of the Republic of Gabon regarding forests (Gabon covers a total area of 268,000 square kilometers. Forests cover an estimated 220,000 square kilometers. Gabon’s population of 1.2 million is mainly urban (73%). Until 1970s, Gabon’s economy was largely dependent on its forests, which contributed 75% of its export earnings. Our question is how can a country such Gabon have a better policy regarding forests then other more developed countries or multinational political entities such as European Union? And when talking about Gabon we do not talk necessary about national education, but governmental national policies. Will be such countries affected more by climate change then others in the future?).

Dave Cleaves said that everything depends on a balance, the ratio of urban population to rural population, etc. There are issues in the short and long term. Everything depends on the various reports.

A Stakeholder Driven Approach to Adaptation in the East Caribbean

Today was the second day conference held in U.S. Center 2010 in Cancun. The first conference (A Stakeholder Driven Approach to Adaptation in the East Caribbean). During the conference took place an interactive application launched by John Furlow (from USAID).

APMR (Masonic Press Agency of Romania) has launched the first question (There are many small nations in the Caribbeans. Have they any kind of common view in developing a regional plan of protection of the population against cyclones? A multinational system?). The question was answered by Crispin D'Auveragne (representative of the Ministry of Physical Development and Environment - Government of St. Lucia) and Peter A. Murray (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States). The two have said that yes, there are mechanisms that provide support and operating in several countries, giving people help and advice. Also, the representative from St. Lucia also said that there is a type of insurance against earthquakes and hurricanes.

At the end of the conference APMR raised another issue, asking: Have the Caribbean small countries a propper system/infrastructure of education regarding health and eco firendly way of living?

The answer to this question was offered by Mr. Peter A. Murray, who said that such projects have been initiated to form such an infrastructure. The schools have are implementing programs on climate change.

Brazil's leaders would not attend the COP16 Summit

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff would not attend the COP16 Summit in Cancun. Brazil is a country whose position on the international scene has made a good impression. You could say that Brazil is one of the protagonists in the fight against Climate Change.

COP16 - European Union

Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change

As part of the second conference organized by the United States Center in Cancun (at the COP16 Summit) were presented aspects of climate change and tropical cyclones.

Asked by APMR (Masonic Press Agency Romania) on weather anomalies and their effects in the economic (In Romania we see more and more often tornadoes (most of them in the South, South-West and South-Est regions of the country). Can we expect that due to Climate Change to see more and more tornadoes? And how this will affect the agricultural life of a economy, especially and a economy generally talking? Can we use them to produce energy?), Tom KNUTSON from NOAA - U.S. Government Agency (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) said that it is hard to say if you do not have more data.

Tom Knutson believes that we need more data and further analysis to see if the increase of the number of tornadoes is at a national level or on isolated issues. Mr. Knutson of NOAA has returned at end the conference with more information on tornadoes, giving graphic examples in this regard.

U.S. - India Joint International Program "Energy Efficiency"

Today took place a presentation of the U.S. - India Joint International Program "Energy Efficiency" in Cancun, Mexico. The event was held in the U.S. Center 2010 Cancun. Dr. Jayant SANTHAYE was the first speaker who spoke. He presented the National Plan of Action on Climate Change (on India), initiated by India in 2008.

Dr. Santhaye spoke about the importance of the roof of the house, a very important element in increasing or decreasing energy consumption. An example is the city of Hyderabad in India, where the roof house's are white, which means that energy consumption can be reduced.

After the presentation Dr. Santhaye, followed a presentation by Mr Ajay MATHUR (Director General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency of the Government of India). He talked about the fact that increasingly more people are buying products by brand, and this affects the excessive consumption of electricity. Mr. Mathur believes that one option is to produce a brand of products (and make a massive advertising on this) to be economic in terms of energy consumption.

Mr. Ranjit BAHRVIRKAR (ITRON Consulting) talked about US-India Collaboration on Clean Energy (recent initiatives).

After the three speakers presentations were finished, they answered questions. The first question was that of the Masonic Press Agency of Romania (India has a big marine and oceanic coast line. Also it has, in the north, its mountains. Why is not implementing projects for the use of wind and water energy? There are examples in Holland, in Spain etc. And India is a bigger economy then these two countries.).

Dr. Santhaye answered the question after which he was completed by Ajay Mathur (Director General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency of the Government of India). The answer of both was that India is one of the largest wind energy producers and consumers. Also, there is a problem that the wind of India, and China is much stronger than in other parts of the world. And therefore manufacturers of wind turbines are left to solve this problem.

Felipe Calderón Hinojosa opened COP16 Summit

At 10:00 am (Mexico time) began the official opening ceremony of the COP16 Summit. The event takes place in Cancun, the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, where representatives of almost 200 countries around the world are participating.

After several speeches, at 11:10 am took place the presentation of a short film made by Willy Sousa, through Mexican children say they welcome all those present.

At 11:14, Felipe Calderón Hinojosa (President of Mexico) stated his speech in which he spoke about the difficult period experienced by his country, he spoke of humanity's right to act globally and our duty to future generations. "Our relationship with nature comes at a critical point," said the president of Mexico.

Mexican President's speech was a relatively philosophical, calling everyone's responsibility and the responsibility of world leaders. The speech lasted 26 minutes. Thus, at 11:40 am the COP16 Summit opening ceremony was concluded.

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Today opens the COP16 Summit in Cancun, Mexico

After inaugurating yesterday the Climate Change Village, in Cancun, Mexican authorities are ready to officially open today the COP16 Summit. The main question of this summit still remains: Can Cancun Salvage the COP15 from Copenhagen? We do not know yet, but there are voices saying that COP16 will not bring something new for Climate Change.

After the COP15 Summit in Copenhagen in 2009, pessimism grew and there were many saying that COP16 in Cancun will bring nothing more than the last meeting from Denmark. We must remember that Rüdiger Templin (Grand Master of the United Grand Lodges of Germany) criticized last year summit. Brethren Templin asked all Freemasons to prevent Climate Change with a more appropriate behavior - by reducing energy consume in all their Lodges and at home.

Grand Master Templin was talking about a Masonic modern style of life. In his open letter to the German Brethrens, titled "The protection of the environment is a part of the Masonic modern style of life", Grand Master Rüdiger Templin was asking that all the German Lodges under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodges of Germany to introduce in their 2010 agenda the Climate Change issue.

The APMR (Masonic Press Agency of Romania) Secretary-General also stated a few days ago that "Freemasonry and Freemasons can not, must not and will not wait to see their Masonic Natural Temple - the Earth - breaking into pieces and leaving to the future generations a world in a natural chaos." Through the Masonic International Program "Save the Planet", APMR wants to make all Freemasons to react to the deadly virus: Climate Change.