Latest Information from Judy our Environment and Sustainability Chair

The latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report on Climate Change Mitigation, released by the UN on April 4, combines hope and urgency. “The decisions we make now can secure a livable future,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee. “We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming.” “It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5 C,” added IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Jim Skea.

 

Invite everyone you know who’s going to Houston to sign up for ESRAG’s “Green Road to RICON” conference. Headlined by Past Rotary President Ian Riseley, this June 3 conference offers an array of inspiring speakers illustrating the many ways Rotarians are working to protect the conditions essential to life on our planet.    Watch Dr. Yasar Atacik's March 30th presentation to ESRAG’s Projects Webinar for an empowering introduction to the principles of circular economy.   How do you keep clothes, coffee makers, and damaged furniture out of landfills? Recruit a few handy friends, and start a local Repair Café! Started in Holland by Martine Postma in 2007, Repair Cafés are now popping up worldwide, with over 2,200 in operation. The website, readable in Dutch, English, French, German, and Spanish, is packed with practical advice and creative solutions.    Too often, quality goods from hospital beds to school desks end up in landfills across Australia when institutions buy new equipment or businesses discard unsold inventory. Rotarians have developed smart logistics to match these goods to the wish-lists from developing countries.    748 people registered for ESRAG’s second annual World Environment Area of Focus Conference April 9-10. Youth participation was incredibly strong: 509 Rotaractors, 14 youth exchange students, and five Interact members Organized by the two ESRAG Chapters supporting Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia, the conference drew people from six continents and a total of 8 ESRAG Regional Chapters. Participating organizations included the UN Environment Programme, World Wildlife Fund Turkey, Global Forest Watch (an initiative of the World Resources Institute), and World Beyond War.   Rotarians and Rotaractors in Turkey are sponsoring a series of four annual Circular Economy design competitions in partnership with universities, nonprofits, and corporations. The competition emphasizes interdisciplinary work and raising awareness of the importance of transitioning from a linear to circular economy.   ESRAG’s Plastic Solutions Task Force invites you to learn about global grant development from a master, Rotarian Prakasam (Prakash) Tata, PhD, BCES QRP (Emeritus) at its meeting on May 9th, broadcast via Zoom at 9 am and 6pm PST (UTC – 7). Dr. Tata will talk about his recently-approved grant on Plastic Waste Collection, Processing, and Recycling and Reuse